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Vol. 1 Issue 4

THE SONG THAT SUMS ME UP

–

STREETS

–

VIA TIA

After hearing Bono name the song that sums him up on my

Love U2

video (came with the iPod), I became stuck on that concept. Ask Morgan, I was obsessing about the thought

–

could a song really

sum someone up? For Bono, the song was ―Mofo‖. He said

―it has mywhole life in it‖. My song wasn‘t as obvious to me.

The first song that came to mind seemed too clichéd and I foughtagainst using it by scouring over all the lyrics in the U2.com catalog.Many lines fit, but no one song seemed to sum me up, except theoverplayed, obvious ones and I would like to think that I am not abig cliché.After weeks of pouring over songs, and keeping Morgan waiting withour overdue newsletter, it was obvious that I had to go with the songthat hit me hardest when I first thought of summing myself up:

―Where the Streets Have No Name‖. It‘s not my absolute favorite U2

song. Knowing the true meaning behind it, I realize that like most U2songs, I have

given it my own meaning. There are parts of ―Streets‖

that I have consistently related to throughout my life.

ONE SONG 4U

–

JAIME RODRIGUEZ

It doesn‘t seem like a

difficult question to answer

at first, then, as all of one‘s

emotions start coming

together, it couldn‘t be

harder:

What is one U2 song that sums you up?

This question is especiallytough to answer becauseof the openness that all U2songs deliver. It almostseems like every letter ofevery lyric is so carefullycrafted and given somuch thought thatconnection to the listener is inevitable. Needless

tosay, this is one of the thingsthat make the band sospecial.

Streets (cont.)

When I hear this song live, especially the Elevationversion, I feel my U2 connection the strongest. It brings me right

back to that ―in the U2 moment‖. The opening instrumental build

-upcreates a wonderful tense anticipation.As for the specific lyrics:

I want to run, I want to hideI want to tear down the wallsthat hold me inside

For me, these words speak loudly! I have always been a person whowants to be out in the world, exploring life without restriction. Frommy teenage years as an exchange student in Europe, to my Vertigoadventures

–

I thrive on the adventure of being in new places withnew people. The walls that hold me inside have always been there,overpowering. Sometimes the roles we find ourselves in becomewalls

—

a nice, safe box where I am squeezed into that holds on tome tightly. Though nothing can cage my spirit.

I want to feel, sunlight on my face

Sunlight for me is freedom. Freedom to walk down a new street,freedom to be at a show with

their

light shining down on me.Freedom to find my own way. Having forced myself to follow the

―program‖ of the American Dream, I have always longed for the Tia

Dream.

The cities a flood, and our love turns to rust

We’re beaten and blown by the wind,

Trampled in dust

There is something about having a wanderlust soul that causes so-

called ―stable‖ people (they‘re cowards really) to try and beat that

adventurous spirit back, and sometimes this tarnishes any good thatexists within relationships

—

the forced conformity. I have found this inmy jobs and in my personal life. I crack the mainstream mold.

And when I go there,I go there with you

(It’s all I can do)

The ―you‖ for me is U2. Always a guiding light and a driving force in

my life quest. On my jou

rney to ―find what I‘m looking for‖, I feel

closest to the answer when I am immersed in their music and their presence. Along the way they have brought me many places andconnected me with many people. Few things can help tear downwalls like they can. I always go there with them!A

One Song (cont.)

―

Runningto Stand Still

‖ sums me up

right now. The song speaksof drug use and the

impact it has on a person‘s

emotional state. Mypersonal connection to thissong is totally different, yetequally deep.A lot of fast change hashappened and still ishappening at this point inmy life. It seems like veryslowly, and in spite ofmyself, I am becoming an

adult (For those who don‘t

know, I am 21 years old, stillin college). Summer season came this year,and while many of mylifelong friends are takingvacation time, travelingwith their families and soon; I have landed aninternship opportunity atCNN in Atlanta.While CNN is a dreamcompany to work for as journalism major, it has alsobeen an immediatelifestyle change.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE WORLD

–

I SEE?MORGAN GRANATA

“

When I Look at the World

‖

sums me up and I wish it didn‘t.

In order to get through the mundane parts of my day: grocery shopping or picking up prescriptions, I people watch for entertainment and try togauge their thoughts. On a cynical day, i

t‘s like standing outside an

aquarium watching the fish calmly glide by and wondering howthey could be content stuck in a tank. Occasionally I wish I could

jump in with them. It‘d be easier than existing in

the restless,

perpetual state of searching for what‘s over the next hill—

which ishow I live my life.

I see an expression so clear and so true that it changes theatmosphere when you walk into the room.

This lyric at first sounded positive to me. A warm-hearted friend has

come for a visit. You invite them in and don‘t care the house is a

mess.

On second glance, it could also be someone who‘s dark

inside, a cold toxic person who comes in and their presence ruins agood mood. I suck in moods as though through osmosis andimmediately adapt. A survival technique I learned young.

Unfortunately, if you‘re too busy worrying about keeping other

people stable, your life can fall by the wayside.

One Song (cont.)

Transitioning from drinkingand having fun at socialparties, to working at aserious company like CNNhas me running in a newdirection. Both lifestyleshave aspects that aredifficult to navigate andeach provide their ownform of gratification.

And so she woke upwoke up from where shewas, lying still

Although some of youmight scoff at the self-perception because I amonly 21, I have alreadylived a lot! Growing up inColumbia I have traveledthe world, started drinkingat 14, partying in clubs at15 and girls were alwaysthere for me. Life has beenextremely easy--my

family‘s money always

there to cushion my falls. Ihave nothing to complainor rage about, but this

summer it‘s all I want to do.

I appear confident on theouts

ide, but inside, I‘m

screaming.

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