Archive for I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight

I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight – my spiritual journey with U2

Posted in my spiritual journey with U2, Songs with tags , , , , on July 15, 2012 by DeenasDays

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.”

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360 2009 recap

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2009), Bono, Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on March 23, 2011 by DeenasDays

Reflecting on the U2 360 2009 Tour a year and a half later, I still like the Las Vegas show the best and DC, Oklahoma, Chicago1 are close seconds. The other 4 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, I saw it with Tasha, 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 2 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 2nd 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, besides being Tasha’s birthday show, 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 space.’ 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, I saw it with Tasha, 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 8 shows I saw. 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), I saw it with Vicki and Tasha, 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 I saw it with Tasha, 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 ‘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 I saw it with Tasha and Mike (and Mike is my original U2 friend from 1987), ‘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.

U2 360 tour program

Please check out all of my U2 360 2009 Tour Pics on the right of my homepage.

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360 in Oklahoma 2009

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2009), Adam Clayton, Bono, Concerts, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 21, 2011 by DeenasDays

Friday October 16, 2009

Tonight Tasha flies in and then we head to Oklahoma. We’re gonna drive a few hours tonight and hit Stillwater tomorrow. Robin Ventura is getting inducted into the OSU Hall of Fame. He is Tasha’s favorite. He’s going to be in the parade. Then we’re going onto the Riverwind Casino that night in Norman. The U2 show is Sunday, Tasha’s birthday, at the University of Oklahoma. Then back to Memphis Monday and Tasha is staying through Wednesday.  

Saturday October 17, 2009

What a day we’ve had! We left Ft. Smith, AR just before 9am. We arrived in Stillwater, OK around 11:30am. We were at OSU for their Sea of Orange Homecoming parade because Robin Ventura (tasha’s favorite), Garth Brooks and Barry Sanders were grand marshals of the parade and being inducted to the OSU Hall of Fame because they all went to school there. So after circling the campus a few times, we decided to park and eat lunch at Panera. Then we walked to where the parade began and waited for Robin, Garth and Barry to arrive and get into their cars, and then we followed along side them in the parade. After the parade, we followed this girl to the stadium where we discovered Robin, Garth, Barry were inside doing a press conference. They came out and we got to meet them. Robin came out first. I asked him ‘Will you please take a picture with her (tasha)? Her birthday is tomorrow.’ He said, ‘Yes.’ And put his arm around her tightly and said, ‘Happy Birthday early.’ I got the picture then they dispersed, so I only got one. We didn’t actually speak to Garth Brooks or Barry Sanders, but we got pictures.

OSU Sea of Orange Parade

the parade begins

Tasha and Robin

Garth Brooks, Barry Sanders, Robin Ventura

We headed for Norman, OK at the University of Oklahoma where the U2 show is tomorrow night. We went to the stadium to see the stage. We saw The Claw, but couldn’t tell if it was in the middle or one of the endzones. Then we came to our hotel at Riverwind Casino. We had a yummy dinner at the buffet then played some slots: devil something, star wars, fish something and viva las Vegas. I came out $30 ahead. I’ll probably go back in the morning. Now we’re in our hotel room watching the OSU game with hopes of seeing Robin.

The Claw in Norman

Sunday October 18, 2009 – U2 Norman

Tasha’s birthday was a good day. In the morning, we had our free breakfast buffet at the casino, and then I played the slots for over 2 hours while Tasha watched. I only lost $100 though. Not too bad. In the afternoon, we stayed in the hotel room watching football and eating pizza. We left for the show at the University of Oklahoma around 2:15. No traffic, easy parking. Waited out for the band. They arrived a little after 5. Bono rolled down his window and waved, but no one else did. Then we went into Oklahoma Memorial Stadium after the GA line. The stage was in the middle of the field, which is actually 360 – finally! But the circle almost took up the entire GA section. Not only was the stage in the middle of the field, but it faced the sidelines, not the endzone. The people in the front row of the seats, which were bleachers, were almost at the catwalk.

U2 360 Norman 10.18.09

U2 OKU parking pass

U2 arrive in Norman

true 360 stage in Norman (not my pic)

This was my favorite show along with DC – definitely better than Raleigh. I had the same relaxed, happy feeling I did at the DC show. Highlight of this show was during ‘I’ll Go Crazy,’ I went behind the stage where Larry was going to be with his conga. Wearing my Larry Mullen Band tee, jumping up and down yelling Larry, and being the only one back there, Larry saw me, waved and nodded! Highlight/different songs were ‘In a Little While’, ‘Unknown Caller’ was back, ‘Until the End of the World’. We stood Adam side – directly side stage. We had plenty of room to stand and move around, which I did every time Larry did. I went behind the stage when Larry turned back for ‘Beautiful Day’ and ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday.’ Black Eyed Peas opened and were really good, better than Snow Patrol and Muse. The set list was:
    Breathe (behind stage to watch Larry walk in)
    Get on Your Boots
    Magnificent
    Mysterious Ways
    Beautiful Day/GodOnlyKnows(behind stage to watch Larry)
    Still Haven’t Found / Stand By Me
    Stuck in a Moment
    No Line on the Horizon
    Elevation
    In a Little While (total surprise)
    Unknown Caller (finally back)
    Until the End of the World (always fun)
    Unforgettable Fire
    City of Blinding Lights
    Vertigo
    I’ll Go Crazy (behind stage-Larry waves,smile,nods at me)
    Sunday Bloody Sunday (behind stage to watch Larry)
    MLK
    Walk On – You’ll Never Walk Alone
    One / Amazing Grace
    Streets
    Ultraviolet
    With or Without You
    Moment of Surrender (I yell Larry, he looks n leaves)
So the Norman show was amazing! One more u2 show and it’s all over – until next year!

our view from inside oklahoma memorial stadium

Black Eyed Peas open

Tasha and Paul McGuinness

LET ME IN THE SOUND!

Bono up and down

Tasha taking Adam's picture

Beautiful Day

Bono

Unknown Caller is back!

Bono between Adam's legs

Bono kisses Adam

Until the End of the World

right after Larry smiled, nodded and waved at me

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Yay!

Goodbye Norman

If you would like to see all of my pictures from U2 in Oklahoma (yes there are more), please click http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=116432&id=734599167&l=9be78eb9a4 or the link on the right of my homepage U2 360 2009 Tour Pics.

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360 in Chicago 2009

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2009), Concerts, Larry Mullen, Songs, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 14, 2011 by DeenasDays

Friday September 11, 2009

I’m in Chicago! Got here in 8 hours and even stopped for about 20 minutes. I picked up David at 6am, and we arrived in Chicago at 2pm. We went straight to Soldier Field, paid the $16 to park and looked for the GA line. Met a guy named Mark who told us where the line was. He is also going to be at the Atlanta show, so now I know someone. We got our wristbands #115 & 116 – and I got one for Tasha. The woman who gave us the wristbands was Angel, who was filling in for the #1 guy in line. We can’t get on the stadium lot until 6am tomorrow. We checked into the hotel, which is only about 5 minutes away. Parking is very expensive though.

Soldier Field Chicago

David and I went to Buddy Guy’s Blues Club for a beer. Sat at the bar. Cool, laid back place. No cover. Cool staff. And as we’re leaving in walks Buddy Guy! I freaked out and froze. Buddy stopped at the souvenir counter where I was going to buy a tee shirt. David asked him for a picture. Buddy said later. So we left. But it was still cool. Then we walked down Michigan Avenue past Grant Park. Now waiting on Tasha.

Buddy Guy's club in Chicago

Saturday September 12, 2009 – CHICAGO 1 Opening Night!

