Grace vs Peace On Earth

[Miggy D]

Ok, ladies and gentlemen, it's time to take off the gloves.

I've seen these two songs get brought up several times in other threads, so I thought I would combine them into one topic and settle this matter once and for all.

Lyrically, I like neither song. I've been an aspiring writer since I was 3 years old, and I want to write screenplays for a living, so I like to think I know at least a small amount about writing. Some of the lyrics in these 2 songs make me cringe. What's worse is that I (just as all of you) know how brilliant Bono can be. But:

"Grace, it's the name for a girl. It's also an idea that changed the world."

*sigh*

So I'd have to say that Peace On Earth is the better song of the two, but that's not saying a whole lot. It's just that 'Grace' is just way too obvious, like when the writers from the 16th century would name the main character's wife 'Faith' or 'Hope' or something. Friggin' allegory!

So have at it, folks.



-The Miggster

 

[Jaxx]

The line for Grace is actually:

"Grace, it's the name for a girl/ It's also a thought that changed the world"

Not that it makes it any better, but I just thought I'd point that out.

I usually skip both tracks. I could rant for half a page about it, but I'll just say I agree with what you wrote and leave it at that. I'm trying to keep my mind firmly set on the new album and how great it's going to be.

 

[Tizer]

Also from Grace:

She carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips
Between her fingertips


She carries a pearl
In perfect condition
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings


Because grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things


Grace finds beauty
In everything


Grace finds goodness
In everything


I can't stand it when when people dismiss a whole track because of a single line that they think stinks. Christ, there's bucket loads of U2 songs that that could apply to. I like Grace a lot. It is a thought that can change the world.

 

[Axver]

I like Grace a lot. It is a thought that can change the world.

Amen to that.

 

[starsgoblue]

I love both songs.

I think Grace was purposely a simple song. Because simply put grace is the foundational concept for life. There is something about grace that is hard for believers to wrap thier heads around--it seems almost too good to be true. But in it's most basic form, grace is simply love in action. Grace implies a sense of mercy and compassion, a restoration of broken relationships-especially one's spiritual ties with God. Black becomes white, dark becomes light, no shame, no regret. God, who needs nothing from anyone, extends grace as an unselfish act of love. And grace did change the whole world. It finds beauty where there is none.

When I Look At The World is also a wonderful song. It expresses Bono's desire to have a heart more like God's. Bono has said himself he wishes to be more peaceful & loving, yet he knows his own flesh is rebellious and more likely to wield the potential for the opposite. This song is a prayer to be more like Him. It's a petition to see the potential this world has to be changed by the power of compassion and love.

 

[JOFO]

I always loved Grace.

if you're gonna take the piss out of a lyric you could at least get it correct.

 

[zoopop]

Grace is a beautiful song written by U2. Larry and Adam sound like something from a dream on that track. I always liked the opening lyric to Grace:

"Its also thought, that changed the world."

When Bono sings that lyric I think he is refering to Amazing Grace.

 

[starsgoblue]

Well he's at least refering to the same type of grace.

Amazing Grace is one of his favorites....very similar to his song "Grace" if ya think about it.

 

[discothequeLP]

Grace is a great song, as good as Stuck In a Moment, i think

 

[GibsonGirl]

I'm not fond of Grace at all. I think maybe it's the music that puts me off.

 

[GibsonGirl]

Oh, and I don't mind Peace on Earth all that much, despite the fact that the lyrics are a little cheesy in parts.

 

[djerdap]

I hate Peace on Earth and Grace. One of the worst songs U2 has ever done for me. Peace on Earth is only a little better than Grace, because it has a great intro. Everything falls apart afterwards... Only Love Rescue Me is worse than these two flops.

 

[starsgoblue]

Why do people find topics that are in these songs cheesey?

 

[GibsonGirl]

Why do people find topics that are in these songs cheesey?

Oh, the topics aren't bad. It's just the way they're presented that's bad.

 

[starsgoblue]

Ok, I can respect your opinion on that.

I do like 'em though.

 

[Numb1075]

I like them both, but certainly not stellar.

The music in Grace is very simple and delicate. Wonderful if you are in that type of mood.

Peace on Earth - I really enjoy Larry's drumming in this song. I think his drumming on this song is under rated.

Normally, I don't skip these songs. Both could probably be B sides, but then again, U2's B sides, are better than most songs by other artists.

 

[Liesje]

I love Grace. I dunno, maybe it's less cheesy and more meaningful to religious persons? Not that non-relgious persons can't like it, but Grace is just the perfect song describing Grace, I think....

I like POE, but not as much. It would probably be the first track thrown of ATYCLB, if I had to choose.

 

[U2Traveller]

Grace is awesome! You just don't get it!

 

[GibsonGirl]

I dunno, maybe it's less cheesy and more meaningful to religious persons?

