I hate that song so much!

[JTBaby]

I don't think I hated anything until R+H.

Love Comes to Town/Love Rescue Me

Then nothing more until I was made comatose by Stuck.

HTDAAB was the first album I disliked/hated more songs than I liked. But a special place on the wall of shame for AMAAW and OSC. Truly horrific.

Back to more songs liked than disliked with NLOTH, but I can't play the vinyl due to the placement of Boots/Crazy/SUC, so I use the remote wisely on the CD. What a nasty filling those 3 songs are.

[Johnny Feathers]

I don't think I hated anything until R+H.

Love Comes to Town/Love Rescue Me

Then nothing more until I was made comatose by Stuck.

HTDAAB was the first album I disliked/hated more songs than I liked. But a special place on the wall of shame for AMAAW and OSC. Truly horrific.

Back to more songs liked than disliked with NLOTH, but I can't play the vinyl due to the placement of Boots/Crazy/SUC, so I use the remote wisely on the CD. What a nasty filling those 3 songs are.

I get your dislike of their bluesy/soul-influenced numbers, though I can't say I hate them by any stretch. 

I also feel your dislike of some of HTDAAB, but I still mostly like it.  AMAW is the worst of them, and I dislike Yahweh.  OSC is boring, but not hate-worthy.

But most of all, I definitely feel your hatred of the middle of NLOTH.  Starting with Unknown Caller.  By far, the most painful stretch of music in their catalog.  The end of the album isn't much better.  For this reason, the album is my least favorite by a mile.

[JTBaby]

I don't think I hated anything until R+H.

Love Comes to Town/Love Rescue Me

Then nothing more until I was made comatose by Stuck.

HTDAAB was the first album I disliked/hated more songs than I liked. But a special place on the wall of shame for AMAAW and OSC. Truly horrific.

Back to more songs liked than disliked with NLOTH, but I can't play the vinyl due to the placement of Boots/Crazy/SUC, so I use the remote wisely on the CD. What a nasty filling those 3 songs are.

I get your dislike of their bluesy/soul-influenced numbers, though I can't say I hate them by any stretch. 

I also feel your dislike of some of HTDAAB, but I still mostly like it.  AMAW is the worst of them, and I dislike Yahweh.  OSC is boring, but not hate-worthy.

But most of all, I definitely feel your hatred of the middle of NLOTH.  Starting with Unknown Caller.  By far, the most painful stretch of music in their catalog.  The end of the album isn't much better.  For this reason, the album is my least favorite by a mile.

I'm always reminded of, I believe a Q magazine review. Talking about R+H, they mocked Bono's missive of "Play the blues Edge" during Silver and Gold. I think the comment was something like "Edge's response had one message, 'I can't'"

They don't do Blues/Soul well at all. Desire is a fun energetic Bo Diddley romp, but otherwise their attempts are weak.

 

[Johnny Feathers]

Pretty funny take on Silver and Gold.  I will say, I don't know that I think they do it BADLY per se (though the Edge just doesn't play "the blues"), but U2 was never traditionally a blues-inspired band.  I had never been a blues fan, which was probably largely why I started to like U2 to begin with.  I think it's in a book I have (U2: Three Chords and the Truth) where the author sort of bemoans Rattle and Hum for having U2 go back to the same music that inspired countless other bands, rather than continue on their own path that basically had no "tradition" to it.

Actually, I do think Stuck in a Moment is a pretty good song.  The end vocal arrangement (And if the night runs over...) is pretty great if it's done right.  Not one I go back to often at all, just for my own taste, but I think it's pretty accomplished.  It would be neat to see a full-on soul/gospel take on it by a real soul band, complete with a real horn section rather than Eno's synths.

[andrewau2]

Someone should do a poll or tournament for the winning worst song.

From reading this thread, I'd say the top contenders are Peace on Earth, One Step Closer, and a Man and a Woman.

