Songs of Surrender: Special Moments....If You Look for Them

Safe to say this album is not what most of us were looking for from the band, but there are some real special moments on Songs of Surrender....if you take the time to look for them and even more important, give them a chance. Since this album was announced I questioned what was the point of it, and even now I still think it should have been something low key, or a fan club giveaway. But in my opinion, it has received a bit of unfair criticism from members here who haven't even taken the time to listen to it.

I took the deep dive into Songs of Surrender, and for me it was a worthwhile experience because I've come out the other side with a 17 song playlist on Spotify that I enjoy. The first 5 songs on my playlist:

1. Bad - the original and live incarnations of Bad will never be replaced. It's in my top 10 songs, not just by U2, but by anyone. But this version, even with the awkward new lyrics, still grabs me. I really like the new "You could only have it all if you give it all away' part. It's fresh and something new. Once again, never gonna be as great as the original, but it's something I've found myself coming back to.

2. Red Hill Mining Town - A top 10 U2 song for me, and I really like this version. Won't replace the original on my top 10 U2 list, but I'm digging the arrangement with the horns.

3. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - We are on sacred ground here. The original is perfect as it is, but this one is very subtle and beautiful.

4. If God Will Send His Angels - Probably my favorite on the album. I think it's right up there with anything they've done in the last 20 years. Great arrangement by the Edge and vocals from Bono. This was a damn good song on Pop, and it's a great song here.

5. The Little Things That Give You Away - Much like I Still Haven't Found, this is one takes a great song and makes a few nice subtle changes and yet it's still really powerful in its own way, especially the last half of the song (Sometimes...).

Other songs that made the playlist are: Stories For Boys, City of Blinding Lights, Miracle Drug, Invisible, All I Want is You, Dirty Day, The Miracle of Joey Ramone, Electrical Storm, The Fly, Desire, Two Hearts Beat As One, 40.

I think there's songs and moments on here that U2 fans will enjoy if they give them a real chance.

And the Award for Most Positive Thread of the Month^TM goes to SC.

10/10 post, SC. I might listen to some of those.

And the Award for Most Positive Thread of the Month^TM goes to SC.

Who the fuck would have thought, huh?

Quote from: MPare1966 on March 29, 2023, 08:41:19 PM

And the Award for Most Positive Thread of the Month^TM goes to SC.

Who the fuck would have thought, huh?

Well played, bro. Well played.

You just got me to listen for a second time to some of these songs. Btw, it is without a doubt an album made for headphones or earbuds. Edge mentioned he mixed it that way. Lots of nice subtle touches all around.

Could quite happily listen to this play list -

One
Stories
11 O'Clock
Out of Control
Beautiful Day
Walk On
Pride
GOOYOW
Stuck in a moment
RHMT
Ordinary Love
Invisible
Dirty Day
The Miracle
Vertigo
ISHFWILF
The Fly
IGWSHA
UTEOTW
Song for Someone
WOWY
Lights of Home
Cedarwood Road
Two Hearts
Miracle Drug
Little Things.

------------

My conditions would be -

Accept the new lyrics.

Accept some songs are not much different to the originals.

Accept some of the songs were not my favourites in the first place.

Accept some of the new versions are not as good as the originals.

Totally agree with you on Bad. That one works a lot better than I expected, as does RHMT. I'm finding that GOOYOW is a little more fun and driving; it no longer sounds like a watered-down BD but starts to become its own thing, even if the new lyrics aren't much of an improvement.

I also like hearing Edge take lead on a few tracks, most notably SFB and THBAO. He sounds good and those arrangements aren't too shabby. This project didn't need to be 40 tracks, but take the best 10-15 and you have a decent album.

Safe to say this album is not what most of us were looking for from the band, but there are some real special moments on Songs of Surrender....if you take the time to look for them and even more important, give them a chance. Since this album was announced I questioned what was the point of it, and even now I still think it should have been something low key, or a fan club giveaway. But in my opinion, it has received a bit of unfair criticism from members here who haven't even taken the time to listen to it.

I took the deep dive into Songs of Surrender, and for me it was a worthwhile experience because I've come out the other side with a 17 song playlist on Spotify that I enjoy. The first 5 songs on my playlist:

1. Bad - the original and live incarnations of Bad will never be replaced. It's in my top 10 songs, not just by U2, but by anyone. But this version, even with the awkward new lyrics, still grabs me. I really like the new "You could only have it all if you give it all away' part. It's fresh and something new. Once again, never gonna be as great as the original, but it's something I've found myself coming back to.

2. Red Hill Mining Town - A top 10 U2 song for me, and I really like this version. Won't replace the original on my top 10 U2 list, but I'm digging the arrangement with the horns.

3. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - We are on sacred ground here. The original is perfect as it is, but this one is very subtle and beautiful.

4. If God Will Send His Angels - Probably my favorite on the album. I think it's right up there with anything they've done in the last 20 years. Great arrangement by the Edge and vocals from Bono. This was a damn good song on Pop, and it's a great song here.

5. The Little Things That Give You Away - Much like I Still Haven't Found, this is one takes a great song and makes a few nice subtle changes and yet it's still really powerful in its own way, especially the last half of the song (Sometimes...).

Other songs that made the playlist are: Stories For Boys, City of Blinding Lights, Miracle Drug, Invisible, All I Want is You, Dirty Day, The Miracle of Joey Ramone, Electrical Storm, The Fly, Desire, Two Hearts Beat As One, 40.

I think there's songs and moments on here that U2 fans will enjoy if they give them a real chance.

Great post! 40 re-recorded songs. I'm still discovering new things here and there.

Quote from: Zoo adam on March 29, 2023, 11:15:34 PM

Could quite happily listen to this play list -

One
Stories
11 O'Clock
Out of Control
Beautiful Day
Walk On
Pride
GOOYOW
Stuck in a moment
RHMT
Ordinary Love
Invisible
Dirty Day
The Miracle
Vertigo
ISHFWILF
The Fly
IGWSHA
UTEOTW
Song for Someone
WOWY
Lights of Home
Cedarwood Road
Two Hearts
Miracle Drug
Little Things.

------------

My conditions would be -

Accept the new lyrics.

Accept some songs are not much different to the originals.

Accept some of the songs were not my favourites in the first place.

Accept some of the new versions are not as good as the originals.

I like your acceptances list.  I’ve found all the moaning on here tedious because all these things you write are true and seem obvious.  What’s the big deal?  It’s an album by a band people like (or at least previously liked) made up of songs people like, and even if one doesn’t like everything or the idea of the album itself, there’s still some good stuff on it. 

Also, I was prepared to not like a lot of the acoustic guitar arrangements, but Edge, it turns out, is actually a pretty good guitarist and I was surprised by some of the sounds he got out of it.  And where outside musicians are used there’s also some interesting stuff.  Overall, a lot of solid musicianship throughout the album.

I disagree.

How can subjective opinion be ‘true’?

I’m sorry if you find my position ‘tedious’. Why bother criticising people who don’t share your views? If I liked SOS I’d say so. I dig parts of SOE the most. I don’t accuse people of being negative if they don’t. And frankly, I don’t care.

I tried to listen again, with an open heart and mind, to Bad, because SC said how great it was. I honestly can’t find a single thing to recommend it.

Chill, yeah?

Quote from: Rising Sun on March 30, 2023, 11:17:52 AM

Quote from: Zoo adam on March 29, 2023, 11:15:34 PM

Could quite happily listen to this play list -

One
Stories
11 O'Clock
Out of Control
Beautiful Day
Walk On
Pride
GOOYOW
Stuck in a moment
RHMT
Ordinary Love
Invisible
Dirty Day
The Miracle
Vertigo
ISHFWILF
The Fly
IGWSHA
UTEOTW
Song for Someone
WOWY
Lights of Home
Cedarwood Road
Two Hearts
Miracle Drug
Little Things.

------------

My conditions would be -

Accept the new lyrics.

Accept some songs are not much different to the originals.

Accept some of the songs were not my favourites in the first place.

Accept some of the new versions are not as good as the originals.

I like your acceptances list.  I’ve found all the moaning on here tedious because all these things you write are true and seem obvious.  What’s the big deal?  It’s an album by a band people like (or at least previously liked) made up of songs people like, and even if one doesn’t like everything or the idea of the album itself, there’s still some good stuff on it. 

Also, I was prepared to not like a lot of the acoustic guitar arrangements, but Edge, it turns out, is actually a pretty good guitarist and I was surprised by some of the sounds he got out of it.  And where outside musicians are used there’s also some interesting stuff.  Overall, a lot of solid musicianship throughout the album.

I disagree.

How can subjective opinion be ‘true’?

I’m sorry if you find my position ‘tedious’. Why bother criticising people who don’t share your views? If I liked SOS I’d say so. I dig parts of SOE the most. I don’t accuse people of being negative if they don’t. And frankly, I don’t care.

I tried to listen again, with an open heart and mind, to Bad, because SC said how great it was. I honestly can’t find a single thing to recommend it.

Chill, yeah?

I also gave another shot to Bad, as you did, following SC’s post.

Like you, I don’t really connect with this version.

BUT, there are some songs on the album that are actually really good reinterpretations in my view.

AIWIY, 40, Still haven’t found, Fly, Stay, Two Hearts. Just to name a few.

