U2 Faith Love and Hope
How many of us have felt like we want to run and hide when the walls come crushing down upon us. How many of us have felt locked within the walls and afraid to break out of them.
U2’s “Where The Streets Have No Name” on so many levels could be the one song that reaches inside of you and pulls out the very ideas that you buried deep beyond your every day life. Building and burning down love often can be a reflection of ones fear to commitment beyond our self.
The reference to love turning to rust and beaten and blown by the wind could suggest that we must all work at love and that love grows when we put forth trust in man.
“I’ll show you a place High on a desert plain Where the streets have no name” is that the kingdom of God?
Could Bono and the boys suggest that walking by faith alone
may not be all that you need. When I
hear the beginning of this song we are immersed in a feeling of possibility and
hope. This week marks another reflection point of our generation.
The song has become a marker for 9/11 – With Bono and the boys performing to a backdrop of names. Those names are sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers and yet if all seems so far from possible truth that on one day the world changed forever; change happens often at a snails pace. However not on this day, we have been forever marked with images of ones dreams shattered.
We all can rejoice that by faith we can over come; by faith we can be comforted as the music plays on.
"Where The Streets Have No Name”
I want to run
I want to hide
I want to tear down the walls
That hold me inside
I want to reach out
And touch the flame
Where the streets have no name
I want to feel sunlight on my face
I see the dust cloud disappear
Without a trace
I want to take shelter from the poison rain
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We're still building
Then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
The city's aflood
And our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Trampled in dust
I'll show you a place
High on a desert plain
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We're still building
Then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
Our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, and I see love
See our love turn to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
I want to run
I want to hide
I want to tear down the walls
That hold me inside
I want to reach out
And touch the flame
Where the streets have no name
I want to feel sunlight on my face
I see the dust cloud disappear
Without a trace
I want to take shelter from the poison rain
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We're still building
Then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
The city's aflood
And our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Trampled in dust
I'll show you a place
High on a desert plain
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We're still building
Then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
Our love turns to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, and I see love
See our love turn to rust
We're beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, when I go there
I go there with you
It's all I can do
Lyrics by U2
U2 Essays, Exploring U2
Exploring U2: Is This Rock 'n' Roll?
features new writing in the growing field of U2 studies. Edited by
Scott Calhoun, with a foreword by Anthony DeCurtis, Exploring U2
contains selections from the 2009 inaugural gathering of "The Hype and
The Feedback: A Conference Exploring The Music, Work and Influence of
U2." In keeping with U2's own efforts to remove barriers that have long
prevented dialogue for understanding and improving the human experience,
this collection of essays examines U2 from perspectives ranging from
the personal to the academic and is accessible to curious music fans,
students, teachers, and scholars alike.
Four
sections organize 16 essays from leading academics, music critics,
clergy, and fans. From the academic disciplines of literature, music,
philosophy, and theology, essays study U2's evolving use of source
material in live performances, the layering of vocal effects in
signature songs, the crafting of a spiritual community at live concerts,
U2's success as a business brand, Bono's rhetorical presentation of
Africa to the Western consumer, and readings of U2's work for irony,
personhood, hope, conservatism, and cosmic-time. Official band
biographer Neil McCormick considers U2 as a Dublin-shaped band, and
Danielle Rhéaume tells how discovering and returning Bono's lost
briefcase of lyrics for the album October propelled her along her own
artistic journey.
This
thoughtful and timely collection recognizes U2's music both as art and
commentary on personal journeys and cultural dialogues about
contemporary issues. It offers insights and critical assessments that
will appeal not only to scholars and students of popular music and
culture studies but to those in the fields of theology, philosophy, the
performing arts, literature, and all intellectually curious fans of U2.
U2 Conference back
The U2 Conference is an event where students and fans of popular music can discover, examine, learn, and share what U2 has created and what it means to its listeners and in all the contexts popular music is a part of. Our inaugural 2009 meeting brought together a multi-disciplinary group from seven countries and featured over 40 formal presentations, three films, and networking opportunities.
The theme for the 2013 U2 Conference is “U2:TRANS-,” indicating an interest in U2 going across, over, and beyond boundaries in rock and roll, and working toward making moments of passing through or crossing over possible for fans as well as for the band itself. “TRANS-” concepts such as transform, transgress, translate, and transcend, for starters, will be in focus for the program sessions. We will have parallel tracks open to all attendees with sessions designed for both academic and popular audiences
The U2 Conference will hold its second meeting for an international gathering of scholars, critics, teachers, and fans in collaboration with theRock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, April 26-27, 2013. Our keynote speaker is Ann Powers, popular music critic for National Public Radio. We continue to build our program and will announce more details in the months to come.
We Remember
Barack Obama's One
(RTTNews) - Mary J. Blige performed at Thursday night's Democratic national convention. She performed a cover of U2's classic track "One." She followed this up with her own hit "Family Affair," leading into the song by asking the crowd to "get it crunk for President Obama!" "One" is featured on U2's album Achtung Baby. "Family Affair" appears on Blige's fifth studio effort, No More Drama. Thursday was the final night of the Democratic convention. It closed with President Barack Obama accepting the nomination for another term in the White House. He will face off against Republican nominee Mitt Romney in November.
Who is Eric Shivers ?
Who is this guy Eric and how did U2 change the course of his life ?
Eric is the author the of “ I’m a Fan: How I married U2 into my life without going to the altar.” Eric has had some challenging times in his life. The book dives into how U2’s music embarks him on a journey of self-discovery. Eric said “How I married U2 into my life without going to the altar is the story about how my parent's divorce changed my journey through the world for the better and how I became a fan of the Irish rock band -- U2. Starting with my mom's second marriage to the closing chapter with me sitting on Oprah's couch shortly before Bono takes the stage, I'm a Fan is a 35 year romp through my life trying to understand one's difficulties with relationships, depression and death as U2 sits in the background playing my soundtrack.” From self-discovery listening to U2’s “Under A Blood Red Sky” cassette to sending the band a bag filled with custom painted jean wear initiating a merchandising operation to meeting them on the streets of Chicago, I'm a Fan: How I married U2 into my life without going to the altar is my life's story.
On a ppersonal note, Eric had offered to be my host when I arrived in Chicago. Introducing me to all the fans that he had met over the years and providing some great insights to Chicago. The book gives readers a chance to look into someones world and see how they pull together the strength to overcome. U2 music has always provided the back drop for fans to find hope, love and strength to endure. I invite you to click the link and grab a copy for your self. - Dre
Can we define U2 fandom?
In my excitement of finding this pic, I posted the image on my Facebook page, dedicated to my U2 fandom. I clearly stated that I had never seen the photo, which is true. Within a few hours of the posting, someone made a comment that me not seeing a previously released image of Bono didn’t make me fan enough of U2.
By Line: Eric Shivers,
In my excitement of finding this pic, I posted the image on my Facebook page, dedicated to my U2 fandom. I clearly stated that I had never seen the photo, which is true. Within a few hours of the posting, someone made a comment that me not seeing a previously released image of Bono didn’t make me fan enough of U2.
I took offense to this immediately. It was a natural reaction to a comment flung through cycberspace by someone who doesn’t know me personally, but noticed my page dedicated to my U2 fandom, and memoir, and took a cheap dig. Yes, the image was available to me but I did not know it. Supposedly it was published in a book that sits on the bookshelf behind me as I write this blog. I have cracked U2 & i a few times, but have never dived into it deeply. I just have a knack for amassing all things published about U2, because I am a collector as well, which is where I am drawing the line on defined fandom.
