8:20 This basically outlines my problem with this version. The original is actually a pretty heavy song, there's some hope in it, but it comes from a much darker place. Part of why that's the case is that it doesn't go for the big grand finale with belted high notes etc. It's deliberately understated because the character singing is beaten down and almost completely broken. It was written, in part, about an HIV positive son coming out to his homophobic father. This version, on the other hand, turns it into a sappy, overblown love ballad that could play at the end of a rom com. Don't get me wrong, Mary J Blige can sing, but I don't think her interpretation of the song works, honestly. The lyrics come from someone who's powerless, so big powerful belting doesn't suit them.
Thanks so much for watching. This is a really interesting point, and I appreciate the comment. I think you're ultimately right that the lyrics don't call for big powerful belting, but I view this song and listen to it in a completely different way than I do the original. I think that Mary's singing MAKES the lyrics more hopeful in this particular version...and that's what makes for the best covers in my opinion - changing the way we interpret the song. Either way, I totally see where you're coming from; I'm just a sucker for unbelievable vocals. Let me know if there's any other U2 songs you want us to hit in the future!
If you are looking for some other U2 songs. Pretty much anything off Achtung Baby. I would avoid most of the “hits” everyone does like the same 5 songs. Other songs, Kite, Magnificent, Wake Up Dead Man, Gone, Mofo, Last Night On Earth, Dirty Day, Lemon, Every Breaking Wave. Also live versions of U2 are best if possible. Anything from ZooTv Sydney or Slane Castle Coming Home will blow you away.
@@s2z2downloadchallenge92 I’d recommend the live performance of all I want is you and where the streets have no name from slane castle. It’s two songs with a transition between them, performed about a week after bonos father died
@@YourLoyalDeserter It’s more than that. The song was written by U2 and the lyrics by Bono were about a number of relationships-including Bono’s intense but conflicted relationship with his dad and also about the relationships between the band members themselves at a time when there was tension within the band (“we’re one, but we’re not the same”). The original is dark & heavy-but there is also obvious love & redemptive beauty. Bono has said that the lyric “We get to carry each other…carry each other”-and especially the word “get” here-is very important. He said it’s intentional that the lyric is not “we HAVE to carry each other.” It’s “we GET to carry each other”-implying that there’s a hidden value in this, that’s it’s a privilege, a masked blessing that can transform human relationships if we let it. In the end, U2 didn’t break up and has even said this song “saved” the band. (U2 is still together to this day.) So, I, too, prefer the original and agree that-while Mary J. rocks the song soulfully & vocally-there’s more pathos and gravitas in the way that Bono sings & U2 performs the original. But, I find the original equally uplifting because it shows the resilience of the light while not shying away from the reality of the dark.
@@nianfiedler9691 Yeah, @S271Download Challenge, definitely react to LIVE versions of U2 songs. U2 are historically & essentially a live band. Their songs come to life when performed live. I'd add in consideration for reaction U2's LOVE IS BLINDESS. This one (it won't get blocked): ruclips.net/video/xUXVE4GEwmc/видео.html
This isn’t really a cover, U2 is playing with her, and I’ll take the original any day. The vocal “acrobatics” suck the emotion out of the song IMO. But i like to see new reaction channels, and you’re already better than a LOT of them. Good luck!
@@s2z2downloadchallenge92 So many “reaction” channels have people sitting there nodding along and that’s about you. You guys have some personality and take the time to discuss your thoughts. look forward to seeing more.
I prefer the original because U2's performance & Bono's understated singing has more pathos & gravitas. Mary J. is vocally amazing & thus this version has far more "wow" factor, but I find the original more lasting, more staying power, because of the emotional impact. Both are brilliant. The song itself is epic. @S272 Download Challenge, like your format.
I disagree with you. The original version by U2 is in my opinion better. This one is a good cover (or other version of the same song) though, but if you listen to the original it has more depth and width in emotions. I hope you guys will make a clip listening to the original one
![This. Was. LEGENDARY! 🙌🏽| Luciano Pavarotti, James Brown - It's A Man's Man's Man's World [REACTION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/v6SzhZn1P_M/mqdefault.jpg)
I've been waiting for this one
Loved the original this one is great too.
8:20 This basically outlines my problem with this version. The original is actually a pretty heavy song, there's some hope in it, but it comes from a much darker place. Part of why that's the case is that it doesn't go for the big grand finale with belted high notes etc. It's deliberately understated because the character singing is beaten down and almost completely broken. It was written, in part, about an HIV positive son coming out to his homophobic father. This version, on the other hand, turns it into a sappy, overblown love ballad that could play at the end of a rom com. Don't get me wrong, Mary J Blige can sing, but I don't think her interpretation of the song works, honestly. The lyrics come from someone who's powerless, so big powerful belting doesn't suit them.
Thanks so much for watching. This is a really interesting point, and I appreciate the comment. I think you're ultimately right that the lyrics don't call for big powerful belting, but I view this song and listen to it in a completely different way than I do the original. I think that Mary's singing MAKES the lyrics more hopeful in this particular version...and that's what makes for the best covers in my opinion - changing the way we interpret the song. Either way, I totally see where you're coming from; I'm just a sucker for unbelievable vocals.
Let me know if there's any other U2 songs you want us to hit in the future!
If you are looking for some other U2 songs. Pretty much anything off Achtung Baby. I would avoid most of the “hits” everyone does like the same 5 songs. Other songs, Kite, Magnificent, Wake Up Dead Man, Gone, Mofo, Last Night On Earth, Dirty Day, Lemon, Every Breaking Wave. Also live versions of U2 are best if possible. Anything from ZooTv Sydney or Slane Castle Coming Home will blow you away.
@@s2z2downloadchallenge92 I’d recommend the live performance of all I want is you and where the streets have no name from slane castle. It’s two songs with a transition between them, performed about a week after bonos father died
@@YourLoyalDeserter It’s more than that. The song was written by U2 and the lyrics by Bono were about a number of relationships-including Bono’s intense but conflicted relationship with his dad and also about the relationships between the band members themselves at a time when there was tension within the band (“we’re one, but we’re not the same”). The original is dark & heavy-but there is also obvious love & redemptive beauty. Bono has said that the lyric “We get to carry each other…carry each other”-and especially the word “get” here-is very important. He said it’s intentional that the lyric is not “we HAVE to carry each other.” It’s “we GET to carry each other”-implying that there’s a hidden value in this, that’s it’s a privilege, a masked blessing that can transform human relationships if we let it.
In the end, U2 didn’t break up and has even said this song “saved” the band. (U2 is still together to this day.) So, I, too, prefer the original and agree that-while Mary J. rocks the song soulfully & vocally-there’s more pathos and gravitas in the way that Bono sings & U2 performs the original. But, I find the original equally uplifting because it shows the resilience of the light while not shying away from the reality of the dark.
@@nianfiedler9691 Yeah, @S271Download Challenge, definitely react to LIVE versions of U2 songs. U2 are historically & essentially a live band. Their songs come to life when performed live.
I'd add in consideration for reaction U2's LOVE IS BLINDESS. This one (it won't get blocked): ruclips.net/video/xUXVE4GEwmc/видео.html
If you would like to react to a song, I recommend the artist Aesthetic Perfection with the song Gods & Gold
This isn’t really a cover, U2 is playing with her, and I’ll take the original any day. The vocal “acrobatics” suck the emotion out of the song IMO. But i like to see new reaction channels, and you’re already better than a LOT of them. Good luck!
Fair point - definitely different ways to view this version. Glad you liked the episode, though!! More coming soon 👀
@@s2z2downloadchallenge92 So many “reaction” channels have people sitting there nodding along and that’s about you. You guys have some personality and take the time to discuss your thoughts. look forward to seeing more.
🙏
U2 does NOT agree with you. Both Bono and the Band PREFER Ms. Blige's take on this Song.
I prefer the original because U2's performance & Bono's understated singing has more pathos & gravitas. Mary J. is vocally amazing & thus this version has far more "wow" factor, but I find the original more lasting, more staying power, because of the emotional impact. Both are brilliant. The song itself is epic.
@S272 Download Challenge, like your format.
I disagree with you. The original version by U2 is in my opinion better. This one is a good cover (or other version of the same song) though, but if you listen to the original it has more depth and width in emotions. I hope you guys will make a clip listening to the original one