Video: U2 “Native Son”
Posted by onehundredflowers on December 6, 2009
H/T to Rowland Keshena.
The lyrics to this song were inspired by political prisoner, Leonard Peltier. According to producer Steve Lillywhite, Bono felt uncomfortable singing these lyrics in front of an audience, so the politics were stripped out, new lyrics were written, the song was re-arranged and it eventually morphed into the more familiar [and less aesthetically interesting] hit “Vertigo.”
U2 has long been regarded as a politically engaged band [Bono is really the political driving force of the band] that has previously taken stands on war in Ireland, African famine, US intervention in Central America, and more, from a combined viewpoint of pacifism and humanitarianism. In the last two decades, they have been less politically vocal in their music. They haven’t abandoned politics altogether, but their outlook hasn’t really changed.
This song may be the first recorded instance of them addressing a politically controversial issue that may have put them at odds with the US government, and perhaps some of Bono’s corporate allies in his individual political efforts. Even though they backed away from releasing this, it was a notable step.
And it rocks.
Lyrics:
Yeah its on the street
It’s under your feet
It’s everywhere
But if you’re looking for free
Don’t look at me
My enemy became my country
On the run, officer put down the gun
Native son, I never wanted to own one
Native son, both of us want to be someone
It’s so hard, is it so hard for a native son
To be free?
Tears fallen from the sky
Fallen to the ground
Bullets start to fly
He’s hurt, he’s in the dirt
On my word
I did not take his life
Don’t want to run away
This isn’t in my father’s plans
I know I can’t stay
If I stay I know what’s next
On the run, officer put down the gun
Native son, I never wanted to own one
Native son, all of us want to be someone
It’s so hard, is it so hard for a native son
To be free?
Free
Yeah yeah yea-yeah
Yeah yeah yea-yea-yeah
Yeah yeah yea-yea-yea-yeah
Free
On the run, officer put down the gun
Native son, I never wanted to own one
Native son, both of us want to be someone
It’s so hard, is it so hard for a native son
To be free?
Free
Free
Yeah
rowlandkeshena said
Apparently this version of the song is available as part of the compilations Medium, Rare & Remastered and Unreleased and Rare, included in The Complete U2 box set. So maybe my original comments on their pulling the plug on this version were a little harsh, but I still think that it is a damn shame that they seemingly don’t want to step on the toes of Bono’s corporate and imperialist “humanitarian” allies.
Green Red said
Always good to see you friend and, thanks for bringinng up the original people’s matter. I also appreciated your bringing your updated perspective on Maoism and, sorry until here I had not made a note on that but I still recall discussion we had several months ago.
On Bono, Pink Floyd, etc., all that gathered in 7 concert about African debts, etc., when popularized of course they have their limits.
At some point in the past (for example Bloody Red Sky….) they did in fact in the past take radical stands and, for example pro Martin Luther King Jr. singing one man in the name of love… and some other places.
But when talking about original people’s stuff how much should we expect from mainstream?
Best thing that ever touched me was running into an on sale for .50 cents brand new John Trudel, whose album with Johnny talked about everything from calling the US Babylon up to … early nations some respecting women a lot and some less and, many, many American Indian folk? tradition and understanding which, in contrast with some other original people’s music i had gotten and some were only … i hope the word roaring and humming brings the message … was the greatest. But U2 makes more sale talking about “it’s a beautiful day…”
Be well in your cold state my friend and i’ll be looking at your nice site again someday soon.
with comradely regards
GR
Anonymous said
Finally! U2 is getting back to their politically charged songs. Seriously, their music hasn’t quite been the same as it used to be in albums like “War” and “Joshua Tree”. This is a great new song, also “Winter” which was in the film “Brothers”. I checked this film out only because I heard Bono and The Edge wrote the song specifically for the film (the director Jim Sheridan is a fellow Irishman). Amazing film with a powerful song from U2–I hope the band wins the oscar.
Stanley W. Rogouski said
Poor Leonard Peltier.
Bill Clinton sold his pardon to Mark Rich.
Bono erased his song to sell iPods.
saoirse said
i really don’t think U2 ever sold out. they were denouncing Sinn Fein (and the IRA on many occasions from the WAR tour in 83 thru the early 90s see Rattle and Hum) while shaking the hands of protestant paramilitaries long before the ipod was invented. They have had there moments and being an irish band making waves internationally at the height of the war in the North made them de facto cultural ambassadors of Ireland. THe fact that one of there early big hits was about Martin Luther King illustrated a Black and Green alliance that effected many Irish American people myself included. Musically I think u2 were got stuck in a rut after joshua tree. They started to wander and navel gaze. I like many of there ideas during the Eno years and they became more cynical and critical of themselves and what they had created (think Pink Floyd lite). These days they seem to have returned to there roots of feel good alt pop. I think Vertigo reflects this while native son has some powerful lyrics but feels obviously unfinished.