So I just saw U2 in DC with a couple friends of mine who both play bass. Had to endure the “Doesn’t he just play eighth notes and the root?” nonsense about Adam. Of course I tried to defend him and say there’s more than just WOWY. I ended up putting together a playlist of what I think are his more impressive bass lines. What do you think? Are there any glaring omissions? (I went for more complex, showy parts. Stuff like SDABTO, while groovy, aren’t that difficult.)
Twilight
The Ocean
Gloria
Scarlet
New Year’s Day
Two Hearts Beat As One
The Unforgettable Fire
Love Comes Tumbling
Zoo Station
Even Better Than the Real Thing
Lemon
Please
A Man and a Woman
Magnificent
Volcano
Red Flag Day
The Blackout
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I’d cut the Ocean, as in the current chronological arrangement it doesn’t really get going as a playlist until Gloria.
I might put Tomorrow and Seconds on there. Bullet and the live A Sort of Homecoming are great too. Also 40 deserves a spot (not Adam but there’s no reason they need to know that. . .)
Daddy’s Gonna Pay’s distorted bass is super cool, as is The Wanderer’s. Also more POP, Adam’s best album. Gone, Do You Feel Loved, Mofo, lovely baselines all. Moment of Surrender also has good bass.
Only other thing is I wouldn’t want to torture them with Volcano. Crystal Ballroom has much better bass anyway.