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Bruce Springsteen vs Bono

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  • 02-02-2009 6:01pm
    #1
    Nolanger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,556 ✭✭✭


    Irish Times
    The sad ballad of Bruce and Bono
    PRESENT TENSE: YOU MUST HAVE heard Bono’s words at this week’s pre-inauguration concert. “What a thrill for four Irish boys from the northside of Dublin to honour you sir, Barack Obama, to be the next president of the United States.” writes SHANE HEGARTY .

    And what a thrill it must have been. Even if only one of U2 actually lives on the northside now. Or that Bono must have lived as much of his life on the southside. Or that two of the band were born in England, before moving to the north Co Dublin town of Malahide. Roddy Doyle, you’ll have noticed, never sets his novels in Malahide.

    Why be so picky? Because even in a moment when he was trying to express the personal pride he and the band were feeling, Bono sounded a false note. In throwing in the reference to the northside, he was grabbing some of the “impossible journey” narrative for himself and the band.

    In many ways, U2’s journey from school band to global megastardom has been improbable, but it’s not because they came from Dublin’s northside. It’s not as if most of Bono’s friends are either dead or in jail. Last time I looked, they were making soundtracks and bowls. When not being a citizen of Dublin, Bono is a citizen of the world.

    During the band’s performance of In The Name of Love, he described Martin Luther King’s dream as “Not just an American dream – also an Irish dream, a European dream, an African dream, an Israeli dream . . .” And then, following a long pause reminiscent of a man who’d just realised he’d left the gas on, he added, “. . . and also a Palestinian dream.” This was his big shout out to the Palestinians. You know, it’s easy – and not original – to have a pop at Bono’s bombast, but sometimes it’s necessary to point it out and impossible to resist.

    He serves it up on a platter, writing newspaper columns and giving TV interviews. And for all his undoubted sincerity and effort on the issue of world poverty, you can’t help but marvel at this latest expression of Bono’s Sesame Street view of the world. Hey Middle East, we just have to have a dream to get along.

    Just ignore the sound of those loud explosions and concentrate on Bono’s voice.

    U2 debuted a new single this week. Get On Your Boots is actually pretty good, a reminder that the band still writes decent tunes, which is no mean feat given how many legendary acts continue to rely on ancient material. (The Rolling Stones have written almost nothing memorable during the entire time that U2 have been around). But not for the first time in U2’s career, Get On Your Boots sounds like the work of a band trying to find their voice in other people’s sounds. And, also not for the first time, it’s lyrically vacuous. That shouldn’t be a big deal – it’s only rock’n’roll after all – but it reminds us that it’s been some time since Bono and U2 have been musically relevant.

    Also on the stage at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday was Bruce Springsteen. Like U2, he released new music this week. In early listens, the album Working On A Dream is very strong in parts, if unlikely to be remembered as one of his more substantial albums. It lacks the grief and resilience that fuelled his post-9/11 album The Rising ; the honesty of Devils and Dust ; and the anger that infused his Bush-era America album Magic . Working On A Dream is a romantic album, a contented album, an album that sounds as if it marks the end of a cycle in his songwriting.

    It is, though, part of the continuing evolution of his music. He has been singing about the same characters and themes through his entire career, making his an epic, decades-long exercise in storytelling that shows no sign of coming to an end. Springsteen has also been arguably the most effective and popular protest songwriter of recent years. It means that he remains essential in a way that few artists do. In a way that U2, and Bono, are not.

    Compared to Bono, Springsteen has always been on another plane as a lyricist, but 40 years into his career he’s writing songs that are not just catchy, but actually say something intelligent about the world, his country, his people. Like Bono, he’s made enough money to remove himself from the multitudes who pack his stadium shows, and yet he still seems genuinely one of them.

    Most importantly, he’s politically brave in a way that Bono will not be. He takes sides. He’s not afraid to make enemies. Unlike Bono, pal of all presidents, he will not sup with the devil, partly because he knows what it’s like when his political enemies misread and misappropriate his music. And unlike Bono, who has a fascination with America that displays itself as a cloying neediness, Springsteen understands that country intimately. It means that Springsteen is authentic and authoritative in a way that Bono can never hope to be, no matter how much he mentions that he’s from the northside.


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Comments

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    #2
    ManFromAtlantis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,483 ✭✭✭ManFromAtlantis


    i think bono is great. musically and for wht hes done to help the plight of the poor.


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    #3
    Xavi6
    Registered Users Posts: 40,867 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Both have made some average at best music but Bono's a wanker so Bruce wins.


