I AGREE! I misspoke when I said people hated this album. what I should of said it that "it was an album that many misunderstood and many nominal fans didn't appreciate"
Anthony can’t wait for U2 to tour again so you can take Seth to his first U2 concert 🎶 it’s Truly a religious experience like Bono would say, “When God entered the room.”when the concert ends it’s the best church service ever!! Thanks for your reviews keep them coming.👍🏼
for me it's about someone exhausted. Exhausted from living by the rules of the Bible and seeing the world increasingly violent and cold. For me it is a cry for help for Jesus to try to carry the cross that each one of us has to carry.
This is a quote from Bono that might explain why he wrote that song, or was inspired to write that song: . "The words of the psalms were as poetic as they were religious, and he was a star. Before David could fulfil the prophecy and become the king of Israel, he had to take quite a beating. He was forced into exile and ended up in a cave in some no-name border town facing the collapse of his ego and abandonment by God. But this is where the soap opera got interesting. This is where David was said to have composed his first psalm - a blues. That's what a lot of the psalms feel like to me, the blues. Man shouting at God - 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me?' (Psalm 22). I hear echoes of this holy row when un-holy bluesman Robert Johnson howls, 'There's a hellhound on my trail' or Van Morrison sings, 'Sometimes, I feel like a motherless child.' Texas Alexander mimics the psalms in 'Justice Blues': 'I cried Lord my father, Lord kingdom come. Send me back my woman, then thy will be done.' Humorous, sometimes blasphemous, the blues was backslidin' music but, by its very opposition, it flattered the subject of its perfect cousin, gospel. Abandonment and displacement are the stuff of my favourite psalms. The Psalter may be a font of gospel music, but for me it's despair that the psalmist really reveals and the nature of his special relationship with God. Honesty, even to the point of anger. 'How long, Lord? Wilt thou hide thyself forever?' (Psalm 89), or 'Answer me when I call' (Psalm 5). " The Dead man is Bono, himself. He's explaining that Spiritually he feels dead sometimes. This is Bono struggling with his faith and telling himself to wake up. It's like Bono the rock star v's Bono the Jesus follower. He's trying to work out what's what!
@@anthonykladitis36 I believe that’s from the book “Bono on Bono” - I have it somewhere around here. My grandmother owned a bookstore ages ago, so the whole family has tons of books!
Enjoyable discussion. I find as well as Bono's great songwriting here, the music itself also manages to convey a lot in this song as is so often the case with U2... you can literally hear and feel the emotions of frustration, anger and despair with God in the music itself - especially the ending. My take has always been that its natural and ok to feel those emotions, they're temporary and even the most devout have these feelings in their darkest hours.
@@anthonykladitis36 Personally I really like both of those albums, it says a lot about them that they still have songs of substance to write in the position they're in and I'm sure they'll keep coming until the inevitable. I know SOI always gets a lot of stick for turning up unwanted free of charge clogging up phones, but I think those that still incessantly moan about such a gift horse 7 years later (they're out there!) probably should find something real to channel their negative energy into. I know SOE was a bit of an anti--climax for a lot of U2 fans, endless mixing and writing delays and a fleet of producers - too many cooks spoil the broth and all that. I love it though. The DNA of what U2 is, and always has been all about is to be found in many of those songs, Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way being a great example.
@@smackeye Good reviews. I do favor SOI a bit more but find it interesting how many fans choose one over the other. What do you think of love is bigger? Personally, it is a song that really connected with me and has been a theme song of mine over the past several years
@@anthonykladitis36 Yes, I also tend to favour SOI a wee bit more too - it's a phenomenally solid rock album full of energy and blood. But going back to SOE... I adore Love Is Bigger also, the DNA of U2 and what they're all about is all over that song, wonderfully anthemic and uplifting, yet at the same time, there's a distinct subtle shade of melancholic ache embedded in the song too - an element that is often part and parcel of even some of their most joyous songs. I think its one of the standout songs on the album together with Get Out Of Your Own Way and Landlady. But yeah..., Love Is Bigger hit me like a brick from the get go... "When you think you're done ... You've just begun" what a line! Only downside... I wish they'd drawn out the coda at the end of the song for a minute or so longer, its over too quickly!
