Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
The ONE thing good to come out of Bill Clinton's inauguration. Pun very much intended.
Automatic Baby was the one time collaboration between REM's Michael Stipe and Mike Mills with U2's Larry Mullen Jr. and Adam Clayton, performing at the 1993 MTV Inaugural Ball. The name is an amalgam from REM's Automatic for the People and U2's Achtung Baby album titles. For my money, the two most important bands of my time, and two of the best albums of all time.
"One" is the most important song U2 ever recorded. Not because of meaning or quality, both of which are certainly significant, but because its genesis and recording literally saved the band from breaking up. A teaser for a story deserving its own post another time. I don't wish to take anything away from this amazing performance.
I remember reading that Bono felt the song deserved to be sung by a great singer. His wish was granted on that 1993 evening. Like I said, the one thing good to come out of that night.
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May '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
Lance, I agree! U2 and REM are two of the most important bands of the last, say, thirty-five years. In fact, 16-year-old daughter S gets to see U2 this summer. Her musical education is important.
May '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
Thanks, Lance. Those 80's REM albums (Murmur, Fables, Pageant) will always be "the sounds of Ohio State" for me. Ah, nostalgia.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
Consider me envious. I went to my first U2 show with my girlfriend and her friends when I was 14. Of course, they were all 16, but thats a tale for another day. Anyway, it was the VERY last concert of the Joshua Tree tour and they were filming at ASU's Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. It was being filmed for the Rattle and Hum movie, so in order to ensure a sell out they sold the ticket for 5 bucks. Let me put together something to help her prepare for the show...(Cont)
Jun '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
This makes me love that song even more.....I just posted it on my Facebook profile.
Sep '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
This is nice but it needs another instrument. The Edge's lead guitar and the organ(?) in the original give it more musical interest and it's needed because of the simple chord progression and the repetitive nature of the song.
May '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
I only remember hearing a couple songs by REM, one that I liked and one I didn't. I'll have to add them to my sampling list.
Lance:
I remember reading that Bono felt the song deserved to be sung by a great singer. His wish was granted on that 1993 evening.
Bono sings it with more passion and dynamism.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
Here is some pre-show homework from Professor Lance.
1. Make sure she takes in the Red Rocks concert and CD so you can assign her a proper compare and contrast post- show essay.
2. Show her the Live Aid performance and ask her to surmise why it was so important.
3.Throw in the Rattle and Hum movie and ask her to explain why it went wrong, and what was so right about the Album. Both answers can be found here. (I was at that show!)
4. Have her explain the difference between Bono'sFly, Mephisto personas on the ZooTV tour.
5. What song did Dennis Hopper consider to be the most important reason to see U2 perform their new album in a nationally broadcast promo for the PopMart premier in Las Vegas?
6. Who won the SuperBowl game that featured the legendary U2 halftime performance honoring the victims of 9/11 that reignited both their tour and definitvely re-established their position as the the biggest band in the world?
7. What was the commercial significance of the Vertigo?
8. What are the two little birds Bono mentions during this song on the 360 tour?
Mar '11
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
This was a great collaboration. Love both the bands so much, they are the soundtrack of my high school & college years and have happily seen both a zillion times.
I also loved the 10,000 Maniacs & Michael Stipe hook up from that same night.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
I ran out of words on that last post...but for those interested in following the links, I just provided a visual tour of U2 over the past the past 3 decades. Having had them playing in the background as I prepared the questions, I am once again blown away by how awesome they are live.
I didn't mean to go that far when I started the comment, but it just kept going. This is a musical tour of my life as a U2 fan. It literally began listening to the radio in bed one Sunday night and the live Sunday Bloody Sunday track came on, kicking off with that famous "There's been a lot of talk about this song...maybe, maybe too much talk. But this is not a rebel song...This is Sunday Bloody Sunday!" I was in seventh grade and didn't have a clue what he was talking about. But I was hooked. Obviously I still am.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
I had forgotten that one. For Ricochet's sake, it was To Sir With Love. There was a lot of collaboration between Michael Stipe and Natalie Merchant back in those days. And a lot of speculation of the true nature of their relationship. Thanks for reminding me about Ms. Merchant. I have a particular favorite I will have to post one day as the song of the day. Its video features one of my favorite foods...a bowl of Trix cereal.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
I have been looking for an excuse to share a bunch of songs on Ohio. In your honor, Scott, tomorrow I will post that tribute. And it will be in thanks for doing so will release from my brain's creative side the weight they have collectively been bearing down on my to-do list.
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
A great, great song. But don't tell me you've never heard the Mary J. Blige version. It might even be better than the original:
Edited on Apr 8, 2011 at 9:10amNov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
I never said it was better. I like that its different. To quote the song, being "one, but not the same" is the essential joy I get from covers. And regarding this one, I just loved the collaboration, and the very novelty of it. REM were supporting their Automatic for the People CD at the time and I absolutely love that album. Its singular in its style and content amongst the rest of the catalog.
But I like the commentary from the technical perspective and wish I was educated enough to provide my own.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
My dear Mr. Yeti, you sure know how to steal a guy's thunder. I had strategically left out any reference to it in order to feature it on its own in due time. I was going to use my comments about Bono thinking the song deserved to be sung by great singers as an eventual segway.
That being said, you are absolutely correct. From the moment this song was released, it has been defined by that speculation. But as good as it may be, it can't take away from the power of the original. And if you can keep that perspective, than you can appreciate and love them both.
Sep '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
Lance
I never said it was better. I like that its different. To quote the song, being "one, but not the same" is the essential joy I get from covers. And regarding this one, I just loved the collaboration, and the very novelty of it. REM were supporting their Automatic for the People CD at the time and I absolutely love that album. Its singular in its style and content amongst the rest of the catalog.
But I like the commentary from the technical perspective and wish I was educated enough to provide my own. ·
No I wasn't implying you thought it was better, I'm just making a comment. I became distracted my the guitar part when listening and the reason was for me there was too much simple repetition. I love covers too. This song was interesting because of the singer, but I missed the back-beat melodic riff.
Sep '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
Listening to the Blige version now, My daughter will be dancing to this version of the song again this weekend at a dance competition. I will eventually get a DVD of that and post it. (Proud dad)
And I am just a big fan of what The Edge does in U2 and his tasteful minimalist playing. I think it makes a huge difference.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
Franco
Lance
I never said it was better. I like that its different.
No I wasn't implying you thought it was better, I'm just making a comment...This song was interesting because of the singer, but I missed the back-beat melodic riff. · Apr 8 at 9:20am
Sorry for the tone. I have been posting on this for longer than I expected when I sat down a while ago and I find myself descending into hyperbole. Ultimately, you're right. The band's collaboration was a great fun. Its the vocals, both Stipe's lead and Myers back ups, which make it exciting.
An interesting point to compare...the relative importance the back up vocals Mike Myers and The Edge's each have on their bands respective music.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
Madam, your potential opinion is among the filters I run my selections through. I certainly don't let it constrict my range of choice. But I do celebrate your excited feedback when its so inspired.
Aug '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
As a big U2 fan, I thank you.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Automatic Baby- "One"
Anyone who claims Bono is not a great singer, even if it's Bono himself, needs to be slapped catorce times.