Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?

Subject: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: berk
Date: 26 Feb 02 - 02:28 PM

I play in an Irish-American folk band, and once in a while, late at night we will get a request for some U2. I'm not familiar with all of their albums. Any help?

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 26 Feb 02 - 02:54 PM

I don't think so.

They do a song called Van Diemen's Land but it's not the traditional one.

Jim

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: Robby
Date: 26 Feb 02 - 03:14 PM

I don't know if the tune is traditional, but if you're familiar with "There Is A Ship" as recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary, the tune they use is the same one used by U2 for their recording of "Van Diemen's Land".

Robby

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: SDShad
Date: 26 Feb 02 - 04:01 PM

"Van Diemen's Land" is one of those "feels like a traditional song but isn't" songs. Lovely song, BTW. I occasionally sing it with an old friend of Beth's who probably doesn't actually realize that it's not a trad. song, but then her awareness of traditional Irish music is fairly lacking.

But no, I'm not aware of their having recorded anything actually traditional--although, waitaminit, didn't they record something with Maire Brennan (sorry, can't remember the proper Gaelic spelling of her surname) of Clannad? Anyone remember what that was?

Chris

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 26 Feb 02 - 06:14 PM

This isn't what you'd call trad, but they did do a version of 'Red, Red Wine' that had a bridge featuring the jump rope chant that has the words:
The line broke
The monkey got choked
They all went to heaven in a little row boat.

Afraid I can't remember any more just now. The chant is definitely traditional though.

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 26 Feb 02 - 07:59 PM

Never heard them do it myself, but I was told, a while back, that they had done 'She Moved Through the Fair'...though it might have been just that they used the tune....

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 26 Feb 02 - 11:51 PM

As far as I know they haven't't't't't't't't't't't't't't't't't't't't't't't't recorded anything traditional on their regular albums. I've seen them in concert 4 times, but can't recall anthing either.

On the other hand I have a Phil Coulter CD where he covers "Sunday, Bloody Sunday"

yeeeeesh...

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 12:54 AM

Its not exactly traditional, nor actually U2, but Bono recorded "Dreaming With Tears In My Eyes" on the Jimmie Rodgers Tribute CD. He sang it quite well, I might add.

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 01:09 AM

Paul-It was Simple Mind that used the tune to She Moved through The Fair, on Belfast Child.

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: shanty_steve
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 05:18 AM

They've sung the Springhill Mining Disaster by Seeger/MacColl on a number of occasions, but I'm not sure if they've actually recorded it. Does that song count as 'traditional' anyway?

Stephen

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From:
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:17 AM

they recorded the springhill mine disaster on thee late late show to celebrate the dubliners 25th anniversery in 1986

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: GUEST,(jo)
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:27 AM

the song that Bono sang with Clannad - or just Maire, i forget,
was a version of the Clannad song "in a lifetime".
it suited bono's voice beautifully
not actually traditional, though...

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: GUEST,Den
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:30 AM

No nothing traditional. A couple of folk things, as mentioned The Springhill Mining Disaster and Bono sang North and South of the River with Christy.

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: van lingle
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:43 AM

they did a version of woody's "jesus christ" on the "a vision shared" recording.traditional? vl

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: berk
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 09:29 AM

Thanks everyone for all the help, it will make some late night pub crawlers very happy.

berk

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: GUEST,Declan
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 12:03 PM

I can't add much to the above, but I heard a great bluegrassy version of "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" done by Peter Rowan, Marc O Connor, Bela Fleck et al at a gig in Dublin once.

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 12:55 PM

Ah, ta John!

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: Nicola.Smith
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 01:39 PM

It wasn't until The Joshua Tree album of 1987 - about 7 years down the line that an album came out with a song sheet - before that their songs don't really lend themselves to being covered.

Apparently a change came around after Eric Clapton and other rock songsters asked Bono for a song in some bar - he was kinda stuck. He wrote Silver and Gold - not exactly trad but a song for sure.

A Harlem gospel choir covered Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - you could check it out.

And if your singing is up to it Red Hill Town (as mentioned)or One Tree Hill - both of Joshua Tree album.

And the song 'One' of Achtung Baby has got to be an all time classic song period.

Go to it!

Subject: RE: Has U2 recorded any traditional songs?
From: MARINER
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 04:22 PM

For my few pennyworth, the best version of "Still haven't found what I'm looking for" is by the American band Big Daddy. Check 'em out, they turn it into a great Rock'n'Roll song. No mean achievement with a U2 song.