I love blogging the A to Z Blog Challenge - blogging everyday in April, except Sundays, on a specific theme. I loved doing it last year, and I enjoyed it even more this year. I think I enjoy the challenge so much because I am one who likes to to lists things, rank my favorites. This year’s theme, in case you missed it was ‘My U2 from A to Z’ – about what aspects of U2 that has influenced me. It was fun, and it seemed I may have introduced a few new U2 topics. Just in case you were away from the internet in April, the following is what I wrote about: Achtung Baby, Bono, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Drums, Elevation Tour, First U2 Show, Get on Your Boots, Hallelujah Here She Comes and all B Sides from R & H and JT, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Joshua Tree, Kentucky Lexington Elevation 5.4.01, Larry Mullen Jr, Memphis Mullen, No Line on the Horizon, October, Popmart, Quest Field Seattle 360, Rattle and Hum, Storm Electrical, Three-Sixty (360) Tour, Unforgettable Fire, Vertigo Tour, War, X-Factor Fake U2 Audition, Yahwey, and ZooTv.
Larry hugging me
I also blogged the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z. I am not sure what I am going to write about U2 now since the new album and tour won’t be for several months, so if you have any suggestions please let me know.
Technically it’s The Unforgettable Fire, but I always refer to it as Unforgettable Fire - and for the rest of this post I’ll just use UF. UF has always been one of my favorite U2 songs. It is also one of my favorite U2 albums, and it is a great video. I love when Larry looks up and flashes that sweet smile. UF is probably my favorite Larry look.
I had never heard UF live until the US 360 tour opener in Chicago 2009. I was SO excited, and very emotional, to finally hear UF in concert, but unfortunately they changed it and cut out my favorite part – “Stay this time, stay tonight in a lie. I’m only asking, but I, I think you know. Come on take me away, come on take me away. Come on take me home, home again.” But it was really cool when Bono sang the first verse of UF to us in Charlottesville a month later.
This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z.
I really don’t think I can fit everything about U2′s 360 Tour into one blog post. It changed my life, literally. I saw 8 shows on the first US leg in 2009 and all 16 shows on the second US leg in 2011. The 2009 US leg of the 360 tour was what I normally did on U2 tours – saw as many shows as was geographically and financially possible with my old U2 friends. It was the 2011 US leg of the 360 tour was what changed my life. I took three months off of my life and drove across the country with my two dogs to all 16 US shows – and saw so much of America along the way. I made so many new friends, visited many great cities, started this blog, wrote a book (which I’m still trying to publish) about my adventures on the road with U2.
My rate the shows I saw on the U2 360 2009 Tour as follows: Las Vegas my favorite and DC, Oklahoma, Chicago1 are close seconds. The other four are probably in the order of Raleigh, Charlottesville, Chicago2, then Atlanta being my least favorite. For me how I rank a U2 show is more than just how the actual U2 concert was, although that’s a big part of it. It’s about who I saw the show with, what city we’re in, where in the concert we’re standing and unfortunately what happened that day leading up to the show. And if I’m going to be completely honest, what sort of Larry moment I had. The Las Vegas show was my favorite because it was a great U2 show, and it was in my second favorite city Las Vegas. It was a great set list that included ‘Viva Las Vegas’ as well as a snippet of In God’s Country. During the band introductions, Bono said Larry was the ‘Elvis of U2.’ Those two Elvis moments really made the show for me. Another great moment was when Larry smiled and waved to me at the beginning of I’ll Go Crazy. The Vegas show was also great because the whole day was relaxed, hanging out with everyone outside before the show and having the freedom to move around wherever I wanted during the show. The DC, Oklahoma and Chicago1 shows were tied for second for very different reasons. I loved the DC show even though it had my least favorite set list because U2 did not play No Line on the Horizon and didn’t replace it with anything. Even though I went alone, the DC show had a great energy from both the audience and the band. This was my hometown show plus it was my first time at the front rail on this tour, and the most centered I ever was. And I did have my Larry moment when he smiled at me from the drumkit while I was jumping up and down in my Larry Mullen Band shirt. And I didn’t imagine it either because someone came up to me after and told me she saw Larry smile at me. Oklahoma was great because it was the first time I was really relaxed and moved around the concert. The first time I went back behind the stage to watch Larry and have room all to myself – not worrying about ‘my spot.’ Larry smiled and waved at me at the beginning of I’ll Go Crazy. Chicago1 was amazing because it was my first show of the tour, and it had the best set list of the tour. I heard Unforgettable Fire for the first time and Pride and Bad, two of my all-time favorite songs, were played for the only time of the eight shows I saw that leg. Chicago1 was very stressful though and very exhausting because we waited in the GA line all day in the hot sun and then had people all around us smushed up against us during the concert. The Raleigh show was good because it was my birthday show (a day early), and I heard In a Little While (my favorite song off All That You Can’t Leave Behind) for the first time since the Elevation Tour. We also go to hear the sound check and had the perfect spot on the catwalk where Larry, Adam and Edge each stopped in front of us during I’ll Go Crazy. The Charlottesville show was good because we stood at the front rail on the side of the stage, Bono sang a verse of Unforgettable Fire to us, and I could really hear Larry’s ‘HEY HEY HEYs’ during Get on Your Boots because the vocals were SO loud. At the time, I did not appreciate the Charlottesville show because of all the horrible traffic we encountered getting to the show. The Chicago2 show was good because Your Blue Room was played for the first time ever, and it was a very relaxed show. The Atlanta show probably would have been better if I wasn’t sick and alone. I had a great spot at the front rail in front of Adam and Larry gave me a nod from the drumkit during Beautiful Day even without my Larry Mullen Band tee. For the first time in my life, and I hope the only time, I left a U2 show early. I left during One because I was so sick, but at least I got to see a little of the show from across the stadium for the first time. A great thing about 360 2009 was that I got to see U2 in cities I had never seen them in before and obviously visit cities I’ve never been to. My whole life I had wanted to visit Chicago and go to Wrigley Field. Because of U2, I got to do that and now I love Chicago! I had always wanted to visit Atlanta as well and got to do that. Although I’m not a huge fan of Atlanta, but I am glad I got to visit the Martin Luther King sites. I had never really wanted to go to Oklahoma, but it was cool to see it. And I had been to Las Vegas twice before, so any excuse to go to Vegas. I love Vegas! 360 2009 was also great because I got to see and hang out with a lot of friends that I hadn’t really seen since the Elevation Tour, because I wasn’t really into the Vertigo Tour.
I had always wanted to drive across the country, and I had always wanted to follow U2 on tour – the whole tour. And last summer that is exactly what I did. I wasn’t working and barely had enough money, but I packed up the car and Elvis, Cilla and I left our house for three months to drive to every U2 show in the US on the last leg of the 360 Tour. Along the way, I visited great American sights, saw 16 fantastic U2 concerts and met many great people.
the traveling threesome
We drove over 18,000 miles through 31 states – some states we drove through multiple times. We drove through and/or stayed in Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Delaware, New Jersey and Minnesota. I visited Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Deadwood in South Dakota, Red Rocks in Denver, Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Reno and Lake Tahoe in Nevada, the Experience Music Project and Kurt Cobain’s house in Seattle, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Harmony Hotel, Joshua Tree Park and Elvis’ homes in Palm Springs, took a bus tour of LA and Hollywood, visited Johnny Cash’s grave outside of Nashville, Bronz Fonz and Summerfest in Milwaukee, the Football Hall of Fame, and saw Soundgarden in Philadelphia. My favorite places were Mount Rushmore, Palm Springs, and Milwaukee.
