U2: "Happy Xmas" (And Some Thoughts)

Here's U2 in 1988 performing John Lennon's 1971 classic "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)."  Its indeed the holiday season again, and a time for joy as well as introspection. I love looking back nostalgically at the past, especially a hopeful moments. As typically nostalgic as this may sound, it does seem to me that things were more genuinely joyful and hopeful in times past. Of course, there was obviously still pain and sadness then too (after all, there were wars, and crises, and problems, and crime back then too). But it honestly seems to me as if those moments when joy and hope were present seemed more real and full back then. There was a greater space for things like genuine happiness, without irony.  Today, there seems to be a harshness in the air, and happiness just a little more circumscribed.


Here's a song I enjoyed listening to back in the '80s, Pat Benatar's "We Belong." Its not  a Christmas song, but one that maybe invokes a spirit that is applicable year round, including the holiday season. I guess I'm taking this time to ask that we think about whats going on, and what we can do. Maybe we can reach out to one another.  Maybe we can reach into our faiths and beliefs.  Maybe we can listen to one another better. Maybe we can all give thought to how to make the world less bitter, and more hopeful.

To all my readers:

Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Hannukkah!!!

Happy Holidays!!!

U2 (Late '80s)

During the early '80s, U2 was a band with a growing cult following, known for its idealistic and sometimes spiritual songs. During the mid to late '80s, U2 became an enormously popular worldwide phenomenon, playing to stadiums and dominating the music charts. See the previous post on this part of U2's career.

The breakthrough moment for U2's popularity was perhaps their phenomenal performance at the Live Aid concert, which drew attention to the band from many who had not yet been followers.

In 1987, the U2 released The Joshua Tree, a critically acclaimed album that also topped the charts and became a blockbuster seller internationally. The Joshua Tree spawned several hits, including the shimmering "With or Without You."

Here, "Where The Streets Have No Name," also from The Joshua Tree.

In 1988, U2 released a rockumentary film, Rattle and Hum, with an accompanying album that included collaborations with B.B.King, Bob Dylan, and Harlem's New Voices of Freedom gospel choir.  Above, "Angel of Harlem," from Rattle and Hum.

In the years since the end of the '80s, U2 has become an international phenomenon, and perhaps the most acclaimed acclaimed band to emerge out of the '80s decade. 

U2 (Early '80s)

For many young people growing up in the '80s, U2 was a band that represented the idealistic side of the decade: the part of the decade that represented hoping for a better world and striving for something beyond mundane materialism. U2 eventually would become among the greatest rock superstars in history. But before that, they were a striving alternative band with high ideals.  

In "Gloria," from the 1981 album, October, U2 shows the compelling combination of spirituality and hope and good rock n roll that represented their work. The song is essentially a prayer. According to Wikipedia:

The chorus "Gloria in te Domine / Gloria exultate" translates to "Glory in You, Lord / Glory, exalt [Him]" with "exalt" in the imperative mood, a reference to Psalm 30:2 (in te Domine, speravi). The song also contains references to Colossians 2:9-10 ("Only in You I'm complete") and James 5:7-9 ("The door is open / You're standing there").

In "Sunday Bloody Sunday," from their 1982 album, War, U2 brings out their earnest idealism, in a song protesting the violence which was then a fact of life in Northern Ireland.

"Pride (in the Name of Love)", a soaring anthem from the 1984 album The Unforgetable Fire, is a tribute to Martin Luther King. 

'80s Christmas Songs

Every year I always celebrate the holidays by blogging about Christmas songs, especially from the '80s. So let's start this holiday season with my latest Christmas song post.  All of these were posted before on my blog, but its become a holiday tradition on this blog, so here they are to enjoy. To all my readers:

Merry Christmas

Happy Hannukah

Happy Holidays

Billy Squire, "Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You."  This song is so cheerful, it just picks you up for the holidays.

Wham, "This Christmas." I always say that this is the most 80s-esque song and video of the season, from '80s faves Wham. Check it out and imagine youre in 1985.

U2, "Baby Please Come Home."  From '80s rockers U2, a classy yet very rock n' roll Christmas song.

John Mellencamp, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." From the same guy who gave us "Hurts So Good," and "Pink Houses." Mellencamp gets all family for Christmas.

Recalling Live Aid

This past week included the anniversary of the gigantic, two stadium Live Aid concert, which was held on July 13, 1985 in Philadelphia and London.

It was one of the most momentous events of the 1980s, and one that I remember vividly and quite fondly. Being the music nut that I was at the time (and still am), I listened intently to the coverage of the concerts which was being played over the radio.  At night, television coverage kicked in, and I saw that too.

Above is U2 at Live Aid, giving a the classic performance of "Bad." 
I love the atmospheric sound of this song. 

Here is the first part of a documentary I previously posted, which gives a good account of the run up to the big event. As noted in the documentary, Live Aid was part of a big effort to aid victims of a devastating famine in Ethiopia.  

One of the documentary's most satisfying parts for me is the account of Bob Geldolf, musician with the Boomtown Rats and one of the main organizers of the event, telling off the brutal dictator of Ethiopia to his face.  

Here's part 2 of the documentary.

Unfortunately, there was some controversy over whether sufficient amounts of the aid had gotten to the victims, and whether the organizers and supporters of Live Aid had acted sufficiently to end some of the brutal practices of Ethiopia's communist government.  A 1986 article in Spin magazine gives that point of view.

Happy New Year

 

From 1988, U2's version of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"

 

Another year over,

And a new one just begun,

 

.....A very Merry Christmas,

And a Happy New Year,

We hope its a good one,

without any fear

'80s Christmas Songs: U2 and Wham!

Heres a great '80s Christmas Song, from a group of '80s musical greats: U2 doing "(Christmas) Baby Please Come Home," off of the '80s charity album "A Very Special Christmas."

And here's '80s British popsters Wham! with a very '80s Christmas song and video: "Last Christmas" from 1984.

Wishing all my readers a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy Holidays!!