I'll throw in White as Snow as well.

Maybe the question should be what is the worst song from each album?

[The Grave]

IMO worst song from each album

Boy - Shadows and Tall Trees
October - Is That All?
War - The Refugee but I still like it
TUF - Elvis Presley and America
TJT - Trip
R&H - Van Dieman's Land
AB - So Cruel. but still a good song
Zooropa - Lemon
Pop - The Playboy Mansion
ATYCLB - tough but probably IALW
HTDAAB - ABOY
NLOTH - White as Snow

[@lmighty DS]

IMO worst song from each album

Boy - Shadows and Tall Trees
October - Is That All?
War - The Refugee but I still like it
TUF - Elvis Presley and America
TJT - Trip
R&H - Van Dieman's Land
AB - So Cruel. but still a good song
Zooropa - Lemon
Pop - The Playboy Mansion
ATYCLB - tough but probably IALW
HTDAAB - ABOY
NLOTH - White as Snow

NOPE. it's Wild Honey. Total B-side fodder right there.

[emalvick]

Interesting thread and view points.  I already responded, so I won't discuss my hates.  I find the strong feelings though interesting because while I dislike many U2 songs to some extent, hate is something that only really occurs for the few songs I listed earlier.

The R&H comments I find interesting.  I remember that pre-2000 it had to be one of the most hated U2 albums by most people, including U2 fans, for the reasons many here complain about.  I find a lot to dislike, too with respect to their strong attempts at playing blues.  But, I do enjoy When Love Comes to Town when I'm in the mood.  I don't mind Silver and Gold (I like it best out of that whole group of what I called American Rock inspired songs).  Love Rescue Me I often find annoying, but there are times I can enjoy it.  Hawkmoon and God II are songs I tend to enjoy like I do Silver and Gold.  Heartland I love as I would any song from JT.

Overall, RH is my least listened to U2 album although not my least favorite.  I think it is just annoying that as stated earlier, they went and payed tribute to a style of music they never incorporated themselves.  That being said, knowing U2's roots, I'm not sure they could have made that work with any style of music.  I know books always suggest that U2 came out of the punk movement, but I think that is quite a stretch.  They may have, but they don't sound punk enough to credibly pay tribute either.  It really shows up in their tribute to the Ramones.  The Ramones are great, but U2's cover was a bit horrific (to put it kindly).

[The Unknown Caller]

Oh God, I hate hate hate SUC. It's just so shite. The lyrics, the music...I like Bono and all, but every time he says "come on ye people" I just want to drop kick him in the face. I think it's the "ye."

Most of HTDAAB literally turns my stomach. Yahweh, AMAAW, ABOY are the worst.

Also highly dislike When Love Comes to Town, Red Light.

Marry me. I mean, I agree.

I would of fought you for her until i read the WLCTT comment. Red Light i dont even really remember so i'm sure i don't hate it.

Sorry lads, she's taken. Even if she underrates Stand-Up.

[TheLarryMullenBand]

IMO worst song from each album

Boy - Shadows and Tall Trees
October - Is That All?
War - The Refugee but I still like it
TUF - Elvis Presley and America
TJT - Trip
R&H - Van Dieman's Land
AB - So Cruel. but still a good song
Zooropa - Lemon
Pop - The Playboy Mansion
ATYCLB - tough but probably IALW
HTDAAB - ABOY
NLOTH - White as Snow

I agree with you on most of these but HOW is white as snow your worst? I know it's not a great song but it's not sh** either. So you think 'Boots is a better song than white as snow?

