Grammy deserving: Here's where things get a little interesting. U2's last two albums were nominated for album of the year trophies, the aforementioned "Atomic Bomb," plus "All That You Can't Leave Behind" in 2002. But "No Line" is a significantly better record than both. It's not perfect -- witness the predictably sparkly phone-in-the-air rock ballad "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" -- but by and large, "No Line" is U2 back to its risk-taking self. "Moment of Surrender," in particular, is an extended gospel-influenced rock 'n' soul cut that's all about relaxing into a groove rather than going for the stadium chorus. In short, if voters recognized U2's last two albums, they can't overlook this one, as it's the superior effort.
U2 Academic Conf 2009 - Are U going?
U have just started to become a fan of U2 and your trying to understand the hype around the band and the lyrics that seem to call upon you during those times that you need a friend. Many books, essays have been written about the group, their music and the impact on anything and everything.
The U2 Academic Conference happens to be coming up on October 2 -4 2009- Details below. Go spend a weekend in Durham, North Carolina, with your fellow man talking, listening and thinking about U2 and what they have done. Scholars, teachers, students, journalist, clergy, musicians and the curious descend upon Durham in hopes of understanding a little better the music, exploring the interwoven of the lyrics as they breath life. Truly a one of a kind conference. Now once your done with the lesson, guess what Raleigh is right down the road and you can catch the boys live. Remember if your flying around to see the shows. We have a special U2 Travel deal at the top of our page.
research@U2conference.comRemember to follow us via twitter @u2tourfans or visit our youtube.com channel u2tourfans as well as sign up for the auto updates. Last comment we are totally supported by our sponsors, so please show some love and visit them, at least once - Cheers
Bibliography last updated: 08.13.2009
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U2 has hidden cryptic reference to a biblical passage
The debut U2charist in Pensacola took place August 23rd at First Methodist. The U.S. Episcopal Church first developed the U2charist in 2003, and the service was first conducted in in April 2004. The celebration of U2’s music has since since spread worldwide, arriving in Pensacola last weekend. “It’s definitely something different,” First United’s Rev. Geoffrey Lentz told the Pensacola News Journal. “But U2’s music is so deeply spiritual that I think the corporate worship setting is the perfect place for it. It’s exciting for the oldest Protestant church in Pensacola to have a cutting edge worship service.” Lentz added that the U2charist appeals to a younger audience, and an average of 200 people attend the Sunday service.
Churches who hold the U2charist do not have to pay licensing fees for using U2’s music on the condition that the church donates any money raised by the service to charities benefiting the Millennium Development Goals, to which Bono is an ambassador. After completing the European leg of their 360° Tour, U2 will take inspirational songs and the church of “the spaceship” overseas for a North American tour that kicks off September 12th in Chicago.
Books
This revised version of Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2 picks up where the first edition left off—amid the cathartic atmosphere of the post-9/11 Elevation tour that ushered in the aggressive spirituality of 2005’s Vertigo tour. It explores the controversy surrounding the deep-rooted religious themes of the band’s music and the outspokenness of their lead singer, Bono. Moreover, it is a spiritual companion to their albums, exposing the real meaning behind many of their songs and performances.
Lyrics -
"The heart is a bloom/shoots up through the stony ground" -- Isaiah 52:3: "He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground." (submitted by Andrew)
"See the bird with the leaf in her mouth" -- Genesis 8:10-11: "[Noah] waited seven days more and again sent the dove out from the ark. In the evening the dove came back to him, and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf! So Noah knew that the waters had lessened on the earth."
"After the flood all the colours came out" -- Genesis 9:12-13: "God added: 'This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.'"
"I am not afraid of anything in this world -- Luke 12:4: "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more."
"A place that has to be believed to be seen" -- John 11:40 Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (submitted by Rev. Beth)
"Home - I can't say where it is, but I know I'm going" -- John 14: 4-6 Jesus said, "You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way." (submitted by Rev. Beth)
"In a little while, I won't be blown by every breeze..." -- Ephesians 4:14 Then, we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of doctrine. (submitted by Rev. Beth)
"You were my shelter and my shade" -- Isaiah 25:4 "You have been... a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat." (submitted by Rev. Beth)
"She carries a pearl in perfect condition" -- Matt 13:45-46 "The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." (submitted by Rev. Beth)
"What left a mark no longer stains" -- Not a quote, but a pretty clear allusion to Isaiah 1:18 "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." (submitted by Rev. Beth)
U2 has hidden an incredibly cryptic reference to a biblical passage on the cover of their album, "All That You Can't Leave Behind". What you need to do to view the message is look at the cover. On the cover, there's the four members of U2 standing around. In the background, on the left, on the ceiling of the place they are standing is a sign saying "J33-3". U2 altered the photo to say this. What it is is a coded reference to the book of Jeremiah, Chapter 33, verse 3. The passage reads, "'Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known.'
