The latest jones is You Tube. Pair it up with Google Earth and go screaming through life, backwards. Mutlimedia memory guide. Rewind.In 1985 I understood Bono's hair absolutely, but the lyrics to this song? Not so much. Twenty-some years down the path everyting spins itself, cirlces. The words are perfect, but that hair? Oh so stuning. Define stuning anyway you want. It's a multipurpose adjective.
What resonated then was rhythm of words. Words becoming the music itself. The gorgeous light of words with words. So powerful you could "get it" all the way into the bones. Reverberating through every cell, indefinable. Understanding transending understanding. Formless form. Quivering.
Bad - U2
If you twist and turn away.
It you tear yourself in two again.
If I could, yes I would
If I could, I would let it go.
Surrender, dislocate.
If I could throw this lifeless life-line to the wind.
Leave this heart of clay, see you walk, walk away
Into the night, and through the rain
Into the half light and through the flame.
If I could, through myself, set your spirit free
I'd lead your heart away, see you break, break away
Into the light and to the day.
To let it go and so to find away.
To let it go and so find away.
I'm wide awake.
I'm wide awake, wide awake.
I'm not sleeping.
If you should ask, then maybe
They'd tell you what I would say
True colours fly in blue and black
Blue silken sky and burning flag.
Colours crash, collide in blood-shot eyes.
If I could, you know I would
If I could, I would let it go.
This desperation, dislocation
Separation, condemnation
Revelation, in temptation
Isolation, desolation
Let it go and so to find away
To let it go and so to find away
To let it go and so to find away
I'm wide awake, I'm wide awake, wide awake
I'm not sleeping
Oh no, no, no.
Where were you on July 13, 1985? I was on the scratchy plaid love seat, in the air conditioning, all day looking out on summer through the sliding glass doors, MTV and Live Aid!
Know where I was then and know where I am, here and now. Wide awake, I'm not sleeping. Oh no
Where was I? I was nine, maybe at camp, maybe listening to Michael Jackson... I sadly did not discover U2 until later. But I did see them live in Denver a few years ago. It was pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love how you are using these things, GoogleEarth and Youtube, to rewind... I love the things you come up with. And I love it whether I can to read what certain songs meant to people. Damn, I must get back on those song posts soon.
I love this song, too...
Oh, this song gets me every time. Thanks for the beautiful post about it, Holly.
ReplyDeleteJuly 13, 1985, I was flying kites with my dad at Squibnocket Point on Martha's Vineyard, while my mom and baby sister watched from under the red-and-white umbrella.
Thanks to my dad, U2 was my favorite band back then. I love them still.
July 13th, 1985, I was sitting in my room, playing "yesterday" over and over again. Just rewinding the tape and playing it, mooning over Sunshine Jones, who had inexplicably decided she liked Tom Lacavera better than me. Tom had a guitar and a band; all I had was a lousy cassette player and a pair of headphones. Sigh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXp-vpE9eU
ReplyDeleteLord, it scares me to realize how much older I am than most of you.
ReplyDeleteIn 1985 I was playing with my three-year-old son in July of '85. Probably on the deck with his little pool or maybe squishing Jello through our fingers and toes.
(I used to make giant pans of Jello for him to play with.)
BTW--Bono's hair is one (scary) thing, but did you check out those shoes? Those are some high heels on that man.
I was pounding the pavements looking for my first real job, having just graduated from college. Met my now husband shortly after!
ReplyDeleteOh, my. That date. I cringe when I hear that date.
ReplyDeleteOn July 13, 1985, I married my first husband -- a very brief marriage.
I had just graduated from college in May, with an expensive and virtually worthless degree my parents paid a fortune for in 19th Century French Literature.
I still love U2 .... especially this song.
p.s. I think you'd have to say that Bono is sporting a mullet. A rock mullet. How did we all survive '80s hair? He looks so much better now, even though he's 22 years older!
ReplyDeleteI was 18 living with a Native American group in North Carolina, building sweat lodges and learning to see auras around trees. Lotta good that did! Love U2.
ReplyDeleteTerrific, Holly! I have loved U2 since forever, I think. Thanks for the flashback!
ReplyDeleteI was doing summer stock in Vermont. I fear I might have had a mullet as well.
ReplyDeleteAnd I DO love that song, Holly.
I had just started my first "real job" in a big, corporate office building on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I had a navy blue skirted suit and a grey skirted suit, a burgandy briefcase, pumps, and I think even one of those horrid bow ties that women used to wear to look like men.
ReplyDeleteEven better--I STILL thought I was the hottest ticket in Chi-town. Probably because I was drinking from happy hour until 4am every Friday night! That song was there, too.
I was working at Yale- started there in 1978 and stayed until 1999. SOOO long ago.
ReplyDeleteIn July of 1985 I was living in the tiny town of Oakland, Oregon (pop. 900) spending time at the river, horseback riding and smooching my boyfriend. And yes, I liked U2 too!
ReplyDeleteOh, Bono. Yeah I remember.
ReplyDeleteI was flopped down on my mattress on the floor, glued to my B&W TV set w/ the wire coat hanger antennas in my one-room apartment in New York City, 75th & Broadway, 12th floor, just me and the cockroaches, glued to the TV...all day, all night...Live Aid.
Thanks for the trip back...
Oh, and I distinctly remember Madonna's quote:
ReplyDelete"I ain't takin' shit off today!" This after her soft porn "art model" photos were unearthed. Of course, that was way before her Sex book came out, hehe.
God I love that song. Great post!
ReplyDeleteJuly 1985: I was 16, at a summer program at Phillips Exeter in New Hampshire. I had a super short haircut and wore silver city pink frosted lipstick and madras plaid jams, yet somehow landed my first real boyfriend--he was cute and French. Also discovered the joys of drinking.
U2 was in the background, but I didn't fall in love until the following year. The last time I saw them was 2 years ago in NYC, while pregnant--absolutely amazing.