Comments on: What does “Boots” remind you of?

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:18:14 +0000

My biased opinion: All of the above refererences give a nod to “Ball of Confusion” by the temptin’ Temptations. Enjoy the song for what it is.

By: Lance A. Schart

Lance A. Schart — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:54:05 +0000

In addition to several of the songs mentioned in the original posting (especially Elvis Costello and The Escape Club), I also hear the following tracks being mocked in the new U2 single, “Boots”:

David Bowie’s “Blue Jean”
Eddie Cochran’s “C’Mon Everybody”

It’s my hope that the forthcoming video, as initially described by The Edge as being about women fixing the current political issues facing the world, puts the song in to a better and proper context –because right now, the song sucks!

What’s more, as a paying U2.com member, I cannot understand why U2.com members are not the FIRST to have access to new material, including the single AND the forthcoming video!

By: bmacwire

bmacwire — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:33:33 +0000

The song you seek is Body Snatchers by Radiohead (In Rainbows EP) – at least for the driving guitar/bass hook that kicks the song off. My 20 year old son pointed it out to me when I played it for him in an attempt to impress him. He loves the song in spite of the Radiohead lift and he usually loves to hate U2. The other influences I immediately heard (and have been repeated by many) is Beatles “Baby You Can Drive My Car” (beep-beep-beep-yeah!) and Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” verses. In many ways this song reminds me of the ill-fated launch of Pop which was also a heavily Beatles influenced affair. I hated Pop when it first came out but over the long haul it has proven to be one of my favs. If U2 sheds some old-time fans that want to hear nothing more than a Greatest Hits tour then I say good riddance. It seems to me that U2′s last two outings definitely gave the old faithful what they wanted so they’ve earned the right IMO to mess about if they want.

By: Snagger

Snagger — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:28:42 +0000

Miami from Pop and Xanax and Wine from 2004

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:00:56 +0000

Case in point: “The air is heavy, heavy as a truck.”

End of complaining about lyrics, because ANYTHING is better than that.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:15:50 +0000

It always cracks me up when people say things like Truth be told . . . as if your word is the final one.
Oh, yes, now I get it . . . if Mark says the lyrics are weak, well then, they are.

Truth be told, Mark, Bono has written much weaker lyrics in his day than this song.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:40:47 +0000

Like many of you I was unsure and a little disappointed during the first listen of GOYB … but how many of us felt that way when ‘The Fly’ first appeared … and now none of us can live without AB. That album changed my life on so many levels.

Each time a new U2 album comes out, I hold out hope for another life changing experience … no different this time.

Truth be told, the lyrics ARE weak and feel a little obvious somehow, but I’m really digging the music bed! As a musician myself I can appreciate all the little subtleties and studio magic that give depth to the track – guitar tone, hand drums, the ‘whisper-to-a-scream’ treatment, the Moroccan chord changes in the bridge … and THAT turns my crank enough to get past the lyrics!

Perhaps once we hear GOYB in context on the album, it’ll make more sense. After 20 plus years of fandom, I’m not willing to jump ship just yet.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:58:21 +0000

It would be good without the lyrics. Hows long has it been since we heard a U2 instrumental?

By: hugo

hugo — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 04:06:18 +0000

get on your boots….even the title doesnt sound like a u2 song,it sounds more like a country song…anyway,I hope that moment of surrender will be like streets, a classic,according to people that already heared is a MASTERPIECE.
Maybe bono was under too much pressure to make the greatest album of u2,and failed this time,or maybe they just picked the wrong first single,because usually theres only 2 or 3 very very good songs in any artist album,the rest is just to fill the disc,will see this coming months.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:16:14 +0000

Jonathan and Andy —I totally agree with what you said about GOYB.

And Jonathan—EXCELLENT description of the feeling the song inspires.

One of the many, many, many reasons I have been a massive U2 fan for almost 20 years (I’m 30 now–I had good taste in music from a young age, hehe) is because of how they keep reinventing themselves and their sound. I can think of no other band who has so many different sounds and has taken such risks.

I’m convinced this is going to be my favorite album yet.