have i come here to play jesus to the lepers in my head?
So all I could do was lay on my living room floor and listen to this version over and over. Hearing the way Damien Rice softly and darkly teases this song into something shatteringly his own, there’s not really other appropriate responses or actions while listening.
One (U2) – Damien Rice
From the forthcoming Q magazine compilation covering my favorite U2 album, I found it especially amazing how Damien totally changes this song just through switching a few pronouns from “you” to “me,” and the hesitancy in his voice, the inhalation of breath. With a few twists of vocabulary, he shifts all the blame and redemption woven through this song squarely onto his shoulders. I heard it in a way I haven’t heard this song in a long time.
i asked you to enter, and then i made you crawl
and you can’t be holding on
to what i’ve got
when all i’ve got is hurt
Name: Heather Browne
This will always be my favorite U2 song, and probably one of my favorite songs ever. Fantastic little cover here.
Adam — October 15, 2011 @ 11:29 am
So, this song has been resurrected from the abuse it has suffered by so many terrible covers. This song has been again made as powerful as it was when I head it that first time so many years ago.
Ben — October 15, 2011 @ 5:28 pm
that point of view reversal sounds heartbreaking. and i haven’t even listened to it yet.
Heather B — October 16, 2011 @ 1:56 pm
One of my favorite songs of all time.
This is just stunning and gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
I’m sharing your blog with my friends.
Steven — October 16, 2011 @ 10:17 pm
Like you, Achtung Baby is hands down my favorite all time U2 album, and I have been a Rice fan since I first heard him,…this cover though,..it took me a few listens after I saw it on QMag, and you know that whole album(Achtung Baby) is just untouchable, it needs nothing, it’s perfect,…. so yeah this cover, I was hesitant, but you’re right, Damien nailed it, and yes, it IS amazing. So amazing.
Josh — October 17, 2011 @ 10:12 pm
Btw if you haven’t heard it, Damien also covers U2′s Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For pretty nicely.
Josh — October 17, 2011 @ 10:16 pm
[...] Baby, and a number of the tracks have appeared online. I came across my personal favorite over on Fuel/Friends in the form of this amazing cover of “One” by Damien Rice:Audio clip: Adobe Flash [...]
Things I Should've Mentioned... | Shh, Listen... — December 30, 2011 @ 6:20 pm