The Best Of 1990 - 2000 B-Sides

The Best Of 1990 - 2000 B-Sides

Lady With The Spinning Head (Extended Dance Mix) (6:06)
This version originally released in the "Even Better Than The Real Thing" single, and the original version released in the "One" single
- There is no mistaking this is a dance tune, but the basic rock elements of the song are still present. For instance, the end of the song is VERY similar to the end of "The Fly". Overall, I like the song a lot, and think it's a good way to start the B-Sides. The song isn't too difficult to figure out, and is basically about Lady Luck. It seems the good lady is ordinarily faithful to Bono when he's down at the casino, but sometimes he can lose a lot. I think musically, the best part of the song is the chorus with Bono's la-la-la-ing, but I have to admit I like any song along those lines (my bro and I call them "Sha-na-na Songs"). Great song!

Here she comes
Lady luck again
Figure of eight
Six and nine again

I...I...Got my lady with the spinning head

Whatever the deal
She won't let me down
Wherever I go
She's always hanging 'round

I...I...Got my lady with the spinning head
La la la la la la la la la la la
Lady with the spinning head
La la la la la la la la la la la
Lady with the spinning head

She's been gone
But I knew she'd be back
She's got the rent
She put me in the black

I...I...The lady with the spinning head

If I ever let go
She'd cure my blues
She's the one
In Italian shoes
I'm on top
When she's around
She's my ticket
Out of town

La la la la la la la la la la la
Lady with the spinning head
La la la la la la la la la la la
Lady with the spinning head
La la la la la la la la la la la
Lady with the spinning head
La la la la la la la la la la la
Lady with the spinning head

Here she comes
Lady luck again
Here she comes...comes
Figure of eight
Six and nine again

Dirty Day (Junk Day Mix) (4:40)
Originally released in the "Please" single and original version released in Zooropa
- Although it keeps pace with the last song, I don't like this one too much. I'm not a fan of the original, but I prefer it over this one. But it begs the question: why are most of these B-Sides remixes? I like a lot of them, but from what I've seen, there are plenty of original songs on the singles to fill this compilation. But at any rate, I'm not a huge fan of this song any way it's mixed.

I don't know you
And you don't know the half of it
I had a starring role
I was the bad guy who walked out
They say be careful where you aim
'Cause where you aim you just might hit
You can hold on to something so tight
You've already lost it

Dragging me down
That's not the way it used to be
You can't even remember
What I'm trying to forget

It was a dirty day
Dirty day

You're looking for explanations
I don't even understand
If you need someone to blame
Throw a rock in the air
You'll hit someone guilty

From father to son
In one life has begun
A work that's never done
Father to son

Get it right
There's no blood thicker than ink
Hear what I say
Nothing's simple as you think

Wake up
This is something you can't get around
I'm in you
More so when they put me in the ground

These days, days, days run away like horses over the hill
These days, days, days run away like horses over the hill
These days, days, days run away like horses over the hill
These days, days, days run away like horses over the hill

Summer Rain (4:07)
Originally released in the "Beautiful Day" single
- I love this song! It starts off sounding very distorted, but it really picks up with Larry's drumming. But the best part is the way Bono's signing lends a romantic feel to the song. I like the chorus, it seems very soft and promising. The song itself is about taking chances and losing yourself in the moment, and how this isn't a bad thing. It's a very nice piece, and it's cool that even the most recent singles are making the cut here.

When you stop seeing beauty
You start growing old
The lines on your face
Are a map to your soul

When you stop taking chances
You'll stay where you sit
You won't live any longer
But it'll feel like it

I lost myself in the summer rain
I lost myself
I lost myself in the summer rain
In the summer rain

Tequila and Orange
Jamaica and rum
At the Morella
Honey on my tongue

In a small boat on a generous sea
You let me be your enemy
Tiny hand
With a grip on the world
Holding our breath now
Diving for pearls

I lost myself in the summer rain
I lost myself
I lost myself in the summer rain

Just as you find me
Always I will be
A little bit too free
With myself

I lost myself in the summer rain
I lost myself
Now there's no one else
In the summer rain

Raining down
Raining down
Rain

Raining now
Raining now

Just as you find me
Always I will be
A little bit too free
With myself

It's not why you're running
It's where you're going
It's not what you're dreaming
But what you're gonna do

It's not where you're born
It's where you belong
It's not how weak
But what will make you strong

Electrical Storm (4:26)
- This is the version that you'll hear on the radio, but it's the inferior version in my opinion to the William Orbit Mix. The lyrics are the same, but this one has no slow beginning and a pickup in melody, and instead has the same tempo and pace through out. Plus, there are no nifty electric sound effects in this one, which is a shame. But on the whole, it's an okay song.

