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+the scene
SUNDAY MUSIC VIDS: U2's "One" (x 3)
Written by Katie Marzullo. Published: March 18 2018
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Just in time
for St. Paddy's Day, let's look back on a classic ballad from a
still-relevant Irish band and the three -- yes, THREE! -- different
visual interpretations of it!
In the annals
of the U2 catalogue,
there is but ONE song that perhaps best exemplifies the message
advocated by the band -- and frontman, Bono --
quite so well as their 1992 hit single, "One". Thus it probably
should come as no surprise that it took three tries for them to
settle on a music video that was satisfactory to all.
The song was
the third single off their (arguably greatest) 1991 album Achtung Baby, and as soon as it hit our eardrums, we
officially realized that these guys were way more than just the
quaint be-mulleted Irish rock band of the '80s -- their music
actually MEANT something! In the ensuing years, "One", a little
ditty about striving to overcome difficulties in relationships and
realize that, in the end, we are all cut from the same cloth, has
gone on to be the battle cry for human rights, social justice, the
fight against AIDS, and spiritual connectedness. It's even the name
Bono chose for his
international aid charity.
So, how does
one visually depict a song with so many faceted and far-reaching
messages? All three attempts certainly have their own merits,
depending on how deep you want to go.
The first
version, directed by Anton Corbijn and
filmed in Berlin, depicts a sepia-toned world that includes the
band jamming to the song, a Trabant automobile driving
aimlessly, a lonely old man, and members of the band taking turns
in drag. The group ultimately decided to pull and shelve the video
when they began to fear that the images of
them crossdressing would send the "wrong" message,
especially in light of the song's being a benefit single to go
towards AIDS research. I can see their point, but
quite frankly, I enjoyed that aspect the most in this video,
as it serves to portray their message that, despite our
differences, we are all "one" in the same. Our connectedness
transcends gender. I thought it was very effective. Judge for
yourself below:
The second
attempt was definitely their most esoteric. In the hands of
director Mark Pellington, all likenesses of the
band were completely abandoned in favor of some grainy footage of
prancing buffaloes. Basically, the video is made up of nothing more
than buffaloes, some flowers, title cards with "One" written in
different languages, and finally a painting of buffaloes committing
mass suicide. Hm. Needless to say, the band didn't think this video
would be the best in promoting the song or the message either. I
have to agree -- I'm sure there's some deep, profound meaning
attached to suicidal buffalo and flowers, but if you want to go
mainstream, you have to be a little more relatable to your
audience. Having said that, I'm sure there's a fringe group out
there who finds this video brilliant and possibly the answer to all
of Life's questions. What do you think?
The third time was the charm when Bono & Co.
hooked up with director Phil Joanou in
Manhattan. The final take, and the one they all agreed on,
primarily features Bono hanging out at a nightclub and directing
the song's lyrics to the camera, as if it is another person at the
table with whom he is having a heartfelt, philosophical discussion.
This is intercut with some (occasionally distracting) footage of
the band playing live. This became the version we all now associate
most with the song, and for good reason. The simple shots of Bono
sitting and staring intently into the camera as he delivers his
lines are actually rather stirring. It really feels like we are a
part of his world, listening raptly as he explains to us his
dilemma in knowing we're infinitely connected and yet are destined
to cause each other grief ("We're one, but we're not the same /
Well, we hurt each other, and we'll do it again"). At one point, he
even stops moving his mouth to the words, just staring at us
ruefully as the lyrics continue on -- we are now in his head and
can hear his thoughts. But of course -- we are "one", after all.
It's all rather uncomfortable, yet we can't look away. See for
yourself (Note to U2's VEVO handlers: this is NOT the Anton
Corbijn version! tsk tsk):
Which ONE is your favorite?
(Image via U2VEVO)
- Katie Marzullo, YH Staff
Editor