[The Grave]

IMO worst song from each album

Boy - Shadows and Tall Trees
October - Is That All?
War - The Refugee but I still like it
TUF - Elvis Presley and America
TJT - Trip
R&H - Van Dieman's Land
AB - So Cruel. but still a good song
Zooropa - Lemon
Pop - The Playboy Mansion
ATYCLB - tough but probably IALW
HTDAAB - ABOY
NLOTH - White as Snow

I agree with you on most of these but HOW is white as snow your worst? I know it's not a great song but it's not sh** either. So you think 'Boots is a better song than white as snow?

yea. I'm a fan of Boots, it's even better live. White as Snow just bores me

[TheLarryMullenBand]

IMO worst song from each album

Boy - Shadows and Tall Trees
October - Is That All?
War - The Refugee but I still like it
TUF - Elvis Presley and America
TJT - Trip
R&H - Van Dieman's Land
AB - So Cruel. but still a good song
Zooropa - Lemon
Pop - The Playboy Mansion
ATYCLB - tough but probably IALW
HTDAAB - ABOY
NLOTH - White as Snow

I agree with you on most of these but HOW is white as snow your worst? I know it's not a great song but it's not sh** either. So you think 'Boots is a better song than white as snow?

yea. I'm a fan of Boots, it's even better live. White as Snow just bores me

Personally, from experience, it doesn't sound any different live, just louder and it causes me to wince even more. As I said earlier in this thread, Get on Your Boots is one of the few U2 songs in their entire catalog that I full on loathe. There are no positive and or redeeming qualities for this song. The lyrics are beyond insufferable, as it's an obvious attempt to recreate Vertigo. U2 got caught making a crappy attempt at a radio song. The song is so plastic and such throwaway that it, as well as Crazy Tonight and Stand Up Comedy are total throwaways. Those three songs kill the theme and structure of that album and 'Boots does by far the most damage. Last thing, releasing that song as their first single was probably the dumbest decisions they've ever made. It probably cost them millions in sales by making a terrible first impression of the album as a whole. Good day to you, sir.

[The Grave]

IMO worst song from each album

Boy - Shadows and Tall Trees
October - Is That All?
War - The Refugee but I still like it
TUF - Elvis Presley and America
TJT - Trip
R&H - Van Dieman's Land
AB - So Cruel. but still a good song
Zooropa - Lemon
Pop - The Playboy Mansion
ATYCLB - tough but probably IALW
HTDAAB - ABOY
NLOTH - White as Snow

I agree with you on most of these but HOW is white as snow your worst? I know it's not a great song but it's not sh** either. So you think 'Boots is a better song than white as snow?

yea. I'm a fan of Boots, it's even better live. White as Snow just bores me

Personally, from experience, it doesn't sound any different live, just louder and it causes me to wince even more. As I said earlier in this thread, Get on Your Boots is one of the few U2 songs in their entire catalog that I full on loathe. There are no positive and or redeeming qualities for this song. The lyrics are beyond insufferable, as it's an obvious attempt to recreate Vertigo. U2 got caught making a crappy attempt at a radio song. The song is so plastic and such throwaway that it, as well as Crazy Tonight and Stand Up Comedy are total throwaways. Those three songs kill the theme and structure of that album and 'Boots does by far the most damage. Last thing, releasing that song as their first single was probably the dumbest decisions they've ever made. It probably cost them millions in sales by making a terrible first impression of the album as a whole. Good day to you, sir.

while you say those things about Boots, White as Snow is still worse. really boring and a shame while songs like Winter and Every Breaking Wave didn't make the album. I love NLOTH, including Crazy and SUC which is my second favorite song on the album. So yes, Boots isn't their best song, nor was it a great first single, but it's far better than White as Snow

[The Exile]

I'm a fan of Boots, it's even better live.

Due to Bono's vocal limitations over the course of a tour these days, the era of such-and-such a song being better live than on the album is pretty much over.

[tigerfan41]

^ For most songs, I'd agree with that assessment. I think there are still some songs that Bono may still be able to sing better live than on the album.

As for songs that I dislike, I'm really, really tired of hearing SBS and NYD. Also sort of burnt out on Pride and WTSHNN. Maybe eventually I'll like these songs again, but for now I'm just too sick of them to like them.