The band is back in the spotlight in a major way this week, with the release of their new record and their stint on Letterman. Needless to say, it’s put me in a serious U2 phase. But having heard their more well-known songs so many times, I find myself digging deeper and deeper into the catalog to get my fix. Here’s my current top ten non-album tracks, heavy on latter-day material:
- Staring At The Sun [Monster Truck Mix]. I have to confess, after Achtung Baby, Pop is my favorite U2 record. And being a sucker for Oasis, I always loved “Staring At The Sun”. But this mix trumps the album version in pretty much every regard and would’ve made much more sense on the record.
- The Wanderer [Bono vocal]. Johnny Cash sang the original version on Zooropa, but the band played their own version in tribute after he died. One of their best songs, period.
- Lady With The Spinning Head. The most fun b-side from a band that loves to make fun b-sides.
- Original Of The Species [single version]. They replaced the keyboards with real strings and tightened up the arrangement. In this version, it would’ve been a centerpiece of the How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.
- She’s A Mystery To Me. Written for Roy Orbison, who liked it so much he named his final record after it. “Mysterious Ways” is my favorite U2 song, and the imagery works well here too.
- Stuck In A Moment [acoustic]. Another home-run reinterpretation.
- Stateless. A song that catches fire in its second half. From the Million Dollar Hotel Soundtrack.
- Gone [live from Boston]. Another Pop tune that wasn’t quite done justice on the record. In concert it packs a punch.
- Dirty Day [Junk Day mix]. The bridge is perfect.
- Everlasting Love. In general, I tend not to like their covers that much. But this one works.
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11 responses to “10 Favorite Non-Album U2 Tracks”
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“hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me”. maybe the only bright spot from the forgettable Batman Forever
this may not count, b/c it is technically not a U2 track, but i am very partial to “falling at your feet” from the million dollar hotel soundtrack.
rock
-c.
dan- let us not forget the “hold me thrill me kiss me kill” video, where the animated bono is run over, while carrying a copy of the screwtape letters.
caleb- i love that song! in fact, all the stuff off of million dollar hotel is great. “never let me go” and “ground beneath her feet” are fantastic. have you heard the version of “falling at your feet” that lanois put on his solo record? it’s pretty great.
also, new dylan album?!
She moves in mysterious ways.
i know. i can’t believe the dylan news. i LOVE that guy. it is going to be “Red river shore” times 12. oh man.
-c.
Great list! I don’t have a couple of these. Can you send them?
And even though most people hate it, I love Window in the Skies. “The sky above our heads, we can reach it from our beds, Oh can’t you see what Love has done?” –It’s a wonderful picture of God breaking down the barrier between us and him through his Son.
I also love the Three Sunrises.
N- i love Window In The Skies! And it should probably be on the list. The only thing holding it back was that I’ve heard it so much.
Honorable mentions include:
1. North and South of The River
2. Ave Maria [Passengers version]
3. Slow Dancing
4. Please [Single version]
5. Fast Cars
6. Stay [Live from Toronto]
7. Dancing Barefoot
8. In The Name Of The Father
9. Sweet Fire Of Love
10. Three Sunrises
11. Ground Beneath Her Feet
12. Never Let Me Go
13. Electrical Storm [Orbit Mix]
14. Children Of The Revolution
15. A Celebration
16. Hallelujah Here She Comes
http://www.sendspace.com/file/o8r45s
dude, great stuff. you have given me inspiration to be the fan i should be. oh and mysterious ways is also my favorite.
how about the new album?!!! holy moses.
“is it true that perfect love drives out all fear? / the right to be ridiculous is something i hold dear”
oh my. original of the species with the strings is soooo good. thank you for pointing that out.