The sea it swells like a sore head
And the night, it is aching
Two lovers lie with no sheets on their bed
And the day it is breaking

On rainy days we'd go swimming out
On rainy days, swimming in the sound
On rainy days we'd go swimming out

You're in my mind
All of the time
I know that's not enough
If the sky can crack
There must be some way back
For love and only love

Car alarm
Won't let you back to sleep
You're kept awake
Dreaming someone else's dream
Coffee is cold
But it'll get you through
Compromise
That's nothing new to you

Let's see colors that have never been seen
Let's go to places no one else has been

You're in my mind
All of the time
I know that's not enough
Well, if the sky can crack
There must be some way back
To love and only love

Electrical storm
Electrical storm
Electrical storm
Baby don't cry

It's hot as hell
Honey, in this room
Sure hope the weather will break soon
The air is heavy, heavy as a truck
Hope the rain will wash away our bad luck

The sky can crack
There must be some way back
For love and only love

Electrical storm
Electrical storm
Electrical storm

Baby don't cry
Baby don't cry
Oh baby don't cry
Oh baby don't cry

North And South Of The River (4:36)
Originally released in the "Staring At The Sun" single (both of them)
- There were two "Staring At The Sun" singles, and this song is included on both of them, so there's no room for confusion if you want to run out and grab it. This song isn't too bad, but it's kind of mellow and slow. It starts off with a slow guitar ditty and some type of water drum noise. It picks up a bit, but I'd say the best part of the song musically is when Bono starts doo-doo-dooing. The song seems to be about a guy who tries to love and understand a girl, but she's distant and estranged from him, as if they are on opposing sides of a river. It's an okay song.

I want to reach out over the Loch
And feel your hand across the water
Walk with you along an unapproved road
Not looking over my shoulder

I want to see, and I want to hear
To understand your fears
But we're north and south of the river

I've been doing it wrong all of my life
This holy town has turned me over
A young man running from what he didn't understand
The wind from the Loch just get colder, colder

There was a badness that had its way
But love wasn't lost, love will have its day
North and south of the river
North and south of the river

Can we stop playing these old tattoos
Darling I don't have the answer
I want to meet you where you are
I don't need you to surrender

'Cause there's no feeling that's so alone
As when the one you're hurting is your own
North and south of the river
North and south of the river
North and south of the river

Doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo-doo

Some high ground is not worth taking
Some connections are not worth making
There's an old church bell no longer ringing
Some old songs are not worth bringing
North...
Higher ground is not worth taking
North and south of the river

Your Blue Room (5:26)
Released in the "Staring At The Sun" single, and originally released in The Passengers' Original Soundtrack
- This is a very moving and harmonious song. It's one of my favourites on this particular compilation. Unfortunately, the song is very enigmatic, but what I can gather is that the singer is leaving and will always remember what happens in the Blue Room. Going along with the rest of the soundtrack aspect of The Passengers' album (whether they are from real movies or not), this song is from the movie "Par-Dela Les Nuages" or "Beyond The Clouds". Musically, the song is very inspiring with what sounds like an organ playing a mesmerizing tune in the background. Larry's drumming is almost hypnotic, Bono's singing is deep and warm, and when The Edge and whoever sings backup comes in, it reaches an amazing height of harmony. One of the triumphs of this piece is by far when Adam's bass comes in playing the melody! Then he narrates the closing verse. This is an unusual thing, and I think Adam was appreciative of being so warmly featured.

It's time to go again
To your blue room
Got some questions to ask of you
In your blue room

The air is clean
Your skin is clear
I've had enough fun hanging 'round here
It's a different kind of conversation
Your blue room

Saw me coming
In outside
Saw me coming
Somewhere I can hide

And time is a string of pearls...your blue room
(I'm a swinger)
See the future just hanging there...your blue room
A new frame, a new perspective
Looking down on my objectives
Your instructions whatever their directions
Your blue room

Saw me coming
East by the moon
Saw me coming
Can you feel

(It's all right)

Your blue room

One day I'll be back...your blue room
Yeah, I hope I remember where it's at...your blue room

We see me slide
Won't you give me a home
So much for change

(Zooming in
Zooming out
Nothing I can't do without
A lens to see it all up close
Magnifying what no one knows
Never in company
Never alone
No car alarm
No cellular phone)

Happiness Is A Warm Gun (Gun Mix) (4:45)
Originally released in the "Last Night On Earth" single
Cover from The Beatles' White Album
- This is another really good song on this compilation. If I were to compare this to any previous U2 song, I would compare this to "Bad", simply because the song is very obviously about a drug addiction. The fellow "needs a fix, cause I'm going down". There is some pretty trippy imagery in this song, but most of it is harmonizing on the chorus. The warm gun metaphor is very effective here, as a warm gun is lethal (naturally) and has just been fired. Musically, it relies on the percussion section, which is good because Larry's drumming is very dark and introspective (as far as drumming can be), while Edge's guitar is distorted and echoed in the background. Bono's singing is great here as he harmonizes with himself, a high voice and a deep voice. It's a really good song.

Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun

She's not a girl who misses much
She's not a girl who misses much

Mother Superior jump the gun
Mother Superior jump the gun
Mother Superior jump the gun
Mother Superior jump the gun

Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun

She's well acquainted with the touch of the velvet hand
Like a lizard on a window pane
The man in the crowd
With the multicoloured mirrors on his hobnail boots
Lying with his eyes wide open
And the hands busy working overtime
A soap impression of his wife which he ate
And donated to the National Trust

Hey, I need a fix 'cause I'm going down

Happiness is a, a warm gun
Happiness is a, a warm gun
Happiness is a, a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun

Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun

I need a fix cause I'm going down
I need a fix cause I'm going down
I need a fix cause I'm going down
To the bits that I left uptown

I need a fix cause I'm going down, uptown
Need a fix cause I'm going down, uptown

Happiness is a, a warm gun
Happiness is a, a warm gun
Happiness is a, a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun

Salomé (Zooromancer Remix) (5:51)
Released in the Melon remix album and original version released in the "Even Better Than The Real Thing" single
- A really good song, and better than the original in my opinion. For those of you who don't know, Salomé was the step-daughter of King Herod of Israel. She danced an extremely erotic dance for the King, who told her he'd give her anything in return for such a sexy ensemble. Her price: John The Baptist's head on a silver platter (was there red wine?). This is the most of a dance song I've ever heard U2 do, and it's pretty cool. I have one objection, although it's not major. The end piece of music ("Under the spell of your love") is EXACTLY like the melody to Duran Duran's "Save A Prayer" from the album Rio. Was this intentional...? At any rate, it fits very well, so I don't mind too much.

Baby please
Baby please don't go
I got lies to feed
They want skin and seed
Now don't make me crawl

Baby please
Baby don't bite your lip
Give you half what I got
If you untie the knot
It's a promise

Salomé...Salomé
Salomé...Salomé
Yeah yeah yeah

Baby please
Baby what's that tune
Well I heard it before
When I crawled from your door
And my blood turned blue

Baby please
Baby please slow down
Baby I feel sick
Don't make me stick to my promise

Salomé...Salomé
Salomé...Salomé
Salomé...Salomé

Baby please
Baby don't say no
Won't you dance for me
'neath that cherry tree
Won't you swing down low

Please
Baby please say yes
Baby don't go away
You're spilling me
And your precious love

Shake it shake it shake it Salomé
Shake it shake it shake it Salomé
Shake it shake it shake it Salomé
Shake it shake it shake it Salomé
Shake it shake it shake it Salomé
Shake it shake it shake it Salomé
Shake it shake it shake it Salomé
Salomé...

(I got to, got to get you) (I got to get you) (I got to, got to get you)
(I got to, got to get you) (I got to get you) (I got to, got to get you)
(I got to, got to get you) (I got to get you) (I got to, got to get you)
(I got to, got to get you) (I got to get you) (I got to, got to get you)
(I got to, got to get you) (I got to get you) (I got to, got to get you)

All right now

Under the spell of your love
Under the spell of your love

Even Better Than The Real Thing (Perfecto Mix) (6:38)
Released in the "Even Better Than The Real Thing Remixes" single, the Melon remix album, and original version released in Achtung Baby
- For those of you not too sure, this is on the DVD as the Dance Mix of "Even Better Than The Real Thing". And in the music video, it incorporates footage from both "Even Better Than The Real Thing" and "Mysterious Ways" as well as shots of the band having a blast in some kind of festival (with transvestites). The song is in a different key entirely as the original, and focusses around the bridge ("Take me higher") being sang by female backup singers. It's not too bad of a remix, but I disagree with any single where it's just one song played over and over in different remixes. I am never really too impressed with those.

Take me higher

Give me one more chance
And you'll be satisfied
Give me two more chances
You won't be denied

Well my heart is where it's always been
My head is somewhere in between
Give me one more chance
Let me be your lover tonight

You're the real thing
You're the real thing
You're the real thing
Even better than the real thing
Child...

