Bono Vox: A True Guru!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am an obsessive fan of the band named “U2”. Also my favorite artist of this band, is the lead singer, Bono Vox (birth-name: Paul David Hewson). Sure… he’s sexy, romantic, charismatic, and very good looking. And it doesn’t hurt him that he has a beautiful voice, writes all the lyrics for the albums, and is a bleeding-heart humanitarian of the world. But, that’s not why I like him. :-p

The first song I heard of U2 is “New Years Day”, at age 15. I was surfing the radio stations and came across the guitar solo of this song… and I was blown away! That song still sends chills up my spine, till this day. ;-)

But, I began to buy their cds and before I knew it, I had every album released since 1983… It’s odd, I was two years old, when their first album “War” was released. But, I bought it, fourteen years later. :-p

However, I was a very lonely teen, never having any friends. Not that I didn’t want them or was anti-social. But no one wanted to talk to “the weird girl” and I could only be myself. So, I spent many of my days alone and sad, depression began, and got worse as time wore on. And in the darkness, there was one voice that was reaching out to me….

“I wanna run. I want to hide. I wanna tear down the walls, That hold me inside. I wanna reach out, And touch the flame. Where the streets have no name. I want to feel, Sunlight on my face. I see the dust cloud disappear, Without a trace. I want to take shelter from the poison rain. Where the streets have no name. Where the streets have no name. Where the streets have no name. We’re still building, Then burning down love. Burning down love. And when I go there, I go there with you. It’s all I can do.”

This song gave me some hope, of a better place… a different world… where I could be myself, be loved, and wanted. I had my cat at the time, Mr. Meeks (may he rest in peace!), and I would sing this song to him every night. Mr Meeks and I were going to find these Streets With No Name, someday. Or, that was my thought. ;-)

Many of Bono’s words are electric and rooted in great metaphors and wisdom. Sadly, my depression soon spiraled out of control and I spent many of my teen years in and out of mental facilities, from suicidal tendencies and too many suicide attempts to count. :-/

But, through all of that darkness, I was able to have some sense of peace and calmness, listening to voice and words of Bono Vox. I am in a FAR better state than I was, these days. No depression or suicidal thoughts. And I still take comfort and enjoy the music of Bono.

 There are some debate on some of his songs, by fans, on what his lyrics really mean. Some, Bono have clarified what was his message in these songs… but other times, he likes to keep it an riddle. I believe that he very clever in this way, leaving the meaning of some songs up to the listener to decide. For example, one of his more recent song, “Magnificent” is up for debate:

“I was born, I was born to be with you, In this space and time. After that and ever after, I haven’t had a clue. Only to break rhyme. This foolishness can leave a heart, Black and blue. Only love, Only love can leave such a mark. But only love, Only love can heal such a scar. I was born, I was born to sing for you. I didn’t have a choice, But to lift you up. And sing whatever song you wanted me to, I give you back my voice. From the womb my first cry, It was a joyful noise. Oh, oh.”

Some argue that this is a religious song, about God. Others argue it’s about a love between a man and woman. For me, I believe it’s a song about true love for another in general (for friends, lovers, and family), in the purest of forms. But, Bono isn’t saying much or making a definite statement on the meaning of the song. Cheeky! :-p

One thing is clear… Bono Vox moves to the beat of a different drummer. His words are from the soul and an expression of his inner thoughts. And that’s not to say that the rest of the band (The Edge: guitarist, Adam: base guitarist, and Larry: drummer) aren’t pretty awesome too, in their own right. I’ll always be a fan of the band and of the Guru named Bono,  a poet of human emotions. :-)

-D