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U2 — Running to Stand Still
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Middleton
(along for the ride)
Posted: Apr 11, 2013 - 21:32
 
 Dunkelstar wrote:
This song always seems to cause me to put down what I'm currently doing and ponder things . . . 

The Joshua Tree is a solid album.  

 
Yep.

Stingray
Posted: Mar 30, 2013 - 18:05
 
 Lazarus wrote:


A tragic song about addicts... (with accurate metaphors...)  love it...

these two images in the lyrics define the allegory—

"You know I took the poison
From the poison stream
Then I floated out of here.."
 
and also—

"She will...
Suffer the needle chill
She's running to stand...
Still."

And the song contains subtle religious imagery, like this for example—

"Sweet the sin
Bitter taste in my mouth
I see seven towers
But I only see one way out" 

René Guénon (1886-1951) was a French author who remains an influential figure in the domain of metaphysics... he wrote and published in French and his works have been translated into more than twenty languages....

according to René Guénon—  "The sixth chapter of Genesis might perhaps provide, in a symbolical form, some indications relating to the distant origins of the 'counter-intiation'...These centers are depicted, in symbolical form, in ancient eastern legends such as the legend of 'the seven towers of the devil...' "

 

 

...says the literate, church-fearing, music-loving poet and junky, Lazarus!

 



perrygibbs
Posted: Mar 11, 2013 - 10:52
 
Surely one U2 song a day is more than enough? Please spare a feeling for those of us who really dislike U2.

Dunkelstar
(Hershey, PA)
Posted: Jan 18, 2013 - 09:27
 
This song always seems to cause me to put down what I'm currently doing and ponder things . . . 

The Joshua Tree is a solid album.  

Lazarus
(Bethany)
Posted: Jan 18, 2013 - 09:24
 


A tragic song about addicts... (with accurate metaphors...)  love it...

these two images in the lyrics define the allegory—

"You know I took the poison
From the poison stream
Then I floated out of here.."
 
and also—

"She will...
Suffer the needle chill
She's running to stand...
Still."

And the song contains subtle religious imagery, like this for example—

"Sweet the sin
Bitter taste in my mouth
I see seven towers
But I only see one way out" 

René Guénon (1886-1951) was a French author who remains an influential figure in the domain of metaphysics... he wrote and published in French and his works have been translated into more than twenty languages....

according to René Guénon—  "The sixth chapter of Genesis might perhaps provide, in a symbolical form, some indications relating to the distant origins of the 'counter-intiation'...These centers are depicted, in symbolical form, in ancient eastern legends such as the legend of 'the seven towers of the devil...' "

 



cShaggy
(..inna state of being..)
Posted: Jan 13, 2013 - 09:05
 
..shows their genius..and hurts my heart a little each time i hear..

ambrebalte
(Beijing most of the time - Wolxheim in France now)
Posted: Jan 13, 2013 - 09:01
 
Proustian moment

JohnDillon
Posted: Dec 26, 2012 - 16:05
 
Awesome. Sitting here reading my new book and listening to RP. Stopped reading to listen to my fav U2 track. Masterpiece!

JiffyPark
Posted: Dec 07, 2012 - 08:55
 
Goodness.
This takes me far, far away from my cold cubicle... 

jt1
Posted: Dec 07, 2012 - 08:55
 
 ziakut wrote:
Oh boy! There should be a rule on RP that states no band should get played more than once in a day. With all the music there is in this library...I shouldn't hear more than one U2 song in a day.
 
Maybe you should create your own radio station if you want to start proposing rules?

WonderLizard
(2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise)
Posted: Aug 09, 2012 - 05:43
 
Okay, I agree up to a point that Bono's a pompous pain in the ass, but that has nothing to do with this monumental work. The Joshua Tree is one of the great albums, surely this band's pinnacle.

lemmoth
(NYC)
Posted: Aug 03, 2012 - 14:13
 
 Sloggydog wrote:
Wow quite a long running argument here that seems to be easily summed up as the old story of a band that are a bunch of knobs with a bunch of cool songs.  Bound to inspire conflicting emotions.  I generally like their earlier stuff more but this one isn't extra special in my view.
 
I've never read anything attributed to Adam Clayton or Larry Mullen Jr. that anyone could have decided to judge them negatively as a person.

And really not much on the Edge.

 And personally I am very cool with Bono's persona while seeing how it could annoy others.

So lets focus on the bloody music people.

ziakut
(Right Here)
Posted: Aug 03, 2012 - 14:13
 
Oh boy! There should be a rule on RP that states no band should get played more than once in a day. With all the music there is in this library...I shouldn't hear more than one U2 song in a day.

stalfnzo
(Somewhere... out there)
Posted: Aug 03, 2012 - 14:12
 
Is it just me, or is Bill finally starting to play less U2? It seems that, thankfully, I'm hearing less of them. Mediocre band, lousy vocals.