Give me one last chance
And I'm gonna make you sing
Give me half a chance
To ride on the waves that you bring

You're honey child to a swarm of bees
Gonna blow right through you like a breeze
Give me one last dance
We'll slide down the surface of things

You're the real thing
You're the real thing
You're the real thing
Even better than the real thing
Child...

Take me higher
Take me higher
Take me higher
You take me higher
Take me higher
Take me higher
Take me higher
You take me higher

We're free to fly the crimson sky
The sun won't melt our wings tonight

Take me higher
Take me higher
Take me higher
Take me higher

Take me higher
Take me higher
You take me higher
Take me higher
Take me higher
Take me higher
You take me higher
Take me higher
Take me higher
Take me higher
You take me higher
Take me higher
Take me higher
Take me higher
You take me higher
Take me higher

Numb (Gimme Some More Dignity Mix) (5:50)
Released on the Melon remix album and original version released in Achtung Baby
- This one is quite different from the original, like the last track. This one seems to focus more on Bono's part of the song than The Edge's monotone, which is background. There is a string section included, and musically it's quite an improvement over the original, with some hints of R&B. It's kind of long, but not badly so. The reason why it's so long is that it keeps repeating the same lyrics constantly. Just one more thing: in the answering machine message at the beginning, the guy mentions "captain lockings" and I have no idea what that is. Good song.

(Rob...Rob...Rob, wake up. Rob...well listen, listen, look, we've been up at the new U2
readings, right. It's called "Numb" or something. I don't know what it's like, but it
might be quite good. And even if it isn't, if it's not good, we'll just sell the multi-tracks
down captain lockings, you know, make a bit of money that way. But anyway, um,
when you wake up, give me a ring and I'm going to call the studio and
book some time. Oh yeah, and I want to use a full string section, okay)

Gimme some more
Gimme some more of that stuff, love
Gimme some more
Too much is not enough

Don't move
Don't talk out of time
Don't think
Don't worry
Everything's just fine
Just fine

Gimme some more
Gimme some more of that stuff, love
Gimme some more
Too much is not enough

Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more

Don't move
Don't talk out of time
Don't think
Don't worry
Everything's just fine
Just fine

Gimme gimme some more

Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more

Gimme gimme some more

Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more

Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more
Gimme gimme some more

Mysterious Ways (Solar Plexus Club Mix) (4:08)
Released in the "Mysterious Ways Remixes" single and original version released in Achtung Baby
- Okay, this song is so close to the original version, it's almost laughable that it's on this compilation, especially considering there are so many original songs in the singles. And I've said before that if you can barely tell the difference between the original and the remix, what's the point of remixing it (see "Staring At The Sun" in the A-Sides)? The only very distinct difference is the percussion is far more distinct. There's also a slight change in lyrics. As opposed to "She's the wave, she turns the tide, she sees the man inside the child", it's changed to "She loves you, you don't know why, she sees the man inside the child". That's it.

Johnny take a walk with your sister the moon
Let her pale light in to fill up your room
You've been living underground
Eating from a can
You've been running away
From what you don't understand...
Love

She's slippy
You're sliding down
She'll be there when you hit the ground

It's all right, it's all right, it's all right
She moves in mysterious ways
It's all right, it's all right, it's all right
She moves in mysterious ways

Johnny take a dive with your sister in the rain
Let her talk about the things you can't explain
To touch is to heal
To hurt is to steal
If you want to kiss the sky
Better learn how to kneel
(On your knees boy)

   She loves you
   You don't know why
   She sees the man inside the child

It's all right, it's all right, it's all right
She moves in mysterious ways
It's all right, it's all right, it's all right
She moves in mysterious ways
Lift my days, light up my nights

One day you will look...back
And you'll see...where
You were held...how
By this love...while
You could stand...there
You could move on this moment
Follow this feeling

It's all right, it's all right, it's all right
She moves in mysterious ways
It's all right, it's all right, it's all right
She moves in mysterious ways
It's all right, it's all right, it's all right

We move through miracle days
Spirit moves in mysterious ways
It'll move you
She moves with it
Lift my days, light up my nights

If God Will Send His Angels (Big Yam Mix) (5:42)
Original version released in Pop
- Another original remix for this compilation, and a mistake in my opinion. For starters, they should pick an original song from one of the past singles instead of another remix. Secondly, even though it has a nice string piece in the background, I feel that this remix has completely ruined the theme of this song. This is a touching song with true emotion and depth, and this version is like a dance mix. Musically, it's interesting, but it just doesn't match the lyrics or the theme. A bit of a letdown.