What a long day! Woke up at 5am. Was in the GA line at Soldier Field by 6am. Sat in the sun in the line all day! Got a little sunburned, but not terrible. Tasha and I had fun. Saw Jennifer, Claudia, Jenny, Kheila, Alice, Frank, Aaron and others from Elevation. And we made some new friends too – Leslie and Kendrick who were only 20 & 18 years old. The GA line was a little crowded and pushy, but not terrible. We got in and there was pushing and running and my wristband fell off and Tasha was yelling at me. We got inside the circle in the back on the rail a little right of center, which is where we wanted to be but as the concert went on people kept pushing back and it was just way too crowded for me. Snow Patrol opened.

U2 360 Chicago 9.12.09

Chicago 9.12 GA line

Please watch my 2 short videos of our time in the GA line in Chicago on September 12, 2009:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MemphisMullen?feature=mhum#p/a/f/1/8plMSviW5MQ

http://www.youtube.com/user/MemphisMullen?feature=mhum#p/a/f/2/jwjfAtjp6ZU 

inside Soldier Field, our view opening night

The concert opened with Larry playing the drums by himself then the rest of the band came out to ‘Breathe.’ Larry sang on Boots, Unknown Caller, and Moment of Surrender. He walked around during I’ll Go Crazy. I was wearing my Larry Mullen Band tee shirt, but he didn’t stop in front of us. I heard ‘Unforgettable Fire’ for the first time! Also ‘MLK.’ They played Still Haven’t Found, Pride, Bad, Walk On, Stuck in a Moment, Elevation, Beautiful Day, Streets, With or Without You, Ultra Violet, Vertigo, City of Blinding Lights, One, Magnificent, No Line on the Horizon, Sunday Bloody Sunday. I loved this show! I was very emotional. I cried. I was so excited and so drained after. Just like the good old days of Elevation. We waited after the show only to let the traffic die down.

360 chicago 9.12.09 - the only pic i took (taken with iphone)

me & Tasha after the show

 

Saturday September 13, 2009 – Chicago 2

Today was so much better and more relaxed than yesterday. We stayed in our hotel room until noon. Tasha and I went to Wrigley Field for the Cubs game. I loved Wrigley! Great area. We took a cab there and back, so I got to see a lot more of the city. We only stayed for 4 innings of the game, but we walked all the way around the outside of Wrigley. I bought a tee shirt and keychain for myself and a pin for Dad. We got back to the hotel and took a little nap.

Buckingham Fountain from the cab

Wrigley Field

Cubs game

For the second U2 show at Soldier Field, I wore my white Larry Mullen Band shirt. We didn’t wait in the GA line. We went in after – around 6pm and got closer than last night and less crowded. We were inside the circle on the side – Adam’s side. I couldn’t see Larry that well – except when he came on the catwalk during I’ll Go Crazy. Changes in the set list tonight: U2 added Your Blue Room (played for the first time ever), Stay, Until the End of the World and took away Pride, Bad, Stuck in a Moment. Mike Elms stood with us. It was great to see U2 with him again – like old times. This 2nd U2 show was more relaxed and fun, but the first one was intense and exciting because it was the first one – all the Larry singing!

U2 360 Chicago 9.13.09

LET ME IN THE SOUND!

U2 in Chicago

Larry up on the screen (taken with iphone)

Larry I'll Go Crazy

Goodbye Chicago

360 Chicago 9.13.09 Set List that Jennifer got

my 360 tee (front)

my 360 tee (back)

 

I had a wonderful time in Chicago. It was my first time there, and I had wanted to visit forever, especially Wrigley Field. I love Chicago! Although I didn’t know it at the time, that opening night show was to be one of my favorites of the tour. It was the only time I heard Bad and Pride this tour, and it was the first time I had ever heard Unforgettable Fire – all within my top 10 favorite U2 songs.

To see all the pictures I took in Chicago, please click  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=107810&id=734599167&l=146563b57c or see the links for 360 pics on my homepage.

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