[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
U2 — Desire
Album: Rattle & Hum
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2876









Released: 1988
Length: 2:55
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Yeah

Lover, I'm on the street
Gonna go where the bright lights
And the big city meet
With a red guitar...on fire
Desire

She's a candle burning in my room
Yeah I'm like the needle, needle and spoon
Over the counter with a shotgun
Pretty soon everybody got one
And the fever when I'm beside her
Desire, desire...

And the fever...getting higher
Desire, desire...burning, burning

She's the dollars
She's my protection
Yeah she's a promise
In the year of election
Oh sister, I can't let you go
Like a preacher stealing hearts
At a traveling show
For love or money money money
money money money money money
money money money
And the fever, getting higher
Desire, desire, desire, desire
Desire, desire
Comments (164)add comment
One of the better post-Joshua Tree tunes from the Dublin lads.
I've just never liked this song. I can't even put my finger on why.
Love me some U2 any time. Great music. Great memories. 
Excellent!
I cannot ever listen to this song without hearing Jimmy Fallon singing about trolls
GREAT TUNE!!!!!
Adam and Larry really pumping out the lower end on this one...
U2 is nice and all but i'm not gonna put them on the back of my iPod
 SchoepTone wrote:

RP can play all the U2 it wants. This band rocks!



Hellz yeah. They get a lot of hate because they're so HUGE but that ain't how they started and it's hardly their fault they SUCCEEDED at what they do, and evolved at the same time. They're definitely not the band they were when they started but they still managed to be in the spotlight for over 30 years.
the Sunday Bloody Sunday version from 1987 tour (McNichols Sports Arena in Denver..."f@!k the revolution") is powerful and did not make the album, but can be found easily enough on the net. summed up the emotions of most sane people in Ireland at the time.
RP can play all the U2 it wants. This band rocks!
Lind/Nilsen/Fuentes/Holm from Norway totally kill this song!
Too much magic bus
I know U2 is now "Dad Rock" but damn I love this song.
If Bono can be said to sing, Leonard Cohen can be said to have sung in his time.
"She's the promise in the year of the election..."

Gawd, I hope so!!!
This band, even when it's in rote imitation mode, just sounds great.
I saw them play live at a club here in Boston called the Paradise. Feckin brilliant.
Dude's got a set of pipes on him!
My highest rated U2 song, which isn't saying much, but credit where credit is due
Heard earlier that it's bono's birthday.  Was a little surprised to hear that he's only 59.
 Will62 wrote:

Possibly the only U2 track I would rate over 3. Reminds me of seeing U2 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre many years ago during their Rattle & Hum tour. Bo Diddley was the support act (go figure) and his set ended with a standing ovation from the house. I can tell you that many at the concert were underwhelmed by U2, believing that there phenomenal worldwide success had led to a 'going through the motions' attitude. Have been severely disappointed by this mediocre crew before and since. As one attendee stated "Was worth the $120 to see Bo. Wish he had a better support act".
 
I saw Clapton once.  He played for 80 minutes and left and left a sold out United Center.  He either didn't care, or had an off night.  I prefer the later.  We are all human.  

Just because he had an off night, doesn't mean he isn't talented or underwhelming, he just happened to be that day.  Still wish I could have gotten a refund.  


 Jellocat wrote:
Sorry, folks. I love U2, The older, the better. I did not mind, too much, that U2 decided to experiment a bit with the blues and American forms of music. Afterall, the Irish gave us quite a bit to incorporate. 
 
Agreed!  
U2 is best served in well spaced courses. Lately, the servings have been arriving closer together, and I am becoming full of them.
Ahhhh, the Deluded Marching Dwarf at his finest. (apologies to all real Marching Dwarfs)
Some time after Live Aid a girl I knew very little at the time talks to me and says 'Wow! I've seen a great band there. Their name is U2. Have you herd of them?' I said 'Yes, and I've got two of their albums (October & War)'. She said ' Would you tape them down for me?' I said 'Yes.' Six months later we started dating. Now we have been married for 26 yrs. Don't expect me to be angry to these lads, or to any of their songs. Anytime, anywhere.
Isn't this the guy, who is not only in Radio Paradise but also in the Paradise Papers? Jekyll and Hyde...?
 DocStrangelove wrote:
bored and tired of this one i am.

 
Indeed. This song needs to be retired.
 hiorgos wrote:
oh my how much of u2 do we need to hear? 

See u later, i'm out. 
 
I agree wholeheartedly. Way too much U2. 
Gawd I get tired of hearing this band. 
 DocStrangelove wrote:
bored and tired of this one i am.
 
+1

not a terrible song, just gets too much airplay at the expense of more interesting cuts. Just prefer their earlier stuff.
 easmann wrote:
French word that translates more or less to "inescapable", "inevitable" or "indispensable". Ambiguous but I think it's meant as a compliment. Of the many French words that were pinched for inclusion in the English lexicon this is not one. : )
 
Merci!
TEG wrote:
Incontournable
  
 
On_The_Beach wrote:
?
 