I'm religious, and it never really struck a chord with me. U2 are usually extremely good at religious songs... this one just feels like it's a bit unfinished, to me.

All comes down to personal preference, I guess.

 

[Miggy D]

A song can have religious themes and still be less than great. Saying someone simply doesn't 'get it' because they're not religious (or whatever is being assumed) isn't much of a defense for a song. There are good songs about God, and there are bad ones. A song simply being about a religious idea doesn't automatically make it great. I happen to be a Christian, and I 'get' the whole idea about grace. Grace is an awesome thing, but an awesome subject doesn't necessarily make an awesome song. And just because I don't like it doesn't mean you can't. If you think the song is the best thing since sliced bread, right on. Get you groove on. Do your thang.

And I apologize for getting the lyric wrong. It was late and my brain must've been on the fritz.

-Migg-o-rama

 

[GibsonGirl]

A song can have religious themes and still be less than great. Saying someone simply doesn't 'get it' because they're not religious (or whatever is being assumed) isn't much of a defense for a song. There are good songs about God, and there are bad ones. A song simply being about a religious idea doesn't automatically make it great. I happen to be a Christian, and I 'get' the whole idea about grace. Grace is an awesome thing, but it doesn't mean I have to like the song by the same name. And I apologize for getting the lyric wrong. It was late and my brain must've been on the fritz.

Agreed, 100%

 

[isabelle_guns]

I like the lyrics of peace on earth better

 

[saxgoddess]

The songs are OKAY. But, just average is not what you would expect from U2. Average is simply not good enough for them. Frankly, the songs bore me. I like some of the lyrics because they are somewhat religious, but the music it's set to makes me fall asleep. Maybe I have ADHD. But what's the sense in having a song with decent lyrics but so-so music? I much prefer Kite to both of these songs. But, my least favorite song on this album is New York. If I put that one on, I'm knocked out cold within 30 seconds. Definitely looking forward to HTDAAB. I expect to hear the major rocking out AND good lyrics that you expect from U2 and Bono, though Vertigo wasn't exactly my idea of deep, meaningful lyrics. I'm keeping my hopes up.

 

[WithOrWithoutYo]

I've been listening to ATYCLB quite a lot, in preperation for HTDAAB ... and I don't particularly like Grace - lyrics aren't the best, it's true, but it's a sweet enough song.

I really detseted Peace on earth the 1st time I heard it. I just thought it was more classic Bono preaching crap, and I used to skip it. However ...... now listening to the album, I find myself singing it in the shower and humming it in class ... it's just grown on me, you know?

I hate that.

With|Or|Without|Yo

 

[U2Soar]

I have always seen Grace as a “faith song” and I have always enjoyed it. Recently I was making up a compilation of very late night U2 songs and this CD has a romantic section. And I thought for the first time – how about Grace as a “love song”? The mood of Bono’s vocal delivery and the atmosphere of the music is quite sultry. Grace as a song where two lovers are slow dancing and let’s say he is reminiscing (verbally or internally) on how her love has “changed my world” and how she has “found beauty in my everything.” This section of the CD has:
Your Blue Room
If You Wear That Velvet Dress
Never Let Me Go
Grace

I’m curious to hear if anyone else has interpreted Grace as a “romantic song”? And for those who may not like Grace - maybe seeing it with different perspective and placing it in a different context of songs could change one’s opinion of it?

 

[U2girl]

When the 30 second clips of ATYCLB were there, Grace was one of my favorites - that part when Bono sings a little higher towards the end is the best of the whole song IMO.

If I'm in the right mood, most of the time I like U2's slow/soft songs, but Grace is too slow.

With Peace on earth I really like the lyrics, especially starting from "they say that what you mock will surely overtake you" and right to the end. It's the music that I'm not always won over by.

 

[neutral]

I much prefer Peace on Earth to Grace. PoE is kinda hokey but if I'm in the right mood I can really enjoy it and I do like the music. I don't think I've ever enjoyed Grace though, the lyrics are so cheesy and the don't care for the music at all. I "get it" doesn't mean I have to like it. I do like the lyrics at the very end though.

 

[starsgoblue]

I'm scared...someone else has my avatar and I thought it was me....

 

[GibsonGirl]

I'm scared...someone else has my avatar and I thought it was me....

Ha, I thought it was you too!

 

[PowerSurge]

I hate Peace on Earth and Grace. One of the worst songs U2 has ever done for me. Peace on Earth is only a little better than Grace, because it has a great intro. Everything falls apart afterwards... Only Love Rescue Me is worse than these two flops.

agree....agree...agH!!!! Love Rescue Me???!!!!!!


I love that song!!

When I broke up with one of my girlfirends from college way back when, I had that sucker on repeat while I emptied a bottle of cheap wine.....a gallon of wine