22.4.09

This makes me want to scream! (U2 sacrilege)

Kurt Nilsen is a Norwegian singer, with a fantastic voice, who won World Pop Idol several years ago. He has teamed up with three other male singers – one of whom looks and sounds about eight years old but isn’t - to make records, television, concert appearances, and money singing cover versions of other artists’ hit songs. Fabulous voices do not fabulous music always make!

Twice this morning I switched on the car radio and had this horrendous balladic, harmony treatment of U2’s ‘With or Without You’ inflicted on me. This isn't one of U2's best songs -IMHO-but it still doesn't deserve this treatment. I’m started to get tetchy with the radio button as a result. I think it’s atrocious. Absolutely atrocious. What d’you think?

Kurt and co - please stop messin' with my heritage!




Here's another clip; this time with expressive eyebrows:

10 comments:

Aidan said...

Okay, that's not one of his best but he has certainly covered a lot of other U2 songs with some aplomb and "She's So High" was a really good song with an amazing video clip that was a big hit in NL.

Unknown said...

I loved 'She's So High' too but haven't heard any of the other U2 renditions. This one really agitates me though - in case you hadn't guessed :) It's all the dreadful harmonising his buddies are doing....

Anonymous said...

I can't agree with your comments. I love the new single. Having said that, the first time I heard it, I kept waiting for that rock edge to come out. Once I got passed that and listened with an open mind,I thought the harmony and rendition of the song was brilliant and beautiful. It also placed #1 on the VG chart which says a lot as well. The reason you are hearing it so much on the readio, is because it IS a popular song that fans want to hear.

I like these artists SO much that I am flying from Nebraska/USA to Oslo for their concert May 9th. I cannot wait to hear this song and more from them.
Cathy

Unknown said...

Thanks for giving your POV, anonymous. I don't think I'll change my mind about the arrangement of the song but I guess I can see why it appeals to people (other than me). Enjoy the concert:)

Mel said...

I am with you on this one Jo...dont mess with the[U2] magic. Ever.

Jo said...

I dont think its too bad Jo, I quite like the little chubby strawberry blondes voice!

Unknown said...

Mel - I knew you were a woman of discerning taste :)
Joanne - the chubby strawberry blonde is Kurt Nilsen and I agree that his voice is fab. I just hate the arrangement of this song.

JEDA said...

Heh--I can tell I've been way too busy studying for this stupid test, because honestly this is the first I've heard this song.

I don't know though, this one doesn't offend me nearly as much as the 'Halleluja' atrosity of a few years ago did. Is it just me, or are their harmonies getting tighter? I'm a bit of a sucker for a good tight harmony.

I'm going to have to park myself on the fence on this one for a bit longer. I'll probably hate it after a summer of over-kill on the radio, but for now I can't say as it makes me want smack any one of them like the aforementioned 'Halleluja' atrocity did.

Sam said...

whatttttt?! U2 sing this song? i thought it was Diana Vickers from x factor... go figure. now she IS good! Kurt Nilsen... not so much.

Anonymous said...

Too true. Fuentes is quite awful.