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U2 — Silver And Gold
Album: Rattle & Hum
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 471









Released: 1988
Length: 5:44
Plays (last 30 days): 0
In the shit house a shotgun
Praying hands hold me down
Only the hunter was hunted
In this tin can town
Tin can town

No stars in the black night
Looks like the sky fell down
No sun in the daylight
Looks like it's chained to the ground
Chained to the ground
The warden said
The exit is sold
If you want a way out
Silver and gold

Broken back to the ceiling
Broken nose to the floor
I scream at the silence, it's crawling
It crawls under the door
There's a rope around my neck
And there's a trigger in your gun
Jesus say something
I am someone, I am someone
I am someone

Captain and kings
In the ships hold
They came to collect
Silver and gold
Silver and gold

Seen the coming and going
Seen them captains and the kings
See them navy blue uniforms
See them bright and shiny things
Bright shiny things

The temperature is rising
The fever white hot
Mister, I ain't got nothing
But it's more than you got

Chains no longer bind me
Not the shackles at my feet
Outside are the prisoners
Inside the free
Set them free
Set them free

A prize fighter in a corner is told
Hit where it hurts
Silver and gold
Silver and gold

" Yep, silver and gold... This song was written in a hotel room in New York city 'round about the time a friend or ours, little Steven, was putting together a record of artists against apartheid. This is a song written about a man in a shanty town outside of Johannesburg. A man who's sick of looking down the barrel of white South Africa. A man who is at the point where he is ready to take up arms against his oppressor. A man who has lost faith in the peacemakers of the west while they argue and while they fail to support a man like bishop Tutu and his request for economic sanctions against South Africa.
Am I buggin' you? I don't mean to bug ya...

Okay Edge, play the blues..."
Comments (141)add comment
 lsfeder wrote:
So tired of musicians getting political.  Keep it to the music man, if you wan to be a politician go run for office and leave the guitar behind.
 
I think the thing that bugs me is the issue of authenticity. (disclosure: I had my jaw very nearly broken in an anti-apartheid demonstration)

The problem with Bono taking this stance is the degree it is coupled with pop art. When you stand up on stage heading one of the most internationally successfully acts and start promoting a message that you know at least 90% of your audience is going to agree with anyway, you're not actually bugging anyone, you are just posturing. This almosts demeans the very thing you are trying to support. I find it kind of sickening. Ok sure, he has used his position to try and do some good, just  I wish it weren't so tainted by this kind of stage-like selbst-darstellung.
What moved the South African government to came to the table?  Protest, non-violent and  violent.  Songs like this one, anti-aparteid.  Western companies (IBM, BofA) finally getting convinced that their profits would be affected by their continuing prescense in SA. Protest here, protest there.  A rising tide saying "It's time."  So the music helps state the desires and voices the protest.
I have not heard this forever! 
 On_The_Beach wrote: 

Nice touch. Good to know Hank Williams, Jr. votes, can run for office, have input on national security policy such as nuclear weapons targeting, etc.

 


Channeling another Irish classic:  "...and her name was G_L_O_R_I_A"
 lsfeder wrote:
So tired of musicians getting political.  Keep it to the music man, if you wan to be a politician go run for office and leave the guitar behind.
  

We sing when government is good and we sing when government is bad, we sing of our conquests and of our oppression.  IOW. ... People sing, it is a part of being human, and has been for some 20,000 years, as an means of expression and the use of a media we all know and understand. To sing is human,  to sing about politics is "exclusively" human, and I dare say that isn't about to change any time soon.



Didn't Burl Ives sing this song in "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer"?  I guess that's a different tune.




Jesus Bono, get off the cross already. We need the wood.
This comment applies to most of this album!

{#Dancingbanana_2}

"Am I buggin you, don't mean to bug you, ok Edge play..." {#Notworthy}

 
Fooboy wrote:
... No Stereo in the World will go loud enough for this tune ! ... {#Guitarist}  .... crank it up and enjoy ! {#Angel}
 

 lsfeder wrote:
So tired of musicians getting political.  Keep it to the music man, if you wan to be a politician go run for office and leave the guitar behind.
 
At least in the case of Hank Williams Jr.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/03/hank-williams-compares-obama-to-hitler_n_992513.html

 lsfeder wrote:
So tired of musicians getting political.  Keep it to the music man, if you wan to be a politician go run for office and leave the guitar behind.
 
