Loving U2

Was watching the American Idol Gives Back tonight and Bono was featured again this year. In the background, some new U2 songs were played and it transported me back to my teenage years.

I practically grew up with U2 - being my favourite band since forever... Somewhere along the way, they dropped out of my radar with Achtung Baby and Zooropa - and I thought they have lost it. But, they regained their roots and have been better than ever!

This month's entries seemed very musical - more music videos than any other months. The truth is: I have been truly busy making preparations for the next phase of my life and while preparing those things or even working out in the gym, my huge music collection in my iPod have been my faithful companion - hence the various songs. Even music tells a story - so, April is indeed a music month for this Blog.

The favourite album of my favourite band U2 is still the classic The Joshua Tree. All the songs are works of art to me. I cannot even list my favourite U2 songs - it will cross all their musical careers to choose and it will be a long list. What really sets U2 apart from many bands is that despite the years, their quality have been consistent. And, their songs have a real serious message in them. So, whilst watching American Idol Gives Back tonight, I wish to share 2 songs taken from their more recent albums:

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, taken from How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb album (2004), was written for Bono's father who died of cancer. He performed it at his funeral - it was probably Bono's most emotional song recorded and performance at the Grammy's. When you read the lyrics knowing the context in which he wrote it, you will realise how awesome it is - but as with any U2's songs, you can also apply it to your own circumstances. "And it's you when I look in the mirror/ And it's you when I don't pick up the phone" ...

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

Tough, you think you've got the stuff
You're telling me and anyone
You're hard enough

You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don’t have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

We fight all the time
You and I
That’s alright, we’re the same soul
I don’t need, I don’t need to hear you say
That if we weren’t so alike
You’d like me a whole lot more

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

I know that we don’t talk
I’m sick of it all
Can you hear me when I sing?
You're the reason I sing
You're the reason why the opera is in me

Where are we now?
Still gotta let you know
A house still does not make a home
Don’t leave me here alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you that makes it hard to let go
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Sometimes you can't make it
Best you can do is to fake it
Sometimes you can't make it on your own



This next song, Walk On, taken from the album All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000), was written of Aung San Suu Kyi - but it can mean so many things to so many people too. It is a song about the power of positivism. Enjoy, and be positive!

Walk On

And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage that you can bring...
And love is not the easy thing...
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back
Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on
What you got they can't steal it
No they can't even feel it
Walk on, walk on...
Stay safe tonight

You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been
A place that has to be believed to be seen
You could have flown away
A singing bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom

Walk on, walk on
What you've got they can't deny it
Can't sell it, or buy it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight

And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

Home... hard to know what it is if you've never had one
Home... I can't say where it is but I know I'm going home
That's where the hurt is

I know it aches
How your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

Leave it behind
You got to leave it behind
All that you fashion
All that you make
All that you build
All that you break
All that you measure
All that you feel
All this you can leave behind
All that you reason
All that you sense
All that you speak
All you dress-up
All that you scheme...