Well, It’s New to Me

One of the upsides of having been pop-musically illiterate as an adolescent is that I get to “discover” all of this great music now. For example, I was born in 1976; I didn’t know Prince was a musical artist until 1990. When the girls in my elementary school class were talking about how they wanted to marry him when they grew up, I was wondering who this dude was, and how had another country’s royalty become so popular among young black girls in the United States?

This is the kind of oblivion you might experience when you are the oldest child and don’t have any cousins.

In any case, I downloaded the One video of Mary J Blige and U2 from iTunes today, and I was, as usual, completely fascinated with The Edge. I know Bono is supposed to be the hot stuff in that band, but my eyes always seek out The Edge. I think The Edge is stunning.

Anyway, dubious hearththrob status aside (he’s only a few years younger than my mother, eek) aside, I listened to Achtung Baby this evening. I never really listened to it the way I’m listening to it now. It’s a great album. I have to put this in my Nano.

This album was released about 15 years ago, and although I knew who U2 was, their music had absolutely no cultural signifance for me. All music - be it classical, standards, pop, R&B, whatever - was just pleasant sound played in the background while I daydreamed or did chores. It wasn’t till I heard Harry Chapin’s Cat’s in the Cradle that it began to dawn on me that songs/music could have meaning. Around this time, I borrowed a Joan Baez album from the library and sang about the lady who came from Baltimore, and the dove and lonely people till the cassette almost wore out. My family was like, “Whose child is this?” but left me to my own devices. At the time I was also trying to teach myself Irish Gaelic, so Joan Baez wasn’t so odd by comparison. At 18 I became hooked on Tracy Chapman - and folk music is still my favorite genre.

But this rock album is quite good. Last year I learned about INXS, but I think U2 is a lot better. U2 is socially conscious, too. I don’t know if it makes their music any better, but it makes their fame more tolerable. I share the sentiments of my favorite actress, Sarah Polley, who is quoted as once having said that the only point to being famous is the ability to redirect people’s attention to things that are actually important.

(photo from u2world.com; the Edge and wife Morleigh Steinberg at Pavarotti’s wedding.)

Comments

7 Responses to “Well, It’s New to Me”

Stentor on June 10th, 2006 10:58 pm

I feel like I really ought to like U2, both because of their politics and because everyone else who likes the other music I listen to likes U2. But I just can’t listen to them.
Drive By Fruiting on June 11th, 2006 12:00 pm

Your blog rocks!
CK on June 12th, 2006 5:09 pm

I am the one who is out of touch. I didn’t know that guy’s name was “the Edge”! And I’ve been listening to U2 since college.
Paul on June 13th, 2006 3:43 am

I have heard of U2 and they are a good band, but the Blues and Rockabilly are where I resice.Their politics are immaterial to me.
PeaceBang on June 17th, 2006 7:04 pm

You MUST get “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” — my absolute favorite U2 CD.
PeaceBang on June 17th, 2006 7:04 pm

What does “DH” stand for!??
LaReinaCobre on June 19th, 2006 9:50 am

DH stands for “doughnut husband,” because he and I were “intentionally committed” at the Voodoo Doughnut and Wedding Chapel. See photo.