U2 - She's A Mystery To Me (Live At The Brooklyn Bridge)

[Rockstardam]

"Not quite sure how to end this!" Well... don't end it :)

[AthThawra]

I agree with keithturbo1980Penn. Bono wrote a marvellous song, but it was Roy Orbison (and the musicians which helped him record it) who took it to the estratosferic level.

[antoniorossiz]

Bono wrote a song ideally suited for Orbison. It's amazing how he managed to do it so well.

[curious821]

Fantastic! And the story behind it is equally amazing!

[rubendario104]

muy bueno!!!



[10995]

Do any of you know if U2 has recorded this song themselves? I mean in a studio. it would most likely be after this one, Bono said he did not know how to end it.

[10995]

i have already decided to use a roy obrison song for my wedding if i ever get married, if i had to use only one it would be a tie between "You got it" and "Shes a mystery to me".

[cbono69]

The wow factor just happend...Blessings..Cbono

[subg88]

I have to give Bono credit, he wrote a great Orbison tune

[luvmaliver]

this was the main song at my wedding

[kssolomon]

(;

[bonavox11]

according the bible, there are 7 world wonders ..

I think I just found the 8th .. !!!!

What a song !!!!

[cbono69]

@bonavox11 Amen...Psalm 40 is close to the heart at this moment..Blessings and keep in touch..Christopher..aka cbono

[u2boyz]

I was there that magical night... :')

[BonJoey3]

Bono, slips into Orbison. Orbison gone too soon at age 52 on a december in 1988.

[backcorner]

see is stil a mystery girl to me

[ajaxrulzz]

"Not quite sure how to end this" That's why we love Bono

[DONTCHA3]

Although I absolutely love Roy's version of this song, now that I hear Bono's version, I have to say it's very good. Way to go Bono, and thanks for writing this song for the one and only Roy Orbison - you did a great job!!!

[bonochris]

Bono and edge wrote this song for roy orbison..

[MisterGris]

I think it's hilarious that people still love to put this band down, after 30 years of consistent great music...get over yourselves...jayzus...lol

[ColorsBright]

For all you haters of how bono sings this... watch this video and shut up

U2 - She's A Mystery To Me (Day 30) - Point Depot

[drayman1968]

Absolutely top song, Simple, like any great song, but so powerful. And I totally agree, Roy took to another level. I dont think it was that successful here in the UK, I may be wrong on that one though, if it wasn`t, it certainly deserved to be.

[Damnblastify]

Reached #29 in the UK charts in 1989 :-)

[lemsip7]

@Damnblastify  should have reached number 1

[itsmeaod]

A great tribute to Roy Orbison,Bono you're the man.

[bonozevolik]

In fact, if you search on the Internet you'll see that the song was by Bono & Edge and they gave it to Roy. A great song...

[jpjames1]

Its a great song with just 3 chords shows what Bono can come up with. It seems like an easy song to sing but its not

[ajaxrulzz]

@jpjames1 All he got is a red guitar, three chords and the truth :D

[clmsntigr113]

Is this is a b-side?

[keithturbo1980Penn]

I think this is definitely one of Bono's best songs. The interview with Bono and the story behind writing this for Roy Orbison is amazing. Bono singing this is great but Roy Orbison took it to another level!

[mush2000]

@keithturbo1980Penn

 AGREED!

[azynkron]

@keithturbo1980Penn Agreed, Bono's version is more back beat. But I think it's unfair to compare him to Roy.. Roy had borrowed his pipes from God. And in 1988 he had to bring them back.

[Steeler69er]

simply amazing

[Jrivera0201]

WRONG!!! The song was written by Bono and The Edge for Roy Orbison. Do some research before you start hatin' on the best rock band in history.

[allenshepard]

I bet he was thinking about Roy orbison the whole time. To those of you who DON'T know Roy sang this song before before him he wrote it and Roy took over

[HacjienceYukona]

Come on, this song was written for a guy with a range of four octaves. To say that Bono is a poor singer just 'cus he fluffs a few notes is a bit stupid.