French word that translates more or less to "inescapable", "inevitable" or "indispensable". Ambiguous but I think it's meant as a compliment. Of the many French words that were pinched for inclusion in the English lexicon this is not one. : )
 Huwie wrote:
Tired
 
It should be, it's been rockin' for damn near 30 years!
 TEG wrote:
Incontournable
 
?
Tired
IncontournablešŸŽ¤
 tulfan wrote:

Maybe that's why I like it. Thankfully Iggy will never be Bono and vice versa...

 
Possibly the only U2 track I would rate over 3. Reminds me of seeing U2 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre many years ago during their Rattle & Hum tour. Bo Diddley was the support act (go figure) and his set ended with a standing ovation from the house. I can tell you that many at the concert were underwhelmed by U2, believing that there phenomenal worldwide success had led to a 'going through the motions' attitude. Have been severely disappointed by this mediocre crew before and since. As one attendee stated "Was worth the $120 to see Bo. Wish he had a better support act".
 Rick_V wrote:
Great tune that Bono says was influenced directly by Iggy & The Stooges' "1969". Which means indirectly influenced by Bo Diddley.

 
Maybe that's why I like it. Thankfully Iggy will never be Bono and vice versa...
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all across the holy moly world like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners and B.F. Skinner...  we love this splendiferous song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...

same fundamental chord structure (just much much faster) as the song by Tom Petty called "You Wreck Me"...  D, A, E...

Filler.
Great tune that Bono says was influenced directly by Iggy & The Stooges' "1969". Which means indirectly influenced by Bo Diddley.
Sorry, folks. I love U2, The older, the better. I did not mind, too much, that U2 decided to experiment a bit with the blues and American forms of music. Afterall, the Irish gave us quite a bit to incorporate. 
oh my how much of u2 do we need to hear? 

See u later, i'm out. 
Am trying real hard to like it, Bono being Irish an all but can't, feckin commercial shite say I.
Possibly Bo Diddley would slightly approve of this song....nahhh maybe not.
 tobstar wrote:
Poor song. Lets just sing the same word over and over and over

{#Wall}

U2 are shockingly bad, it's just white people music. 

 
 
Im white and I cant stand U2, so I say they are just shockingly bad.

this however, is one of the few I dont mind, and I must ad mit, there are very few I actually like.  I just cant stand THEM.

12.


 Egrey wrote:
Oh come on folks, this is a great song.
 

Yes, it is.  Sadly, it was too popular with the masses and so the musical snobs have to express their disdain in order to distance themselves from the great unwashed.

The Classic (80's)  U2 is the best!!


Crank this UP!!!!{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}
 Jungle_Jim wrote:
Most of the songs on Rattle And Hum are U2 trying to be authentic, rootsy rock'n'roll - it was mostly derivative and tedious.
 

I don't view RaH as harshly as you do, but it's clearly not the band's best. Some of the songs are really forced and second-rate (eg. Van Diemen's Land). I think the band had to change their ways after this album or risk sliding into irrelevance. 

I remember when Achtung Baby came out. A lot of U2 fans were shocked and disappointed, but I think it's their second-best record after Joshua Tree.  

Coyotes love U2 but just can't love this song.


                                          10
 tobstar wrote:
U2 are shockingly bad, it's just white people music. 
 

"hunh, hunh, I'm so cool, I'm racist against white people."
—Beavis
 tobstar wrote:
Poor song. Lets just sing the same word over and over and over

{#Wall}

U2 are shockingly bad, it's just white people music. 

 
 

{#Roflol}
7 > 8.

Nice. And then there's that vocal. Wow.


yawn
Most of the songs on Rattle And Hum are U2 trying to be authentic, rootsy rock'n'roll - it was mostly derivative and tedious.
 tobstar wrote:
Poor song. Lets just sing the same word over and over and over

{#Wall}

U2 are shockingly bad, it's just white people music. 

 
 
Well they're Irish so, yeah, white, and nothing wrong with that. 

Poor song. Lets just sing the same word over and over and over

{#Wall}

U2 are shockingly bad, it's just white people music. 

 
Come on now, guys. Even if this isn't in your personal top I-don't-know-how-many, it's at least one of those songs classic and upbeat enough to appreciate a little.
I'm giving it a 9 out of sheer stubbornness.
 Ericac wrote:

I agree.  I'm not the biggest U2 fan but this is a great song!

 

Agreed {#Dancingbanana}
 Egrey wrote:
Oh come on folks, this is a great song.
 
I agree.  I'm not the biggest U2 fan but this is a great song!