Oh please.  Music has always been political.  What do you think medieval troubadours were singing about?  I'll take artist politicians over lobbyist politicians any day of the week.

So tired of musicians getting political.  Keep it to the music man, if you wan to be a politician go run for office and leave the guitar behind.

This song was written in a hotel room in New York city....YES!  Unite against HATE! 
U2 rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


U2 songs all start to sound the same to me... And I find myself tuning them out.
 bluecshells wrote:
Bono and the band should be honored.  LOVE to them all!!!!!!!!!
 

Amen to that brother ..... or sister.
 bobzane wrote:
shut up
 


bono
Bono and the band should be honored.  LOVE to them all!!!!!!!!!
shut up
 scocam wrote:
Please re-read my comment. You seem confused.


 
Sorry.  My assumption was "this thoughtless drivel" referred to Silver and Gold - the song we are supposed to be commenting on.

...am i bugging you?..i don't mean to bug you...
 littlemiss_funk wrote:
I am so over U2. It all sounds the same. Oh, and I am NOT saying they are not at talented band. I am just done.

 

So sick of the haters.  This is a f7878king great band and this a powerful and very important song for its time

Do not forget that apartheid existed not too very long ago.

BTW IMHO  The last three albums were also outstanding.

More U2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so over U2. It all sounds the same. Oh, and I am NOT saying they are not at talented band. I am just done.

A sad day. But I woke up today and realized I am completely tired of U2. It sounds noodley and pointless now. Funny how something can change so much, seemingly in an instant
I think my speakers just threw up a little.
Please re-read my comment. You seem confused.

 lemmoth wrote:

uh — this was THEIR EARLIER WORK - It followed the Joshua Tree - what 20-25 years ago.  You can like it or not but stop with the nonsensical comments about this being not up to their later work.
 


 Alpine wrote:
I could do without the political commentary.
 

Is Bono bugging you... He didn't mean to bug you......Ok Edge....Play the blues......
 scocam wrote:
It's all show and no go these days, I'm afraid. U2 should have hung it up long, long ago. Joshua Tree was the beginning of the end for me. They do their earlier work an incredible injustice by flogging us with this thoughtless drivel.

 
uh — this was THEIR EARLIER WORK - It followed the Joshua Tree - what 20-25 years ago.  You can like it or not but stop with the nonsensical comments about this being not up to their later work.

...this album is now of legal drinking age in the state of texas...
 scraig wrote:
I love U2, but I hate this album.
 
Why? Think it´s a great album, and a great song. Best from Sweden.
I love U2, but I hate this album.
 Fooboy wrote:
... No Stereo in the World will go loud enough for this tune ! ... {#Guitarist}  .... crank it up and enjoy ! {#Angel}
 
word

It's all show and no go these days, I'm afraid. U2 should have hung it up long, long ago. Joshua Tree was the beginning of the end for me. They do their earlier work an incredible injustice by flogging us with this thoughtless drivel.

... No Stereo in the World will go loud enough for this tune ! ... {#Guitarist}  .... crank it up and enjoy ! {#Angel}
I think U2 is somewhat overrated.
I could do without the political commentary.
 birdland wrote:
...and what have you done lately? Artistic or otherwise to improve the planet.
 

Thank you, birdland.  I'm sick of the haters.  Give it a rest. 
 Mank_Harvin wrote:

Is there any truth the story that once, when being sanctimonious, he stopped the band mid song, continued himself with a slow handclap and stated that everytime he clapped an infant African died. A quick wit from the bemused audience retorted 'Well stop fucking clapping then'.


 

No

Is there any truth the story that once, when being sanctimonious, he stopped the band mid song, continued himself with a slow handclap and stated that everytime he clapped an infant African died. A quick wit from the bemused audience retorted 'Well stop fucking clapping then'.


nice of god to drop by and give us some advice
 rcurrier wrote:
I know everyone else has weighed in on Bono's little speech, but it just seems a bit incongruous when the audience cheers for apartheid.
 
They were cheering Little Steven's Artist Against Apartheid project, not the concept of apartheid.


I just wish Bono would give it a rest. There is a t shirt going around with the slogan " Make Bono History ". Very apt.
...and what have you done lately? Artistic or otherwise to improve the planet.
{#No}

{#Razz}
{#Moon}  Very overrated.
these khats got it: their line :  "the peacemakers of the west."

