The Most Beautiful [Irish] Song Ever

So I obviously didn’t get this up in time for St. Patrick’s Day. But I figured I’d do it anyway.

Mp3: “Bad” – U2

Since U2 hales from the land of green, Guinness, and Jameson Whiskey, I figured I’d post about my favorite song of theirs – “Bad” (from their 1984 release The Unforgettable Fire). The song is quite possibly one of the most beautiful songs ever written. I mean really, I doubt any fan of rock music would argue that it at least deserves to be top 5. You can’t play this song loud enough. I have to put on headphones to soak it all in. It’s layers upon layers of interwoven, delayed guitar. Guitar so beautiful that it has made The Edge one of the most respected and easily recognized guitarists of all time. Most people recognize “Where The Streets Have No Name” as his magnum opus, but I’d argue that this song is just as good and just as important to his résumé. It’s subtle and perfect. Simple and elegant.

The Edge

 

It begins with The Edge’s perfect riff. The delay. The high notes, almost harmonics, but not quite. Bono’s voice comes in, “If you twist and turn away. If you tear yourself in two again…” Queue drums and bass. Mullen practices perfect restrain in his drumming – just enough to build on the increasing tension with his beloved toms and the hissing cymbals that fade from speaker to speaker. The song continuously builds upon itself – The Edge’s arpeggiation and Bono’s voice crescendoing in unison throughout the song. And then, just when you think the song has reached its apex, it begins a brief descent with Bono singing, “If you should ask then maybe they’d tell you what I would say. True colors fly in blue and black. Blue silken sky and burning flag. Colors crash, collide in blood shot eyes.” Then the song turns upward again. Mullen’s beating of the tom gets louder than ever, Bono bellows his “I’m wide awake. I’m wide awake.” Then, quickly and just as subtly as it began, fades away.

 

I love songs that build and build into an explosive climax. This is a perfect example of one. I hope you enjoy.