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    #4
    ManFromAtlantis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,483 ✭✭✭ManFromAtlantis


    typical jealousy and whodoeshethinkheis attidude.


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    #5
    Xavi6
    Registered Users Posts: 40,867 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    ManFromAtlantis wrote: »
    typical jealousy and whodoeshethinkheis attidude.

    Call it what you like. He's still an arrogant wanker.

    And his band haven't released anything decent since 1991.


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    #6
    JP Liz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,588 ✭✭✭JP Liz


    I prefer the Boss Bruce to Bono


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    #7
    Mars Bar
    Registered Users Posts: 31,936 ✭✭✭✭Mars Bar


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    Both have made some average at best music but Bono's a wanker so Bruce wins.

    You put Bruce and the word average into the same sentence, it's an insult to the man. He is well above average. The only time you use average in a sentence with the Boss is when you are comparing how far removed from average he is! I'm not a big gan of Bono's or U2 but music has to be credited where it is due and that was for The Joshua Tree album which was brilliant. But that's the best they have done for me. Boss on the other hand, wow!


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    #8
    tony 2 tone
    Registered Users Posts: 2,749 ✭✭✭tony 2 tone


    Right so it's the Ballad of Ronnie Drew vs. The Ghost of Tom Joad, no contest. :D Bono's singing and lyrics have gone to crap in the past few years.


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    #9
    thermo66
    Closed Accounts Posts: 523 ✭✭✭thermo66


    What do people have against Bono in this country!!! Never mind the tax issue before that even lots of people slating him. U2 continue to put Ireland on the map, are generally considered to be the best band in the world and are always proud to be irish. So Bono gets involved in political issues, thats his business. He's creating awareness at the end of the day, and i'm sure all the politicians wouldn't have entertained him if he didn't know what he was talking about. If you don't like what he has to say turn him off!!! I 'm not saying he doesn't go on a bit but its almost uncool to say you like Bono in this country. Typical irish begrudgery perhaps???

    The boss is a legend!! Roll on July. Hoping U2 will announce dates soon too.


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    #10
    Xavi6
    Registered Users Posts: 40,867 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    thermo66 wrote: »
    U2 continue to put Ireland on the map, are generally considered to be the best band in the world and are always proud to be irish.

    Lol what a ridiculous statement.


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    #11
    brendansmith
    Registered Users Posts: 4,526 ✭✭✭brendansmith


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    Lol what a ridiculous statement.

    +1, HAHAHA :D:D:D:D:pac::pac::pac:


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    #12
    af_thefragile
    Registered Users Posts: 7,171 ✭✭✭af_thefragile


    But Bono is a piece of crap...
    The biggest crap ever crapped... Over 80 Courics in weight!


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    #13
    thermo66
    Closed Accounts Posts: 523 ✭✭✭thermo66


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    Lol what a ridiculous statement.
    Hardly 'ridiculous'.... You may not agree with it but its far from a ridiculous statement. Don't exaggerate.


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    #14
    Nailz
    Registered Users Posts: 7,688 ✭✭✭Nailz


    af_thefragile wrote: »
    But Bono is a piece of crap...
    The biggest crap ever crapped... Over 80 Courics in weight!
    Hahaha, I was about to say that up until I seen that post!


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    #15
    ManFromAtlantis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,483 ✭✭✭ManFromAtlantis


    lads im not going to argue whether you should like his music or not. thats subjective. i'll let the millions of cd sales speak fro itself.
    some of the comments here knocking bono...............its sad that a man that has done a bit to highlight the plight of the real poor is abused here. i'm taking a flyer here, but i bet theres a tiny chance that that some people here have not done as much. and no imo bonos not looking for credit. he just deserves it.
    comments like ' hes the biggest crap ever crapped or whatever........real classy, just showing ignorance and u hardly learned that in trinity.


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    #16
    Xavi6
    Registered Users Posts: 40,867 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    thermo66 wrote: »
    Hardly 'ridiculous'.... You may not agree with it but its far from a ridiculous statement. Don't exaggerate.

    pot-kettle-black.jpg


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    #17
    Quint
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,407 ✭✭✭Quint


    “What a thrill for four Irish boys from the northside of Dublin to honour you sir, Barack Obama, to be the next president of the United States.”
    Did bono actually say that? Oh god, how cringeworthy! At least he can probably see the northside from dalky (or where ever he lives now)! He could have at least of moved to Howth.