Great video/review/reaction as usual. Loved seeing Seth's immediate response to the opening guitar riffs. This is one of my favorite U2 songs, Pop is one of my favorite U2 albums, and Wake Up Dead Man Is my favorite album closer. I believe the core of why the band are truly at odds with POP has most to due with that it was not finished in their minds. They are perfectionists, and many times may overthink their own work. Ironically, this is why Zooropa and POP are so great. While they may be very heavily experimental, electronic influenced and produced, they are also the most spontaneous and raw. I don't think it was the concept, ideas, lyrics, or even songs that they felt were bad or incomplete, but the finish. There are a few reasons why it did not do well in America: The marketing, the satire, the misdirection. It is true that the sound may seem scattered, where some are very dance oriented, and some are more rock, and some bare and raw. It was marketed as more pop and dance culture as well, alongside the tour. Much of this was satire, but still. It was all getting to be too much to the American audience. However, ALL of that critique is part of what made this so great. From first listen, I was sold. I felt and feel even more so, as time goes on, that POP, and Wake Up Dead Man are the perfect closers to probably the greatest album trilogy ever. Achtung Baby started with its characters able to stretch the band into darker areas, diving into devilish desires doubt despair dischord and decadence. Where Zooropa shot into the outer nether regions of the unknown, with no compass and no map. The Lounge Lizard Fly turning into The Golden Horned god of Gaudiness. But the space age country Cash preacher lookin for one good man with his Bible and gun, ends up looking for GOD anywhere he can - in Raves, Drugs, self medication self delusion and self aggrandizing. But you know you are chewing bubble gum, You know what that is and you still want some. Until you are GONE, you can keep this suit of lights. Now if only God Will Send His Angels. Get up off your knees now Please. Wake Up Dead Man As noted in your video. Yes, this is a Psalm like discussion with GOD. But it is also a call to himself to Wake Up. The preceding songs all point to this. It is also a broader call to us all. At the beginning of the arch, we are taken on a drug filled ecstasy (not just of the specific drug, but of delusion itself) knowing we are chewing bubble gum - saccharine sweet, but empty unfulfilling and temporary. We eventually escape all that and look for GOD, but we look for GOD in the world or to fix everything, PLEASE. Wake Up Dead Man acts like a call for us to find GOD within ourselves. What was dead or dormant must be reawaken. It also is a call for our true self to awaken without the masks and artifice we created for ourselves. POP perfectly plays out a character arc not just within the album, but encapsulating the entire 90s trilogy. They achieve this not only in lyric, but the sound. It starts off like a party, and gradually becomes less and less dance and electronic sounding and more raw sounding to its close. Even Bono's vocals are less processed for either clean or pop/dance aesthetic, and pushed more towards, raw, unadorned, and exposed with cracks and weariness, rasps and breathiness, and breathlessness. This trajectory is not random. Wake Up Dead Man is the callout... Beautiful Day is the response. Listen to them next to each other. They incorporate they same production techniques of adding atmospherics to emulate the world around them, but opposite - chaos and white noise in Wake Up Dead Man, versus sounds emulating more natural and chorus like sound. Both (or the same character) has gone through the world, their voice and lyric tells us. Before they fully knew what All That You Cant Behind would be, they already knew what they were leaving behind. It is all over POP
Wow! Thank you for this brilliant analysis of Pop and how it both concluded the 'lost years' 90s trilogy and beautifully bridged to the opening of Beautiful Day. I felt the same way when I listened to Beautiful Day after the funeral song that Wake up Dead Man is, but this put that feeling into words.
U2 is my favorite band, but I also listen to some Pink Floyd. So I’ll pipe in to agree with Seth here: Yes, this song has some Pink Floyd vibes. Enjoyed tour reaction to this beautiful song.
Bono writes a song now and again to kick us in the head and make you think just a little bit deeper and you'll find the answer, But you must have faith, no doubt.♡
@@anthonykladitis36 I agree That's what makes Bono one of the greatest song writers, poet and thinker in modern day history in my honest opinion. And what he writes and sings always, always comes from deep down in his gut and heart otherwise he wouldn't attempt it. He is incredibly honest and humble and after all of these years he hasn't changed a bit, he has a huge heart.
@@annaconway7009 The strange thing about U2 is the music - esp. the lyrics are not pop at all but they seem to be the biggest band with this type of style. Very uncommon.
@@anthonykladitis36 U2 has always been about experimenting They have taken big chances but they always land 9n their feet, alternative rock is as close as most U2er's can define their music, It's always a surprise!
Thank you for your analysis! Great song! I have been following U2 for almost 40 years and been trying to understand the lyrics - and what they are trying to tell me. I think most are about Bono's own doubt about his belief and how it relates to his own stardom. I recommend listen to the song Unforgetable Fire (Unforgetable Belief) and how he struggles to almost risk his belief for the temptations of stardom.
Wow, Have been waiting for u two to review this song!! One of the best U2 songs ever written!! 🎶🎙🎸✝️☮️ it’s amazing live. You can catch it live on The Slane Castle Video. The next song should be Grace, the last song on album “All you can’t leave behind”.
It is so refreshing to see people in ministry acknowledging the "dark night of the soul" aspect of the faith journey. A Christian witness has never been about making Christians comfortable. Bono really gets this. Looks like you do too.
Dark Night of the Soul was a transitional read for me. St. John of the Cross did an amazing work that has helped many believers. Would you mind saying more on the subject?
@@anthonykladitis36 I can't really comment intelligently on the Saint John of the Cross text, though I did read a translation of it years ago. I can comment on my experience. I was raised Evangelical, but went through a period in my twenties (and much of my thirties) of emotional pain, disillusionment, and cynicism that might have arrived at atheism had I not remembered that Christ should be the focus of my faith, not cultural Christianity (in this I was helped by some reading in Kierkegaard). I love U2 for a host of reasons, but their expression of faith strikes me as so genuine partly because they don't seem to be trying to be acceptable by the CCM crowd or American Christian Conservatives or whatever. It's a narrow road because of the difficulty of the path, not because Christ excludes according to the prejudices of some communities of believers.
@@johnnyd.5466 This IS the comment of the year. This is exactly what we are aiming for in our reviews. it is not just about U2, the aim is deeper. We want people to reflect on their lives and their faith along the way. I look forward to interacting with you more it the future. In the meantime, I do hope that you check out some of my sermons on our page as they might encourage and inspire you !
I read that toward the end of one of their shows in Sydney there was a lightning storm brewing and Bono asked for all the lights to be turned off and they played this song while lightning flashed overhead. On the screen they had an image of Michael Hutchence.
@@anthonykladitis36 Again, apologize for such a lengthy response yet again - but I believe *Gone* is ultimately the best song on PoP! In fact, if U2 released that track as their first single, it probably would accumulated greater initial few week sales, as I would imagine most U2 fans would recognize this much underrated song as another example of a classic U2 song. During the Popmart tour, Gone was also one of their best songs performed live from POP - that and *Please.* "Please" is also one of my favourite U2 songs of all-time.