They are asses. the chits of the west. Is that YOU fat ass?

 
but of course the stupid amurikin rates em a 6.6. 

Ultimately stupid:  the american  

check it chickies and dickies its an 8! 
hot!

Particularly the cover shot.

7.7 - 8.8 

Love it!  Suppose it helps if you spent some time in Apartheid-era South Africa.

I should repeat, US-supported Apartheid-era South Africa.


Yeah, Bono, you're bugging me. Save your bully pulpit for MUSIC.
I think they were still pretty inspired here. 
toterola wrote:

Say what you want about "Saint" Bono. He had the balls to stand in front of (then) President-elect Obama (at the HUGE pre-inaugural celebration) and mention the fact that Jews and Palestinians both rejoiced at Obama's being elected. A not so gentle nudge to the President to speak out.

That's worth listening to him "rattle on" a bit, I'll judge. {#Wave}


How is that ballsy? Was the secret service going to tackle him for it? Besides, he knew he was impervious to anything Obama could toss out — he remembered his lucky hat.

"ok Edge, play the blues"  No! the Blues!      still like it anyway -7
 divinemadness wrote:
"Am I bugging you?" Yeah, you're bugging me. Tedious, overstated, self-righteous bugging me. 
 
x2

 toterola wrote:

Say what you want about "Saint" Bono. He had the balls to stand in front of (then) President-elect Obama (at the HUGE pre-inaugural celebration) and mention the fact that Jews and Palestinians both rejoiced at Obama's being elected. A not so gentle nudge to the President to speak out.

That's worth listening to him "rattle on" a bit, I'll judge. {#Wave}
 

and i'm supposed to be concerned about this for what reason now?{#Ask}

 spumoni wrote:

Mister Bono looks a bit buggy and bug-eyed!



His head is definately bigger than his biceps.
 
{#Lol}{#Roflol}{#Lol}



Mister Bono looks a bit buggy and bug-eyed!



His head is definately bigger than his biceps.
 orpheus wrote:
really? U2 political? DUH! The point I was trying to make is that sometimes Mr. B adds "a wee bit" more political jargon than one can stomach in a given song. Things aren't always black and white (ie political or not, there are measures). And no I stopped listening to Nugent in high school and would much rather listen to Mr. Evans, thank you very much.
 
Say what you want about "Saint" Bono. He had the balls to stand in front of (then) President-elect Obama (at the HUGE pre-inaugural celebration) and mention the fact that Jews and Palestinians both rejoiced at Obama's being elected. A not so gentle nudge to the President to speak out.

That's worth listening to him "rattle on" a bit, I'll judge. {#Wave}
"Am I bugging you?" Yeah, you're bugging me. Tedious, overstated, self-righteous bugging me. 
...rattle and hum was an outstanding swan song to an epic era from U2...
the lyrics of this song never fail to give me goosebumps
Makes me RUN TO THE SOUNDSYSTEM AND CRANK IT!
AND MAKE RIGHTEOUS OVERDUE PAYMENT TO MY FAVORITE INCREDIBLE DIGITAL CYBER-BROADCASTER HEROES!
Thanks, for this, and all, y'all!

