Since high school, U2 has been my absolute favorite band. In fact, while in high school, I became obsessed with them. I memorized not just their albums but all of their b-sides and side projects. I bought books written about them, recorded everything about them off TV, became a very active member of quite a few chat rooms and message boards dedicated to them (not proud of that one), and generally lived and breathed U2.
Then I got busy. I couldn't just sit in my room and listen to their music for hours. I worked and went to school and had homework and what felt like a million things going on at once. Don't get me wrong. I still bought their new albums and went to their shows anytime they came through town but my obsession wained.
I am a bit ashamed to admit this but U2's last record No Line on the Horizon was released back in March but I didn't even own it until my brother gave it to me for Christmas last week. I finally had the opportunity to hear it all the way through in my car tonight while I was running errands. I was able to actually listen to U2's music like I did in high school. I had time to play it through twice and think about lyrics and digest the sound. It was positively amazing. I had forgotten what it was like to get lost in something so completely. I felt like I was sinking into the sound and the lyrics were wrapping themselves around me, pushing and pulling. It was strange. (Too Alice Sebold? Ok, I digress... Also, yes I was driving the entire time. I'm not what one might call an observant driver....)
Tomorrow I'll be taking a mini-road trip and driving for a little over five hours by myself. I have decided to load up all the U2 cds not yet on my iPod, cue up everything I do have on my iPod and get back in touch with music I once felt so passionately about.
For all you non-believers out there... I dare you to find a lyric more lovely than:
Or music more pleading and soulful than this..
Food for thought.
2 comments:
My high school boyfriend was obsessed with U2, in fact his license plates said BONOMAN. He made me listen to them all the time, which actually made me grow to hate them.
I think we can still be friends but when we are around each other we can only listen to Red Hill Mining Town. That's really the only song I can stand.
HA! That is such a random song to like! I'll make you a deal... we'll listen to either Red Hill Mining Town or their new stuff. It's really good and I'm sure you're not sick of that!
PS. I wasn't as bad as your boyfriend it seems. I never considered getting a personalized license plate. Although, I did get a U2 quote engraved in my Junior Yearbook... so whatev's!
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