Bono
What gripes me the most about being a fan, of anything, is the level to which your fandom lies. Unlike earthquakes or tornadoes, there is no barometer created by science to say how deep of a fan you are of U2. Take my friend in Canada, who has a whole room dedicated to the Irishmen. One might think he is a super fan, right? Well, I would agree with you, but he is also a down to earth guy, who has a passion for encrusting himself in mirror chips and putting himself on the front rail night after night last year on the 360 tour. In contrast, there is the fan who turns to U2’s music in order to get them through life. In both cases, the level of fandom is personal, which is really what our passion for U2 should be as we carry them with us in our suitcase of life. It does not matter if you missed an image of them or did not know that Bono housed Salaman Rushdie in his back garden because those are technicalities.
Once found, they open you to more discoveries, which is why I like this band. I walk away from the narrow-mindedness of the comment, posted on Facebook, knowing that I put myself out there for public scrutiny. However, we tend to act first and then think later. I do it all the time and I am reminded by my better half that taking the time to think things through before taking action is the best way to handle any given situation. I greet others who are fans of U2 with the same compassion. Instead of telling my story, I want to hear theirs because that is important to me.
It gets me to think about how my life was touched as
well as garnering me insight to how U2 has built a “flock” of followers. Yes,
some have fallen off the bandwagon due to the creative output or musical
direction U2 has taken and that is okay. They were the original adopters once,
still considered by me as being a part of us, who were the true believers. We, the current fans, carry the flag for those
previous to us, knowing full well that sometimes the weight of pole, from which
said U2 flag flies, can be a burden, but we hoist it, nevertheless, because we
believe.
Christians Still Looking
The Best of: 1980-1990, that contains Christian connotations, is the song, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For ” While there are some Christians who maintain that Bono is renouncing his faith in this song, others maintain that Bono is simply expressing personal struggles with his faith and with temptation. Still others maintain that Bono is expressing his struggle with the current world.
The Best of: 1980-1990, that contains Christian connotations, is the song, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For ” While there are some Christians who maintain that Bono is renouncing his faith in this song, others maintain that Bono is simply expressing personal struggles with his faith and with temptation. Still others maintain that Bono is expressing his struggle with the current world.
Whether or not Bono is indeed facing a crossroad in his faith is mere speculation, but there can be no speculation on the Christian imagery that is so evident throughout this song. Verses seven through eight read,
I believe in the Kingdom Come
Then all the colours will bleed into one
Bleed into one
But yes, I’m still running
You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame
Oh my shame, you know I believe it
This last verse seems to indicate that Bono is a follower of Jesus Christ because he acknowledges that he has been set free from shame on account of what was done for him on the cross. If Bono is affirming his faith, then how can he also be asserting that he has not found what he is looking for in Jesus Christ?According to Stockman, Bono is not speaking of his discontent in Jesus Christ but of his discontent with the current world. Stockman writes, “To have found what you’re looking for actually means you have died and gone to heaven!”
At the same time that Christians believe the cross has changed their lives. There is still a hope in one day moving on to a place where there is no AIDS, poverty, violence, division in the Church, selfish motives, and other things associated with a fallen world. This whole idea of Christians still not finding what they’re looking for, falls in line with what Paul writes in Philippians 3:12-14:
Not
that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made
perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took
hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold
of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining
toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for
which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
From U2’s album, “U2 - The Best of 1990-2000Mysterious Ways,” also contains Christian content. It is interpreted that Bono is speaking about the Holy Spirit moving in mysterious ways, because the last verse directly refers to spirits.
Move you, spirits move you
Move, spirits ‘its move you, oh yeah
Does it move you?
She moves with it
Lift my days, and light up my nights, oh
Bono has publicly said that he believes the spirit is a feminine thing, which explains the feminine imagery he uses throughout the song. Another Christian component to this song is the last lines in the fourth verse which read,
If you want to kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel
On your knees, boy!
These lines indicate that prayer, or more specifically, repentance, is needed to reach heaven.This falls in line with Romans 10:9-10, which reads,
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
U2 has made music for the people, for you and me. Its not only about faith and the idea that you must follow one God, clearly if you listen to the music as a whole you will find that that blessings are for everyone.
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