Webfoot
(Eugene, Oregon)
Posted: May 11, 2012 - 10:28
 
 Sloggydog wrote:
Wow quite a long running argument here that seems to be easily summed up as the old story of a band that are a bunch of knobs with a bunch of cool songs.  Bound to inspire conflicting emotions.  I generally like their earlier stuff more but this one isn't extra special in my view.
 

Knobs maybe, but that's so subjective. I'm sure I'm a knob to some Grateful Dead fans. People are very good at rationalizing their own behavior and I'm sure U2 is no exception.

ziakut
(The Windy City)
Posted: May 11, 2012 - 10:23
 
Though this is one of the few U2 tunes I still enjoy...I think I would be happy if U2 were dropped from the playlist for a month or two. Just sayin'...{#Shifty}

old_shep
(Iowa)
Posted: May 11, 2012 - 10:23
 
Suggestion for new RP feature button:  NOU2

(former member)
(hotel in Las Vegas)
Posted: May 11, 2012 - 10:22
 


This song is soooo good it puts a spring in my step this spring day...

 

martinc
(Ottawa Canada)
Posted: Apr 09, 2012 - 17:00
 
lala la bank holiday - I see Bono and the Edge just dropped over $100 million into Dropbox

(former member)
(hotel in Las Vegas)
Posted: Mar 29, 2012 - 19:34
 


This song is soooo good it puts a spring in my step this spring night...

 

(former member)
(hotel in Las Vegas)
Posted: Mar 17, 2012 - 19:48
 


This song is soooo good my nipples get hard when I hear it...

 

(former member)
(hotel in Las Vegas)
Posted: Mar 03, 2012 - 22:31
 

 

This is such a beautiful song about junkies...  love it...



Sloggydog
(UK)
Posted: Feb 15, 2012 - 01:04
 
Wow quite a long running argument here that seems to be easily summed up as the old story of a band that are a bunch of knobs with a bunch of cool songs.  Bound to inspire conflicting emotions.  I generally like their earlier stuff more but this one isn't extra special in my view.

lemmoth
(NYC)
Posted: Feb 06, 2012 - 07:45
 
 fredriley wrote:

True, and if U2 were a standard mega rock band their tax dodging would just merit a shrug of the shoulders. It's because St Bonio hob-nobs with world leaders and exhorts them, rightly, to pay some of their dues to the developing world, yet won't pay taxes his band can easily afford to the country that nurtured and supported him, that makes his tax dodging so morally offensive.

 
Fred

Did you see the Edge's recent letter to the editor of the Baltimore paper in response to a Maryland Senator's criticism of U2, Bono and the One Campaign.  http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-07-12/news/bs-ed-edge-u2-tax-letter-20110711_1_u2-tax-evasion-obama-tax

Just providing their side.  Objectively not a completely convincing argument but provides some perspective.


skybreakers
(Amsterdam, Holland)
Posted: Feb 06, 2012 - 07:44
 
Back to the music; After all those years; the Joshua Tree is still nice to listen to.


fredriley
(Nottingham, UK)
Posted: Feb 06, 2012 - 07:43
 
 h8rhater wrote:
 fredriley wrote:

True, and if U2 were a standard mega rock band their tax dodging would just merit a shrug of the shoulders. It's because St Bonio hob-nobs with world leaders and exhorts them, rightly, to pay some of their dues to the developing world, yet won't pay taxes his band can easily afford to the country that nurtured and supported him, that makes his tax dodging so morally offensive.


Personally, I find it morally offensive that we feel the need for political commentary on a message board dedicated to the music.  Your thoughts on the song Fred?

 
"Morally offensive"?? Ok, so what morals of yours am I offending, or are you just being your usual reactive rhetorical self? St Bonio is an explicitly political actor who bestrides the world stage like a hamster with rickets, and puts himself about with world leaders exhorting them to cough up to the developing world, yet at the same time his band/franchise dodges taxes by using Holland as a tax haven. At best, that makes him a hypocritical gobshite.

As for the song, it bores the feck out of me. I'm disappointed that this is the second number from this album on RP in 3 hours or so.


planet_lizard
(Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy)
Posted: Jan 26, 2012 - 11:27
 
 h8rhater wrote:
 fredriley wrote:

True, and if U2 were a standard mega rock band their tax dodging would just merit a shrug of the shoulders. It's because St Bonio hob-nobs with world leaders and exhorts them, rightly, to pay some of their dues to the developing world, yet won't pay taxes his band can easily afford to the country that nurtured and supported him, that makes his tax dodging so morally offensive.