(For the record, that’s 2 songs from WAR right there, and I think they work here too on SOS)

Quote from: Larry Lovebucket on March 30, 2023, 11:43:33 AM

Quote from: Rising Sun on March 30, 2023, 11:17:52 AM

Quote from: Zoo adam on March 29, 2023, 11:15:34 PM

Could quite happily listen to this play list -

One
Stories
11 O'Clock
Out of Control
Beautiful Day
Walk On
Pride
GOOYOW
Stuck in a moment
RHMT
Ordinary Love
Invisible
Dirty Day
The Miracle
Vertigo
ISHFWILF
The Fly
IGWSHA
UTEOTW
Song for Someone
WOWY
Lights of Home
Cedarwood Road
Two Hearts
Miracle Drug
Little Things.

------------

My conditions would be -

Accept the new lyrics.

Accept some songs are not much different to the originals.

Accept some of the songs were not my favourites in the first place.

Accept some of the new versions are not as good as the originals.

I like your acceptances list.  I’ve found all the moaning on here tedious because all these things you write are true and seem obvious.  What’s the big deal?  It’s an album by a band people like (or at least previously liked) made up of songs people like, and even if one doesn’t like everything or the idea of the album itself, there’s still some good stuff on it. 

Also, I was prepared to not like a lot of the acoustic guitar arrangements, but Edge, it turns out, is actually a pretty good guitarist and I was surprised by some of the sounds he got out of it.  And where outside musicians are used there’s also some interesting stuff.  Overall, a lot of solid musicianship throughout the album.

I disagree.

How can subjective opinion be ‘true’?

I’m sorry if you find my position ‘tedious’. Why bother criticising people who don’t share your views? If I liked SOS I’d say so. I dig parts of SOE the most. I don’t accuse people of being negative if they don’t. And frankly, I don’t care.

I tried to listen again, with an open heart and mind, to Bad, because SC said how great it was. I honestly can’t find a single thing to recommend it.

Chill, yeah?

I also gave another shot to Bad, as you did, following SC’s post.

Like you, I don’t really connect with this version.

BUT, there are some songs on the album that are actually really good reinterpretations in my view.

AIWIY, 40, Still haven’t found, Fly, Stay, Two Hearts. Just to name a few.

(For the record, that’s 2 songs from WAR right there, and I think they work here too on SOS)

Right. And this is an adult way to carry on. RS has become the king of moaning about moaners. Oh, the irony.

Quote from: Larry Lovebucket on March 30, 2023, 11:43:33 AM

Quote from: Rising Sun on March 30, 2023, 11:17:52 AM

Quote from: Zoo adam on March 29, 2023, 11:15:34 PM

Could quite happily listen to this play list -

One
Stories
11 O'Clock
Out of Control
Beautiful Day
Walk On
Pride
GOOYOW
Stuck in a moment
RHMT
Ordinary Love
Invisible
Dirty Day
The Miracle
Vertigo
ISHFWILF
The Fly
IGWSHA
UTEOTW
Song for Someone
WOWY
Lights of Home
Cedarwood Road
Two Hearts
Miracle Drug
Little Things.

------------

My conditions would be -

Accept the new lyrics.

Accept some songs are not much different to the originals.

Accept some of the songs were not my favourites in the first place.

Accept some of the new versions are not as good as the originals.

I like your acceptances list.  I’ve found all the moaning on here tedious because all these things you write are true and seem obvious.  What’s the big deal?  It’s an album by a band people like (or at least previously liked) made up of songs people like, and even if one doesn’t like everything or the idea of the album itself, there’s still some good stuff on it. 

Also, I was prepared to not like a lot of the acoustic guitar arrangements, but Edge, it turns out, is actually a pretty good guitarist and I was surprised by some of the sounds he got out of it.  And where outside musicians are used there’s also some interesting stuff.  Overall, a lot of solid musicianship throughout the album.

I disagree.

How can subjective opinion be ‘true’?

I’m sorry if you find my position ‘tedious’. Why bother criticising people who don’t share your views? If I liked SOS I’d say so. I dig parts of SOE the most. I don’t accuse people of being negative if they don’t. And frankly, I don’t care.

I tried to listen again, with an open heart and mind, to Bad, because SC said how great it was. I honestly can’t find a single thing to recommend it.

Chill, yeah?

I also gave another shot to Bad, as you did, following SC’s post.

Like you, I don’t really connect with this version.

BUT, there are some songs on the album that are actually really good reinterpretations in my view.

AIWIY, 40, Still haven’t found, Fly, Stay, Two Hearts. Just to name a few.

(For the record, that’s 2 songs from WAR right there, and I think they work here too on SOS)

Out of respect, and in the interests of fairness, I listened to the songs you enjoy, Martin. Here is my analysis. I listened on earphones because edge explained to us it’s better that way:

The Fly - it has a decent groove. I hate his vocals. The middle eight is awful.

