Customer Reviews

If God Will Save His Angels

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is difficult to rate a single because usually it means rating a song or two or three tracks, and frankly, if you are buying this single you are probably already a U2 fan, and a review won't necessarily move you one way or the other.

However, I also find it nice to give some insight for those who don't necessarily know what is here and give the advantages and disadvantages of this single.

First the disadvantages. You are getting a song that is available on a complete album, albeit this version is different (and probably better) than what appears on "POP" but is available on the recent "Best of 1990-2000" compilation. You are only getting three songs, and you could wait for the standard B-Sides album that comes with U2's greatest hits.... One song is not even sung by U2 (Willie Nelson) with a U2 sung version already available on the "Stay..." single.

Ok, the advantages. Contrary to my statement, U2 did not put these songs on the B-Sides compilation. The song "Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad" is perhaps one of the greatest B-Sides of the last 10 years by U2, and it was written for Frank Sinatra's 80th birthday. This song demonstrates the versitility U2 have. "Slow Dancing" with Willie Nelson is actually quite cool and is how the song was meant anyway. It is a country song, and Willie Nelson's voice shows that. Again, U2's diversity shines through. Last of all, Sunday Bloody Sunday here is a live acoustic version that is perhaps the best I've heard... and... Edge sings and performs it solo. Awesome.

This is one of the more essential U2 singles in my opinion.

this single is really quite powerful...a slightly different version of "If God Will Send His Angels" than on the Pop album is quality, but for me, the track that makes this an excellent single is the live version of "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" performed in Sarajevo, and sung by The Edge. Incredible version, this remains one of the few songs that sends chills up my spine when I listen to it. Very powerful stuff.

If God will send his Angels is probably the best song on POP album. Very intresting are two other songs that appear on the single. One Shot Of Happy, Two Shots Of Sad a piece tha Bono has sung for Frank Sinatra's 80th birthday is warm but tricky piece of music that shiver down the spine. Slow Dancing is a song written for Willie Nelson in 1988 and man himself is a guest vocalist on the song with Bono singing the chorus. It is a wonderful slow and moody song about the love between a man and a stronger woman. Live version of Sunday, Bloody Sunday taken from legendary concert in Sarajevo, BiH rom 23.september 1997 is wonderful with The Edge singing the song. One guitar, one voice version is rare and unike. If you are concider buying any single from POP or ZOOROPA this is the single to buy! Superb!!!

This is a good CD overall, quite unlike the previous singles from Pop which were packed with remixes.

If God Will Send His Angels (Single Version): This is the version that was on the City of Angels soundtrack. It is shorter than the album version by almost a minute, but is not entirely the same. There's a different vocal part in the end that sounds really pretty. Still, the song's doubt may put off some listeners. "God's got His phone off the hook, babe/Would He pick up if He could?"

Slow Dancing (featuring Willie Nelson): This song originally appeared as the B-side to the Stay (Faraway, So Close!) single. While that version was just Bono and an acoustic guitar, this version features Willie Nelson on lead vocals, along with a nice harmonica part. Bono wrote this song specifically for Willie, but it took him a while to get around to recording it, as evidenced by the amount of years separating the two recordings.

Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad: A song Bono wrote for Frank Sinatra and performed for his 80th birthday celebration. If you listen closely right at the end you can hear him say "Happy birthday, Frank". Pretty good song with Bono singing along with a live swing band. Not technically what you would call a "U2 song", but worth a listen nonetheless.

Sunday Bloody Sunday (Live From Sarajevo): Normally I'm not much on live tracks, but this one is an exception. This version is taken from a concert where Bono's voice gave out, so The Edge had to step in for vocal duties. It's cool to hear him sing this classic with just a guitar accompaniment. Definitely different. Worth adding to your CD collection.

The maxi-single not only contains a wonderfully radio version of "IFGWSHA" but also include three bonus tracks. "Two Shots of Happy" is a song Bono wrote for Frank Sinatra and sings with great gusto, "Slow Dancing", another B-side orginally seen on the "Stay" single from Zooropa is redone, this time with Willie Nelson doing the crooning. The HIGHLIGHT is the Edge's solo version of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" live on the fateful night when Bono's voice went out in Sarajevo. Perhaps the best live version ever done of the famous toon, primariy because of its simplicity.

I have no issue with the CD-Single. The addition of the duet with Willie Nelson accentuates this in that it brings back memories of Willie Nelson's early gospel work like the classic song "Family Bible." Good team effort.

This CD is really a U2 EP, and not a 45. It is a superb collection, especially the B-tracks. The first track is the radio edit of "If God will Send His Angels," which has some trumpets shaved off the album track, but it is basically the same piece of music. It has Bono's anguish almost growing into a weird mixture of despair and impatience. It is not as hubric as "Wake Up Dead Man," and has a punchier rap feel to the lyrics. You hear Bono's Christianity shine through again!

"Slow Dancing" has Willie Nelson (yes, THAT Willie Nelson) doing lead vocals on a song. This is one of the rare times that U2 becomes a back-up band to another singe, the other time being Johnny Cash's cameo on Zooropa's "the Wanderer." The voice is the nasal Nelson, but the lyrics are pure Bono.

"Two Shots of Happy, One shot of Sad" is a birthday present to Frank Sinatra (yes, THAT Frank Sinatra), which is a reprise to Bono and Blue Eyes duet of "Under My Skin." It is an experimental piece that demands to be on the next B-sides collection to the next "Best of U2 1990-2000." This song has the soul of Sinatra's own "My way," and is a killer piece of music.

The last track is a tripped down version of "Sunday, Bloody Sunday," so don't expect the "Rattle and Hum" film version. It is just the Edge, his guitar, and the truth from a Sarajevo concert. This band has a soul, and I am glad this signature song is still being played.

This CD-Really-an-EP is a great snapshot of the mature, evolved U2, the Boy has finally become a man, and no longer needs to prove himself.

More than any other rock band in the last 20 years U2 has been able to craft rock songs that are beautiful examples of melody, atmosphere and pure feeling. "If God Will Send His Angels" was one of the more passive moments of the frentic "Pop" album, it shines and moves forward with the feel of a 21st century hymn in it's choruses. Bono's voice is subdued and full of style while The Edge colors everything with his palette of chords and harmonies. U2 have always excelled in the packing of their singles and they don't change any of that here. The extra songs are great rarities for any U2 fan. "Slow Dancing" is a duet with country legend Willie Nelson. It's very sweet in that country music sort of way and has a dreamy ballad vibe. One of the highlights here is "Two Shots Of Happy, One Shot Of Sad" which was written for Frank Sinatra but he died before he could record it. Here Bono and Edge have done him a great homage with a song that feels fresh but retains a purely classic Sinatra feel in it's orchestral arrangements and especially in the highly autobiographical lyrics. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" here is a big departure from the usual concert version, this is a live recording from Sarajevo where The Edge performs a solo version of the song that is very well done. Edge has always been known for having a good voice aside from his masterful guitar skills and he shines here with a wonderful performance accompanied by some rich guitar strokes. "If God Will Send His Angels" is a single any U2 fan would recognize as a must for a collection and it's a good package for anyone who didn't approve of "Pop" but at least enjoyed this tune.

I love this single! I think that it is a necessary part of any U2 collection. It says a lot about a band when the stuff that doesn't make the album is amazing. U2 is so diversified in their music. The live "Sunday Bloody Sunday" sung by Edge make the CD worth buying. I love every song. It is worth much more than their asking!

This single version is slightly different from the album version. And much better! One of thier deepest songs to date! Why it did not top the charts is beyond me! Worth the $$$!