Bono tends to trade in platitudes these days, but the savvy U2ers know just how to spin it, assembling a montage of music icons mouthing the words to “Window In The Skies,” making even the band’s rounded edges (and generic lyrics) larger than life, and larger than themselves. If you’re not a U2 fan, they’ve thought of that, too; stick through it for footage of Jimi, Thom, Karen O, Elton, Marvin, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Bowie, Elvis, Plant, Flav, Sinatra, Kanye, Stevie, Kurt … you get the picture.
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whole lot of Arcade Fire and Coachella love in that video
So pretentious. but what else is new?…
(setting myself up for ridicule)
i actually think it is a decent song.
the video i was “ok”
This, sadly, plays worse than DJ Rashida’s work at the Prince shows in Vegas… and all she did was play Beastie Boys and the new Jay-Z over some Bollywood flick.
Pretty good song, and a fun video. Thumbs up.
Of course, I’m sure most people will hate it for being “pretentious.” Oy. Go listen to your Decemberists then, kids. ‘Cause they’re not pretentious AT ALL.
oohh an indie diss, this is getting hardore! FYI what is pretentious is to give the impression that their song is so great and universal that all these artists would sing it. Come on, give me a break, it’s an ok song but nothing extraordinary.
i can’t decide which sucks more, the song or the video. u2 becomes more and more irrelevant with each new release
i thought it was pretty moving; the song was kind of generic and sounded like everything else U2 has put out the last 5 years, but it was pretty. i liked how they themselves were shot in the crowd, as if they were just enjoying the performances of all those great artists- it was humbling i think, not pretentious.
boo. no echo and the bunnymen. c’mon!
couldnt agree more with Liv’s last two sentences . . . and I thought the word pretentious was going to be banned from blogs at some point
couldnt agree more with Liv’s last two sentences . . . and I thought the word pretentious was going to be banned from blogs at some point
around 3:36 you can see Apollo Sunshine!!
Like it.
Fucking beautiful.
Worth it for the snippet of Apollo Sunshine!!! Not a fan of their stuff as of late, but it’s a decent song-we’ve all heard much worse in our lives. Video is cool.
I think the fact that they put themselves in the audience is pretentious in that it’s clear attempt to appear non-pretentious. Suck on THAT Bono!
But aside from that, i enjoyed the video. I mean it could have been a LOT worse. Anyone see Alanis Morissette’s “Eight Easy Steps”? ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mYURZlbTbQ )
She couldn’t even manipulate her OWN footage right.
The video’s okay, but the song pretty much continues the trend of everything they’ve done since 2000 or so sounding like a competent cover band making a U2 pastiche while Bono trots out the most lazy 6th-form rubbish.. they used to be able to do anthemic without being super-melodramatic, and lyrics that at least had some semblance of depth to them…
the shot where bowie says “love” is the single sexiest moment in the history of U2
i like it. and it doesn’t seem pretentious at all, just a good idea and good execution.
Awww, well the song ain’t that bad, certainly better than that ‘when the saints go marching’ one with Green Day.
People seem to find all U2 offensive just because they are U2. I think it’s a misnomer to call U2 pretentious, just because Bono tends to speak frankly and unhindered – not that it makes any of their newer music great, unique or magical. But in spite of it all, U2 still does make better music in these later years as compared to most of the contemporaries that they began with. And really, as they evolve into a nice little adult-contemporary band, what does that hurt? It’s decent enough as background noise.
not pretentious at all, just effing STUPID … whatever, dudes
People like this?? Gimme a break. I’ll admit the song ain’t bad but gawd this is just Silly!
had a good time watching this
I honestly can’t stand U2 these days, but this was really moving. I got goose bumps. Love the Public Enemy Part.
I understand that a lot of the comments on this website are from misanthropic high school kids who find self worth in chastising anything remotely mainstream, but that video is amazing. I would love for one of the people who use the word “pretentious” to go look up its actual meaning. They might realize they are calling the proverbial kettle black.
Going to wait to watch the video, but the song itself to me is quite excellent and certainly on par with anything they’ve put out recently (whether that’s positive or negative is left to judgement). To my estimation, the word “pretentious” entails making a judgement or conclusion (a pretense) before seeing any evidence. What evidence is there to argue U2 ISN’T on pair with at least most if not all of these said acts? They are and have been THE biggest band in the world for- almost- 20 or so consecutive years. To my knowledge, Yeah Yeah Yeahs haven’t played Super Bowl half-time yet.
anthemic, abbey road sound. plays well to the 40-year olds, but then again, they ARE 40-year olds. Not the hippest thing going but Bono is like 65 and tours 10 months out of the year and saves small African republics. My dad’s his age and all he does is hit me up for cash. So yeah, I like U2.
Wow, a catchy pop song with a video probably none of us have seen anything like before, that must really be bad.
The lyrics are so very deep. If you would just meditate on them awhile they open up to reveal something that is truely transformational.
For those of you looking for cotton candy, it’s funny you consider U2 less than excellent.
However, this is the beauty of their work, it tends to work like a mirror…if there is a monkey listening, they miss the magic and just hear an organ grinder…
regardless of what you think of U2 the fact that bono uses his celebrity for social activism should be commended
Wow! I had no idea so many people had nothing better to do than write banal half-statements about a rock band. What an obscure and trifling existence you all lead.
U2 is the greatest band in the world. For those of you who don’t get it, you need to step out of your little superficial world. Go live in South Africa (as I have) and see people begging for food. Google Darfur and learn about the genocide produced by hate. Then you might realize the importance of what you call “generic lyrics.” How many bands can claim that they still sell out all of their concert dates after being around for more than 20 years? How many lead singers have done as much to ease the suffering from poverty and AIDS? Instead of complaining that Bono gets on your nerves, open your mind!!!! Get off of your lazy high school ass and contribute to society. Even though I am a college student, I realize that a band can be great even if they are forty something.
You pretentious bastards! How dare you condemn this video because you think all these “greats” wouldn’t sing a song so lame. By the way, where is your hit song? And could you possibly name all the people in this video? I thought not.
i dont care wat anybody says i think this video is sick. its jst givin trubute to all the greats from the past. props for u2 for doin it
Incredible video…U2 and/or Bono have absolutely nothing to apologize for. They get better and better in my opinion.
STILL THE GREATEST BAND IN THE WORLD!!!
they are the best no doubt