Songs that would be most improved by a 1986 Bono vocal

I mean, you could say any song, but some aren’t going to be saved by it (Boots), some would actually be lessened by it (Little Things), and some just don’t need it (One).

So, what songs could you get the most mileage out of by magically putting the mic in front of 1986 Bono for a studio take?

I mean, you could say any song, but some aren’t going to be saved by it (Boots), some would actually be lessened by it (Little Things), and some just don’t need it (One).

So, what songs could you get the most mileage out of by magically putting the mic in front of 1986 Bono for a studio take?

First, I want to say I totally agree with your Little Things statement. It’s untouchable as it is.

Re: the thread question.

I would definitely be curious to hear 1986 Bono sing Moment of Surrender.

Wave Of Sorrow

Quote from: laoghaire on February 28, 2024, 12:13:40 AM

I mean, you could say any song, but some aren’t going to be saved by it (Boots), some would actually be lessened by it (Little Things), and some just don’t need it (One).

So, what songs could you get the most mileage out of by magically putting the mic in front of 1986 Bono for a studio take?

First, I want to say I totally agree with your Little Things statement. It’s untouchable as it is.

Re: the thread question.

I would definitely be curious to hear 1986 Bono sing Moment of Surrender.

I disagree.

MOS, save for a few dodgy lyrics about a cash machine and the obligatory song a long at the end, is perfect as it is. I wouldn’t change a thing about the vocal.

Honestly? I don’t like bonos vocal style around that period. I didn’t like R&H, save for Heartland and AIWIY and TJT, like NLOTH, is half a decent album, as far as I’m concerned. Much of that is to do with bonos big mouth.

Everything great about u2 has always been when they held back somewhat. So, to answer the original question, I’d say nothing would benefit.

I will say, though, that Bonos full pelt vocal on Drowning Man or In a Lifetime, his duet with Clannad, is very exciting. For me, his voice became too ‘throaty’ during TJT period. These days, I love the way it sounds tired and creaky. He needs to capitalise on that, in my view. I’d much rather hear an LP of soul songs from U2 next, rather than an ‘unreasonable guitar album’, which is much more likely to be an ‘unbearable guitar album’.

Wave Of Sorrow

Good choice.

Quote from: laoghaire on February 28, 2024, 12:13:40 AM

I mean, you could say any song, but some aren’t going to be saved by it (Boots), some would actually be lessened by it (Little Things), and some just don’t need it (One).

So, what songs could you get the most mileage out of by magically putting the mic in front of 1986 Bono for a studio take?

First, I want to say I totally agree with your Little Things statement. It’s untouchable as it is.

Re: the thread question.

I would definitely be curious to hear 1986 Bono sing Moment of Surrender.

It’s funny I strongly disagree on Little Things. For me the first verse should have been sung on the lower register, à la Your Blue Room. There’s very little dynamic in the singing (especially the live version).
But I’ll admit that it’s a great studio recording from Bono.

And that’s what makes Laoghaire’s question hard to answer : Bono is very good at exploiting his voice range, wherever it is. If he had kept his 1986 range, U2’s body of work would have sounded a lot different.

So… I would not look into songs that were released, which are fine, but songs that were abandoned. And the evident contestant is… MERCY !

Quote from: MPare1966 on February 28, 2024, 12:32:04 AM

Quote from: laoghaire on February 28, 2024, 12:13:40 AM

I mean, you could say any song, but some aren’t going to be saved by it (Boots), some would actually be lessened by it (Little Things), and some just don’t need it (One).

So, what songs could you get the most mileage out of by magically putting the mic in front of 1986 Bono for a studio take?

First, I want to say I totally agree with your Little Things statement. It’s untouchable as it is.

Re: the thread question.

I would definitely be curious to hear 1986 Bono sing Moment of Surrender.

I disagree.

MOS, save for a few dodgy lyrics about a cash machine and the obligatory song a long at the end, is perfect as it is. I wouldn’t change a thing about the vocal.

It is indeed perfect.

I would just be curious to hear a younger Bono have a crack at it.

Liking the answers.

Thinking of Pop, for example, which had some vocal issues. But - bombastic 1986 Bono doesn’t fit there.

He was sounding like a freaking angel on steroids in RHMT though. Still intriguing to think of harnessing that power elsewhere.

Maybe the earlier stuff rather than the later stuff.

Another contender for old and creaky Bono being more right than young and strong: Landlady.

Liking the answers.

Thinking of Pop, for example, which had some vocal issues. But - bombastic 1986 Bono doesn’t fit there.

He was sounding like a freaking angel on steroids in RHMT though. Still intriguing to think of harnessing that power elsewhere.

Maybe the earlier stuff rather than the later stuff.

Another contender for old and creaky Bono being more right than young and strong: Landlady.

Now that you mention it… I see a direct link between Mofo and Wire.

Also, 1986 Bono would have no problem filling in for Last Night on Earth.

Now… if those AI guys could have 1986 Bono on Light of Home… I’m listening !

Oh my goodness. 1986 Bono on LNOE.

Raised By Wolves

Liking the answers.

Thinking of Pop, for example, which had some vocal issues. But - bombastic 1986 Bono doesn’t fit there.

He was sounding like a freaking angel on steroids in RHMT though. Still intriguing to think of harnessing that power elsewhere.

Maybe the earlier stuff rather than the later stuff.

Another contender for old and creaky Bono being more right than young and strong: Landlady.

Landlady is indeed excellent. Touching lyrics, too.

Space, her place is where I found my parking space

Maybe not.