U2 - 'Window In The Skies'
Before you do anything else, watch the video for this song. It's really something. If you've not already seen it, and want to read about it first, the idea is very simple. Take a collection of tiny clips of legendary musical performers wowing a crowd, and then cleverly cut them so it looks like they are performing the new single by U2. A gesture which puts Bono and co at the centre of ALL POPULAR MUSIC HISTORY FOREVER, whether you like it or not.
Now, there are clearly going to be those among you that will find this type of huge arrogance extremely annoying, but, to be fair, if you can't stomach Bono acting like he's in charge of the legacy of rock 'n' roll, but you didn't already know that you felt this way, where the hell have you BEEN? The man's got an ego the size of a giant's hot air balloon. It's not like he's kept it hidden away over the last 20 years or so, is it?
Anyway, for the rest of us, the fun in the video comes from letting yourself believe that David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, Jay-Z and all are actually singing this stirring, clompy U2-by-numbers bluster-ballad along with the band. I mean, how did they know the words to this modern song, way back in the '70s, '80s etc? Were they beamed back from THE FUTURE? Does the Edge have a sonic screwdriver under that hat of his? Is Larry's drum kit a secret Tardis? That's AMAZING!
Or at least, it would be, if the people behind the vid hadn't decided to stick to a really tired old list of who-is-good in the history of rock. Watching this video is a bit like reading MOJO magazine. Sure there's lots of brilliant things in it, but there's also loads of stuff you'd like to see which seems to have been left out because it's not 'proper' or 'authentic' enough.
For example, surely what the video needs to make it astonishingly great is some Spice Girls footage in there. Hell, Bono could just ask the girls to mime the whole damn song, you KNOW they'd do it. Or how about ABBA? Haven't we all admitted that they were actually really genuinely fantastic by now? No? Gah! SOME PEOPLE...
C'mon, as good an idea as this video is, it would be a quintillion times better if it had any 10 of the following artists in: Take That (Robbie era), Slayer, the Rubettes, Amy Winehouse, McFly, Julian Cope, Leadbelly, Nelly Furtado, Mozart, Five, Eels, Elbow, Fatboy Slim, the Libertines, Herman's Hermits, Daft Punk, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, Blue, Blur, Blondie, Supremes, Supergrass, Super Furry Animals, Wham!, the Jam, the Sweet, the Stone Roses, Half Man Half Biscuit.
You know I'm right...as Kurt Cobain very nearly said (to New Kids On The Block).
Released: January 1st
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comments
fantastic amazing i am 13 and i love u2 been to their concert last year it was amazing luv this single.
It's just like "sometimes you can't make it on your own" but without any catchy bits! Change the record Bono!
Fraser - you're an idiot for blaming U2 for putting themselves at the center of attention. The idea of this video is to focus on the amazing history of rock, with everyone playing/singing together. Notice how the band is in the audience just like every other fan? It's refreshing to see a video by a band that doesn't feature the band, so why not enjoy it for what it is? Novel, heartfelt and respectful.
As for wanting to see Mozart in the video, do you mean a Python-esque clip of a painting of Amadeus with his lips moving out of synch, or (as I hope)....please tell me you were kidding.
EBHP
[I was kidding about Mozart. Well spotted. Can I also say I did say the video was good, but that the list of artists was stuffy and predictable. And it's a little icky to have those amazing talents all depicted singing a U2 song, with U2 in the audience, to promote the new single by...U2. Hardly fan worship by the band, is it? - Fraser]
What are these poor ragged Irish boys to do. It seems you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
To have consistently thumped out record after record of music maybe not to everyones' taste but of style and quality like none of their contemparies for nigh on 30years. Music that has yearned, reached, overreached, fallen flat on it's face but remained interesting, exciting, in every ear.
Everyone has a U2 song they find themselves singing from time to time.
It is a great video as seems to be recognised by most, those who don't like U2s' music included. I love the song and the lyrics are killer, but for all U2s' songs do for me others let their annoying carry on of the band get in the way of the music.
Wasn't John Lennon as much a bulls***ting sap as Bono is today. It's just Bono doesn't do smack so he can get around more. No-one let that get in the way of Lennons' greatness.
And here they are with a new song and soon a new album which sell truckloads and lots of people will love and all that can be said is better luck next time.
Maybe theys should've done what their peers REM did, pack up and go home.
[Don't be so dramatic. It's a rubbish video, but U2 aren't a rubbish band. Jeez, part of loving something is being able to see its faults, y'know... - Fraser]
Who's in the videoclip "Windows in the skies",U2 ?
Here: