U2 - “The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)”

Songs Of Innocence (2014) - Buy (Free on iTunes OR album drops October 14)

The new U2 album is out, which, I’m sure you know about already if you’re even remotely a music “go-getter”.  I’ve already blogged 2 tracks this week and I think I’m gonna do a few more.  I really believe in this collection of songs.  It truly is their best work since the 1990s.  It’s not their best work.  I’m a huge U2 fan and quite frankly, I truly think their best work is behind them (see War, Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby), but that doesn’t mean they’re not producing great tunes.  It’s been 10 days and I’ve probably listened to the record nearly FIFTY times.  That’s no exaggeration–I’m THIS in love with Songs Of Innocence.  

Not my favorite on the record, but here is the opening track.  A loud banger, a tribute to the god father of punk, Joey Ramone.  Joey Ramone actually passed sometime in 2000, 2001?  I’m too lazy to check Wikipedia.  Anyway, he did so, listening to then new U2 record All That You Can’t Leave Behind.  He was a huge U2 fan, which is interesting because it was The Ramones that influenced U2.

In any case, this song is about Bono sneaking into a Ramones show in Dublin when he was a teenager back in the 1970s, and it tells the tale of a young Bono being woken up to the beauty of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and wanting to start a band after watching that gig.  Best part of this song is that it actually doesn’t sound like there’s 4 dudes in their 50s behind it.  It sounds energetic, fresh, I actually feel like moshing to it.

Here’s an article about what Joey Ramone’s friends and family have to say about U2’s tribute to god father of punk.  More new U2 to come in the following days.  Hang on to your hats (or head over to Pirate Bay to um… well you know).

http://www.mtv.com/news/1932397/joey-ramone-family-friends-u2-tribute-reaction/

- Marco Pitino