Personally, I find it morally offensive that we feel the need for political commentary on a message board dedicated to the music.  Your thoughts on the song Fred?

 
Since when has there been a rule that says we have to stick to strict music remit? For a start, music and politics are often not separable, but that aside, surely healthy discussion, freedom of speech and intelligent banter all valued by RP listeners?

(BTW - I agree with you h8rhater that people who hate are not wholly admirable, but you certainly have perfected the art of putting things in a negative way.)


apd
(Toronto, On)
Posted: Jan 14, 2012 - 07:37
 
 fredriley wrote:

True, and if U2 were a standard mega rock band their tax dodging would just merit a shrug of the shoulders. It's because St Bonio hob-nobs with world leaders and exhorts them, rightly, to pay some of their dues to the developing world, yet won't pay taxes his band can easily afford to the country that nurtured and supported him, that makes his tax dodging so morally offensive.
 
hmmm... I was with you until "country that nurtured and supported". North Dublin in the 60's/70's wasn't too nurturing and supporting. But I digress: point taken.

apd
(Toronto, On)
Posted: Jan 05, 2012 - 13:09
 
ok, don't hate me, but when the intro ended, I was surprised not to hear Guy Garvey's voice...

h8rhater
Posted: Jan 05, 2012 - 12:55
 
 fredriley wrote:

True, and if U2 were a standard mega rock band their tax dodging would just merit a shrug of the shoulders. It's because St Bonio hob-nobs with world leaders and exhorts them, rightly, to pay some of their dues to the developing world, yet won't pay taxes his band can easily afford to the country that nurtured and supported him, that makes his tax dodging so morally offensive.


Personally, I find it morally offensive that we feel the need for political commentary on a message board dedicated to the music.  Your thoughts on the song Fred?


oldsaxon
(United Kingdom)
Posted: Dec 31, 2011 - 11:50
 
 fredriley wrote:

True, and if U2 were a standard mega rock band their tax dodging would just merit a shrug of the shoulders. It's because St Bonio hob-nobs with world leaders and exhorts them, rightly, to pay some of their dues to the developing world, yet won't pay taxes his band can easily afford to the country that nurtured and supported him, that makes his tax dodging so morally offensive.
 
I can't see it as morally offensive. What's morally offensive is the taxman dining with the likes of Goldman-Sachs and "forgiving" certain requirements to pay and then standing behind "client confidentiality" to protect their misdoings. Seriously, the taxman has "clients"? Give me a break.

If U2 the BAND can protect itself from a corrupt taxation system, more power to them. Meanwhile, where's, that rate button? Oh, yes....let's give it an eight, shall we?

bluecshells
(EARTH)
Posted: Dec 13, 2011 - 12:21
 

Cry without weeping...talk without speaking...scream without raising your voice....{#Daisy}



MiracleDrug
(Earth)
Posted: Dec 13, 2011 - 12:21
 
 fredriley wrote:

True, and if U2 were a standard mega rock band their tax dodging would just merit a shrug of the shoulders. It's because St Bonio hob-nobs with world leaders and exhorts them, rightly, to pay some of their dues to the developing world, yet won't pay taxes his band can easily afford to the country that nurtured and supported him, that makes his tax dodging so morally offensive. 
 

does he owe you money Fred?

sure seems like it...

spiritman
(Stumptown! Oregon)
Posted: Nov 23, 2011 - 22:38
 
 fredriley wrote:

True, and if U2 were a standard mega rock band their tax dodging would just merit a shrug of the shoulders. It's because St Bonio hob-nobs with world leaders and exhorts them, rightly, to pay some of their dues to the developing world, yet won't pay taxes his band can easily afford to the country that nurtured and supported him, that makes his tax dodging so morally offensive.
 
Time to feel. Time to dance. Never mind the rest. Let your spirit move you. Ok?

fredriley
(Nottingham, UK)
Posted: Nov 03, 2011 - 03:23
 
 Sasha2001 wrote:
I won't pretend to take a position on the supposed hypocrisy of U2's tax avoidance, but I would like to point out that rock musicians from the Beatles to the Stones and many others from the UK have tried to avoid paying taxes in their home country with varying degrees of success.
 
True, and if U2 were a standard mega rock band their tax dodging would just merit a shrug of the shoulders. It's because St Bonio hob-nobs with world leaders and exhorts them, rightly, to pay some of their dues to the developing world, yet won't pay taxes his band can easily afford to the country that nurtured and supported him, that makes his tax dodging so morally offensive.


coy
(san antonio)
Posted: Oct 02, 2011 - 13:45
 
makes me wannna stand up and testify
this is a great song
at their best

Baketown
(Maryland)
Posted: Sep 27, 2011 - 10:22
 
Timeless Album!