I saw all 16 U2 360 shows in the US. My favorite moments (my squealing moments) of each U2 360 concert were the following: watching U2 walk through the crowd and walk to the stage, Larry banging the drums to open Even Better Than the Real Thing - boom boom! boom! boom boom!, when Larry and his drums turned around to face behind the stage (where I was) during Mysterious Ways, Larry standing up (back to back with Bono) banging the drums singing “LET ME IN THE SOUND” during Get on Your Boots, Larry walking around with his conga during I’ll Go Crazy, Larry and his drums turned around to face behind the stage (where I was) and then Bono rapping at him during Sunday Bloody Sunday, Larry’s drum solo during Scarlet, and watching U2 leave the stage and walk through the crowd to the tunnel leaving the stadium.
it’s all about Larry
My favorite U2 360 shows were Anaheim2, Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Seattle, but each of the 16 US shows were special. The Denver show was special because it was the first U2 show in the US on the last leg of 360, it was the first time I heard Zooropa and Scarlet, it was in the stadium where my beloved Denver Broncos play, and I met Beth. The Salt Lake City show was special because I heard Love Rescue Me, one of my favorite songs, for the first time. The Seattle show was one of my favorites because I talked with Bono before the show about meeting Larry, Larry walked over to me smiling and shook my hand as he walked to the tunnel as he left the stadium, I watched the show with Jenny, and I met Chuck. The Oakland show was special because Larry sang a part of Lou Reed’s A Perfect Day and I talked with Bono again before the show about meeting Larry. The first show in Anaheim was special because it was the first time Paul McGuinness had ever been on stage. The second show in Anaheim was my favorite 360 show because U2 brought back my favorite song I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For for the first time that leg and I cried, and they completely changed the set list by opening the show with five straight songs off Achtung Baby then played Streets. The Baltimore show was special because it was the loudest audience of the tour, Larry took off his shirt on the way to his car after the show, I got the set list and I watched the show with Tasha. The East Lansing show was special because it stayed light through Elevation and U2 entered through the bleachers up top behind the stage. The Miami show was special because it was the first time U2 played North Star in the US. The Nashville show was special because it was the first time U2 played The Wanderer, in honor of Johnny Cash, they brought up a blind guitar player at the end of the show to play All I Want Is You, and it was the first time I saw Larry get out of his car at the stadium. The Chicago show was one of my favorites because it was the first time I had ever heard One Tree Hill, which was completely spontaneous and the first time it was played in the US since 1987, U2 played Out of Control for the first time in the US that leg, and I shook Edge’s hand before the show. The Philadelphia show was special because U2 brought back the original version of Magnificent and moved it down in the set list, I watched the show will old Elevation friends, and I met Natasha. The St. Louis show was one of my favorites because of the amazing energy both from the audience and U2, and I got a little shout out from Bono about the Larry Mullen Band. The New Jersey show was special because it ended with Out of Control, it was the longest show of the tour, and I met Anisha. The Minneapolis show was special because it was the only show in the US that leg that it rained, a drenching downpour complete with lightning, and I danced in the rain throughout the show with Deb and her husband. The Pittsburgh show was one of my favorites because it was the last US show, Matt and Melissa danced on stage during With or Without You, U2 closed with Bad (one of my favorite songs which was played for the first time in the US that leg), watching the show with Abbey, and my favorite moment of the entire tour was when Larry hugged me on his way to the stage.
I had the best summer of my life on the U2 360 Tour. I learned there really is humidity in Southern California, to never drive around Chicago or Atlanta (especially on July 4th weekend), don’t avoid an outdoor concert in Miami in the summer because you think it is going to be too hot because the shows in St. Louis, Baltimore and Nashville were much hotter, and U2 fans really are the greatest. But the most important thing I learned is to always follow your passion, even if you think it’s impossible or impractical. If I had thought logically and practically, I would have skipped the second Anaheim show to make it an easier drive from California to Maryland to make it to the Baltimore show, but then I would have missed my favorite show of the tour. And if I had been thinking logically and practically, I would have never even gone on the trip to begin with because I couldn’t really afford it, but then I would have missed out on the best summer of my life On the Road with U2 on the 360 Tour.
This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z.
The U2 360 show in Seattle was better than the previous two shows I had been to in Denver and Salt Lake City. Even though it was the same set list, the audience was much more into it, the band was having a blast and actually seemed a little more into as well, Lenny Kravitz was a better opening act than The Fray, and oh yeah I talked with Bono before the show about Larry and Larry shook my hand as he was leaving the show.
U2 360 Seattle 6.4.11
To conserve energy on that rare sunny day on June 4th, Jenny and I took a cab to Qwest Field – even though it was just under a mile away. We got to the stadium at 3:00, got in the GA line just long enough to get our wristbands and then walked around to wait for U2 to arrive. We met some new folks and talked with old friends. I met Chuck and Michelle whom I’ve stayed friends with. Chuck and I would go on to see many other shows together. They told us Larry had just went in, so I was a little disappointed – but they were wrong.
U2 in Seattle
Qwest Field
After a short time, we saw the flashing lights of the police escort and black SUVs. Edge, Bono, Adam AND LARRY drove into Qwest Field right in front of us. We looked down the long driveway and saw Bono get out and head back toward us. He hopped on the back of the policeman’s motorcycle and in seconds was talking with us. Jenny and I were in our ‘Larry Mullen Band’ shirts as usual. I shouted, “Is Larry ever coming out to greet the fans?” Bono responded, “He only likes you. I love you.” Then Bono went on to say, “You like that kind of cold stare” (referring to Larry). Before Bono was about to leave, he asked the small crowd of about 30 people, “Where are the Larry Mullen people?” I shouted, ‘Right here!” and pushed my way toward Bono. He read my shirt as if to make sure I was the ‘Larry Mullen Band’ girl he had been talking to earlier. Then Bono asked, “Do you have a message I can deliver?” I was confused and frantic. I thought he was going to tell me a message from Larry, but I quickly realized what he had said and I replied, “Yes, tell Larry to come out in Oakland since he didn’t come out here.” He said, “OK.” I then went on to tell him that I would be at all the US shows, but I don’t think he heard me. Bono then asked my name and repeated it back to me, “Deena.” When he got in his golf cart to go back, I saw him write something down. I was hoping it was my message to Larry. I had no idea what this conversation would eventually lead to almost two months later in Pittsburgh.
Chuck, Bono and me
The Larry Mullen Band
We got in the GA line and had about an hour wait in the hot Seattle sun before we were let into Qwest Field. While waiting we got to hear the sound check. I was quite excited to hear The Fly, but disappointed it wasn’t included in the set list later. Once inside, we got a nice spot in the inner circle on Adam’s side – a great view for Lenny Kravitz. Lenny was a great opening act, a lot better than The Fray. He didn’t take the stage until 7:30 and only played 45 minutes, but played the four songs I know – It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over, American Woman, Fly Away, and Are You Gonna Go My Way. Lenny had these great female backup singers that reminded me of Elvis’ Sweet Inspirations. Lenny also did karate moves that reminded me of Elvis. Could Lenny be a fan of The King? Please watch my video of an overview of Lenny Kravitz opening in Seattle.
Lenny Kravitz
After Lenny Kravitz’ performance, we went over to Edge’s side and stood behind the stage to wait for U2 to enter. It was odd getting our neck’s stamped (instead of our hands) for re-entry to the inner circle, but this was to be the practice for most of the tour. Security kicked us off the rail where we were waiting for U2 to enter, claiming the fire marshall wanted that space cleared. So instead of having us lined up along the rail like we were, they had us lined up horizontally sort of blocking the way to the inner circle. Not sure how that wasn’t a fire hazard. This was also to happen for most of the tour. But as soon as U2 came out of that tunnel, security couldn’t hold us back and we were again on the rail. Larry came by and smiled at me, and I think he may have waved – of course I was screaming his name and wearing my Larry Mullen Band shirt. We decided to stay on Edge’s side for the show, and it was a good decision. We had a great view of the show. It was side view, but we could see everything. During Even Better Than the Real Thing, Bono shouted, “The Emerald City shining in the sun.”
the Edge
During Get on Your Boots right before my favorite “LET ME IN THE SOUND”, Bono said, “Larry Mullen!” Apparently he did this at most shows, but I never heard him because I was too busy screaming. I would get SO excited for Get on Your Boots! Before Magnificent, Bono said, “Here comes the Boss – the Arch” (referring to Arch Bishop Desmin Tutu and his part in the Magnificentremix.
U2 in Seattle
Before Until the End of the World, Bono sings, “It’s the end of the world as we know it. Edge feels fine.” Some folks from REM were at the show. During the band introductions, Bono talked about how June 4th was a date we are all going to remember. He again mentioned the rare sunny day in Seattle. He said the band was going to start again and we should pretend we didn’t know them. Bono said, “You think of him as a tough guy, but he’s a very thoughtful man. On the drums, Larry Mullen Jr!”
Bono
For the first time, video of Commander Kelly at the Space Station is shown before Beautiful Day. He is holding words from the song and then says, “Tell my wife I love her.” Video of Kelly is shown later in the song as he recites the lyrics. Commander Kelly is married to Gabby Gifford who was shot months earlier. This video was played before Beautiful Dayfor the rest of the tour. The audience would get really excited each time he would say their city’s name. I don’t think they realized it was recorded and he was actually talking to us from space.
where’s adam?
At the end of Vertigo, we went behind the stage to wait for Larry and his conga to start his walk for I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight. He again smiled at me as I screamed his name and jumped up and down – actually I think he was laughing at me, but I’ll take it. For Moment of Surrender, we moved behind the stage to wait for U2 to leave. Instead of standing by the stairs at the stage where we could have gotten a good picture, we waited back toward where the tunnel is. As Larry was walking out, Jenny shouted, “Larry!” He smiled and made a b line for us. He shook Jenny’s hand and then mine – still smiling. I thanked him. Excited as I was, I thought to myself that this does not excuse Larry from coming out to meet me in Oakland, assuming Bono gives him my message.
my favorite picture of Larry I took this tour
As we were walking through the crowded parking lot, we passed by Eddie Vedder and his bodyguard looking for their car. I of course ran after them to try to get a picture, but was unsuccessful. I did manage to snap one just before Eddie was getting into the car, but it was of course blurry and of the back of him.
chasing Eddie Vedder
The set list for the June 4th 360 show in Seattle was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, Elevation, It’s the End of the World as We Know It / Until the End of the World / Where Have All the Flowers Gone, All I Want Is You, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque /Life During Wartime / Psycho Killer, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On /You’ll Never Walk Alone, One / Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Where the Streets Have No Name / All You Need is Love, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender.
That Seattle show is still one of my favorites of the 360 tour. It had a much a better energy than the previous two I had seen in Denver and Salt Lake City. Also, it was great to see it with my old Elevation friend Jenny – I had been alone at my first two shows. It was also the show where I met Chuck, whom I have stayed friends with and saw many shows with on 360. Seattle was where I met and spoke with Bono about meeting Larry and where Larry shook my hand as he left. It was a great night!
This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z.
No Line on the Horizon was released in March 2009, and I immediately fell in love it with as I had with All That You Can’t Leave Behind. U2 promoted their new release with five consecutive nights on the David Letterman Show and a mini concert and interview at Fordham University broadcasted on Good Morning America. My favorite songs off of No Line are Get on Your Boots, I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight, Breathe, No Line on the Horizon, and Moment of Surrender. U2 went on the road to support No Line on the Horizon with the 360 Tour. For this tour, U2 went back to stadiums. I will write about my adventures on the 360 Tour later in the challenge (on the ‘T’ day), and I already wrote about my love for Get on Your Boots.
This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z.
I don’t remember if it was when I moved to Memphis or right before the U2 360 Tour that I changed my social media name to Memphis Mullen. I do remember that it was my friend Jenny who gave me that name. I changed my email and twitter name to Memphis Mullen, as well as my blog and youtube channel. The Memphis was because I lived in Memphis and also represented Elvis, and the Mullen was for Larry Mullen. So there I was Memphis Mullen. I started posting my new U2 blog ‘On the Road with U2′, written by Memphis Mullen. On the U2 360 tour in 2011, I wore the same thing to every concert so I was easily recognizable – straw cowboy hat and black ‘Larry Mullen Band’ tee. (I had 3 of the same tee shirts that I rotated over the 16 shows.) I even made ‘Memphis Mullen’ shirts for non-show days – driving days. I would meet other fans who would call me Memphis Mullen, or just Memphis. Shortly after the end of the U2 360 Tour, I moved back to Maryland. I thought I could not be Memphis Mullen any longer since I didn’t live in Memphis. I thought about changing my name to Maryland Mullen, but in the end I went with Deenas Days to match my other blog and other youtube channel. But to be honest, I do miss Memphis Mullen.
Memphis Mullen
This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z.
I love the song Get on Your Boots off No Line on the Horizon specifically for the line “Let me in the sound.” It summarized my entire three-month road trip on the U2 360 tour in 2011. It was sort of my anthem as I traveled across the country driving to all 16 US U2 360 shows. I coupled it with a line from Breathe, “I’ve found grace inside a sound” – “Let me in the sound.”When I listen to Get on Your Boots now, I flash back to hearing it live on the U2 360 tour. Larry and Bono would stand back to back and sing, “LET ME IN THE SOUND!” Larry singing while standing and beating the drums would get me SO excited! The song’s music as a whole is very energetic and makes me really happy! But the line, “Let me in the sound,” just does it for me.
This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z.
When I started this journey into U2 songs and their spirituality, I thought Unknown Caller would be the obvious choice for most spiritual song off No Line on the Horizon - as a telephone call from God, or to God. (Since my research, it seems that other songs are just as spiritual.) I didn’t love Unknown Caller until I heard it live on the 360 Tour in 2009, and now whenever I see the time 3:33 I think of Unknown Caller – just another U2ism to add to my repertoire. “3:33 when the numbers fell off the clock face” is probably a reference to Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know,” which Bono has referred to as God’s telephone number. Also if you look closely at the cover of All That You Can’t Leave Behind, you will notice J33:3. Once he reaches God in Unknown Caller, ”Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak.” This may be in reference to Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
do you see the J33:3 on the left?
Sunshine, sunshine
Sunshine, sunshine
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
I was lost between the midnight and the dawning
In a place of no consequence or company
3:33 when the numbers fell off the clock face
Speed dialling with no signal at all
Go, shout it out, rise up
Oh, oh
Escape yourself, and gravity
Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak
Shush now
Oh, oh
Force quit and move to trash
I was right there at the top of the bottom
On the edge of the known universe where I wanted to be
I had driven to the scene of the accident
And I sat there waiting for me
Restart and re-boot yourself
You’re free to go
Oh, oh
Shout for joy if you get the chance
Password, you, enter here, right now
Oh, oh
You know your name so punch it in
Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak
Shush now
Oh, oh
Then don’t move or say a thing
I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight was my favorite song off No Line on the Horizon when it first came out and during the 360 2009 tour, but then Get on Your Boots surpassed it during the 360 2011 tour. It was always just a fun song to me, with great lyrics. In 2009, it was my favorite part of the 360 show – whenever Larry walks around the catwalk is my favorite part.
But more than just a fun Larry walking around the catwalk song, I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight has a pretty strong message – one that I am struggling with right now. I think Crazy is about having a difficult time starting your journey -”It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain as you start out the climb.” Specifically for me at this point in my life I interpret this as someone who has committed themself on a spiritual journey, but is finding it difficult getting started because of their sinning. A more direct spiritual reference in Crazy is the lyric “Is it true that perfect love drives out all fear?” This was most likely inspired by 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” If we truly know God’s love, then we would never be scared and would be able to deal with the crazy moments in our lives.
She’s a rainbow and she loves the peaceful life
Knows I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight
There’s a part of me in the chaos that’s quiet
And there’s a part of you that wants me to riot
Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit
Every sweet tooth needs just a little hit
Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?
A change of heart comes slow
It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain
As you start out the climb
Do you believe me, or are you doubting
We’re gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight
Every generation gets a chance to change the world
Pity the nation that won’t listen to your boys and girls
Cos the sweetest melody is the one we haven’t heard
Is it true that perfect love drives out all fear?
The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear
Oh, but a change of heart comes slow
It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain
As you start out the climb
Listen for me, I’ll be shouting
We’re gonna make it all the way to the light
But you now I’ll go crazy if I don?t go crazy tonight
Baby, baby, baby, I know I’m not alone
It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain
As we start out the climb
Listen for me, I’ll be shouting
Shouting to the darkness, squeeze out sparks of light
You know we’ll go crazy
You know we’ll go crazy if we don’t go crazy tonight
Oh oh
Slowly now
“It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain as you start out the climb.”
Moment of Surrender was one of my favorite songs off No Line on the Horizon from the moment I first listened to it. I thought it was a perfect choice to end each show of U2′s 360 Tour. In Nashville when introducing Moment of Surrender, Bono said, “This is the theme of the show. Thank you Lord.” For me, Moment of Surrender is about surrendering to God. After searching in the material world for happiness and fulfillment, you realize that it is pointless and at that moment you surrender to God because that is the only way you will be truly happy and fulfilled – “vision over visibility.” My favorite lyric from Moment of Surrender, after the passionate cry of the first line, is “It’s not if I believe in love but if love believes in me.” This is very similar to 1 John 4:10, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us…”
I tied myself with wire
To let the horses run free
Playing with the fire
Until the fire played with me
The stone was semi-precious
We were barely conscious
Two souls too cool to be
In the realm of certainty
Even on our wedding day
We set ourselves on fire
Oh God, do not deny her
It’s not if I believe in love
But if love believes in me
Oh, believe in me
At the moment of surrender
I folded to my knees
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me
I’ve been in every black hole
At the altar of the dark star
My body’s now a begging bowl
That’s begging to get back, begging to get back
To my heart
To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my unconsciousness
To the rhythm that yearns
To be released from control
I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machine
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me
At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me
I was speeding on the subway
Through the stations of the cross
Every eye looking every other way
Counting down ’til the pentecost
At the moment of surrender
Of vision of over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me
After Get On Your Boots, Breathe is my favorite song off No Line on the Horizon. I loved when U2 opened with Breathe for the 360 Tour in 2009, mainly because Larry walked on stage first by himself and started playing the drums.
I love the lyrics of Breathe, especially “I’ve found grace inside a sound, I found grace, it’s all that I found,” which is a precursor to my favorite lyric from Get On Your Boots “Let me in the sound.” Divine Grace is defined as “Grace in this context is something that is God-given, made possible only by Jesus Christ and none other. It is God’s gift of salvation granted to sinners for their salvation.” For U2, their grace is their song. For me too. Through U2′s music and music in general, I find peace, solace and happiness. My grace, I hope, is sharing my experiences through writing. There is a lot wrong in the world, but in grace one has done all one can do. And everyone has grace, that special gift that God created for them to use. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, ”For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
16th of June, nine 0 five, door bell rings
Man at the door says if I want to stay alive a bit longer
There’s a few things I need you to know. Three
Coming from a long line of travelling sales people on my mother’s side
I wasn’t gonna buy just anyone’s cockatoo
So why would I invite a complete stranger into my home
Would you?
These days are better than that
Every day I die again, and again I’m reborn
Every day I have to find the courage
To walk out into the street
With arms out
Got a love you can’t defeat
Neither down or out
There’s nothing you have that I need
I can breathe
Breathe now
16th of June, Chinese stocks are going up
And I’m coming down with some new Asian virus
Ju Ju man, Ju Ju man
Doc says you’re fine, or dying
Please
Nine 0 nine, St John Divine, on the line, my pulse is fine
But I’m running down the road like loose electricity
While the band in my head plays a striptease
The roar that lies on the other side of silence
The forest fire that is fear so deny it
Walk out into the street
Sing your heart out
The people we meet
Will not be drowned out
There’s nothing you have that I need
I can breathe
Breathe now
Yeah, yeah
We are people borne of sound
The songs are in our eyes
Gonna wear them like a crown
Walk out, into the sunburst street
Sing your heart out, sing my heart out
I’ve found grace inside a sound
I found grace, it’s all that I found
And I can breathe
Breathe now
I’ve found grace inside a sound, I found grace, it’s all that I found. Let me in the sound!
After writing about my five favorite U2 songs and their theological references, it is now time to go through each U2 album – chronologically backwards starting with No Line on the Horizon. I am not going to write about every song, but my favorites from each album and the most spiritual ones. Get On Your Boots is my favorite song from NLOTH, mainly because of last summer’s 360 tour when Larry would stand up back to back with Bono and sing/scream “LET ME IN THE SOUND!”
That chorus is my favorite lyric from Get On Your Boots and was my anthem for last summer while driving to all 16 U2 360 shows in the US. I like to pair it with Breathe‘s, “I’ve found grace inside a sound.” To me that is spiritual, “I’ve found grace inside a sound. Let me in the Sound.” So I wanted to see if there were any biblical or theological references in Get On Your Boots. I believe Bono said Get on Your Boots was a song about first love set at a carnival where he and Ali go. But maybe he got the idea of ‘get on your boots’ from Isaiah 52:1-2, “Wake up, wake up! Pull on your boots, Zion! Dress up in your Sunday best, Jerusalem, holy city! Those who want no part of God have been culled out. They won’t be coming along. Brush off the dust and get to your feet, captive Jerusalem! Throw off your chains, captive daughter of Zion!” And maybe the first line, “the future needs a big kiss” is referring to God’s grace and love - how his kiss will remove the hate and violence in the world. The song ends with a plea to God, maybe asking to know him and to be with him, “Let me in the sound, now God, I’m going down. I don’t wanna drown now. Meet me in the sound. Let me in the sound.”
The future needs a big kiss
Winds blows with a twist
Never seen a moon like this
Can you see it too?
Night is falling everywhere
Rockets at the fun fair
Satan loves a bomb scare
But he won’t scare you
Hey, sexy boots
Get on your boots, yeah
You free me from the dark dream
Candy floss ice cream
All our kids are screaming
But the ghosts aren’t real
Here’s where we gotta be
Love and community
Laughter is eternity
If joy is real
You don’t know how beautiful
You don’t know how beautiful you are
You don’t know, and you don’t get it, do you?
You don’t know how beautiful you are
That’s someone’s stuff they’re blowing up
We’re into growing up
Women of the future
Hold the big revelations
I got a submarine
You got gasoline
I don’t want to talk about wars between nations
Not right now
Hey sexy boots…
Get on your boots, yeah
Not right now
Bossy boots
You don’t know how beautiful
You don’t know how beautiful you are
You don’t know, and you don’t get it, do you?
You don’t know how beautiful you are
Hey sexy boots
I don’t want to talk about the wars between the nations
Sexy boots, yeah
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound, sound
Let me in the sound, sound
Meet me in the sound
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound, now
God, I’m going down
I don’t wanna drown now
Meet me in the sound
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound, sound
Let me in the sound, sound
Meet me in the sound
Get on your boots
Get on your boots
Get on your boots
Yeah hey hey
I’ve found grace inside a sound. Let me in the Sound!
I try to live my life pursuing my passion and by the motto, “It’s better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven’t done.” Especially since it’s all about the journey, not the destination. Along my travels this past summer on the U2 360 tour, I met a guy who was living his life the same way. His name is Patrick Stark and his motto is One Life No Regrets.
I met Patrick in Seattle, the day before the U2 360 show. While my friend Jenny and I were exploring Seattle, we heard the drums for U2′s Desire. We paused because we weren’t sure we had heard it correctly, but then we heard ‘Lover I’m on the street.’ So we ran toward Desire. It was a band and gospel choir on the back of a semi truck playing U2 music. The banner above the stage read ‘One Life No Regrets’ and then in smaller letters ‘noregretsu2.’ The singer, Patrick Stark, turned 40 and wanted to make sure he was living his life with no regrets – something I identify with as I am turning 40 this year and want to live my life with no regrets. Patrick had always had a fear of singing in public, so to conquer his fear he is making a documentary called One Life No Regrets about his quest to sing on stage with U2. In preparation, he sang a set of U2 songs with a Gospel choir – Desire, In God’s Country, All I Want is You, One, Until the End of the World. Unfortunately, Patrick did not get on stage with U2 the next night, but he has made a great documentary.
My favorite U2 song that begins with M is Mysterious Ways. I have always liked Mysterious Ways. It is not one of my favorite U2 songs, not even one of my favorites off Achtung Baby, but it is my favorite M U2 song. It is another U2 song that I fell in love after I heard it live. Actually I didn’t really start loving Mysterious Ways until hearing on the Elevation tour and then again last summer on the 360 tour. Just the way Bono shouts/grunts in the beginning – it really gets me going. It is such a fun/dancy song. And then of course on the final leg of 360, Larry and his drum kit turned around and faced behind the stage where I was for Mysterious Ways.
Johnny, take a walk with your sister the moon
Let her pale light in, to fill up your room.
You’ve been living underground, eating from a can
You’ve been running away from what you don’t understand.
She’s slippy, you’re sliding down.
She’ll be there when you hit the ground.
It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright.
She moves in mysterious ways.
It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright.
She moves in mysterious ways, oh.
Johnny, take a dive with your sister in the rain
Let her talk about the things you can’t explain.
To touch is to heal, to hurt is to steal.
If you want to kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel
On your knees, boy!
She’s the wave, she turns the tide
She sees the man inside the child.
It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright.
She moves in mysterious ways.
It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright.
She moves in mysterious ways, yeah, oh, ah.
Lift my days, light up my nights, oh.
One day you’ll look back, and you’ll see
Where you were held now by this love.
While you could stand there,
You could move on this moment
Follow this feeling.
It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright.
She moves in mysterious ways.
It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright.
She moves in mysterious ways.
Move you, spirits move you
Move, spirits ‘its move you, oh yeah.
Does it move you?
She moves with it.
Lift my days, and light up my nights, oh.
What is your favorite U2 song that begins with M?
This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge – my 26 favorite U2 songs. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog DeenasDays.
My favorite U2 song that begins with G is a tie between Gone and Get on Your Boots. Gone has always been one of my top five favorite U2 songs, but now Get on Your Boots has snuck in because I love it live.
Gone has one of my favorite lines ever, “What you thought was freedom is just greed.” I love the lyrics to Gone. They are true, which is why I really identify with this song. U2 really rock out with Gone in concert. Luckily I went to Popmart and Elevation, so I have heard it in concert.
You get to feel so guilty
Got so much for so little
The you find that feeling just won’t go away.
You’re holding on to every little thing so tightly
Till there’s nothing left for you anyway.
Goodbye, you can keep this suit of lights
I’ll be up with the sun
I’m not coming down
I’m not coming down
I’m not coming down.
You wanted to get somewhere so badly
You had to lose yourself along the way.
You changed your name
Well that’s okay, it’s necessary
And what you leave behind you don’t miss anyway.
Goodbye, you can keep this suit of lights
I’ll be up with the sun
I’m not coming down
I’m not coming down
I’m not coming down.
‘Cause I’m already gone
Felt that way all along.
Closer to you every day
I didn’t want it that much anyway.
You’re taking steps that make you feel dizzy
Then you learn to like the way it feels.
You hurt yourself, you hurt your lover
Then you discover
What you thought was freedom is just greed.
Goodbye, and it’s an emotional
Goodnight, I’ll be up with the sun.
Are you still holding on?
I’m not coming down
I’m not coming down
I’m not coming down.
I love Get on Your Boots because when I listen to it I flash back to hearing it live on the 360 tour. Larry and Bono would stand back to back and sing, “LET ME IN THE SOUND!” Larry singing while standing and beating the drums would get me SO excited! The song’s music as a whole is very energetic and makes me really happy! But the line, “Let me in the sound,” just does it for me – summarizes my entire three-month road trip on the 360 tour. It was sort of my anthem because I coupled it with a line from Breathe, “I’ve found grace inside a sound” – “Let me in the sound.”
The future needs a big kiss
Winds blows with a twist
Never seen a moon like this
Can you see it too?
Night is falling everywhere
Rockets at the fun fair
Satan loves a bomb scare
But he won’t scare you
Hey, sexy boots
Get on your boots, yeah
You free me from the dark dream
Candy floss ice cream
All our kids are screaming
But the ghosts aren’t real
Here’s where we gotta be
Love and community
Laughter is eternity
If joy is real
You don’t know how beautiful
You don’t know how beautiful you are
You don’t know, and you don’t get it, do you?
You don’t know how beautiful you are
That’s someone’s stuff they’re blowing up
We’re into growing up
Women of the future
Hold the big revelations
I got a submarine
You got gasoline
I don’t want to talk about wars between nations
Not right now
Hey sexy boots…
Get on your boots, yeah
Not right now
Bossy boots
You don’t know how beautiful
You don’t know how beautiful you are
You don’t know, and you don’t get it, do you?
You don’t know how beautiful you are
Hey sexy boots
I don’t want to talk about the wars between the nations
Sexy boots, yeah
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound, sound
Let me in the sound, sound
Meet me in the sound
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound, now
God, I’m going down
I don’t wanna drown now
Meet me in the sound
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound, sound
Let me in the sound, sound
Meet me in the sound
Get on your boots
Get on your boots
Get on your boots
Yeah hey hey
What is your favorite U2 song that begins with G?
This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge – my 26 favorite U2 songs. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog DeenasDays.
Since I have finished reviewing the 360 tour and there are no current U2 tours for me to be on the road blogging about, I will be blogging about U2 anniversaries and special occasions until I have more information about my book being published. I signed up for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. I will be blogging everyday, except Sundays, about my favorite U2 songs A to Z. I will start on April 1st writing about my favorite U2 song that begins with the letter A, then April 2nd I will write about my favorite U2 song that begins with the letter B and so on everyday except Sundays until I end on April 30th writing about my favorite U2 song that begins with the letter Z. It will be 26 of my favorite U2 songs in 26 days. I will also be blogging A to Z on my DeenasDays blog about my 26 favorite things.
