Best. Walk On. Evah.

One of the questions in the big U2 Fan Survey that we do each November asks you to choose what is the best version of “Walk On.” The possible answers include the version on the Boston DVD, the one on the Slane DVD, the album version, and a couple others.

And each year, the real best version doesn’t win. So in a blatant attempt to influence this year’s voting, here’s the real best version of “Walk On,” recorded live at the 2002 Grammy Awards. :)

See? I was right, huh?

Last 4 posts by m2

11 Responses to “Best. Walk On. Evah.”

  1. nyjlm 7 July 2007 at 12:03 pm permalink

    took me a minute to figure out why this seemed unfamiliar! I was in the hospital with my 7 week old baby then (she had a high fever), and after being up since 2 am I was dozing on and off during the Grammy’s. I remember waking up during one of their acceptance speeches, but I’m not sure I saw this.

    thanks for posting it : )

  2. Beth 7 July 2007 at 12:15 pm permalink

    Yeah, I like to use this one in workshops. For educational purposes only, of course. It goes over very well with faith-community audiences.

  3. BostonGuy 7 July 2007 at 3:09 pm permalink

    Absolutely the best version of Walk On…evah;) I think the “Tribute to Heroes” version is excellent as well.

  4. Erika 7 July 2007 at 9:51 pm permalink

    Excellent version!!

    Whenever I watch a live U2 performance, I find that I never really want it to end; that’s why they are the biggest band in the world.

  5. TC Jones 8 July 2007 at 12:08 pm permalink

    Holy crap. I had missed this when it was on, I remember assuming they would be on towards the end so I didn’t watch the first half hour and missed them.

    Definitely the best Walk On. Great vocal and the ending is amazing which beats the Boston/Slane versions. And the guitar solo and ‘home’ bridge thing are intact which beats out most other versions.

    I’d say this is the second best thing I’ve ever seen from a Grammys show. Second to the Clash tribute with Springsteen and Elvis Costello a few years back.

  6. stu 8 July 2007 at 1:23 pm permalink

    nyjlm, i think that the unfamiliar aspect was Bono on the guitar. it always scares me as it looks like edge is playing a different song. I swear, bono’s guitar probably isn’t plugged in.

    As Erika said, you know that they are the most amazing band, when after nearly 30 years you still get goose bumps watching these performances. they way the control the room is amazing. and bono’s voice, I swear gets better with age.

    For the the best version of Sometime you cant make it …., MSG, Ocotber 24th 2004 – vertigo tour. He truned into a real tenor, it was scary… I thought he was possesed by pavoratti

  7. U2faninny 8 July 2007 at 6:11 pm permalink

    Wow, I forgot all about THAT Grammy performance….I now remember my jaw-trembling, tear-shedding moment as I watched the boys belt out an inspiring performance! As usual, U2 never fails to deliver! Thanks for the memories!

  8. Punray 11 July 2007 at 11:59 am permalink

    I agree about the Tribute to Heroes version. Very healing, to say the least. I didn’t care for the song too much before then. This performance changed that, though. At that moment, there was no other artists I could have wanted to see more. Of course, Neil Young blew me away too that night. That’s not bad company to be in though for U2 – Neil Young.

  9. tarbalien 12 July 2007 at 1:39 pm permalink

    Wow. That was incredible. Why do I not remember it being so good?

    Bono’s voice sounds fantastic and the harmonizing during the Halleluiah part is pure gospel. I love it.

    Was this the last time they played this song as a full band? I think all the rest after this were acoustic, no?

  10. Adam 13 July 2007 at 9:18 am permalink

    It is fantastic but I would certainly choose the 911 benefit on TV because it was much more poignent

  11. Moi 9 December 2007 at 7:22 pm permalink

    It was good, though I think the Slane version was the best.