(former member)
(hotel in Las Vegas)
Posted: Sep 27, 2011 - 10:20
 



love this song...

"We had experimented a lot in the making of The Unforgettable Fire. We had done quite revolutionary things... So we felt, going into The Joshua Tree, that maybe options were not a good thing, that limitations might be positive. And so we decided to work within the limitations of the song as a starting point. We thought: let's actually write songs. We wanted the record to be less vague, open-ended, atmospheric and impressionistic. To make it more straightforward, focused and concise."

—The Edge, on the band's approach to The Joshua Tree, from Stokes (1996), p. 66

 
 


jukes1
(Pittsburgh, PA)
Posted: Aug 09, 2011 - 10:33
 
Anyone with instant netflix access should check out U2: The Joshua Tree. Brian Eno is awesomely weird (in a  clear musical genius way) in it.

eswiley2
Posted: Aug 09, 2011 - 10:31
 
I missed out on a whole lotta music during the 80's because I was busy with two small children and a husband in law school (which meant I was the sole support of the family, in addition to being chief cook and bottle washer at home).

I love that I now get to "discover" what I missed.

Merritt
(Tennessee)
Posted: Aug 09, 2011 - 10:29
 
Absolutely a great song.  Hard to believe it was recorded over 20 years ago.

Sasha2001
(I can see Zabars from my window)
Posted: Jul 26, 2011 - 16:18
 
I won't pretend to take a position on the supposed hypocrisy of U2's tax avoidance, but I would like to point out that rock musicians from the Beatles to the Stones and many others from the UK have tried to avoid paying taxes in their home country with varying degrees of success. It seems to me that Bono's been labeled a hypocrite for committing an enormous amount of time on worth-while causes while others in his position have done far less good in the world (besides creating good music) and have been able to avoid the dreaded "h" word.

And while I don't fully agree with Bono's argument; that Ireland only began taxing it's artist after instilling severe austerity measures because of a colossal failure to manage their budget surpluses, so that by "not paying" the band is lodging a valid form of protest. I do think the issue is one that claims no easy answers.

Just sayin.

scrubbrush
(Sea of Calm)
Posted: Jul 26, 2011 - 16:02
 
I bought this album on vinyl when it came out. I wore the needle on my record player down playing this album. I loved many of the songs but always ignored this one... i can't believe I overlooked such an amazing gem for all these years. That is a beautiful song on one of the best albums of all time.

casey1024
(Here and Now)
Posted: Jul 26, 2011 - 16:02
 
Wow.  I really enjoyed that.  I cannot say that for most of U2s work.  Nice

MiracleDrug
(Earth)
Posted: Jun 30, 2011 - 09:11
 
this entire ALBUM is epic... {#Notworthy}

dalemarushy
(In my head)
Posted: Jun 07, 2011 - 10:17
 
Pretty Magical follow up song to the previous "Walk on Walden - Elliot Easton" song!

lemmoth
(NYC)
Posted: May 24, 2011 - 12:45
 
This is just a classic song. 10

PeeBee
(Down South in The Netherlands)
Posted: Mar 22, 2011 - 10:28
 
Just love all this U2 comment. Go on with it people! (but don't forget about all the U2 songs)

(former member)
(hotel in Las Vegas)
Posted: Mar 22, 2011 - 10:24
 



The Joshua tree is a plant in the southwestern United States, with sword-shaped leaves and greenish-white flowers grouped in large panicles...

a group of Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century named the plant the Joshua tree, after Joshua of the Old Testament— the forks of the tree reminded them of Joshua's hand raised as he prayed, and also the shape of the leaves reminded them of Joshua's spear...

the name of U2's album, The Joshua Tree, is complicated... first, the entire album has a religious theme... second, the title is a tribute to the global power of the United States... third, the album also shows U2's fascination with American culture, politics, and forms of music...

this song is a good ballad about junkies... 




panlad
(Serenity)
Posted: Feb 01, 2011 - 10:14
 
Many people here seem to have some sort of vested interest in what Bono does (or does not do) with his money.  I'm not really sure what any of this has to do with this beautiful song. It's not as if he's the first wealthy rock star to ever use tax shelters. At least Bono, with his many faults, is trying to do something good and not wasting his time writing long diatribes about someone who he has no real intimate knowledge.  I'm not really religious but believe the saying goes 'let he who is without sin cast the first stone'.

And for the armchair critics that think he lacks any humility here are some lyrics from Stand Up Comedy:

Stand up, to rock stars—Napoleon is in high heels—Josephine be careful, of small men with big ideas...