I have finished writing my memoir, On the Road with U2: my musical journey, about my adventures the past 20 years on the U2 tours from ZooTv to 360, including all 75 concerts, the places I’ve seen and the people I’ve met. It has been a wonderful journey, both living it and reliving it while writing about it. I am working with a literary agent and currently searching for a publisher. There are many books about U2, in fact amazon.com lists over 5000. Most of the U2 books are biographies about the band, some are written by fans about their own U2 experiences, and I think I am the only one who has written a U2 book with a Larry Mullen theme. In addition to writing about the places I’ve seen, the people I’ve met, and reviewing the 75 U2 concerts I went to the past 20 years, I also write about every Larry Mullen moment in those concerts. But don’t worry, I also write about the other three guys in U2.
I had always wanted to drive across the country, and I had always wanted to follow U2 on tour – the whole tour. And last summer that is exactly what I did. I wasn’t working and barely had enough money, but I packed up the car and Elvis, Cilla and I left our house for three months to drive to every U2 show in the US on the last leg of the 360 Tour. Along the way, I visited great American sights, saw 16 fantastic U2 concerts and met many great people.
the traveling threesome
We drove over 18,000 miles through 31 states – some states we drove through multiple times. We drove through and/or stayed in Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Delaware, New Jersey and Minnesota. I visited Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Deadwood in South Dakota, Red Rocks in Denver, Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Reno and Lake Tahoe in Nevada, the Experience Music Project and Kurt Cobain’s house in Seattle, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Harmony Hotel, Joshua Tree Park and Elvis’ homes in Palm Springs, took a bus tour of LA and Hollywood, visited Johnny Cash’s grave outside of Nashville, Bronz Fonz and Summerfest in Milwaukee, the Football Hall of Fame, and saw Soundgarden in Philadelphia. My favorite places were Mount Rushmore, Palm Springs, and Milwaukee.
I saw all 16 U2 360 shows in the US. My favorite moments (my squealing moments) of each U2 360 concert were the following: watching U2 walk through the crowd and walk to the stage, Larry banging the drums to open Even Better Than the Real Thing - boom boom! boom! boom boom!, when Larry and his drums turned around to face behind the stage (where I was) during Mysterious Ways, Larry standing up (back to back with Bono) banging the drums singing “LET ME IN THE SOUND” during Get on Your Boots, Larry walking around with his conga during I’ll Go Crazy, Larry and his drums turned around to face behind the stage (where I was) and then Bono rapping at him during Sunday Bloody Sunday, Larry’s drum solo during Scarlet, and watching U2 leave the stage and walk through the crowd to the tunnel leaving the stadium.
it's all about Larry
My favorite U2 360 shows were Anaheim2, Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Seattle, but each of the 16 US shows were special. The Denver show was special because it was the first U2 show in the US on the last leg of 360, it was the first time I heard Zooropa and Scarlet, it was in the stadium where my beloved Denver Broncos play, and I met Beth. The Salt Lake City show was special because I heard Love Rescue Me, one of my favorite songs, for the first time. The Seattle show was one of my favorites because I talked with Bono before the show about meeting Larry, Larry walked over to me smiling and shook my hand as he walked to the tunnel as he left the stadium, I watched the show with Jenny, and I met Chuck. The Oakland show was special because Larry sang a part of Lou Reed’s A Perfect Day and I talked with Bono again before the show about meeting Larry. The first show in Anaheim was special because it was the first time Paul McGuinness had ever been on stage. The second show in Anaheim was my favorite 360 show because U2 brought back my favorite song I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For for the first time that leg and I cried, and they completely changed the set list by opening the show with five straight songs off Achtung Baby then played Streets. The Baltimore show was special because it was the loudest audience of the tour, Larry took off his shirt on the way to his car after the show, I got the set list and I watched the show with Tasha. The East Lansing show was special because it stayed light through Elevation and U2 entered through the bleachers up top behind the stage. The Miami show was special because it was the first time U2 played North Star in the US. The Nashville show was special because it was the first time U2 played The Wanderer, in honor of Johnny Cash, they brought up a blind guitar player at the end of the show to play All I Want Is You, and it was the first time I saw Larry get out of his car at the stadium. The Chicago show was one of my favorites because it was the first time I had ever heard One Tree Hill, which was completely spontaneous and the first time it was played in the US since 1987, U2 played Out of Control for the first time in the US that leg, and I shook Edge’s hand before the show. The Philadelphia show was special because U2 brought back the original version of Magnificent and moved it down in the set list, I watched the show will old Elevation friends, and I met Natasha. The St. Louis show was one of my favorites because of the amazing energy both from the audience and U2, and I got a little shout out from Bono about the Larry Mullen Band. The New Jersey show was special because it ended with Out of Control, it was the longest show of the tour, and I met Anisha. The Minneapolis show was special because it was the only show in the US that leg that it rained, a drenching downpour complete with lightning, and I danced in the rain throughout the show with Deb and her husband. The Pittsburgh show was one of my favorites because it was the last US show, Matt and Melissa danced on stage during With or Without You, U2 closed with Bad (one of my favorite songs which was played for the first time in the US that leg), watching the show with Abbey, and my favorite moment of the entire tour was when Larry hugged me on his way to the stage.
I had the best summer of my life on the U2 360 Tour. I learned there really is humidity in Southern California, to never drive around Chicago or Atlanta (especially on July 4th weekend), don’t avoid an outdoor concert in Miami in the summer because you think it is going to be too hot because the shows in St. Louis, Baltimore and Nashville were much hotter, and U2 fans really are the greatest. But the most important thing I learned is to always follow your passion, even if you think it’s impossible or impractical. If I had thought logically and practically, I would have skipped the second Anaheim show to make it an easier drive from California to Maryland to make it to the Baltimore show, but then I would have missed my favorite show of the tour. And if I had been thinking logically and practically, I would have never even gone on the trip to begin with because I couldn’t really afford it, but then I would have missed out on the best summer of my life On the Road with U2 on the 360 Tour.
I left Minneapolis just before 11am the morning after the U2 show. I was in a great mood because it was such a great show, but I was exhausted. I stopped one time in Wisconsin before stopping for the night at a Motel 6 in Joliet, Illinois. The next day I drove through Indiana and Ohio, again, and made it to Pittsburgh for my final show of the U2 360 tour. I had driven 16,888 miles since I left Memphis 73 days prior. Neil McCormick was showing Killing Bono that night in the Pittsburgh area, but I was too exhausted to go. Plus I had already seen it at the Seattle Film Festival in June.
U2 in Pittsburgh
DAY 74 – JULY 26 – U2 360 #16 – PITTSBURGH
My final U2 360 show (my 16th of that leg, my 24th of the tour, and my 75th U2 show overall) ended on amazing high note, more than I could have hoped for, more than I imagined – Larry hugged me on his way to the stage! So the first few songs on my last U2 360 show were pretty much a blur. It was a standard set list but then U2 ended the show with Bad, one of my favorite U2 songs – haven’t heard it since Chicago1 in 2009. So glad Bad was the last song I heard U2 perform. When Larry walked off the stage and toward the tunnel, he saw me, smiled and gave me a thumbs up – twice. So glad Larry smiling at me was the last image I have of the U2 360 tour.