@@anthonykladitis36 - Sorry for taking over a month to reply, but yes this a section of lyric by Depeche Mode from their song *A Pain That I'm Used To,* which is the first track on Depeche Mode's album "Playing the Angel". Again, apologies for the delay in my response.
@@anthonykladitis36 There are certainly other factors, and the album charts prove it, but one big factor may be the Popmart Tour. The tour started in the US. Album sales were OK but not GREAT, as was expected from U2 by that point. Album sales usually increase prior, during and after a U2 tour. At that time, if the US audience heard "dance" that was a MAJOR turnoff for a big potion of the audience. The Bros and Old-timers were NOT havin THAT (Footloose is real :) ). Many already reached their limit of "experimentation" with AB and Zooropa, this was the nail in the coffin. Since album sales were not super strong in US, and POP was labelled as Dance oriented, rather than beat drive or heavy, this impacted sales for the tour. Couple this the fact that the tour started in the US, and were not ready. Those initial shows in the US were not their best. This was a vicious cycle. Unlike ZooTV, which has excellent word of mouth, media praise, and all around buzz, talk of Popmart was either negative or nonexistent. But by the end of the US leg, it was all coming together. Europe has been much more open to dance and mixing of genres. The US, largely due to large portions of the church has had an extremely closed and negative view towards dance. This was of the devil. However, it is telling that the only forms of dance deemed acceptable are of white traditions - Country line dancing, square, ballroom and more traditional.
Definitely going through the U2 archives with this one 😃great song👌 Were do we start with pop 😃 probably the most underrated album they have done. The band themselves sort of pretend they never made pop. It’s just totally ignored, they never hardly play anything from it. I like it a lot. It was a big album in most places in the world but America rejected it massively. Same with the Popmart tour. Some of the stadium dates didn’t sell well in the states yet completely sold out everywhere else in the world. This hurt the band a lot and forced them into reinventing themselves with all that you can’t leave behind . The back to basics album . The album itself was unfinished, u2 booked the Popmart tour while they were still recording pop. In the end they ran out of time and just put it out. The first shows of the Popmart tour were a disaster and just happened to be in America. They never had time to rehearse because they were still finishing the album. Bono was having big problems with his voice around that time as well. 1st leg of the Popmart tour was a terrible , when they got in their stride it was a stunning show. They delved into dance music big time around this era . See tracks like mofo , do you feel loved and discotheque. The dance theme put some fans off. My only criticism of the album is they tried to make a dance record and for me some of it is some of it isn’t , it was as if they got cold feet half way through recording and got confused on what to actually release. See tracks like last night on earth , if god would send his angels and starring the sun and you will know what I mean. The album gives me mixed messages . It doesn’t have a continuous theme through out . Still some brilliant songs on it though My main advice from pop would be listen to Mofo . Mofo is probably the baddest u2 song ever and I mean that in a good way 😃 it’s the song when I was at school that I’d play to the cool kids and say “ look this is u2” 😃 watch mofo live from Mexico City . Amazing track and if you didn’t know it was u2 you wouldn’t guess in a million years that it was them 😃 Great review again 👌
WOW! Excellent insights. I can see how this album has a "split personality" feel that you mentioned above. I was wondering what you think of the song KITE off this album. it is one of my personal fav's of U2. I have also heard a few folks mention the song MOFO. I read it is a conversation between BONO and his mother.
@@anthonykladitis36 yeah Mofo was written about Bono’s mother who died at her fathers funeral when Bono was just 14 😔😔 Love Kite but that’s off all that your can’t leave behind the album after pop . Bono said that when he sang that song in the recording studio it was as if he had found his voice again. The band members were in shock at what they heard because Bono’s voice had been struggling a lot during the pop recordings and popmart. Love the 90’s for U2 was a crazy decade for them. I always think if America had of taken to Pop what would have come next . I certainly don’t think all that you can’t leave behind would have been the same record .
The "Pop" album is soooo underrated and misunderstood. It's part of a trilogy with Zooropa (media), Achtung Baby (fame), and Pop (consumerism). I love all of those albums, with Pop being my favourite I think. It's fantastic, candy for the ear.
U2 didn't give up their faith. They are mixed Catholic and protestant and one non-believer. Instead of breaking up they continued as a secular band. They still have some very christian songs...
@@anthonykladitis36 difficult to explain in text. Very much based on close-mindedness and entrenched beliefs (political - relating to Northern Ireland conflict) with attending divisiveness between Catholics and Protestants. I can email it in the morning - let me know. Love your channel
It’s a song about a man in dispair calling out for Jesus and faith in general for help. I am not a believer myself, but I’d reckon this is a feeling people of faith can relate to from time to time. Life is not always sweet you know.
Hello my friends, your Irish, living in Taiwan lapsed Catholic is back again. I would love to hear your insights about the Gospels. This is Bono talking to one of the great transcribers/interpreters. Would love to hear you two guys talk about it.
@@anthonykladitis36 Hi guys, I'm interested in the Gospels being rebellious, in a good way, that God wants you to be angry about injustice, that he's not asking for you to just be kind, giving, benevolent etc. all the time. That your allowed to have your human imperfections. And this seems key to the understanding of the Gospels. Do you think some religious people get too consumed with trying to be perfect( yes, to try is important) and berate themselves too harshly when they fall short? Its not too long, the chat with Bono and Peterson. Maybe 15 to 20 minutes, but beautiful and fascinating. I think your audience and I would be very interested on your take. You have a unique understanding and insight in to different parts of the Bible. Something different for your show, eh? :) Thank you for responding. Love from Taiwan.