Two Hearts - It sounds like a gay disco anthem. Nothing wrong with that. But the thought of bono in a gay disco is appalling to me. His voice is, again, awful.

Stay - actually, the verses are ok. The chorus is awful.

ISHFWILF - I didn’t much care for the original. But it kinda worked on TJT. This version just makes it worse. Wanna know how to do it properly? Check out Springsteen’s Ghost of Tom Joad. Those daft falsetto edge backing vocals do my head in. They’re everywhere on SOS.

40 - this, and Little Things, are the only songs I properly enjoy. I mean, it’s hard to fuck up such amazing tunes. Even so, I hate his vocals. Such a waste, too, when his voice, at its best, is so soulful. The original version of LT’s is a modern day u2 classic. A real knee trembler. 

Overall, 3/10

‘Will the hunter now refuse to pray’. I mean, FUCK OFF!!!

Quote from: MPare1966 on March 30, 2023, 11:53:33 AM

Quote from: Larry Lovebucket on March 30, 2023, 11:43:33 AM

Quote from: Rising Sun on March 30, 2023, 11:17:52 AM

Quote from: Zoo adam on March 29, 2023, 11:15:34 PM

Could quite happily listen to this play list -

One
Stories
11 O'Clock
Out of Control
Beautiful Day
Walk On
Pride
GOOYOW
Stuck in a moment
RHMT
Ordinary Love
Invisible
Dirty Day
The Miracle
Vertigo
ISHFWILF
The Fly
IGWSHA
UTEOTW
Song for Someone
WOWY
Lights of Home
Cedarwood Road
Two Hearts
Miracle Drug
Little Things.

------------

My conditions would be -

Accept the new lyrics.

Accept some songs are not much different to the originals.

Accept some of the songs were not my favourites in the first place.

Accept some of the new versions are not as good as the originals.

I like your acceptances list.  I’ve found all the moaning on here tedious because all these things you write are true and seem obvious.  What’s the big deal?  It’s an album by a band people like (or at least previously liked) made up of songs people like, and even if one doesn’t like everything or the idea of the album itself, there’s still some good stuff on it. 

Also, I was prepared to not like a lot of the acoustic guitar arrangements, but Edge, it turns out, is actually a pretty good guitarist and I was surprised by some of the sounds he got out of it.  And where outside musicians are used there’s also some interesting stuff.  Overall, a lot of solid musicianship throughout the album.

I disagree.

How can subjective opinion be ‘true’?

I’m sorry if you find my position ‘tedious’. Why bother criticising people who don’t share your views? If I liked SOS I’d say so. I dig parts of SOE the most. I don’t accuse people of being negative if they don’t. And frankly, I don’t care.

I tried to listen again, with an open heart and mind, to Bad, because SC said how great it was. I honestly can’t find a single thing to recommend it.

Chill, yeah?

I also gave another shot to Bad, as you did, following SC’s post.

Like you, I don’t really connect with this version.

BUT, there are some songs on the album that are actually really good reinterpretations in my view.

AIWIY, 40, Still haven’t found, Fly, Stay, Two Hearts. Just to name a few.

(For the record, that’s 2 songs from WAR right there, and I think they work here too on SOS)

Out of respect, and in the interests of fairness, I listened to the songs you enjoy, Martin. Here is my analysis. I listened on earphones because edge explained to us it’s better that way:

The Fly - it has a decent groove. I hate his vocals. The middle eight is awful.

Two Hearts - It sounds like a gay disco anthem. Nothing wrong with that. But the thought of bono in a gay disco is appalling to me. His voice is, again, awful.

Stay - actually, the verses are ok. The chorus is awful.

ISHFWILF - I didn’t much care for the original. But it kinda worked on TJT. This version just makes it worse. Wanna know how to do it properly? Check out Springsteen’s Ghost of Tom Joad. Those daft falsetto edge backing vocals do my head in. They’re everywhere on SOS.

40 - this, and Little Things, are the only songs I properly enjoy. I mean, it’s hard to fuck up such amazing tunes. Even so, I hate his vocals. Such a waste, too, when his voice, at its best, is so soulful. The original version of LT’s is a modern day u2 classic. A real knee trembler. 

Overall, 3/10

Good on you to do that, La.

And it’s totally normal not to like that stuff. Also normal to like some of it.

I don’t really mind the album, it’s just too much overloaded in my view.

16 to 20 tracks of the more original reinterpretations would’ve suffice.

What about All I Want is You? (no strings at the end, thought you’d like that…)

‘Will the hunter now refuse to pray’. I mean, FUCK OFF!!!

uh wut