U2

I went out there

In search of experience

To taste and to touch

And to feel as much

As a man can

Before he repents

~ The Wanderer.

All the promises we break

From the cradle to the grave

When all I want is you

~ All I Want Is You.

Sleight of hand and twist of fate

On a bed of nails she makes me wait

And I wait without you
~ With Or Without You.

It's no secret that a conscience can sometimes be a pest

It's no secret ambition bites the nails of success

Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief

All kill their inspiration and sing about their grief

~ The Fly.

Don't believe in rock 'n' roll

Can really change the world

As it spins in revolution

It spirals and turns

~ God Part II.

Did I disappoint you?

Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?

You act like you never had love

And you want me to go without

~ One.

U2. Named after a US spy plane. Most well known Irish export apart from Guinness. Bono (Vox), The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr. So many stuffs have been written about them. One of my favourite all time rock band beginning from their (by now) timeless album "Joshua Tree" in 1987, right through the experimental but eternally exciting "Achtung Baby" in 1991 up until the critically under rated disco-kitsch album "Pop" in the mid 90s. Their gargantuan 90s "Zoo TV Tour" was visually one of the most exciting live stadium concerts I have seen. Strobe lighting from Trabants suspended from the roof of stadiums, massive, fizzing multi-screens beaming live songs across the continents, prank phone calls to un-suspected famous people, various Bono persona like the Fly, the Mirror Ball Man, and of course, Mr. Mephisto. And the belly dancer during "Mysterious Ways" of course. "With Or Without You" still sound astoundingly fresh, a song in itself, but also worked in a different emotional level. Particular favourite is the "Rattle and Hum" version, which includes an additional end verse. So is "One", a song said to be dedicated to Bono's late father regarding the difficult relationship between them as well as at certain point has been adopted by gay activists as an anthem (the cover single feature American buffaloes or bison, falling over a cliff, a photo by David Wojnarowicz, a gay artist who died of AIDS, and a large proceed of the single sale went to AIDS charities). It had also been covered by numerous artists including powerful versions by Mary J. Blige as well as the late Johnny Cash. Speaking of The Man In Black, Bono wrote The Wanderer (from Zooropa) for him of which is just perfect. Then they dropped another yet different and wildly experimental "Zooropa", which divided their original fans further. Still their strength was still intact. The Edge had his first single in a monotonous tone and robotic "Numb", as well as the saccharine sweet " Babyface", followed by the emotionally tinged " Stay". And yet post "Pop", my interest kind of wane. Maybe it is because they have done all there is...