Guys why have you not done any of my requests have requested for you to react to Scarlet and Drowning man by U2 two of theyre early songs both brilliant so dissapointed
@@lynnhoffmann247 " Hey Lynn have you Heard the New song Bono and the Edge have recorded for the European football finals this Summer it's the official theme song they teamed up with Dutch DJ Martin Garrix
If you guys want, I’d recommend a couple more songs, over in All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Anthony, if you thought When I Look At The World was well-timed with 9/11, I think Walk On and Peace On Earth are gonna blow your mind 🙂
Loving your reactions. I lean towards SOI after time has set in. But I put them almost even. Both are their best since POP. But SOI to me has held up a bit better. Every Breaking Wave, The Troubles, The OUTSANDING Sleep Like a Baby Tonight, Volcano, Raised By Wolves. The "weak" songs on this album are still quite good. I just think its consistency is what makes it edge out SOE for me. SOE is very good, especially as a father, it hits home in big way. Like 13, and Landlady. Just stellar tracks. I love the opener, Love is All We Have Left. You wonder how serious that "brush with death" was that Bono had. This pretty much is a man going through a near death experience. Little Things is incredible. Thinking Bono may have dealt with some times of depression. Lights of Home is great, but don't love the end so much. Red Flag Day is probably my favorite, sounding like an updated version of a song off of War. Get Out of Your Own Way is a little Blah. and American Soul is just plain bad. Also the Showman is a skipper for me. So, an amazing album, with three songs that are so so to me. Makes SOI just a bit ahead.
I've heard a theory that this song takes place during the time between Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection - so Saturday. I think that's pretty literal, but it's a possibility. I tend to go with your first interpretation - a lost soul calling out for God. Fun fact, it was what I call my "song du jour" yesterday (have been through some rough times lately, yo!) I find God sends a song into my brain at a time when I need it, even before I realize what the lyrics are all about sometimes.
It’s a cry for help to a God that seems to have gone missing. The last verse is trying to make sense of his mother’s death at such a young age. Basically, where the f*ck were you God?
Pop is an amazing album... highly misunderstood in my opinion. Great reaction!!
I AGREE! I misspoke when I said people hated this album. what I should of said it that "it was an album that many misunderstood and many nominal fans didn't appreciate"
U2 have some of the most amazing deep cuts.. it’s what makes them so great IMO.. thanks for the review!
Totally agree!
Yes. how to you feel about Ultraviolet and So Cruel?
@@anthonykladitis36 Both of those songs are are heavy hitters but So Cruel is especially beautiful to me in a haunting kind of way.
@@Patriot556 I agree.
This song is amazing. I loved it the first time I heard it and it never disappoints or grows old.
It has a way of fitting every season of you life
Yes, it was the last song on the Pop album.
“If God Will Send His Angels” is a good one off of this album.
I saw them on this tour 🎶🔥🎶
@Lynn Hoffman - Awesome, me too! San Antonio Texas, Alamodome 1997
@@Patriot556 I watched some video's on TH-cam of this tour... it looked amazing !
@@anthonykladitis36 It was!
@@anthonykladitis36 Cool Anthony!
Anthony can’t wait for U2 to tour again so you can take Seth to his first U2 concert 🎶 it’s Truly a religious experience like Bono would say, “When God entered the room.”when the concert ends it’s the best church service ever!! Thanks for your reviews keep them coming.👍🏼
Seth, did you see this? Now I have to take you to a concert with me!
for me it's about someone exhausted. Exhausted from living by the rules of the Bible and seeing the world increasingly violent and cold. For me it is a cry for help for Jesus to try to carry the cross that each one of us has to carry.
This is a quote from Bono that might explain why he wrote that song, or was inspired to write that song:
. "The words of the psalms were as poetic as they were religious, and he was a star. Before David could fulfil the prophecy and become the king of Israel, he had to take quite a beating. He was forced into exile and ended up in a cave in some no-name border town facing the collapse of his ego and abandonment by God. But this is where the soap opera got interesting. This is where David was said to have composed his first psalm - a blues. That's what a lot of the psalms feel like to me, the blues. Man shouting at God - 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me?' (Psalm 22).
I hear echoes of this holy row when un-holy bluesman Robert Johnson howls, 'There's a hellhound on my trail' or Van Morrison sings, 'Sometimes, I feel like a motherless child.' Texas Alexander mimics the psalms in 'Justice Blues': 'I cried Lord my father, Lord kingdom come. Send me back my woman, then thy will be done.' Humorous, sometimes blasphemous, the blues was backslidin' music but, by its very opposition, it flattered the subject of its perfect cousin, gospel.
Abandonment and displacement are the stuff of my favourite psalms. The Psalter may be a font of gospel music, but for me it's despair that the psalmist really reveals and the nature of his special relationship with God. Honesty, even to the point of anger. 'How long, Lord? Wilt thou hide thyself forever?' (Psalm 89), or 'Answer me when I call' (Psalm 5). "
The Dead man is Bono, himself. He's explaining that Spiritually he feels dead sometimes. This is Bono struggling with his faith and telling himself to wake up. It's like Bono the rock star v's Bono the Jesus follower. He's trying to work out what's what!
Excellent . 5 stars. well said.
Someone once told me that a pastor (Bono) in this case is a living Psalm.
