AN ASIDE: THE SUBLIME FROM THE RIDICULOUS
Since all we’re really doing today is staying on top of things and posting FUCK YEAH AMERICA videos: let us repeat that one of the most uniquely American moments of our cultural memory is watching a bunch of middle-aged Irish men sponsored by ETrade (proudly hawking themselves in the red, white, and blue) appear at the High Mass of American capitalism, the Super Bowl, and despite all odds, make something genuinely affecting. Fake as tits from the start, manufactured, choreographed to an extreme, and still magnificently real.
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1
poguemahone says:
So am I still lame for actually liking U2?
November 4th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
2
matt says:
yes
November 4th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
3
Kerwin4two says:
No, but what do I know, I’m old. I saw them play that song live, 20 years ago. I was probably wearing a members only jacket, too.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
4
PSUrob says:
I was there. Caught a plane down that was mostly FDNY. Thanks to Southwest, drinks were on the house.
You’re now free to get shit-faced.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
5
poguemahone says:
@ 1
Damn it.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
6
vegas_buckeye says:
O-
It’s funny that you’ve commented about “AMERICA FUCK YEAH” videos, as I’ve had this on constant repeat all day today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWS-FoXbjVI
BED BATH AND BEYOND!!!!
November 4th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
7
DC Trojan says:
I assume, since the clients block YouTube, that was the post 9/11 performance? Funny how sometimes a bunch of foreigners can say something meaningful to and about America, perhaps because they aren’t carrying the cultural baggage of locals and perhaps because they still believe.
The other day I was reminded that U2 also put in an appearance at the SuperDome for the first Saints home game after Katrina. Without malice towards U2, I don’t want to see them perform at a football game again any time soon. I think that they would understand that.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
8
Doug says:
Still the greatest NFL halftime show ever — one of maybe two or three I’ve ever actually enjoyed.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
9
kleph says:
“Funny how sometimes a bunch of foreigners can say something meaningful to and about America, perhaps because they aren’t carrying the cultural baggage of locals and perhaps because they still believe.”
like de tocqueville, right?
November 4th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
10
DC Trojan says:
like de tocqueville, right?
But with more Guinness. It’s a push on sweaty leather jackets however.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
11
Signal to Noise says:
U2 can and have coasted on their catalog up to Achtung Baby with some mediocre albums after it, and yet I still can’t get cynical about them.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
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Brian O'Blivion says:
I am waaaayy too fucking cool to like U2.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
13
sevenDs says:
The thing about U2 is that Bono no longer seems Irish. He carries himself more like the Hollywood type that is wanting to be in fashion and “cool.” He still does good deeds though (like organizing the Ronnie Drew tribute) and appears to be a stand up guy when comes to helping others. But when I see him, I can’t help but see someone trying to be cool instead of someone who is cool, like in the original video for “Pride (In the Name of Love)”.
U2 had so much passion up to the Joshua Tree, now they’re a good band with some good songs.
November 4th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
14
mgoblue98 says:
When he opens his jacket it’s cheesy and silly. And the room gets slightly dusty.
November 4th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
15
Mr. Pelican Pants says:
Wow, is this the episode where Johnny Drama gets a “shout out” from Bono on his B-day?
November 4th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
16
hlh says:
@7
Spoken like a true Cromwellian.
I keed.
November 4th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
17
John says:
This and Prince halftime show are the only good ones in recent memory.
November 4th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
18
DrBundy says:
Performed in the Superdome during halftime. Security was tighter than a virgin on prom night. There was no getting a vehicle within almost a 1 mile radius of the ‘Dome. Fighter jets and helicopters were thick as ’skeeters on a back bay on a windless night. It was fucking eerie seeing men with machine guns and battle gear patrolling the stadium perimeter. It still gives me chills watching that performance, though. Cheesy or not, it was a beautiful tribute to a horrible event, and it made everyone in that stadium stop and think.
Who knew that 4 years later Green Day and Bono would be back to help us heal a little again? I don’t pray at the altar of Bono, or worship at the castle Windmill (the studio where many of their albums were recorded) but there’s something about a U2 performance after disaster of epic proportions that just lifts everyone up. It even became an anthem down here, and it’s still used by the media in regards to the Saints (specifically) and the recovery (generally).
/melancholy reminiscing
November 4th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
19
Daywalker trailer park says:
This is profoundly affecting…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8p_aogGL2U
November 4th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
20
Studley says:
DrBundy @ 18 – I remember flying back to DFW out of NOLA that morning. There were twice as many security folk than normal at MSY to make sure no one could try to obtain a jetliner to fly into the Dome. It was truly a surreal scene.
November 4th, 2008 at 8:29 pm