How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

This U2 record reminds me about why I like U2s music!
The thing I like most is "listening to it"

There are some great if typical tunes on this record... stuff that would be at home on Joshua Tree and Achtung baby [especially some riffs lifted almost directly from the Zoo Station era]

Of course music is a taste thing and you either like U2 or you don't... I have liked them since the days of listening to 'War' in a former friends car while we took turns to drum on the dashboard and marvelled at this distinctive band who seemed to be saying stuff that resonated with our faith and lives!!

SOME TRACKS ONLY......

Vertigo
I have used this track as a worship 'Call' or pipe opener for no reason other than the up, rocky sound and the energy.... there are hints of 'the temptation' in this for me and the idea of vertigo is an image worth exploring!!

Miracle Drug
A beautiful song about seeking more than the superficial in a relationship. In fact seeking healing for past struggles and letdowns. Its just a romantic tune!! Interesting style for reflecting on Drop the Debt and African AIDS education!

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Inspired by the death of Bob Hewson and Bono's difficult relationship with his dad.... this is one of my favourite tracks!
Its an intimate sharing of things that should and need to be said, its a glimpse of pain and grief and a moving tribute... it sits well alongside 'Kite' as the precursor and a tellig of how Bono was feeling about the need to be together and the need to let go, prior to his dads death.... I doubt there'll be a dry eye in the house for either song LIVE [maybe laye 2005 but likely early 2006 we hope!!]

Love and Peace or Else
A stripped back rocking and drum driven tune that will be one of those 6 to 8 minute concert fillers no doubt!!

Its about priorities and a wish that the person who is the object of the song would focus on peace and love and living life... rather than accumulating stuff!!

Its saying.... with all thats going on.... Iraq, the Middle East etc then what we need is peace and love.... its an urging song!!

City of Blinding Lights
"The more you see the less you know
The less you find out as you go"

Another great listening track with the driving guitar of the Edge!
It would fit onto Joshua Tree with the instrumental driving behind Bono's signature voice!

Its a song of loneliness and seeking connection with the brave familiar one who may sometimes be taken for granted!! Its qritten up in lots of magazines as a song connected with New York and thats obvious BUt its themes are universal...

Crumbs from Your Table
"where you live should not decide whether you live or whether die"
Pop Quiz.... who is that a quote from?

Yahweh
Brilliant psalm and useful 'sending out song' asking that God take and use us for meanigful purposes rather than us wasting our time.... It also acknowledges that we have to 'go through stuff in life' to learn and grow

Yahweh
Take these shoes
Click clacking down some dead end street
Take these shoes
And make them fit
Take this shirt
Polyester white trash made in nowhere
Take this shirt
And make it clean, clean
Take this soul
Stranded in some skin and bones
Take this soul
And make it sing

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I’m waiting for the dawn

Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don’t make a fist
Take this mouth
So quick to criticise
Take this mouth
Give it a kiss

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I’m waiting for the dawn

Still waiting for the dawn, the sun is coming up
The sun is coming up on the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean

Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, tell me now
Why the dark before the dawn?

Take this city
A city should be shining on a hill
Take this city
If it be your will
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart
Take this heart
Take this heart
And make it break
U2 “How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” Island Records 2004

For more info and depth check out http://www.ethicsdaily.com/article_detail.cfm?AID=5038


I look forward to exploring these further at our National Youth Gathering NCYC in South Australia in January in a Workshop about U2's music AND a couple of tracks for Easter this year!!
I have amazingly been asked to speak at Uniting Church Easter Camp in the Hunter [Hunter Region around Newcastle NSW]. I've only visited the Camp over the last 5 years after being the resident Youth Worker 1991-2000 and a leader and punter before that stretching back to 1982.
[I have a self imposed limit of 2 U2 tracks for the Camp as my reputation preceeds me!! One Midnight Oil song if any at all as wel!!]

The theme:
HOPE IS... which is a great, scary, powerful, caring theme!!