U2 - With Or Without You | A Classical Musician’s FIRST Listen and Reaction

Comments · 316

• AD

  @adiarainfoster · 7 months ago

  This song was written by Bono during a time when his wife was telling him that even when he's home, he's not home. She's alone even with he's beside her. He realized he had to figure out how to balance his life as a rock star with his life as a husband. He felt like he was losing her. He felt distant even though she was right there because his mind was always elsewhere with his music. That's the struggle you hear. she's deciding if this relationship is worth it. And he's struggling to be the man she needs. They DID work through it in the end and came out stronger on the other side, btw. They are still happily married after 44 years together.

  26

• MI

  @mightyV444 · 7 months ago

  "I don't hear anything edgy..." - while the düde making the glass-harmonica sounds with his guitar is called 'The Edge' 😊

  114

• MR

  @MrZnarffy · 7 months ago

  I think this song is so beautiful, just because it catches the feeling of being deeply in love and happy while feeling deep fear of loss and pain over it, so it sorts of sits right at that crossing point, where both exists at the same time.

  64

• AU

  @authalic · 7 months ago

  This was recorded in 1986, when the band members were all 25 or 26 years old.  That still amazes me.

  46

• MI

  @mipsungvuclam · 7 months ago

  This is one of those rare songs that doesn’t lose its power. It feels the same today as it did back when it came out! <br>It works its way down, gently, inside you and before you know it a part of you that has always been a part of you is awoken and weeps tears of pain and/or of joy, doesn’t matter. Regardless, you would never let whatever it is go for fear of losing the ability to feel!

  35

• JU

  @justincredible. · 7 months ago (edited)

  30 years later and the song still gives me goosebumps

  32

• FR

  @frankylaseure2641 · 7 months ago

  The long notes you hear are not synths, it&apos;s a modified guitar called the &quot;Infinite Guitar&quot;. An Edge experiment gone perfect.

  19

• IA

  @IanOReillyGuitars · 7 months ago

  U2 we&apos;re masters of blending romantic love and spiritual yearning in their lyrics. Bono read deeply in the ancient Christian mystics and I think that comes through. <br><br>Cinematic was very true. The Joshua Tree emphasised that visually with the Anton Corbjin photography as well. U2 84 to 92 were untouchable.

  20

• AL

  @alisonh7229 · 7 months ago

  Interesting reaction, thank you, and I liked your &apos;room&apos; metaphor. My experience of this song, and the majority of U2 songs is that it envelopes me in a beautiful sound world, in almost a cinematic way. I don&apos;t trouble myself too much with analysing the meaning. The poetry of these lyrics, as with many u2 songs, is in the colours and the emotions conveyed. So this song, to me, is one of yearning, beauty, and pain.<br>It&apos;s useful to note that, at this point in the 1980s, nobody else was making music like this. Their sound was utterly unique then, and it had a huge impact, with many bands subsequently trying to imitate it. The way the Edge creates his sound is purely his invention, plus the genius of Daniel Lanois on this and other albums. <br>I really think you would enjoy a deep dive listen of the whole of the Joshua Tree album, as it ought to be heard together, not as individual songs. One of the most perfect albums ever made. Better yet, start from the very beginning with Boy and enjoy u2&apos;s genius at developing and evolving their sound. You have lots to look forward to with these guys!

  51

• EV

  @evenbetterthantherealthing92 · 7 months ago

  U2&apos;s guitarist The Edge used an &quot;Infinite guitar&quot; on this song. &nbsp;it&apos;s a modified guitar that allows for infinite sustain when properly set up &nbsp;and there are only a few in existence.

  19

• MM

  @MMM-zb7jg · 7 months ago

  I could listen to that outro forever

  38

• PH

  @physicspholder · 7 months ago

  This song charted at #1 in 1987, and if released today would still go to #1. Its structure and production was way ahead of its time.

  5