More Hum - Less Rattle :)
and the i hate u2 comments begin in 3..........2..........1......
I generally dislike Yew Too for a number of reasons but I have to admit this is a pretty great song.  Probably the one thing that Bono's chronic over singing isn't totally wrong for.
meh, bleh, eh. hope it helps hunger
cyberbug wrote:
LOVE THESE GUYS -
They love U2
Oh come on folks, this is a great song.
for those that keep commenting about songs "sounding like' other songs. the reality is, there are a only so many instruments invented so far, there are a finite number of notes on the scale. all of them are being played by humans that have a limit to their range of motion. Songs are going to sound like other songs, it can't be helped. think about it.
Worst U2 song ever. Further points deducted for ripping off Bo Diddley's guitar riff.
Geecheeboy wrote:
Figgers this would follow Yes... cut from the same cloth.
HUH?!?
MattB099 wrote:
Always seems to be posturing of the worst sort to me. I'll give a 3 out of charity.
I thought even a 3 was generous. At one time, I liked (even purchased albums of) U2. Those days are long gone and won't come back for a while if at all. Like the Rolling Stones (and now Bret Michaels), this band needs to go away.
MattB099 wrote:
I'll give a 3 out of charity.
i'm less generous than you tonight, i guess: 2 for me.
Oh boy. U2, never liked them never will. I know I will get slated by others but just don't get the point and can't understand how they have got away with it for so many years. Always seems to be posturing of the worst sort to me. I'll give a 3 out of charity.
greg6494 wrote:
...still and all, the greatest "yeah" in rock comes after the breakdown in won't get fooled again, when daltrey shreds all yeahs uttered before or after.
The greatest yell/scream in rock.
Desire...to hear something else. Gave it a four because I caught my finger tapping but the rest of me is tired of this song.
I think it is time to go and make a cup of tea - it seems we are on a blokes old fart rock moment.
Figgers this would follow Yes... cut from the same cloth.
djblitz wrote:
Overplayed, but I can't bring myself to go less than an 8.
BUT I can ---> 3
Overplayed, but I can't bring myself to go less than an 8.
Rat on the problems to Bill when you ever hear them. He wants to fix them.
Ow! my freakin ears! Is that Bono's crappy voice or what?
jsjacob wrote:
What's with the compression noise?
You too? I thought my 'puter was having mental problems.
jsjacob wrote:
What's with the compression noise?
Yeah I'm getting it too...thought I was going crazy there.
jsjacob wrote:
What's with the compression noise?
I'll e- mail Bill and tell him.
LET IT GOOOOOOOOO!!!
What's with the compression noise?
not my favorite, but one of the top 3 bands of my generation. longevity!!!
don't forget Plant's treatment of the word "baby". still and all, the greatest "yeah" in rock comes after the breakdown in won't get fooled again, when daltrey shreds all yeahs uttered before or after. davidyoull wrote:
That "yeah" is one of the best exclamations in rock along with Lennon's "Ahhhhhh" towards the end of Ticket To Ride and Deborah Harry's "Woo!" in Dreaming.
Cruithne3753 wrote:
When I hear that clanging intro I try to time the "yeah!", but can never quite get it...
That "yeah" is one of the best exclamations in rock along with Lennon's "Ahhhhhh" towards the end of Ticket To Ride and Deborah Harry's "Woo!" in Dreaming.
Cruithne3753 wrote:
When I hear that clanging intro I try to time the "yeah!", but can never quite get it...
I get it for you. ;o)
meh
When I hear that clanging intro I try to time the "yeah!", but can never quite get it...
LOVE THESE GUYS -
This one does have it.
Nankel wrote:
As usual U2 uses his well known talent to copy others groups authors standards
"Oh by the way, which one's Pink?"
... that previous bracket must be the longest ever, for me anyway; 11 songs straight! Great! ... and now U2, well, ok!
chirpie wrote:
I wasn't a big fan of Rattle and Hum (and really, most weren't) but this was a big positive of that project.
Speak for yourself.
Yeah, Baby! pigglywiggly wrote:
Turn it UP!!!!!!!
U2 without those jangly, suspended chord intros that last 4 minutes... This rocks! But then again, those intros are cool, too.
This song still rocks after all these years.
At this time in history U2 were the best live band around!
I wasn't a big fan of Rattle and Hum (and really, most weren't) but this was a big positive of that project.
a powerful song from the blues-iest U2's album!
Turn it UP!!!!!!!
TJOpootertoot wrote:
It's not U2's best song. The chords are just a BIT simplistic. It's overplayed on radio. But, man, this baby MOVES, don't it? A 9.
It sure does. This song, though not up to most U2 standards, just kicks it out.
Never did like them fellers much. That said, "Numb" was a friggen great track.
Nothing like a little U2 to get the afternoon rollin
That is a great album, I love it. "Desire" is a great so-called "party track" - hehhehee. Let's you go wild - rrrrrrrrr! :)
jah_blessed wrote:
Same here. This track has always left me cold.
Indeed, I always felt that they badly wanted to try something different with this and some other tracks on Rattle & Hum, but it didn't really work out.
As usual U2 uses his well known talent to copy others groups authors standards
It's not U2's best song. The chords are just a BIT simplistic. It's overplayed on radio. But, man, this baby MOVES, don't it? A 9.
Oh Myyyyyyy!!!! Few other songs can kick me into overdrive like this one. Pure genius rocking rock - ELECTRIC!!!
One of the greatest bands, despite commerial radio overplay.