Nobody else here baby
Nobody else here to blame
No one to point the finger
It's just you and me and the rain

Nobody made you do it
No one put words in my mouth
No one here taking orders
When love took a train heading south

It's the blind leading the blonde
It's the stuff, it's the stuff of country songs

Hey if God will send his angels
And if God will send a sign
And if God will send his angels
Will everything be all right

God has got his phone off the hook, baby
Would he even pick up if he could
It's been a while since we saw that child
Hanging 'round this neighborhood
You see his mother dealing in a doorway
See Father Christmas with a begging bowl
Jesus sister's eyes are a blister
The High Street never looked so low

It's the blind leading the blonde
It's the cops collecting for the cons

If God will send his angels
And if God will send a sign
Well if God will send his angels
Will that make it all right
Where do we go
Where do we go

Jesus never let me down
You know Jesus used to show me the score
Then they put Jesus in show business
Now it's hard to get in the door
Angel

It's the stuff, it's the stuff of country songs
But I guess it's something to go on
So where is the hope and where is the faith
And the love...what's that you say to me
Does love...light up your Christmas tree
The next minute you're blowing a fuse
And the cartoon network turns into the news

If God will send his angels
I sure could use them here right now
Well if God would send his angels

And I don't have to know how
Where do we go
And I don't need to know why
And I don't want to promise
Where do we go
'Cause I don't want to lie
I just want to need you
Where do we go
Tonight

Love...
So light, so night, by your door
Do take my hand by your door
So light, so night, by your door

Lemon (Jeep Mix) (5:29)
Original version released in Zooropa
- Okay, even though this is yet another new remix for this album, I will pardon this one, simply because it is SO cool. For starters, I thought Lemon would have been a good addition for the A-Sides, but the album didn't suffer because of the lack of it. This is a darker song than the original "Lemon", which was not an easy task, I'm sure. The music is very mellow and moody, and somehow compliments Bono's singing. Lyrically, there's not much of a difference, but there's a few here or there. I really like this version of the song, and it ranks about as equal as the original in my views. One huge difference: it's not nearly as long (the original is about seven minutes).

Lemon
See through in the sunlight
She wore lemon
But never in the daylight
She's gonna make you cry
She's gonna make you whisper and moan
And when you're dry
She draws her water from the stone

And I feel
Like I'm slowly, slowly,
Slowly slipping under
And I feel
Like I'm holding onto nothing

She wore lemon
To colour in the cold grey night
She had heaven
And she held on so tight

A man makes a picture
A moving picture
Through the light projected
He can see himself up close
A man captures colour
A man likes to stare
He turns his money into light
To look for her

And I feel
Like I'm drifting, drifting,
Drifting from the shore
And I feel
Like I'm swimming out to her

Midnight is where the day begins

A man builds a city
With banks and cathedrals
A man melts the sand so he can
See the world outside

A man makes a car
And builds a road to run them on
A man dreams of leaving
But he always stays behind

You're gonna meet her there
She's your destination
You gotta get to her
She's imagination

And these are the days
When our work has come asunder
And these are the days
When we look to each other

Midnight is where the day begins
Midnight is where the day begins

Discothèque (Hexidecimal Mix) (5:45)
Originally released in the "Discothèque" single (two of them) and the original version released on Pop
- Now, this is a remix that's about on the same lines as the original, as they're both dance songs. In terms of music, this one is far more techno and sounds like something The Chemical Brothers would do. Bono's singing is a bit different than the original, as it centers around him singing in his deeper voice, which is background for the original. The lyrics are about that same, and I'm not too sure if this is a good way for them to end the compilation, but all in all it's pretty good.

You can reach
But you can't grab it
You can hold it, control it
No, you can't bag it

You can push
(You can push)
But you can't direct it
(But you can't direct it)
Circulate, regulate, oh no
You can't connect it
(You cannot connect it)

You know you're chewing bubblegum
You know what that is
But you still want some
You just can't get enough
Of that lovey dovey stuff

Let's go
Let's go
Discothèque

Let's go
Let's go
Let's go
Discothèque

You get confused
But you love it
Yeah, you hurt for it, work for it, love
You don't always show it

You want to be the one
But you know you're someone else instead
You want to be the song
Be the songs you're hearing, yeah

Let's go
Let's go
Discothèque

Go go
Go go
Discothèque
(Discothèque)

Love...

Love...(Discothèque)

(You want heaven in your heart)
(Heaven in your heart)

But you take what you can get
'Cause it's all that you can find
But you know there's something more
Tonight, tonight, tonight

Ha...ha...
Ha...ha...
Ha...ha...
Ha...ha...

(Boom) (Boom)
(Boom) (Boom)
(Boom) (Boom)
(Boom) (Boom)