@@anthonykladitis36 I believe that’s from the book “Bono on Bono” - I have it somewhere around here. My grandmother owned a bookstore ages ago, so the whole family has tons of books!
There’s a song called “Please” on that album, that’s a masterpiece. Must listen. Well done my brothers!
We are getting a lot of requests from POP. We will give that a look as well !
Enjoyable discussion. I find as well as Bono's great songwriting here, the music itself also manages to convey a lot in this song as is so often the case with U2... you can literally hear and feel the emotions of frustration, anger and despair with God in the music itself - especially the ending. My take has always been that its natural and ok to feel those emotions, they're temporary and even the most devout have these feelings in their darkest hours.
Very well said! What do you think of SOE ? SOI?
@@anthonykladitis36 Personally I really like both of those albums, it says a lot about them that they still have songs of substance to write in the position they're in and I'm sure they'll keep coming until the inevitable. I know SOI always gets a lot of stick for turning up unwanted free of charge clogging up phones, but I think those that still incessantly moan about such a gift horse 7 years later (they're out there!) probably should find something real to channel their negative energy into. I know SOE was a bit of an anti--climax for a lot of U2 fans, endless mixing and writing delays and a fleet of producers - too many cooks spoil the broth and all that. I love it though. The DNA of what U2 is, and always has been all about is to be found in many of those songs, Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way being a great example.
@@smackeye Good reviews. I do favor SOI a bit more but find it interesting how many fans choose one over the other. What do you think of love is bigger? Personally, it is a song that really connected with me and has been a theme song of mine over the past several years
@@anthonykladitis36 Yes, I also tend to favour SOI a wee bit more too - it's a phenomenally solid rock album full of energy and blood. But going back to SOE... I adore Love Is Bigger also, the DNA of U2 and what they're all about is all over that song, wonderfully anthemic and uplifting, yet at the same time, there's a distinct subtle shade of melancholic ache embedded in the song too - an element that is often part and parcel of even some of their most joyous songs. I think its one of the standout songs on the album together with Get Out Of Your Own Way and Landlady. But yeah..., Love Is Bigger hit me like a brick from the get go... "When you think you're done
... You've just begun" what a line! Only downside... I wish they'd drawn out the coda at the end of the song for a minute or so longer, its over too quickly!
@@smackeye I agree and I also really think its the little things might be one of their best in a long time in terms of depth.
Great video/review/reaction as usual. Loved seeing Seth's immediate response to the opening guitar riffs.
This is one of my favorite U2 songs, Pop is one of my favorite U2 albums, and Wake Up Dead Man Is my favorite album closer. I believe the core of why the band are truly at odds with POP has most to due with that it was not finished in their minds. They are perfectionists, and many times may overthink their own work. Ironically, this is why Zooropa and POP are so great. While they may be very heavily experimental, electronic influenced and produced, they are also the most spontaneous and raw. I don't think it was the concept, ideas, lyrics, or even songs that they felt were bad or incomplete, but the finish.
There are a few reasons why it did not do well in America: The marketing, the satire, the misdirection. It is true that the sound may seem scattered, where some are very dance oriented, and some are more rock, and some bare and raw. It was marketed as more pop and dance culture as well, alongside the tour. Much of this was satire, but still. It was all getting to be too much to the American audience.
However, ALL of that critique is part of what made this so great. From first listen, I was sold. I felt and feel even more so, as time goes on, that POP, and Wake Up Dead Man are the perfect closers to probably the greatest album trilogy ever. Achtung Baby started with its characters able to stretch the band into darker areas, diving into devilish desires doubt despair dischord and decadence. Where Zooropa shot into the outer nether regions of the unknown, with no compass and no map. The Lounge Lizard Fly turning into The Golden Horned god of Gaudiness. But the space age country Cash preacher lookin for one good man with his Bible and gun, ends up looking for GOD anywhere he can - in Raves, Drugs, self medication self delusion and self aggrandizing. But you know you are chewing bubble gum, You know what that is and you still want some. Until you are GONE, you can keep this suit of lights. Now if only God Will Send His Angels. Get up off your knees now Please. Wake Up Dead Man
As noted in your video. Yes, this is a Psalm like discussion with GOD. But it is also a call to himself to Wake Up. The preceding songs all point to this. It is also a broader call to us all. At the beginning of the arch, we are taken on a drug filled ecstasy (not just of the specific drug, but of delusion itself) knowing we are chewing bubble gum - saccharine sweet, but empty unfulfilling and temporary. We eventually escape all that and look for GOD, but we look for GOD in the world or to fix everything, PLEASE. Wake Up Dead Man acts like a call for us to find GOD within ourselves. What was dead or dormant must be reawaken. It also is a call for our true self to awaken without the masks and artifice we created for ourselves. POP perfectly plays out a character arc not just within the album, but encapsulating the entire 90s trilogy. They achieve this not only in lyric, but the sound. It starts off like a party, and gradually becomes less and less dance and electronic sounding and more raw sounding to its close. Even Bono's vocals are less processed for either clean or pop/dance aesthetic, and pushed more towards, raw, unadorned, and exposed with cracks and weariness, rasps and breathiness, and breathlessness. This trajectory is not random.
Wake Up Dead Man is the callout... Beautiful Day is the response. Listen to them next to each other. They incorporate they same production techniques of adding atmospherics to emulate the world around them, but opposite - chaos and white noise in Wake Up Dead Man, versus sounds emulating more natural and chorus like sound. Both (or the same character) has gone through the world, their voice and lyric tells us. Before they fully knew what All That You Cant Behind would be, they already knew what they were leaving behind. It is all over POP
...this just blew my mind. So many things to say, but one thing is for sure I will never listen to Beautiful Day the same again .