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    #18
    ShawnRaven
    Registered Users Posts: 10,599 ✭✭✭✭ShawnRaven


    Why not just rename the Music forum to the "Bash Bono forever" forum, because quite frankly, that's all thats been happening here in the last month or so, it's kinda boring to be honest. :)

    He's done more in a lifetime than most of the posters here could do in ten lifetimes. Get over it, yeah?


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    #19
    Quint
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,407 ✭✭✭Quint


    ShawnRaven wrote: »
    Why not just rename the Music forum to the "Bash Bono forever" forum, because quite frankly, that's all thats been happening here in the last month or so, it's kinda boring to be honest. :)

    He's done more in a lifetime than most of the posters here could do in ten lifetimes. Get over it, yeah?

    No one disagrees with that. But he's still a tosser


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    #20
    thermo66
    Closed Accounts Posts: 523 ✭✭✭thermo66


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    pot-kettle-black.jpg
    why are you saying i exaggerated?? Cos i said U2 are generally considered the best band in the world?? They are!!!


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    #21
    Xavi6
    Registered Users Posts: 40,867 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    thermo66 wrote: »
    why are you saying i exaggerated?? Cos i said U2 are generally considered the best band in the world?? They are!!!

    Says who? You?

    You say it as if it's some sort of 'fact' when, because music is subjective, there are most likely the same amount of people who they're not even close to being the best band in the world EVAR! as who think they are.


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    #22
    Red Sleeping Beauty
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    Lol what a ridiculous statement.

    Maybe he means best Oirish band ? :confused:


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    #23
    thermo66
    Closed Accounts Posts: 523 ✭✭✭thermo66


    HA HA . Did i say best band 'EVER' ....No !!! So do not misquote me.

    I am not proclaiming them to have be the best, i said they are generally considered to be. Don't say you've never heard it before.... whether you believe it or not is your own business and i really don't care. .

    Have a nice day.:rolleyes:


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    #24
    ManFromAtlantis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,483 ✭✭✭ManFromAtlantis


    good girl thermo, totally agree with ya.


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    #25
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 15,814 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Springsteen is'nt afraid to take sides where as Bono sucks up to whomever is in power. That and the fact that Springsteen makes great music whereas Bono and U2 contribute nothing but drivel which when marketed as music is surely against trade description laws.


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    #26
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 15,814 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    thermo66 wrote: »
    why are you saying i exaggerated?? Cos i said U2 are generally considered the best band in the world?? They are!!!

    I'm fairly certrain that following last years reunion gig a certain 70s group featuring Jimmy Page and Robert Plant would be catagorised as the worlds biggest band. In fact they are in the Guiness Book of Records for just that.


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    #27
    thermo66
    Closed Accounts Posts: 523 ✭✭✭thermo66


    ManFromAtlantis wrote: »
    good girl thermo, totally agree with ya.
    Thank you :)


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    #28
    Red Sleeping Beauty
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    ShawnRaven wrote: »
    Why not just rename the Music forum to the "Bash Bono forever" forum, because quite frankly, that's all thats been happening here in the last month or so, it's kinda boring to be honest. :)

    A Bash Bono forum could work for me , I'd like to see that one :)
    Someone can have all of my Thanks forever if they request a forum in the Forums Request forum for a Bash Bono Forum .

    thermo66 wrote: »
    HA HA . Did i say best band 'EVER' ....No !!! So do not misquote me.

    Sorry Sir/Mam, my mistake. I think however, that this is where the confussion lay....

    thermo66 wrote: »
    U2 ........... are generally considered to be the best band in the world


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    #29
    Traditional
    Registered Users Posts: 237 ✭✭Traditional


    he sure knows how to sell records , supposed to be worth 900mil


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    #30
    Red Sleeping Beauty
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    Who ? Springsteen ?

    I think David Bowie is worth close to that figure as well but that had something to do with him licensing out his songs.


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    #31
    Chinafoot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,894 ✭✭✭Chinafoot


    Bono V Springsteen

    No comparison really.

    Come back to me when Bono is still going strong after a 40 year career of knock out, ever-changing music and amazing performances. U2 don't even compete when compared to the Boss for live shows. U2's sound has remained the same, and tbh I find it monotonous and boring. They haven't been good since the 80's.

    As for his charity work....this is the music forum, yeah?
    thermo66 wrote:
    i said they are generally considered to be.

    Generally considered by who exactly? U2 fans? I'm sure all the Led Zep/Thin Lizzy/Coldplay/*insert favourite band/artist here* fans generally consider them to be the best in the world. It is a ridiculous statement to make, whether it's your opinion or not.


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