Customer Reviews

Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

... and I feel so young and silly when I say that! But it really was "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" that acted as my catalyst, that made me discover the world of U2, all at the tender age of 12. Okay, enough sappy stories. On with the show!

Personally I love this single because it reminds me of being 12 years old, when my fascination for U2 was in its primitive yet constantly-expanding stage. Here's my thoughts on each song:

Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (Temple Bar Edit): This is the same recording as the Achtung Baby version, but it has been shortened to 4 minutes, as opposed to the 5 on Achtung Baby.

Paint It Black: U2's attempt at recording the famous Rolling Stone song. It starts off with a very harsh sounding electric guitar from the Edge, followed by Bono's semi spaced-out echoed vocals. Larry's drumming is impressive as always, and his beats carry out the same flavour as the original Rolling Stones recording. Saying that, U2 aren't really trying to copy the original Paint It Black note for note, but they're not going down an original route either. I find that Bono's vocals sound a bit strained at times, especially during the end. The song would have been better if they edited out the ending as Bono's strained voice makes the final moments of the song sound somewhat painful. Otherwise? The song's fine.

Fortunate Son: I think this is completely underrated and it amazes me how many people think it's terrible! U2's version of Fortunate Son is amazing! Instead of the medium-paced, country-twang rock song by CCR, U2 turns this song into fast, full-on ambitious blues-rock with attitude. We get a killer bassline from Adam (which is evidently present throughout the song), Edge's distinct guitar, Larry's upbeat tempo, and a daring harmonica solo from Bono. Bono takes the character of the blues musician and adds an extra raspyness to his voice. Even the female backing vocals add to the sonic depth of the song. Once again, this is less of a CCR song, and more of an adoptive U2 song from the Rattle & Hum era. I now find the original CCR version disappointingly boring compared to U2's version!

Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (Temple Bar Remix): This is the version of WGRYWH that they used for the music video. You'll notice the clean, crisp piano, the acoustic guitar, and the completely different sounds during the bridge of the song. The bridge is where Bono sings "ahhh, the deeper I spin... ah-ah, the hunter will sin for your ivory skin", etc. Instead of the guitar on Achtung Baby, we're treated to a futuristic-sounding sequence of synth notes echoing in and out, fading into the next line. I actually prefer this version over the original.

All in all, this is an excellent addition to anyone's U2 collection, especially if you're a fan of Rattle & Hum, acoustic U2 songs, or Achtung Baby.

The single released for U2's "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" doesn't actually contain the original version found on the ACHTUNG BABY album. Instead, we are treated to two edits/remixes and two covers. Here are some short comments on each of the tracks:

"Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (The Temple Bar Edit)" -- Structurally, this edit is similar to the original, album version. However, it forgoes a lot of the electronic noises in favor of a more straightforward guitar/piano sound. The album version works better alongside its ACHTUNG BABY companions, but this interpretation sounds better as a standalone song. This song isn't one that's overly powerful, but I find myself humming it for days afterwards. A nicely understated work.

"Paint It Black" -- A cover of the well-known Rolling Stones song. Comparisons to the original are unavoidable, and while this doesn't come close to achieving that power, it's an interesting version all the same. But Bono's vocals just don't have the same gravity as Mick Jagger's, and Edge isn't as forceful in his guitar playing as Keith Richards is. There's a reason why U2 isn't recognized as a cover band, although some of the stuff they do on this track isn't bad.

"Fortunate Son" -- A cover of the well-known Creedence Clearwater Revival song. Much more rhythmic than the original, and, again, not nearly as good. While CCR put a lot of passion and emotion into their song, this version just seems a bit limp and weightless. The female backing vocals are a nice touch, but just not enough to save this one. It's a pity, because I like some of the stuff they do on here. The guitar playing is pretty good, the rythmn section is putting out good beats, and I like the vocal track that Bono lays down. It ends up being far less than the sum of its parts, almost certainly because the original is just so familiar.

"Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (The Temple Bar Remix)" -- Virtually the same as the Temple Bar Edit version albeit slightly longer and with a few added synthesizers.

Not one of U2's strongest singles, this is primarily a curiosity for hardcore U2 fans. The different versions of the title track are interesting and worth a listen, while the other two covers are fairly forgettable.

'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' is and always will be one of my favorite tracks on the Auchtung Baby album. It's very honest, and offset from what the band usually would sound like. With the ambience given off by the edge's guitar, the song builds and builds... until releasing at the emotional peak, as Bono cries the words "...don't you look back!"

However, in this single version (The Temple Bar Edit), that emotion is lost. There is no real peak to the song... the song is just lost in a wave of acoustic guitar and lighter drums. The original mood the album version had given off, is hopelessly lost - no more twisted pain, or agonizing guitar riffs, to make this song complete. I can't stand either of the single versions.

'Paint It Black': Great cover... rocking just as much now, as when the Stones played it.

'Fortunate Son': A soulful rendition of John Fogerty's song.

It would appear that this single is being grossly over-rated here. Four stars overall? Yes, the different versions of Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses are pretty good, arguably better than the original, but the cover of Fortunate Son is without a doubt U2's worst cover ever. U2 have done some fantastic covers, most notably Dancing Barefoot, but Fortunate Son is a disaster. It sounds promising initially but Bono's vocals are terrible. Personally, I find Paint It Black to be enjoyable to listen to, but objectively, it's not a quality cover either.

Only for the collectors.

Another great U2 single. This one has Paint it Black, a Rolling Stones song, and another non-U2 written song. Both are cool. Even better is the 2 versions of Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses. Note that neither are the version on Achtung Baby. The Temple Bar Remix is more acoustic, sounds more classic-U2 like. The edit is the same song, but has a few rearrangements to the song, you may actually like it better. An overall great buy that won't be easy to find this long.

If you wanna hear of passion, do not hesitate on purchase this cd, the covers is fine but the last and first tracks is about what everybody wants to hear, heart stuff. Bono really understands of passion. The more you hear the more you love it, it is not an easy listening.

This is another classic U2 CD single. The acoustic version of Who's gonna ride your wild horses is amazing! It is very much different in style than the CD version of this song. The two b-side remakes are very well done.

This has the definitive version of Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses--far better than the album version. The guitar tracks are far more clear and the intro is much more accessible. Paint It Black and Fortunate Son are also great, and even though they are only covers they still sound fresh like you've never heard them before. If you are a U2 single collector, you know this is one of their best. This is a great supplement for fans of Achtung Baby.

The two versions of "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" that appear here (the "Temple Bar" mixes), one a long version and the other a short version, are far more acoustic and straight-forward renditions of the song which appears on 'Achtung Baby.' I feel that these are superior to the original version, which seemed a bit over-produced (even for 'Achtung Baby'), and I would not be suprised if the Temple Bar mix appeared on a future compilation ("U2-The Best of 1991-2000"?). The cover tunes, "Paint It Black" and "Fortunate Son", are somewhat forgettable.

Ripping guitars, thumping bass and Bono's full range. Classic U2 at its best. And the B-side tracks are amazing. Paint it Black inspired me to go out and buy some Stones albums but like so many Dylan and others, Bono's version has something extra!