U2's Bono Finds His Missing Lyrics Oct 22, 9:01 AM EST The Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. -- A long-lost briefcase full of notes and lyrics that were intended for the 1981 U2 album "October" has been returned, 23 years after it was stolen at a Portland concert. U2 frontman Bono made the announcement Wednesday during an appearance before the World Affairs Council of Oregon, saying the returned notes were "an act of grace." Bono had to rewrite the "October" lyrics in the studio, and band members called it their worst recording experience. Though the record was generally well-received, it didn't earn the praise of the band's debut album, "Boy," or third album, "War." The briefcase was returned by Cindy Harris, 44, who said she found it in the attic of a rental home in Tacoma, Wash., in 1981. She said she did not know the notes had been stolen until many years later, and then she had no idea how to reach the band. Her friend Danielle Rheaume spent much of the past year contacting U2's management. According to "Into the Heart," a book of stories about U2 songs, the briefcase was stolen by some women who joined the band backstage at a now-defunct Portland nightclub. The band returned to Portland a few years after the theft and Bono asked the audience if anyone knew about the briefcase. He repeated the question when the band played at the Rose Garden arena in 2001. http://entertainment.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=171090 I wonder what they'll do with the original lyrics? Publish them, re-record the songs, maybe make new ones based on some other lyrics he wrote down?
This story puts a little perspective on Bono' lyric writing process. From what I understand, the band writes by jamming on ideas together. While the band plays, Bono sings whatever comes to his head. The whole jamming session is taped. Once the jamming is done, it is up to an assistant to listen to the tapes and create a transcript of everything that Bono sang. Originally, I thought this was quite the prima-donna thing to do. But now I understand a little bit better.
While I LOVE October, it would be interesting to hear it re-recorded as the band intended... although, they can never go back that time and place, it would be neat to re-release the 'new and improved' October!? Now if they can just find the missing CD from the new sessions!!
I was at the 2001 Portland concert where he asked if anybody had his briefcase. It was also the day Joey Ramone died and the band dedicated "One" to him. Special night.
ELAINE: Hello. BONO: You. You think you can get music? Please. You’re wasting everyone’s time. ELAINE: I don’t want music. I can make my own music. “ "I try to sing this song I...I try to stand up But I can't find my feet I try, I try to speak up But only in you I'm complete” BONO: That is my lyrics for "Gloria" ELAINE: Yeah, that’s right. I got ‘em all. "Tomorrow" "With A Shout" "Stranger in a Strange Land" BONO: "Stranger in a..." ELAINE: You’re through Bono. Pack it up. No more music for you. Next!
I've been trying to find those Achtung Baby demos that came out before the album was even done. I've heard clips from this site here: http://home.comcast.net/~sira/achtung/u2salome.htm It's interesting to hear parts of different songs that at one time were put together as another song. One thing I heard was like Ultra Violet and Lady with the Spinning Head with the solo from the Fly. I know when the bootleg came out, they weren't too happy, but going back to listen to it now is just interesting because you can hear the evolution of that album. BTW, I've got some live versions of 2 new songs. The new album is gonna be awesome.
Vertigo is a kickass song. I normally don't like their first singles from their albums, but I've loved every single album of their's. If I'm digging the first song already, I can't imagine how good the CD's gonna be.
Wow. So glad they finally found those. Actually, even as it ended up, October is worth checking out again. It grows on you. I too would like to see it finally "done right", if they can manage to recapture that energy. I know some people thought All That You Can't Leave Behind was their "return to form", but I thought the youthful energy was gone and Bono just sounded tired, sad, and a lot less full of the hope and faith and determination he had when he was 20. Of course, some of that is to be expected, and his voice can't do the tricks it used to, but I would love to see that attitude recaptured. For those who don't like conventional Christian music, as it usually appears these days, but still like the worldview/philosophy, I recommend early U2 and especially this record... "I was walking I was walking into walls And back again I just keep walking I walk up to a window to see myself And my reflection When I thought about it My direction Going nowhere Going nowhere No one, no one is blinder Than he who will not see No one, no one is blinder Than me."
For some reason, when I repeat that, I have this strange feeling that I MUST buy an iPod. Have I been brainwashed?
Looks like tomorrow Steve Jobs, Bono, and the Edge are going to unveil a U2 editon iPod with all of their songs already included. It's supposed to be black.
Maybe it's just me...but it sound like he says Once ( which is eleven, but he doesn't say on-say, he says once) Dos ( doce is twelve) Tres (trece is thirteen) Catorce ( this is said right) Do you think he just couldn't pronounce once, doce, trece, catorce and it just came out once, dos, tres, catorce? Maybe I'm just hearing things
It does sound like he says "once, dos, tres, catorce." Maybe he's telling us something, the new album is their 11th studio album. Maybe, that's the once. Then catorce means they are going to stop after they make their 14th. Or, maybe he just though it would be cool to do something that would have people guessing.
11th studio album? Boy October War UF JT (R&H?) Achtung Zooropa Pop All That You... using the above, this one would be #11. Of course, there are: Wide Awake in America, Under a Blood Red Sky, 1980-1990, and 1990-2000. They all have some new material on them. If you count three of the above - not sure which three - then this would be #14. Or if you count the "Passengers" project and that Melon thing and others which probably aren't supposed to count.
i've heard musicians screw up the numbers to be funny or catchy all the time. mayer has a song that he opened up with at concert by saying, "one, two, three, seven."
Well it seems you have 4 options. 24.10.2004 Four Play! ‘How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb’ U2’s new album, released on November 22nd, will come in four distinct formats. As well as the standard CD release, there will also be a Double Album CD/DVD release which will include the documentary ‘U2 and 3 Songs’’ including interview footage with the band, and performances of new songs from the studio in Dublin. A ‘Deluxe Limited Edition’ release will not only feature CD and DVD but also a colour hardback book. The book includes extracts from band members note books, original paintings, illustrations and photography along with quotes and statistics. And for completists there is a fourth format - the LP Vinyl release. As first revealed on U2.Com, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb features 11 tracks. The album track listing is as follows: 1. Vertigo 2. Miracle Drug 3. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own 4. Love And Peace Or Else 5. City Of Blinding Lights 6. All Because Of You 7. A Man And A Woman 8. Crumbs From Your Table 9. One Step Closer 10.Original Of The Species 11.Yahweh http://u2.com/ Well, I'm a sucker for those CD/DVD sets, but man, a hardback book? ....yeah, I'll probably be buying that Deluxe Edition.
Fifteen years ago U2 was my favorite band, but I haven't paid much attention to them since Rattle and Hum.
