Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own Pt.2 [Single, Import]

U2 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 2005)
• Original Release Date: January 1, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single, Import
• Label: Universal Import
• ASIN: B0007DBXJ2
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,681 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own [Radio Edit 96 BPM] - U2

2. Ave Maria [Jacknife Lee Mix] - U2

3. Vertigo [Redanda Power Mix] - U2

Editorial Reviews

The second single taken from How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. The Radio Edit of the title track is backed with 'Ave Maria' feat. Luciano Pavarotti) (Jacknife Lee Mix) & 'Fast Cars' (Jacknife Lee Mix). Island. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy single to add to your collection, February 19, 2005

By 

Axver - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own Pt.2 (Audio CD)

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own (SYCMIOYO) is without a doubt one of the very best tracks on the superb How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb album. The lyrics are extremely personal, and anyone who has had troubles with their father will be able to feel Bono's pain and will find the lyrics to be hauntingly superb. Indeed, such is the quality of Bono's lyricism that the lyrics of SYCMIOYO can be related to many other situations just as adequately, as I know very well from experience. This song is a ballad of the calibre of masterpieces such as Bad, With Or Without You, One, and Stay (Faraway, So Close!), featuring some of Bono's best vocals since the Zooropa era.

The single as a format of musical release is pretty much dying, with sales continuing to decline. For that reason, bands focus more on album releases, and U2 are no exception. They have another good reason - their recording process is organic, with ideas developed in one session but not often fully formed until later (i.e. City Of Blinding Lights, recently released on HTDAAB, saw the first musical inception during 1996 sessions for Pop), and thus they do not want to release half-formed ideas that could be built upon later, especially not as b-sides on a format that is low-profile and will only be purchased by a relative few. Nonetheless, the single is solid enough and the title track itself is so marvellous that it definitely deserves a five star rating. I would definitely recommend this version (the three track release) over the other one (the two track release), if only for Ave Maria. How many other bands can claim the prestige of releasing not just one but two songs with a master like Pavarotti?

To answer some allegations, there was no iTunes debacle as no money changed hands, U2 are not sell-outs except in the sense that every band that signs a record deal is selling out their music to others, and anyone who thinks U2 have lost their way and become commercial since Pop is simply delusional. U2 are refining their art, playing to their strengths, releasing sincere and heartfelt rock in a world filled with shallow, fake Britney-pop and mindless rap. If the allegations against U2 were true, Bono would be singing "I want you in my pants" and the song would be used as part of a Levis jeans ad. That hasn't happened and the greatest rock band in the world are still the greatest rock band in the world, going where no-one has gone before and releasing some of their most successful and best music more than two and a half decades into their career. It may not be your cup of tea, but you have to admire the artistic ability. Just because U2 didn't make what YOU wanted doesn't mean it's bad. Some people need to stop living in the past.

SYCMIOYO is a superb single. The song is masterful, crafted by a band of extraordinary talent and infused with heartfelt, sincere lyrics that are both specific and universal. This is a U2 classic. Buy it today.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This song is what it is, great!, February 16, 2005

By 

Luis Fernando Medina "Ferno" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own Pt.2 (Audio CD)

All these people are abviously not long time fans. This song is about his father. C'mon. If you guys would stop and listed to the words then you would get the message. Some people just want to hear the same thing over and over from the artist. Yes, this song is slow but it is a great song that makes you think. You are not gonna get a "with or without you", "If God would send his Angels, etc.." If you want that, then go listen to those songs. New album, new songs. Get over it.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meant to be understood primarily by his father..., February 16, 2005

By 

dartigues "A" (Calgary, AB) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own Pt.2 (Audio CD)

This is a love poem dedicated to a lost one, not necessarily meant to be understood by anynone but the author and his father. Having been sung during his father's funeral, I can't think of many other Bono songs that fall into the "deeply personal" category as much a this one. I think anyone who's ever lost a loved one can understand where this song came from.

A message of solidarity and desperation -"let me take some of the punches for you tonight"- Bono simply reveals the way he felt during a very difficult time of his life.