[seanbyrne77]

He is very very poor in this performance, ok he is not a bad singer but compared to Roy he is worlds behind him. He should have lowered the key in this tune that "he wrote" and he would have been able to get away with singing it.

very very poor live performance

[HacjienceYukona]

We both know that both Roy Orbison was one of the finest voices in history, and yeah, i agree that this performance is poor by Bono's high standards. You have to realise, however, the range in this song. You notice the high notes that are hard, but if you are a singer you should realise that the lower notes are hard to reach too, at the end of every verse. Lowering the key would make it difficult for anyone for anyone to sing the verses.

[HacjienceYukona]

Actually, no it's not. Bono's highest recorded note is a high sustained A in Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, which is easily higher than any note in this song. Bono was just having an off-day, that's all. Plus, Bono has never been anything other than self-deprecating about his voice. He's said on various occasions that he sounds like "an opinionated girl", a "bad lounge singer", and "a frog in his throat". That was a cheap and baseless shot.

[bigfishdoc]

I like the opinionated girl, lounge voice, and frog in the throat. The ability to sing in that rustic manner while still in key adds to the element of story telling the way that Dylan and Petty do. Now Bono's hasn't ripened to that point yet, but you can appreciate that when those guys sing, you hear the song and listen to the meaning. There's room for both. Couldn't tell you what Justin Timberlick is trying to say when he sings, but it's in key and sounds like a flute. I'll take the former.

[HacjienceYukona]

Yes and amen to that. Give me Tangled Up In Blue over the vocal acrobatics of today's pop stars any day. That said, on his finest day Bono can balance story-telling with vocal prowess like no other. Songs like Stay, Sometimes, White As Snow, Moment of Surrender...three of those songs from this decade! Proof positive his voice is still going strong.

[Cedea341]

Hello people. I hope I'm not the only one here knows Bono and The Edge wrote this for Orbison?

[milionaireprince]

You cannot improve on perfection. When Orbison sang it pierced your heart and soul.

Bono is a great performer. Roy had a voice that was the closest thing anyone can imagine

an angel was singing through him. Roy had a gift and if you open your heart and let it in you will feel a kindred spirit. And how Roy and Bono met was truly a case of Kharma.

You can tell by his comments Bono was spiritually moved by Roy.

[hugh44music]

Great song, and I think I can settle the arguments re vocal talent. Yes, this does sound like a poor performance vocally, particularly in the lower notes. But if you've ever tried singing this song yourself, you'll realise it covers a vast range - ie, from very low to very high - and few singers can carry it off convincingly. It's deceptive, because the song seems quite simple - but it's a devil to sing well. Roy Orbison could do it, but it's definitely not a 'karaoke' number...

[rojb33]

He is not "piss poor" in this performance, but he does sound tired or not up to his standards...but in no way is he an average vocalist...you honestly don't know what you're talking about if you really think he is an average vocalist...over 30 years, his voice has had its ups and downs, yes...but if you followed U2 at all, you'd know that his voice right now is arguably the best its ever been. If you're not a fan of his voice, fine...but don't call him average when he is any thing but average.

[rojb33]

wow I just noticed this....sean...not a good vocalist? He's the greatest fucking voice in rock...he's one of the greatest singers of all time. He's better than you could ever dream to be, trust me...I bet you don't know much about U2 and their music or Bono himself...you're making baseless statements like "he is not a good vocalist. fact. deal with it" when in reality, you are the one that has to deal with it. It sounds like you need to do a little more research before making idiotic comments.

[seanbyrne77]

Bono is not even in the top 50 rock n roll vocalists of all time. Open your eyes and dont be afraid to try and educate yourself with other, better music. Ive said this but ill repeat it, i respect U2 and their talent and acheivements but they are by no stretch of the imagination up their with the best of all time. sorry to shatter your world love

[rojb33]

oh no not this again..................If you honestly think U2 isn't "up their with the best of all time" then you're out of your mind, and this discussion is simply a waste of time. Like all singers, Bono has had his ups and downs. It seems you're basing this vocal talk off of this one video/period of time....If you'd take the time to listen to live material from anything recent (2006-present) or anything from 1984-1995, you'd realize how foolish you sound. Oh well...

[bigfishdoc]

umm yeah. WOWY from Rattle and Hum. His voice in the late 80's through Achtung Baby in the 90's was top tier. After that, seemed to add that rustic component, maybe a little Dylanish. Definitely had to make some changes to his live performance during Vertigo and 360...But honestly, I like the rustic sound more. It tells a story better. The sound isn't worse, just aged finely.