you did it, Bono!
one of my faves, and i have all of U2, yes all of it
secretsauce wrote:
Uhm. Speak for yourself. Some of us have noticed a wee bit of political content to everything that is U2 over the years, and is one of the reasons we are drawn to it. If we were just waiting for the guitar solo, we'd listen to Ted Nugent.
really? U2 political? DUH! The point I was trying to make is that sometimes Mr. B adds "a wee bit" more political jargon than one can stomach in a given song. Things aren't always black and white (ie political or not, there are measures). And no I stopped listening to Nugent in high school and would much rather listen to Mr. Evans, thank you very much.
orpheus wrote:
i wonder if the edge is secretly counting the minutes and waiting patiently for St. B to get done with his usual spiel, until he can let loose with one of his killer solos and remind us that the reason we really luv U2 is for the music (though maybe now not as much)
Uhm. Speak for yourself. Some of us have noticed a wee bit of political content to everything that is U2 over the years, and is one of the reasons we are drawn to it. If we were just waiting for the guitar solo, we'd listen to Ted Nugent.
I know everyone else has weighed in on Bono's little speech, but it just seems a bit incongruous when the audience cheers for apartheid. I expect they'd really go wild for genocide. (Reminds me of the excreble "All This and World War Too".)
Great Edge action. I was in the house when this song was recorded in Denver! Love the Rattle and Hum disc since half of it is like a personal video scrap book of the concert I attended. Uh, and yes, I am an old SOB!
Why is it that so many of you bash Bono for his sanctimoniousness--yet there is a near-universal worship here for cranky-ass Roger Waters and his enormous god-complex? anyone got an answer?
Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to(hopefully the end of) the crap music feature of this afternoons' program.
Given today's hyped up level of political rhetoric everywhere we look and in everything we do, Bono's little propaganda speeches seem downright quaint.
...i consider this album to be u2's swan song, not a proper studio album really, but a nice coda to everything great they'd done...
mojoman wrote:
Yeah, you bugged me, because I lived in South Africa during the apartheid regime, and it was fatuous boobs like you who actually prolonged the problem, not solve it.
You lived in South Africa and we prolonged apartheid? Help me out here, bugged one, how is that?
i wonder if the edge is secretly counting the minutes and waiting patiently for St. B to get done with his usual spiel, until he can let loose with one of his killer solos and remind us that the reason we really luv U2 is for the music (though maybe now not as much)
I knew the comments for this one would be amusing!
They really hit their stride here regardless of the political content. These were really powerful live shows. I have a live version of Exit from the Rattle and Hum sessions. Perhaps I should try to upload it if the sound quality is good enough.
Bono can climb down off his high f***ing horse anytime, thanks!
He should stand up against the League of Nations while he's at it.
stratrjb wrote:
Cool tune, one I had forgotten about! "I didn't mean to bug ya!"
Yeah, you bugged me, because I lived in South Africa during the apartheid regime, and it was fatuous boobs like you who actually prolonged the problem, not solve it.
I guess he can take credit for ending Apartheid. Bono will cure the world with music and red T-Shirts.
So THAT's who Bono used to be....
Bono: The Prophet of Profit.
How much do I have to pay this guy to shut up?
Cool tune, one I had forgotten about! "I didn't mean to bug ya!"
Give me silver, blue and gold My rainbow is overdue
U2 music has always been about preaching. I just wish it was still the Irish cause.
Just reading thru comments and you can tell the Bono really bugged a lot of people..Good for him!
See, now here I feel like Bono is preaching at me. Yuch. Stick to music. I hate it. It doesn't even sound good like that Iraq song. It's just irritating. My opinion, of course.
Of all the songs, the political one is the hardest to pull off. 99% failure rate. U2 was on firmer ground with regard to the Irish stuff.
dmax wrote:
See, I hate it as much as someone yelling "Hello, Cleveland! Anyone want to rock and roll?!?!?!"
Is he buggin' you? He didn't mean to bug you.
Art_Carnage wrote:
If you're going to speak out against apartheid, at least learn how to pronounce it. "Apartite" - what an idiot.
Well, there's another country heard from. And it ain't South Africa. Someone speaking Afrikaans would, depending on regional dialect, pronounce the word more or less like "ap-ART-ide." I'm sure one can hear a couple of different kinds of inflections in Bono's pronunciation, but it's pretty close, and merely steps on the last syllable a little harder than one would when speaking. If anything, he seems to me to be miming the somewhat nasal inflection of Germanic, which is the language family from which Afrikaans evolved. In any case, it's emphasis--perhaps creatively misplaced--but it's not, strictly speaking, mispronunciation. Bono gets on my nerves sometimes, too, in a few different ways, but I hardly think him an idiot. :)
If you're going to speak out against apartheid, at least learn how to pronounce it. "Apartite" - what an idiot.
I love U2, but the speech is so outdated it's almost embarrassing. (Which is odd, because the Sun City album still holds up).
This recording really takes me back. I was at this very show.
Love you Dave Evans...
KevinM wrote:
