U2 "Angel Of Harlem"

[Deleted]

It's not really a U2 classic or anything, but it's possibly my favorite by them. It kind of reminds me of something Bruce Springsteen would have done, except I like it more than any Springsteen song.

Hot 100: #14
Modern Rock: #3
Mainstream Rock: #1
CHR/Pop: #15

Here's the All Music Guide review.

"Angel of Harlem" may be one of those rare U2 chart singles (Top 20, 1989) that despite its success remains underappreciated in its craftsmanship. "Angel of Harlem" came together at Sun Studios during a 1988 U.S. tour that was documented for the band's ill-fated Rattle and Hum film and album (combining live and studio tracks). "Angel of Harlem" opens with a chime of ringing guitars; the sound is traded in quickly for a Stax/ Volt-style horn section (played by the legendary Memphis Horns), giving the song an "authentic" Memphis soul flavor. The verses roll along lazily with the same sort of half-lidded nonchalance of its subject, jazz singer Billie Holiday. "Angel of Harlem" is quite specific in its references to "Lady Day," "Birdland," and 53rd St. and all that jazz, but on the choruses, Bono gives it his best soul shoutin', fist-pumpin, "yea-yea" and throws in some falsetto too. The band was criticized for its seemingly sudden interest in all things American during this period of its career; in fact, it was probably a bit unfair to so roundly criticize its efforts toward exploring traditional music. Though it's certainly not what the band does best, like the similar track "When Love Comes to Town" (with B.B. King, also recorded at Sun), "Angel of Harlem" is a valiant effort and wears well — arguably much better than most of the band's early-'80s output. U2 reprised the song in an acoustic version on its 1997 Zoo TV that also states the case for its strength: only timeless songs can bear up to multiple interpretations and arrangements.

[jenglisbe]

I've always loved this track as well. RATTLE & HUM was panned back then, I believe, but "AOH" and "Desire" are great singles. It was definitely something different from U2.

It's cool that the AMG has a page for the song; any idea what determines which tracks get their own pages? The only Mariah song with one is "VOL."

[Deleted]

The AMG review pages are totally random. I know they've reviewed every song on some albums. Mary J. Blige's Mary album is reviewed like that and it's not even one of her better selling albums. I've also noticed that sometimes songs are reviewed almost immediately upon release, so it's not like it has to do with classics.

As far as Mariah's reviews go, they reviewed "Vision Of Love" and "Loverboy".

[jenglisbe]

Sorry this has strayed from the original topic, but the selections do seem random. I thought they were done for 'classic' songs, but that obviously isn't true.

The "VOL" page is rather uninformative (could have discussed her vocal and the music a bit more), but the "Loverboy" review is pretty much spot-on , ncluding mentioning how "Candy" wasn't the intended sample (though they get wrong why she didn't use it).

[Jeffster]

I thought it was a bit of a letdown after one of my favorite U2 songs, "Desire."

[reception]

I like it.

[joker]

Perhaps it was because, as mentioned, Rattle & Hum was panned when it came out, but I've always thought this song, and "Desire", seem underrated to me. I like them both a lot.

[areyoureadytojump]

The video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNHtvu-4cDw

[tico]

Not their best song, but one of their better songs.

[Deleted]

Really underrated.

[620 Soul Train]

This is one of favourite U2 records it shows that this band is not afraid to experiment with other musical genres without alienating their fans.

[Deleted]

Eh, it's okay. They've had better.