Writing Credits Since 2009

So - listening to U2 on random tonight. Some good b-sides sprinkled in. “Where Did it All Go Wrong,” and “Three Sunrises,” specifically. Some other good album cuts. “Rejoice,” I hadn’t heard in a bit.

Then “Summer of Love.”  I thought to myself — not a bad, breezy, light U2 song. But then I thought again, wasn’t that on you tube years before that was on the last album (you know, the one that had “Summer of Love,” from 2017) was released? But at that time from Ryan Tedder or One Direction or whoever?

Then I thought about the cool riff from that same last album 7 years ago: “Lights of Home.”  But that was from Haim, right?

Didn’t get Eno and Lanois get credit writing on lots of NLOTH as more of a makeup for past suggestions on other albums?

Just wondering and hoping if U2 gets creative spark in their heads anymore. If it’s there at all, based on their output. And what they need to get from others.

This post also born from realizing today The Rolling Stones wrote “Sweet Emotion” at age 46 and seemed ancient in my mind at the time. And watching something about how David Lynch talked about writing collaboration for Twin Peaks and credit for ideas.

No real question here, besides how much if U2 is U2, especially lately (meaning almost a decade ago). I

Hey Vox,

It does offer pause, doesn’t it?

Goes back to the whole question of whether they have any musical talent at all.


Was listening to Postcards from Richard Nixon by Elton John last night, and he is a fucking musician. He would laugh at their childish little plinkings.

Then again, U2 could put on a show. Of that there is no doubt.

I'm afraid we all know where this discussion is going... U2's forte was never songwriting. It was channelling emotions and performing. Emotions that most artists skip because they're not cool.

To be frank I am surprised Edge seems so at ease borrowing riffs. But then again, as soon as they started jamming with Eno and Lanois, they allowed many people into their creative process. Think about how instrumental the guitar is on Running to Stand Still. It's Daniel Lanois, not Edge.

Now, every artist borrows stuff. Most artists rely on the people around them to deliver something worthy. Maybe we're just a little naive to start with.