Just sing the damn song Bono and shut your yapper.
I believe that's called "humming."
eddief wrote:
Originally Posted by rgj13: _________________________________________________________ Indeed--nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to secure debt relief and improved education and food aid for impoverished African countries.Indeed--nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to secure debt relief and improved education and food aid for impoverished African countries. Oh, sure, maybe he hasn't done as much for the good of the world as, say, Justin Tomberlake, but he's trying. __________________________________________________________ Roger that. I happened to be at this particular show when they did this song and I remember thinking at the time that not only do they make mind-blowing music, but that they also genuinely stand for a lot of good things, which still holds true today. A pretty good combination if you ask me.
Thanks for offering your context. I agree with your sentiments.
My copy isn't much better... I have it on an old cassette tape that I got from a radio recording session "back in the day" listening to Westwood One, or something like that. Always thought I was especially hard core U2 fan or special in some way for having that tape way before Rattle & Hum came out. Shimmer wrote:
Does anyone have a digital version of Bono's original rendition of this song from the Amnesty International "Sun City" album? I always liked that one better, but I only have it on vinyl.
ho hum and I am a fan of U2... Needs more energy.. some more spunk!!
U2 CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man they suck
Hm. Usually I really like U2, but this song just isn't doing it for me.
COOL (pimp)
Originally Posted by Poacher: OK Edge. . . Lay the blues
exactly!!!!!!
Does anyone have a digital version of Bono's original rendition of this song from the Amnesty International "Sun City" album? I always liked that one better, but I only have it on vinyl.
OK Edge. . . Lay the blues
Originally Posted by chipaudette: Great song off Rattle & Hum. Not as good as Hawkmoon 269, but damn close. To dissenters, I will agree that the "...am I bugging you" monologue is a little tedious. Chip
Does rather date the pice, doesn't it?
Love this song but the most outstanding song on the album is Heartland, IMHO. This was the last \"record\" I bought...still have it.
Guess it would be too much to hope that this\'ll segue into QMS\'s \"Silver & Gold\"?
\'Blues\' is not really what I associate with the Edge\'s style of guitar playing or with U2\'s music in general.
Yeah You\'re Buggin\' Me!
You should play the original Bono-solo version of this song off the Sun City album. Unfortunately, I only have it on vinyl. Man, that was a long time ago...
Rattle and Hum is one great Live album, although my favorite Live album is Grand Funk Railroad\'s - Caught in the Act.
Originally Posted by rgj13: _________________________________________________________ Indeed--nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to secure debt relief and improved education and food aid for impoverished African countries.Indeed--nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to secure debt relief and improved education and food aid for impoverished African countries. Oh, sure, maybe he hasn't done as much for the good of the world as, say, Justin Tomberlake, but he's trying. __________________________________________________________ Roger that. I happened to be at this particular show when they did this song and I remember thinking at the time that not only do they make mind-blowing music, but that they also genuinely stand for a lot of good things, which still holds true today. A pretty good combination if you ask me.
This still sounds like Bono channeling a politically astute version of Jim Morrison\'s ghost.
Originally Posted by FeatFanMike: I think if you do some research you'll find that Bono isn't just talking the talk. He walks the walk. I know from many sound bites and news clips that he is involved with many organizations worldwide trying to bring about change for the better.
Indeed--nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to secure debt relief and improved education and food aid for impoverished African countries. Oh, sure, maybe he hasn't done as much for the good of the world as, say, Justin Timberlake, but he's trying. ;) :p
Originally Posted by Johray63: Yes, indeed, Bono is sort of preaching about a better world and equaltiy, which I find hard to combine with his rockstar status and lifestyle
I think if you do some research you'll find that Bono isn't just talking the talk. He walks the walk. I know from many sound bites and news clips that he is involved with many organizations worldwide trying to bring about change for the better. I also happen to like this song and the album - never did see the movie.
Yes, indeed, Bono is sort of preaching about a better world and equaltiy, which I find hard to combine with his rockstar status and lifestyle. But considering what most of our so called political leaders pretend and bring about, I prefer this anytime.
Just sing the damn song Bono and shut your yapper.
How come I love U2, but I hate this song?
Like that other man from Ireland (THE Man) it\'s like, anytime, he will start singing; G.L.O.R.I.A. Gloria!!! \'Apartheid\' is probably the best known Dutch word (isn\'t it ironic?).
Originally Posted by jmeyers3415: "Am I buggin you...I don't mean to bug ya...okay Edge play the blues" One of the best in your face PC lines ever.
That's what I thought he said at first, too, but I think he says, "OK, Edge, play the bridge."