Wow! Thank you for this brilliant analysis of Pop and how it both concluded the 'lost years' 90s trilogy and beautifully bridged to the opening of Beautiful Day. I felt the same way when I listened to Beautiful Day after the funeral song that Wake up Dead Man is, but this put that feeling into words.
@@meganclick6002 I didn't see the connection until after a few listens. I was so absorbed in the new direction of ATYCLB
@@meganclick6002 yes
@@MBeano kudos to your insights again
U2 is my favorite band, but I also listen to some Pink Floyd. So I’ll pipe in to agree with Seth here: Yes, this song has some Pink Floyd vibes.
Enjoyed tour reaction to this beautiful song.
What are some Pink Floyd songs I should listen to?
Bono writes a song now and again to kick us in the head and make you think just a little bit deeper and you'll find the answer,
But you must have faith, no doubt.♡
Yes, that shouldn't scare us or shake us. I personally like the different writing perspectives.
@@anthonykladitis36
I agree
That's what makes Bono one of the greatest song writers, poet and thinker in modern day history in my honest opinion.
And what he writes and sings always, always comes from deep down in his gut and heart otherwise he wouldn't attempt it. He is incredibly honest and humble and after all of these years he hasn't changed a bit, he has a huge heart.
@@annaconway7009 The strange thing about U2 is the music - esp. the lyrics are not pop at all but they seem to be the biggest band with this type of style. Very uncommon.
@@anthonykladitis36
U2 has always been about experimenting
They have taken big chances but they always land 9n their feet, alternative rock is as close as most U2er's can define their music,
It's always a surprise!
@@annaconway7009 I would agree w that for the most part. It is amazing that they have retained their fan base through all of that.
Really really good album !! Pop is brilliant!! Some great songs on that album!!!
WHAt do you think of the song GONE?
@@anthonykladitis36 another top song on the album!!! Please bis another!!!
Thank you for your analysis! Great song! I have been following U2 for almost 40 years and been trying to understand the lyrics - and what they are trying to tell me. I think most are about Bono's own doubt about his belief and how it relates to his own stardom. I recommend listen to the song Unforgetable Fire (Unforgetable Belief) and how he struggles to almost risk his belief for the temptations of stardom.
Wow, Have been waiting for u two to review this song!! One of the best U2 songs ever written!! 🎶🎙🎸✝️☮️ it’s amazing live. You can catch it live on The Slane Castle Video. The next song should be Grace, the last song on album “All you can’t leave behind”.
I will have to check and see if we recorded GRACE. We have several already recorded and ready to post !
Yes, you guys have to listen to Grace
@@claytonsmith3625 It is on our list
So many great songs on POP. Mofo, Do You Feel Loved, Gone, Please, Staring at the Sun and of course - Wake up Dead Man
It is so refreshing to see people in ministry acknowledging the "dark night of the soul" aspect of the faith journey. A Christian witness has never been about making Christians comfortable. Bono really gets this. Looks like you do too.
Dark Night of the Soul was a transitional read for me. St. John of the Cross did an amazing work that has helped many believers. Would you mind saying more on the subject?
@@anthonykladitis36 I can't really comment intelligently on the Saint John of the Cross text, though I did read a translation of it years ago. I can comment on my experience. I was raised Evangelical, but went through a period in my twenties (and much of my thirties) of emotional pain, disillusionment, and cynicism that might have arrived at atheism had I not remembered that Christ should be the focus of my faith, not cultural Christianity (in this I was helped by some reading in Kierkegaard). I love U2 for a host of reasons, but their expression of faith strikes me as so genuine partly because they don't seem to be trying to be acceptable by the CCM crowd or American Christian Conservatives or whatever. It's a narrow road because of the difficulty of the path, not because Christ excludes according to the prejudices of some communities of believers.
@@johnnyd.5466 This IS the comment of the year. This is exactly what we are aiming for in our reviews. it is not just about U2, the aim is deeper. We want people to reflect on their lives and their faith along the way. I look forward to interacting with you more it the future. In the meantime, I do hope that you check out some of my sermons on our page as they might encourage and inspire you !
You haven’t even scratched the surface . U-2 is incredible.
I have to admit I'm into the old U2 BUT when you run through their whole entire repertoire,.. man its all good🤷🏻🤷🏻
Love from Denmark 🇩🇰
I read that toward the end of one of their shows in Sydney there was a lightning storm brewing and Bono asked for all the lights to be turned off and they played this song while lightning flashed overhead. On the screen they had an image of Michael Hutchence.
Dang if that story is true that is epic!
damn
POP is my favourite U2 album. "Achtung Baby", and "No Line on the Horizon" are my other two other favourites.
What do you think of the song GONE?
@@anthonykladitis36 Again, apologize for such a lengthy response yet again - but I believe *Gone* is ultimately the best song on PoP! In fact, if U2 released that track as their first single, it probably would accumulated greater initial few week sales, as I would imagine most U2 fans would recognize this much underrated song as another example of a classic U2 song. During the Popmart tour, Gone was also one of their best songs performed live from POP - that and *Please.* "Please" is also one of my favourite U2 songs of all-time.
There is a guitar run in there that is similar to “Goodbye Blue Skies” by Pink Floyd.
ill check it out
"Pain is ready, pain is waiting; primed to do its educating"
Is this a direct quote from someone?
@@anthonykladitis36 - Sorry for taking over a month to reply, but yes this a section of lyric by Depeche Mode from their song *A Pain That I'm Used To,* which is the first track on Depeche Mode's album "Playing the Angel".
