There's a lot of debate about U2. Are they on a religious mission? Are they rock star charlatans with a messianic complex? I've long been convinced they are on the cutting edge of engaging the world with faith, but what I just read today completely amazed me.
Readers of U2′s biography might recognize the name Jack Heaslip as a high school guidance counselor at Dublin's Mt. Temple Comprehensive in the 1970s, where U2 first met him.
He has since become an ordained Anglican priest. He often travels with U2 on tour, tending to the hundreds of staff and crew members as they are away from homes and families. He likes to arrive at the venues early, as well, to take a prayer walk through the seats and spaces that will be filled later that night with U2′s fans.
Listen to this recording of him offering a blessing at the beginning of U2's 2001 Elevation Tour. After listening to this, I can't imagine thinking that the notion that U2 is intentionally going about God's work is anything short of true.
As a pastor myself, I'm also thinking "Where can I sign up?!"
Below is a video and lyrics to the next U2 single...and first great hymn of 2009...enjoy!
"Magnificent" Magnificent Oh, magnificent
I was born I was born to be with you In this space and time After that and ever after I haven't had a clue
Only to break rhyme This foolishness can leave a heart Black and blue
Only love Only love can leave such a mark But only love Only love can heal such a scar
I was born I was born to sing for you I didn’t have a choice But to lift you up And sing whatever song you wanted me to I give you back my voice From the womb my first cry It was a joyful noise
Oh, oh Only love Only love can leave such a mark But only love Only love can heal such a scar
Justified till we die You and I will magnify Oh, the magnificent
Magnificent
Only love Only love can leave such a mark But only love Only love unites our hearts
Justified till we die You and I will magnify Oh, the magnificent Magnificent Magnificent
I’ve listened to the new U2 record “No Line on the Horizon” (in stores March 3rd) and am beginning to put some thoughts together on it. As I listen to it, I’m mindful that my relationships with U2 records are always long-term committed affairs. At this point, I think we’ll get along fine…but we’ll need to get to know each other.
The adjective that kept coming to mind the first time through was “brooding”. While repeated listens seem to be suggesting something other than "brooding", I’d have to say that “Get On Your Boots” does not offer a very accurate peek in the window as the lead single for the record.
Bono's voice sounds great throughout the record. The Edge's guitars are in place. Adam & Larry drive the songs as I'd expect and hope from them. I suspect that Brian Eno probably ought to be credited as the “the fifth Beatle” on this project, which seems, at nearly every turn, to reflect his penchant for ambience and electronic noises kicking around in the background. Most of the time it comes alongside some undeniably “Edge-y” guitar sonics.
I also keep finding myself thinking at times that this record wants to carry the markings of “late masterpieces” like Sergeant Pepper’s or Pet Sounds or the White Album (for good and for ill).
This record is just about the opposite of a collection of hit singles (thankfully, U2 has never tried that approach). The potential singles (after the already released “Boots”) are probably "Magnificent”, “Breathe”, "No Line on the Horizon" and “I Know I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” (which I would predict will find a spot at or near the beginning of the upcoming tour’s nightly setlists). “Stand Up Comedy” might make it to radio, too.
The record starts off strong, soaring and anthemic with the title track and "Magnificent". Guitars up front with electronic noises in the back that sort of switch places at times during "Magnificent". The title track has a bit of an Arcade Fire feel to it.
The song most likely to be remembered in 10 or 20 years is “Moment of Surrender”.
The emphasis in “Stand Up Comedy” is on “Stand Up”. Along with “Boots”, it resurrects the cheekiness that was ever present in the Zoo TV and Popmart concerts.
“FEZ – Being Born” is the opposite of a radio-ready hit single. Starts out sounding like a remix, with looping samples of “Get on Your Boots”. Sort of Radiohead-esque at times. It might just be brilliant.
“White as Snow” is like no U2 song I can recall. Again, slow and brooding with a sort of spaghetti western guitar sound. For some reason, the melody brought to mind the Advent Hymn “O Come O Come Emmanuel”. On some level, the two songs might be connected by more than their music. Made me think of Johnny Cash working with Rick Rubin.
“Breathe” would probably be a more appropriate (and probably better) single than “Get on Your Boots”. Here's a video of the band premiering the song on French TV:
“Cedars of Lebanon” ends the record in a way familiar to U2: instead of a climactic grand finale they offer an understated, reflective, and even melancholy final scene. The song ends with such stark suddenness that it almost stings as much as “Wake Up Dead Man” did on 1997’s POP.
Lyrics to the songs are available here (I'll also mention that @U2.com is a great and reputable fansite).
I'm starting to feel a connection to the songs after 2-3 listens. This was the longest hiatus between records in U2's entire career. I hope the wait is not as long for the next one.
Below is a "video Christmas card" from my family to yours this blessed season. Our prayer is that you know peace and joy in ways that inspire you to be courageous and imaginative in the way you love others.
The video was shot on our digital camera while in center city Philadelphia. It features Amber as "the Cherub". The song is called "I Believe in Father Christmas" and was written by Greg Lake (of Emerson, Lake, & Palmer fame). The lyrics I use come from the version that U2 recorded this year for (RED)Wire. Here they are:
They said there’d be snow at christmas They said there’d be peace on earth But instead it just keeps on raining A veil of tears for the virgin birth
I remember on Christmas morning A winter’s light and a distant choir And the peal of a bell; that Christmas tree smell eyes full of tinsel and fire
They sold me a dream of Christmas They sold me a silent night They sold me a fairy story But I believe in the Israelite
I believed in father Christmas I looked at the sky with excited eyes 'Till I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn And I saw him through his disguise
I wish you a hopeful Christmas I wish you a brave new year All anguish, pain and sadness Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there’d be snow at Christmas They said there’d be peace on earth Hallelujah, noel, be it heaven or hell Christmas we get what we deserve
I wish you a hopeful Christmas I wish you a brave new year All anguish, pain and sadness Leave your heart and let your road be clear
Matthew Staniz. Husband to Monica. Father to Amber. Pastor. Happy Philadelphia Suburbanite. Native of Pittsburgh. Born in 1971. Lover of God and rock 'n roll. Hockey fan. Believes many churches will die in his lifetime, but the body of Christ will always rise again.