The Unforgettable Fire
Tonight we have selected The Unforgettable Fire video for your review. In a few weeks a reissue of this album will be released. The song made its appearance during the euro tour. We invite you to sit back enjoy and subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a concern video. Follow us on twitter (@U2tourfans) and of course support our sponsors. We are kind of thinking of interesting stories to share as we await the kick off of the North America tour.
Lyrics
Ice Your only rivers run cold These city lights They shine as silver and gold Dug from the night Your eyes as black as coal Walk on by Walk on through Walk 'til you run And don't look back For here I am Carnival The wheels fly and the colors spin Through alcohol, Red wine that punctures the skin Face to face In a dry and waterless place Walk on by Walk on through So sad to beseige your love so head on Stay in this time Stay tonight in a lie I'm only asking but I I think you know Come on take me away Come on take me away Come on take me home Home again And if the mountain should crumble Or disappear into the sea Not a tear, no not I Stay in this time Stay tonight in a lie Ever after It's lovin' time And if you save your love Save it all tonight Don't push me too far Don't push me too far Tonight Tonight
U2 may pony up to the Cowboys
Its not as if U2 and their label have an unlimited supply of money. Some may think they do, with the private planes, a crew that could support a small city and transportation that could transport tons of steel around three locations.
Outside its America
With America just over the horizon and 20 days to setup and everyone in place for the largest tour. We thought about what we could do over the next few days. Of course we will always have the most current news stories of the day. Videos on youtube from the concerts so far, twitter updates on just about anything U2 you would want to know and our new U2 North American Tour Hot line.
Looking over the past couple of months we began to think if we had a chance to create our ultimate 80's play list what songs would we place on the list and why. Of course we all have a couple of songs that we wished we never liked, however its fact you know you liked Journey and U2 in the same breath........... Gosh who knows why.
We thought about it and all agreed we should all just go visit the 80's man himself and have him select the best 80's play list. What you don't know who the 80's man is ? Steve Spears come on now everyone know where the Pope lives, Everyone knows who shot J.R . and anyone that loves the 80's knows that Steve is the man to see. Check out this old news blog and lets build our list.
Starting my list off will be U2: New Years Day. I was attending SLU( St Louis U) and it as the cold of winter, I would say it was New Years Eve however I don't think so. The song blasted on the radio and just hit me right between the eyes.
The video was one of their first to see
U2 guitarist Edge revealed in the official U2 biography that the four people riding on horseback in the video that appeared to be the four U2 members were in fact four Swedish teenage girls disguised as the members of U2 riding on horseback with masks over their faces.
This was done as the band were frozen from shooting the video in sub-freezing temperatures the day before. Their biography states that Bono refused to wear any headgear despite the cold weather and had a lot of trouble mouthing the lyrics. The video also features footage of Soviet troops advancing in winter during
U2 allowed free of charge use of this song in a spot prepared by the European Commission.
Bono and the Boys Lend ColdPlay private jet
Coud it be that Bono's growing soft in his old age, or is this a way of
apologizing for calling Chris Martin a “wanker” and a “cretin,”
In a superbly bizarre twist, the band have flown into their first stadium show of this tour on U2’s plane. Apparently, our regular ride is misfiring. I believe that the big end’s gone, or something like that. The easiest way to deal with this it seems, was to take U2’s “360 Air” jet for a spin. They’re doing UK shows right now, so it’s just sat about doing nothing otherwise.
Drop us a voice mail and let us know
Millennium Stadium Last Stop
2 Months into the European Leg Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Walls is the last stop before heading to America's. Couple of the video highlights. Noteworthy was Bono playing the guitar during Bad.
Tour Moves on to America and the U2 TOUR FANS Hot line is ready Call/SMS (513) 360-TOUR (8687)