Again, apologies for the delay in my response.
POP is misunderstood in America, I don't know why, here in Europe we love it !
What do you think we get wrong about POP?
@@anthonykladitis36 There are certainly other factors, and the album charts prove it, but one big factor may be the Popmart Tour.
The tour started in the US. Album sales were OK but not GREAT, as was expected from U2 by that point. Album sales usually increase prior, during and after a U2 tour. At that time, if the US audience heard "dance" that was a MAJOR turnoff for a big potion of the audience. The Bros and Old-timers were NOT havin THAT (Footloose is real :) ). Many already reached their limit of "experimentation" with AB and Zooropa, this was the nail in the coffin.
Since album sales were not super strong in US, and POP was labelled as Dance oriented, rather than beat drive or heavy, this impacted sales for the tour. Couple this the fact that the tour started in the US, and were not ready. Those initial shows in the US were not their best. This was a vicious cycle. Unlike ZooTV, which has excellent word of mouth, media praise, and all around buzz, talk of Popmart was either negative or nonexistent. But by the end of the US leg, it was all coming together. Europe has been much more open to dance and mixing of genres. The US, largely due to large portions of the church has had an extremely closed and negative view towards dance. This was of the devil. However, it is telling that the only forms of dance deemed acceptable are of white traditions - Country line dancing, square, ballroom and more traditional.
@@MBeano don't dance, sing or chew or date girls that do :)
Definitely going through the U2 archives with this one 😃great song👌
Were do we start with pop 😃 probably the most underrated album they have done. The band themselves sort of pretend they never made pop. It’s just totally ignored, they never hardly play anything from it.
I like it a lot. It was a big album in most places in the world but America rejected it massively. Same with the Popmart tour. Some of the stadium dates didn’t sell well in the states yet completely sold out everywhere else in the world. This hurt the band a lot and forced them into reinventing themselves with all that you can’t leave behind . The back to basics album .
The album itself was unfinished, u2 booked the Popmart tour while they were still recording pop. In the end they ran out of time and just put it out. The first shows of the Popmart tour were a disaster and just happened to be in America. They never had time to rehearse because they were still finishing the album. Bono was having big problems with his voice around that time as well. 1st leg of the Popmart tour was a terrible , when they got in their stride it was a stunning show.
They delved into dance music big time around this era . See tracks like mofo , do you feel loved and discotheque. The dance theme put some fans off. My only criticism of the album is they tried to make a dance record and for me some of it is some of it isn’t , it was as if they got cold feet half way through recording and got confused on what to actually release. See tracks like last night on earth , if god would send his angels and starring the sun and you will know what I mean. The album gives me mixed messages . It doesn’t have a continuous theme through out . Still some brilliant songs on it though
My main advice from pop would be listen to Mofo . Mofo is probably the baddest u2 song ever and I mean that in a good way 😃 it’s the song when I was at school that I’d play to the cool kids and say “ look this is u2” 😃 watch mofo live from Mexico City . Amazing track and if you didn’t know it was u2 you wouldn’t guess in a million years that it was them 😃
Great review again 👌
WOW! Excellent insights. I can see how this album has a "split personality" feel that you mentioned above. I was wondering what you think of the song KITE off this album. it is one of my personal fav's of U2. I have also heard a few folks mention the song MOFO. I read it is a conversation between BONO and his mother.
@@anthonykladitis36 yeah Mofo was written about Bono’s mother who died at her fathers funeral when Bono was just 14 😔😔
Love Kite but that’s off all that your can’t leave behind the album after pop . Bono said that when he sang that song in the recording studio it was as if he had found his voice again. The band members were in shock at what they heard because Bono’s voice had been struggling a lot during the pop recordings and popmart.
Love the 90’s for U2 was a crazy decade for them. I always think if America had of taken to Pop what would have come next . I certainly don’t think all that you can’t leave behind would have been the same record .
@@christianreynolds9252 oh man I am sorry I meant GONE. Both one word songs lol
@@anthonykladitis36 😃👍Yeah Gone is a good song. Like Gone a lot 👌
@@christianreynolds9252 It is close to my heart.
If im not mistaken i believe The Edge wrote the song.
Yes. The Edge wrote the opening verse. He mentioned it fairly recently during an interview about Pop on U2X radio.
@@meganclick6002 thanks for verifying !
The "Pop" album is soooo underrated and misunderstood. It's part of a trilogy with Zooropa (media), Achtung Baby (fame), and Pop (consumerism). I love all of those albums, with Pop being my favourite I think. It's fantastic, candy for the ear.
POP great album. Starts with a party and ends with a funeral.
That is a great insight into the album !
U2 didn't give up their faith. They are mixed Catholic and protestant and one non-believer. Instead of breaking up they continued as a secular band. They still have some very christian songs...
This was U2 at their darkest. But I can relate as a Christian, there are spiritual dead times.
Accurate statement
Great lyrics
POP!
It's an excellent song
Lads, Staring at the Sun from Pop.
Great suggestion! Thank you !
What is your take on this song ?
@@anthonykladitis36 difficult to explain in text. Very much based on close-mindedness and entrenched beliefs (political - relating to Northern Ireland conflict) with attending divisiveness between Catholics and Protestants. I can email it in the morning - let me know.
Love your channel
It’s a song about a man in dispair calling out for Jesus and faith in general for help. I am not a believer myself, but I’d reckon this is a feeling people of faith can relate to from time to time. Life is not always sweet you know.
I loved POP! I saw it in Memphis!