U2 360 Pittsburgh 7.26.11
I began the day in Pittsburgh just as I had for the previous 15 U2 360 shows – walked the dogs, ate breakfast, watched tv, napped, ordered lunch and went to the stadium in the afternoon to wait for U2 to arrive. I met Abbey and Anisha in the lobby of my hotel the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh, and we took the free shuttle over to the stadium at 2pm, even though it was close enough to walk. It was a beautiful day – 80s, sunny, breezy, and not humid. I saw many friends old and new, including Jennifer and Chris, Tyler and his dad, Tim, and Sarah. But the surprise was Matt, Melissa, her parents and Kim. I had no idea they were coming and very happy to see them – and it turned out to be very fortunate for me as well.
me, Abbey, Sarah waiting for the band
U2 arrived just around 5pm. Bono and Edge came out to greet the fans. I couldn’t get close enough to talk with them, but I did see Larry and Adam get out of their cars and walk inside. Matt and Melissa talked with Bono and selflessly told him about me and how I had driven to every US show and would like to meet Larry. Brian, Bono’s security guy, told them to wait there and he would see what he could do. Brian came out later and told me Larry was in a meeting, but he told Larry about me and Bono told Larry about me. Maybe Bono and Larry knew he was talking about me, since I talked with Bono in Seattle and Oakland about meeting Larry and Larry sometimes waved to me as he walked to the stage – and Brian said he had seen me at the shows. Brian took my phone number and said he would look for us inside. He also gave us wristbands for the soundboard and for the red zone.
Bono talks with fans in Pittsburgh
Although I had the credentials to go to the soundboard and the red zone, I went to my usual spot on Edge’s side of the inner circle to wait for U2 to enter. Abbey was with me and Deb and her husband and Melissa’s parents were also there. Brian came over and told me that he was still working on getting me to meet Larry. Interpol didn’t take the stage until about 7:45 and played their usual set.
inside Heinz Field waiting for U2 to walk in
I’m not sure when U2 came out, probably just about 9pm. When they walked out of the tunnel (on Adam’s side) I noticed that Larry wasn’t first as usual. Adam and Edge were first and Larry and Bono were behind them, so I kind of thought something was up. But then somehow Larry moved up front. As Larry walked up the ramp, he locked eyes with me and was smiling. He walked across the platform, jumped down to me, and hugged me. He didn’t say a word, he just put his arms around me. It felt like the hug lasted forever. He definitely pulled away first because I kept hanging on. I think I muttered a ‘thank you.’
Larry looking at me (photo by Deb Pruitt)
here he comes! (photo by Tony Chiapetta)
Larry jumping down to hug me (photo by Kari Moore)
Larry leaving me (photo by Izzy Ciszewski)
Congrats from my friends after Larry hugged me (photo by Tony Chiapetta)
Larry gave me the biggest, best hug ever and then went on stage. I burst into tears, as I am doing now while writing this. My friends around me congratulated me and hugged me, which made the moment even more special. I was so excited that I don’t really remember Even Better Than the Real Thing or The Fly. I don’t think I came to until Mysterious Ways when Larry’s drum kit turned around and faced me behind the stage. I never in a million years thought Larry would walk over to me and hug me on his way to the stage before the show. I have four videos (sort of) of Larry hugging me on his way to the stage in Pittsburgh.
This is the video I took as I usually do when U2′s entered the stadiums. I stopped the video when I saw Larry was walking toward me.
This is the video Deb’s husband took of Larry hugging me. He was 3 people down from me. It isn’t of the actual hug, but you can see Larry jumping down to me and then see him jumping up again.
In this video, you can see Larry jump down to me, but you can’t see me. And then you can hear Melissa’s dad say, “Deena got it!”
This is the only video of Larry hugging me. It’s hard to see so keep your eye on Larry, even when that woman’s head is blocking him. In the far right bottom corner beyond the pink squiggly lines, you can see Larry hugging me. This video is by Rick Long.
During Even Better Than the Real Thing Bono said, “Hot summer night in the Burgh!” Bono introduced The Fly saying, “Some crowd rock circa 1991! Achtung Ya’ll!” Instead of singing Until the End of the World, I kept singing “You were acting like it was the end of the tour.” During the band introductions, Bono said, “This is the last night of the 360 Tour in the United States. We’ve had some cool people come out of our town. Would you say behind me you might call this man the Charles Bronson of U2? Larry Mullen on the drums. Our very own movie star.” U2 again wore their LED jackets during Zooropa and City of Blinding Lights. I love Larry in that black, leather, 1950s Elvis looking jacket. He should always wear black! At the end of Vertigo, Bono sang a snippet of Two Hears Beat as One. During I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight, Larry looked at me and I shouted ‘Thank you!’ What a dork I am. At the end of Where the Streets Have No Name Bono shouted, “Tuesday night in the old steel town!” I decided to go over to Adam’s side of the inner circle during Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me so I could watch U2 leave.
Larry's hot black jacket
Larry I'll Go Crazy
Matt & Melissa on stage with Bono during With or Without You
As With or Without You started, Bono brought my friends Matt and Melissa on stage and said, “60 shows. Matt and Melissa. Where love stories begin.” Matt and Melissa slow danced while U2 played. It was beautiful. After Moment of Surrender, U2 took their bows, huddled together and then played Bad with a little snippet of 40 at the end! It was fantastic! It lasted for almost nine minutes. Bono dedicated Bad to Andy Rowen who was at the show and whom the song was written about. Andy Rowen is the brother of Bono’s friend Guggi and the brother of Peter, who is on the cover of Boy.As U2 were walking off stage, I could have sworn I saw Larry looking for me on Edge’s side where I was when he hugged me at the beginning of the show. But when they were almost at the tunnel, Larry saw me, smiled and gave me a thumbs up – twice. It looked as if Larry was going to walk over to me, but then he was ushered toward the tunnel.
Goodbye Larry (photo by Julie Dixon who was right near me)
After the show I saw Chuck and Tasha and told them about Larry hugging me and then I met up with Beth and shared my story with her. I walked back to the hotel alone (with thousands of other happy U2 fans) across the bridge looking back at the claw for the last time. I got back to the hotel and talked with Patty and her husband. Then I took Elvis and Cilla outside where Abbey met us, and we chatted for a bit. Then I went back inside and wrote in my journal about my last night on the U2 360 tour. I barely slept that night, only 3 hours.
me and Beth
The set list of the U2 360 show in Pittsburgh was as follows: Even Better Than the Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways / Someone Somewhere in Summertime / Promised You a Miracle, Until the End of the World / Anthem, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found / The Promised Land, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo / Two Hearts Beat As One, Miss You / I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Psycho Killer / Life During Wartime / Please, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, One, Hallelujah / Where The Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With Or Without You, Moment Of Surrender, Bad / In The Garden / Walk On The Wild Side / 40. My video of an overview of the U2 360 show in Pittsburgh, my last show.
My Musical Journey ended with Larry hugging me on his way to the stage of the last show in the US on U2′s 360 tour. I keep replaying it over and over in my head. Larry walking toward me, smiling, jumping down to me, putting his arms around me without saying a word, and hugging me. It seemed like it lasted forever, but after watching the videos, it was only a few seconds – but those were some magnificent few seconds! That was definitely my favorite moment of the tour and a perfect ending to my Musical Journey! I finally Found What I Was Looking For on the U2 360 Tour!
With just under a week remaining in my U2 360 tour across America, I was exhausted as I drove from New Jersey to Minneapolis – again driving back through Pennsylvania and Ohio where I had just drive a few days before. I left the morning after the U2 show in New Jersey, just before 11am, and drove 443 miles to a Motel 6 in Richfield, Ohio arriving around 6:30pm. I had to stop twice along the way to stay awake and didn’t drive as far as I originally wanted. The next morning I left bright and early at 7am to make my way to Minneapolis for the second to last U2 show on my 360 tour. I spent over $18. on the Ohio and Indiana Turnpikes and was stuck in traffic for over an hour getting around Chicago. There was so much construction all the way through Illinois. After stopping once in Illinois and once in Wisconsin, I finally arrived at the Days Hotel in Minneapolis 13 ½ hours and 754 miles later. I ordered a pizza and went to bed.
