New U2 single and other disappointments

I love U2. Like other people that love U2, I have been waiting with anticipation for their new album since the last one they released way back in 2004. U2 is one of those bands that likes to integrate new sounds into their albums, to push the boundaries of their artistic creativity, and to stay current with many of the trends popular in the industry at the time so as to constantly grow their fan base. Being part of the fan base, I have read every article describing what the new album would sound like: they went to Morocco for some middle eastern inspiration, they hung out with Kanye West and recorded with Mary J. Blige and promised to integrate some hip hop (a great concern to me), and of course, the earliest indications were that it would indeed be straight ahead rock 'n' roll. On March 3 we will finally get to hear if what we read in all of those articles is really true, when No Line on the Horizon is released to the ears of the waiting public.

As a teaser, U2 released the first single early. Called "Get On Your Boots", it shows some promise. I think it's good, but I hope they released the worst stuff as singles first. It's the sixth track on the album, which does little to instill confidence, as I would think that if there were stronger singles they would be placed earlier on the album.

To answer the question that's forming in your head right now, yes, I will buy the album the day it is released and no, I have not purchased the single from iTunes. I had not even heard the song through anything but my dinky computer speakers until it was played on the radio yesterday on my way home from work. That was a better experience to be sure, but it raised another, even more nagging question than how good the single actually is. There was something in the verse of the song that bothered me, some skeleton in the top 40 closet that wouldn't go away. And then it came to me, all at once:

"She's so mean but I don't care
I love her eyes and her wild wild hair...
Living in the wild, wild west..."

Yes, I was able to place the chorus to "Wild, Wild West" after each verse. Easily. I'm talking about a group called Escape Club and their (only) number one hit, "Wild, Wild West" (1988). I have included the video below:


While I cannot say that this song is among my favorites, it does have a catchy element to it. Now, here's the U2 single. Remember, only the verses are similar:


Granted, they aren't totally identical, but I think the similarities are greater than those between George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" and the Chiffons' "He's So Fine". If you don't know how that one turned out, a federal court ruled that the former Beatle had "unintentionally copied" the earlier song.

Just for fun, I looked up the lyrics to "Wild, Wild West" and played "Get On Your Boots" while I read the lyrics out loud. Fun to be sure. (This is going to come across as blasphemy to most U2 fans, but I think Escape Club actually has a better chorus.)

So, anticipation is growing. I'm saving my pennies for the new album and will probably at least make an attempt to see them in concert (good luck with that, since Charlotte is a small enough city to get them on a third leg at best for one night at best). Still, I have U2 to blame for getting that ridiculous other song in my head. And you now have me to thank.

You're welcome.