What do you think of GONE?
"Gone" is one of my favorite U2 songs especially live.
@@KMooreUKONE11 YES!
Hello my friends, your Irish, living in Taiwan lapsed Catholic is back again. I would love to hear your insights about the Gospels. This is Bono talking to one of the great transcribers/interpreters.
Would love to hear you two guys talk about it.
th-cam.com/video/-l40S5e90KY/w-d-xo.html
@@thebillryan Would you say a bit more about what you want us to discuss?
@@anthonykladitis36 Hi guys, I'm interested in the Gospels being rebellious, in a good way, that God wants you to be angry about injustice, that he's not asking for you to just be kind, giving, benevolent etc. all the time. That your allowed to have your human imperfections. And this seems key to the understanding of the Gospels. Do you think some religious people get too consumed with trying to be perfect( yes, to try is important) and berate themselves too harshly when they fall short?
Its not too long, the chat with Bono and Peterson. Maybe 15 to 20 minutes, but beautiful and fascinating.
I think your audience and I would be very interested on your take. You have a unique understanding and insight in to different parts of the Bible.
Something different for your show, eh? :)
Thank you for responding.
Love from Taiwan.
Oh, I should have qualified, they are talking about the Psalms. I get confused. I am truly a lapsed Catholic :)
@@thebillryan We will watch the video and I am sure we will do a follow up. this is a great idea !
Guys why have you not done any of my requests have requested for you to react to Scarlet and Drowning man by U2 two of theyre early songs both brilliant so dissapointed
Love Drowning Man! 👍🏼
th-cam.com/video/uzPkju7DgyQ/w-d-xo.html
@@lynnhoffmann247 " Hey Lynn have you Heard the New song Bono and the Edge have recorded for the European football finals this Summer it's the official theme song they teamed up with Dutch DJ Martin Garrix
Will drop the song in the link below
@@lynnhoffmann247 th-cam.com/video/kGT73GcwhCU/w-d-xo.html
Pop is a great U2 album.
What do you think about GONE?
If you guys want, I’d recommend a couple more songs, over in All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Anthony, if you thought When I Look At The World was well-timed with 9/11, I think Walk On and Peace On Earth are gonna blow your mind 🙂
Both great suggestions and I can see the connection w 9/11. walk on happens to be one of my all time favorite songs.
QUESTION: What are your thoughts on SOI and SOE?
Loving your reactions.
I lean towards SOI after time has set in. But I put them almost even. Both are their best since POP. But SOI to me has held up a bit better. Every Breaking Wave, The Troubles, The OUTSANDING Sleep Like a Baby Tonight, Volcano, Raised By Wolves. The "weak" songs on this album are still quite good. I just think its consistency is what makes it edge out SOE for me.
SOE is very good, especially as a father, it hits home in big way. Like 13, and Landlady. Just stellar tracks. I love the opener, Love is All We Have Left. You wonder how serious that "brush with death" was that Bono had. This pretty much is a man going through a near death experience. Little Things is incredible. Thinking Bono may have dealt with some times of depression.
Lights of Home is great, but don't love the end so much. Red Flag Day is probably my favorite, sounding like an updated version of a song off of War. Get Out of Your Own Way is a little Blah. and American Soul is just plain bad. Also the Showman is a skipper for me. So, an amazing album, with three songs that are so so to me. Makes SOI just a bit ahead.
@@nianfiedler5291 Thank you sir for commenting and interacting with us. we look forward to journeying together !
Consider reviewing U2 “If God Will Send His Angels” it would be right in the realm of what you guys are doing for reviews.
It is on our list! Thanks!
how have you not responded to Gloria (by U2)??? It's easily their most religious song.
Patience my friend... it is recorded and will be released in the future. Stop back!
Great album!
Listen to If God Will Send His Angels
I believe we will review this as well
I've heard a theory that this song takes place during the time between Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection - so Saturday. I think that's pretty literal, but it's a possibility. I tend to go with your first interpretation - a lost soul calling out for God. Fun fact, it was what I call my "song du jour" yesterday (have been through some rough times lately, yo!)
I find God sends a song into my brain at a time when I need it, even before I realize what the lyrics are all about sometimes.
I think the song grace from all that u cant leave behind would make for a great reaction.
We are adding that one .
@@anthonykladitis36 awesome. Look forward to it.
La Mystere De Voix Bulgare in the backround...
NICE ear!
Hello!!! POP is an amazing work! Please react to U2's Ultraviolet (Light My Way) album version
That is one of my favorite U2 songs! We will add it.
It’s a cry for help to a God that seems to have gone missing. The last verse is trying to make sense of his mother’s death at such a young age. Basically, where the f*ck were you God?
Bono said this is about OT Joseph.
Rev should listen to some Pink Floyd! 👍🏼
Start him with “Time”
I will check that song out. Thanks for the suggestion.
@@anthonykladitis36 Studio version with lyrics for your 1st listen 💯
@@lynnhoffmann247 Will do ... but I am listening to Zooropa currently :)
@@anthonykladitis36 th-cam.com/video/tEJcX3EWXDA/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/GG2tZNOQWAA/w-d-xo.html 🔥
@@anthonykladitis36 Ah, one of my favorite U2 albums 🤗
You have to do Joy Divison and The Smiths
Are the Smith's your favorite band? I passed along the other suggestion to Seth.
@@anthonykladitis36 Yeah, they're awesome
Way to HANDLE UP
Next request in god's country
We will check that out. Thanks for the request!
the tempo is slowed down
No, not close to Pink Floyd
I didn't get that vibe either.