For those who are getting bored with the U2 lyrics game and would like to give this a try
We all have different perceptions of the meanings of U2 songs. (Sometimes including Bono it seems). The idea here is to take a song and simply say what it conveys to you. Not necessarily to dissect it and pretend to understand the whole thing, but just to try & highlight whatever part you think you understand. It would then be interesting to see if members agree with the way you are looking at the lyrics or if they think that you are completely on the wrong track. I'm open for suggestions as to how we should control the time taken for discussion of each song and how the next song title is chosen.
I would like to start the discussion with one of my least favourite U2 songs which is 'Vertigo'.
One of my least favourite because I'm not really that keen on the music. But I think that the music being very 'in your face commercial rock & roll 'is part of the whole thing.
I see the overall meaning of the song as Bono explaining to his fans why he is appearing as being 'in the pockets' of politicians and people in high places.
' Unos, dos, tres catorce'. I think we all know that catorce is actually 14 not 4. I think that this indicates the leap of U2 to fame from 1,2,3 then way up to 14.
The jungle is in Bono's head (the commercial world) but his heart is still clear of his intentions.
'Your eyes are wide' and he is not selling out to fame or fortune, 'Your soul it can't be bought'.
He still wonders if he is doing the right thing, 'Your mind can wander'.
Vertigo is the place where he finds himself which is a dizzy place among the politicians and people who years before he would have been hitting out at on stage. It's a place that he would rather not be in (doesn't really want to be up there with them) and has always said that the reason he fights for causes as he does is because no-one else is doing it. He knows that conflicts are still being carried out by the very people he is being very friendly with, '....bullets rip the sky etc.,
I think that 'The boys play rock & roll, they can't dance, at least they know', refers to rest of the band. They are playing as a band and they keep out of what he's doing but at least they understand why he is doing what he is and that his reasons are genuine.
He's asking for the cheque. - Well that's trying to get aid and debt cancellation from USA, UK etc
Now, - 'The girl with crimson nails, with Jesus round her neck' I'm not too sure about that one, because I see it in two different possibilities. Bono could actually be referring to himself. His father used to tease him & call him a girl because of his long hair and he said he had a girlish voice. 'Jesus round her neck'. -( He wears rosary beads). 'Swinging to the music', I think that would refer to him as being perceived as part of the political set up. But I also think that this could be a reference to 'Salome', the biblical dancing temptress who demanded (and was awarded) the head of John The Babtist, who was offered a kingdom by Herod instead of her demand. 'All of this, all of this can be yours'. (Herod offered her a kingdom not to insist on the head of John The Babtist)
The final verse 'Lights go down and all I know is that you give me something, I can feel your love teaching me how, Your love is teaching me how, how to kneel...
This I am sure refers to Bono's acceptance of what God is telling him what to do and subject himself to the compliance of authoritarian figures in order to use his celebrity weight for the good
causes his so enthusiastically supports.
I'm sure that there is a whole lot more to the meaning of this song than I can see and would be interested in any other comments.
Lady G.
Wow Lady G, I thought you forgot about this.
I love the idea and I think it's great...it needs some managing...we'll talk about it later. First, Vertigo.
Your interpretation is a REALLY interesting one, I actually love it and it just made me like that song much more than before!
I never saw it that way. I do consider myself a religious person, and there are times when I am at places I feel I don't belong. But I am there, and I can't or won't get out of it. This could refer to an actual physical place or some feeling or a thought, just something you know isn't like you!
Anyways, to me it always described this feeling, the first verse describes the place, which is called Vertigo. And though your soul
It can't be bought
Your mind can wander
You are a believer, you know you won't give up, but sometimes you have some thoughts, your mind wanders.
The next verse is again description. The way Bono himself describes it in U2byU2, the girl with crimson nails, is just a girl standing there, in the middle of this place, you don't care how she looks, she just has a cross round her neck, you find something pointing to God and (again Bono says it too), the character "stares at the cross just to steady himself".
The next bit ("all of this can be yours"), again looking at it religiously, in Islam we would say that when Satan is trying to deceive people, he offers them worldly fortunes. Wealth, lust, fame, etc. ... things that can make your mind "wander" and change your ideals. He wants your soul in return:
just give me what I want, and no one gets hurt!
That's how I always saw it. Bono describes it almost in the way I did, but if you consider "being between politicians" is a "place" he doesn't want to be, but still he stays, then your interpretation goes with it.
Here are some suggestions, please anyone who sees this topic give your opinions so that we can build this thing up (especially Dan and Gerard!)
Two systems... A:
- Anyone can post and give their opinion.
- Lady G chooses next song each time we're done with a song (it has to be the same person every time, if Lady G doesn't want to do it, we'll choose someone else. I suggested her as she started this and is the most committed person)
- 3-4 days for opinions to be posted (please give your opinion on the time!)
B: similar to the bootleg RT...
- We have some regular members (3-4 people will do, but the more the merrier). These members choose the songs in turns.
- There is a manager, just like Dan on the boot RT, managing everything and posting summaries.
- Members will post their opinion, and anyone else can also post. The reason we have members is for the song selection thing.
- Again, 3-4 days for opinions. Or maybe a week...I don't know, tell me what you think!!
Here are some suggestions, please anyone who sees this topic give your opinions so that we can build this thing up (especially Dan and Gerard!)
Two systems... A:
- Anyone can post and give their opinion.
- Lady G chooses next song each time we're done with a song (it has to be the same person every time, if Lady G doesn't want to do it, we'll choose someone else. I suggested her as she started this and is the most committed person)
- 3-4 days for opinions to be posted (please give your opinion on the time!)
B: similar to the bootleg RT...
- We have some regular members (3-4 people will do, but the more the merrier). These members choose the songs in turns.
- There is a manager, just like Dan on the boot RT, managing everything and posting summaries.
- Members will post their opinion, and anyone else can also post. The reason we have members is for the song selection thing.
- Again, 3-4 days for opinions. Or maybe a week...I don't know, tell me what you think!!
Needs to be B in my opinion. Has to be some level of control for it to truly take off and work. But flexibility is the key.
I'd also vote for -B- and am looking forward to it. However I'm usually more the reader than the writer in such terms. Unfortunately . If I had more time I'd contribute regularly.
So far, we are going with plan b. I and Lady G are regular members...anyone else?
You don't have to post all the time, regular members just get to choose the songs that we talk about. If you can't post, then you don't, simple.
I need some ideas for the time thing guys, no one's said anything!
So far, we are going with plan b. I and Lady G are regular members...anyone else?
You don't have to post all the time, regular members just get to choose the songs that we talk about. If you can't post, then you don't, simple.
I need some ideas for the time thing guys, no one's said anything!
My vote goes for B, and regarding the time, maybe 1 week...
LAdyG awesome review of Vertigo....
I really agree with you, it's got that view of himself at that fisical and spiritual place, debating about staying and going, losing the path and finding the goal again...
very good one...
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. If I had more time I'd contribute regularly. 