TCF Bank Stadium right next to my hotel
DAY 71 – JULY 23 – U2 360 #15 – MINNEAPOLIS
I stayed in bed all day before walking over to TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota at 2pm. Luckily my hotel was right next to the stadium, just as it had been in Denver. It was a bright sunny day when I left, but they were calling for rain. With the exception of a short sprinkle at the end of the Chicago show, it had not rained at any of the 14 shows I had been to so far on my 360 tour. I walked around the entire stadium trying to figure out where U2 would drive in. I thought it might be this spot in the back, but continued around to the other side of the GA line where I saw the crew going in and out and a bunch of fans waiting. I finally met Wendy whom I’ve been chatting with on twitter and facebook for months. I also met Stuart and Paul and talked with Jason, Tim, Cathal, Suzi and Denise. Turns out I should have followed my instinct and stayed in that spot around the back of the stadium where I thought U2 would drive in because that’s where they came in and I missed them – but no one stopped anyway. This was only the second time I had missed U2 arrive at the stadium – the other time was in East Lansing.
U2 360 Minneapolis 7.23.11
the claw in Minneapolis
the GA line in Minneapolis
I went into the show around 6pm and went to Edge’s side of the inner circle so I could watch U2 walk to the stage, even though they were entering from the tunnel on Adam’s side I prefer to watch them walk under the stage – which is on Edge’s side. Deb and her husband were already there waiting. We ended up hanging out throughout the entire show, which was great fun. While were waiting for Interpol to take the stage, a guy from the crew told us they have names for each of us, but he wouldn’t tell us what they were as I am sure they are not flattering. He said they even play bingo and mark off spaces when they see us at a show. I told him to tell Larry I’ve been to every US show and was anxious to meet him. He said he hadn’t even met Larry. While waiting for U2 to take the stage, I met Jill and her friends who were also at the shows in Anaheim. Jill is now helping me get my book published. My friend Shelly who I had been chatting with on Twitter was sitting behind the stage, shouted down to me and took a picture of me waiting behind the stage. It was unfortunate that we didn’t get a chance to actually talk in Minneapolis, but we have become friends since. She was kind enough to make me audio copies of all 16 U2 shows I traveled to last summer. As U2 walked toward the stage and made that turn to go into the underworld, Larry saw me and smiled and waved just like he did in St. Louis. I sort of captured it on video, but didn’t get a picture of it. Shelly told me after that she saw Larry wave to me, so I know I’m not imagining it. Please watch my short video of U2′s walk to the stage.
waiting for Larry
here they come!
During Even Better Than the Real Thing Bono said, “Come on now. The Twin Cities. Where are you going to take us tonight? Minneapolis. St. Paul.” To introduce The Fly Bono said, “Ya’ll want to hear some crowd rock circa 1991? Achtung Baby etc.” It started to rain toward the end of Mysterious Ways. Bono said, “Rain come. Love like rain. Love like rain comes in the summer.” Bono introduced Until the End of the World saying, “Are you ready for this rain dance?” The rain caused Edge to have guitar issues, and he couldn’t make it out onto the bridge when Bono was waiting for him. Because of the umbrellas above the drum kit, Larry and Bono could not stand back to back during my favorite ‘LET ME IN THE SOUND!’ during Get on Your Boots. Bono finished song by saying, “Get on your boots in your fancy new stadium.”
The Edge before the rain
Before the band introductions, Bono mentioned that Minneapolis was originally supposed to be the last show of the tour, then they added two more shows. He said, “This is the place to begin the end of the tour party.” Bono talked about how the past few shows had been some of the best. He said, “The last show I thought I heard thunder, and I felt like a flash of lightening. Then I felt like a truck had hit me. Then I thought I’ve got into the ring with Mike Tyson. He’s beating me in the back of my head. But it was none of those things. It was Larry Mullen Jr on the drums!” There was a huge applause, more than usual for Larry. Minneapolis really likes Larry! After I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, U2 launches into a full version of Stand By Me. During which, Bono brings Somali pop star K’naan on stage. Bono had spoken with K’naan before the show about the famine in Somalia. Please watch my video of K’naan and U2′s performance of Stand By Me.
K’Naan and Bono Stand By Me
U2 played Stuck in a Moment instead of Stay. Bono introduced Stuck saying, “We wrote this next song for Michael Hutchence, but you will understand if tonight we play it for Amy Winehouse.” Amy Winehouse had died earlier that day. At the end of Pride, the audience kept singing the ‘Oh Oh Ohs’ and Bono said, “That’s a beautiful sound. The sound of America in the rain singing its heart out.” It had been raining since Mysterious Ways, but when Zooropa started it was really pouring – a cold sideways rain of huge drops. I just remember full out dancing with Deb and her husband in the pouring rain. It was so freeing and fun. Some people had left or were standing under the bridges, but if U2 were playing their hearts out in the rain on the stage, I was going to give that same energy back.
Bono on the bridge
Streets
Unfortunately, the rain did cause some problems for Larry. He seemed to be uncomfortable, he was constantly adjusting his seat throughout the show. And because of the umbrellas, Larry’s drum kit didn’t turn around during Sunday Bloody Sunday – much to my disappointment. Bono wore his army green hat during the encores. I did not walk around to Adam’s side after Scarlet as usual to wait for U2 to leave because I was afraid I would fall in the pouring rain on the way over. Instead, I stood at the stairs and watched U2 leave the stage. Larry again saw me and smiled and waved.
Goodnight Larry!
The U2 show in Minneapolis was great – a fantastic energy much like it was in St. Louis. The rain didn’t damper the experience at all. In fact, it made it even better – and my hat survived the downpour. The rain began during the third song Mysterious Ways and continued throughout the show, raining harder and harder and lightning during the encore. It ended my ‘no rain’ streak – 14 shows on the last leg of the 360 tour with no rain. The highlights for me were a full performance of Stand By Me with K’naan, Stuck in a Moment instead of Stay, and of course Larry smiling and waving to me as he walked on stage and as he left the stage. It was a great great show, even though Magnificent was not played.
The set list for U2 360 in Minneapolis was as follows: Even Better Than the Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways / Rain, Until the End of the World / Anthem, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found, Stand By Me, Stuck in a Moment, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Can’t Stand the Rain – Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights / Singing in the Rain, Vertigo, Miss You / I’ll Go Crazy / Raindrops Keep Falling / Discotheque / Life During Wartime / Psycho Killer, Please / Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, One / Purple Rain, Hallelujah / Purple Rain / Where the Streets Have No Name / Singing in the Rain, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender / Singing in the Rain.
it’s all about drums
The next morning I would leave for my last show and my last chance to meet Larry. I had already seen 15 great U2 shows and had shaken Larry’s hand in Seattle as he was leaving the stage, so whatever happened at the show in Pittsburgh would be icing on the cake. Little did I know, it would be the most amazing, delicious icing I had ever had!
My name is Deena Dietrich, and I am living back home in Ellicott City, Maryland with my 2 dogs Elvis and Cilla. My passions are Dogs, Elvis, U2, LMP, NKOTB, the Denver Broncos, the Baltimore Orioles, blogging, social media, biographies. It is better to regret something you have done, than to regret something you haven't done, so ... Pursue your passion!
RT @HollywoodDogs: Pit Boss star Shorty Rossi to talk about rescuing Pit Bulls & efforts to end BSL tomorrow at Charlotte Pet Expo http://t…15 hours ago
