re: the Best "One"

Krys Evans ([email protected])
Thu, 17 Dec 1998 19:49:43 -0600

> >>>>
> I gots a question for you wondrous WIRElings out there.. My favorite
> song is ONE. I of course love the original album version, but I've also
> gotten quite by accident three alternate versions- on the Tibetian
> Freedom Concert album, the Miss Sarajevo single, and the Sydney boot..
> and I was comparing the different versions (deciding which ONE to use,
> making a mix tape, y'know) and so I thought I'd ask - what do you think
> is the very best version of this song anywhere? Be it album, single,
> boot or whatever.. This could be fun to do with any song but *I* am
> interested in this song since it's my fav.. If there's a splendiferous
> version of this floating around that I don't know about then let me
> know. What's the definative "ONE"?
>
> Liz
> >>>>

 Oh this is a good thread...One is an amazing song! The different
interpretations and levels never ceases to amaze me. Personally my
favourite versions of One is the from Modena Italty, done for War Child
(which I believe is the same version on the Miss Sarajevo single) and One
from Live from Mexico.

 The version done at Modena...has these awesome strings...it just reaches
out and grabs your heart. One has always grabbed me emotionally but this
version affects me physcially, all the blood seems to pool at my feet when
I hear those strings and Bono's deseperate pleading. That was my absolute
favourite until Popmart. It was then shite hit the fan and a great singer
died...if you really listen to the lyrics of One live from Mexico city...it
reveals Bono's tormented heart--how much Michael's death cut at his
soul...how it resurrected old demons.

 He sings with a sob:
 "I've come here for forgiveness
 But I can't raise the dead"

 Oh that tears at yer heart...then at the very end:
 "Do you hear us coming Lord?
 Do you hear us call?
 You hear me knocking, knocking at your door?
 You hear me comin' Lord?
 Did you hear his call?
 You hear me scratchin at your door
 Did you make him crawl?"

 It went straight from melancholy to angrily demanding. It sends shivers
up my spine...while tears fill my eyes.

 Its an amazing song, it encompasses so much! Not merely a song about
unity, or AIDS, or reconciliation, but also of pleading with God,
questioning the end and what it holds. Not to mention, a song dealing =
 with the feelings surrounding a suicide. This song is one of the most
brilliant of this century.

 For those who don't have the video, god forbid or don't have the lyrics on
hand they are at my site :
 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/9774/one.html

 (It's also a wee plug for my own site)

 lemon lollies for everyone!
 Birdwell

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