I like the song "All Because of You" by U2 (from their How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb CD). "M," a more devoted U2 fan than I, hates it because of this:
"All because of you,
All because of you,
All because of you, I am..."
I like the song but he is right. That is a shit chorus. That is actually not a chorus at all. "M" taunted me about that on multiple occasions. What could I say? He was right about the chorus, just not the song. Then I got my revenge. "M," in addition to being a knowledgeable U2 fan, is also a huge Springsteen fan. He likes a song called "Loose Change" (which is on the Tracks box set). The refrain of "Loose Change:"
"Loose change in my pocket,
Loose change in my pocket"
I rest my case. It should be noted not every song needs to have a killer chorus to be a good song. Personally, I like songs with great choruses and I also like "All Because of You." A chorus is not a necessity but if a songwriter is going to write a chorus, it should be a good one. You want an example of a good chorus? Check out "Amsterdam:"
"I'm gonna write you a letter
I'm gonna write you a book
I wanna see your reaction
I wanna see how it looks
From way up on your cloud
Where you've been hiding out
Are you getting somewhere?
Or did you get lost in Amsterdam?"
That, along with the fabulously catchy music and vocals, is a chorus. Rejoice, all ye fans of great pop music, there are still songwriters who understand the concept of a great chorus.
The music is a little louder in the mix than the vocals. This is up-tempo, guitar pop. There are layers and layers of guitars, a trick their earlier songs did not employ.
Some of the guitars have that jangle of early R.E.M. while others have a big, rave-up sound that, when combined with a never-ending groove, will force you to move some part of your body while you listen. Don't fight it when you get the urge to air-guitar that Pete Townshend windmill trick. Let the moment take you. Be the Pete. Dial 9-1-1 if you are sitting still while listening to this song because your ass is about to die.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
my god...what have i done?
2 - DJRadiohead
The fact you made it all the way through is thanks enough, Saleski.
3 - Mat Brewster
What happened to the DJ flipping the bird picture? That was right up there with Dawn as Jennifer Anniston, or was it Jennifer Anniston as Dawn, I forget. Either way, I need that picture. Of you and the bird, not of Dawn or Jennifer Anniston, not that Dawn and Jennifer Anniston are bad pictures to have. I have blown those pictures up and hung them above my....oh um, I've said too much.
Good review Sir DJ.
4 - DJRadiohead
Sir Brewster, thanks for checking out the screed. I had a brief bout of the paranoia and removed the snapshots from the interweb. I must have forgotten my meds that day--- SHUT UP, I'm typing---! Anyroad, I might bring the picture out now that I seem to have recovered from my odd behavior---I SAID I'M BUSY!!--- Thanks for reading.
5 - Khara
i toally agree, but while you are at it, check out their first 3 albums, Parachute, Goldfly, & Lost & Gone Forever. More acoustic, more bongos, even better than these 2!
6 - DJRadiohead
Khara, glad you found this. I do own all their albums, including the live CD/DVD. I actually prefer these later records to the early ones. I know a lot of fans like the acoustic/bongo stuff better. I like both, prefer the more recent stuff.
Thanks for commenting!