[Avaruusbanaani]

Just watch this and think again.

Sunday Bloody Sunday(Rattle and Hum)

[RikkerPKeaton]

Well theres alot more to being a great artist than just being a sound techinical performer...to wit, Bono wrote this song for Orbison.

[GuinnessGaz]

You'll find the song was written by Bono & The Edge, you dumb fucking arsehole.

[rojb33]

did you even watch the video I posted in my last comment? That's a small man with a fucking incredible voice...just you watch, the new album/tour is coming, and I bet it will shut people like you up...

[seanbyrne77]

Bono, murders this song. He wasnt a bad singer in the 80's but good god he sounds like a bag of cats up there. It's embarrassing, but then again he always thought he could sing out of his range. His ego keeps telling him so.

[rojb33]

You are jammed pack with dumbness. Your brain truly works in mysterious ways, because holy shit, that is quite possibly one of the most idiotic remarks regarding U2. I mean, how can you be serious? He sounds fucking amazing...this was a Bono/Edge performance from a few days ago...take a listen, and tell me Bono "sounds like a bag of cats," and this wasn't even a show, it's just a happy b-day video clip they sent in good fun for Mr. Mandela.

[estoesunachufla]

multiplícate por cero y dividete por dos

[dynastychick3]

Ego?! He wrote the song for Roy Orbison during a sleepless night while listening to the Big O on a loop. It's such a beautiful, pure, powerful tune and one of my favorite Orbison tunes. Bono and U2 play it whenever and however they want to. Great music, a true gift.

[MuizeekPhanahtic]

To start off with, I agree 100% wholeheartedly with skipperloop (nice/perceptive comment). Bono has a real passionate yearning in his voice that just cuts right through the listener. He wails with the strength of a 100 men and conviction as well. What makes this performance more amazing is that he did it so effortlessly. Roy added his usual punch to this, but Bono put in a touch of 'angst' to compliment it (after all, his interpretation as the songwriter). Liked the soft guitar playing. Awesome!

[goodbye2romance]

Roy Orbison's version is amazing...Bono's good too...

[MrBluesman2]

greAT SONG!!U2 rules!!!!

[mouchani]

genial merci

[Scroux]

Thanks for sharing

[skipperloop]

he wrote this for roy orbison - how beautiful to hear his inerpretation at last. thank you thank you thank you for sharing this. love how larry helps him finish it.

[beautiful0loser]

This has made my day. I love it when he sings this song. THANK YOU!!

[starfish146]

I love the ending, Larry saves the day, again.

[ootsey66]

That Was A GREAT Day!

[shwnkumar]

Bono is a genius. He can just sing in so many genres, pitches, and tone. He still has such an amazing range at his age. Thank God for him...

[sessionprincess]

Bono is very humurous. Haha :-)

[jelle2310]

perfect zingen bono he's got a amazing voci

[mborcea]

i would like the mp3. u2 is the greatest band in the world. i have all the previous live records of this song but the quality is poor. can you e-mail it to me?

[MiloKamilo24]

At least Bono showed that he can play guitar fine!

[smmfc]

LOL... he can a little, but this one is deceiving - that intro guitar you hear is played by the Edge. Bono's strumming is almost inaudible.

[davetoone12]

you cant beat this

[screamingflower34]

Thanks Niall..I already have that one...but this version takes my breath away.

[screamingflower34]

Such a beautiful song!! Thanks for posting. Does anyone have an mp3 of this????

[elvetio]

great larry!! beautiful song...

[laboloche]

Great great version..

[GSB876]

Beautiful.

[ootsey66]

Video brings me back, that was A Great Night....

[WalkingShoe]

Many people i know ask me how i can listen to the same band and to the same songs day after day. If i'm not listening to U2 it's pop & rock from the eighties. But more then 75% of my listening time goes to U2. The music they make moves me every time and it always will i think and hope.

[sstyblo]

I'm in the same boat man.

[bettyarge]

Oh my God! I heard some best versions of this song! Poor Bono, without vox... But I love him anyway, he's the best!

[Zofkaa]

I dont know this song ! I´ve heard it here for the first time.. I wanna be from NY :/

[pumas11atlas]

Try the version by roy orbison, great song regardless who sings it, but anything u2 touch turns to gold.

[stvoyager]

This song when recorded by Roy Orbison, Bono stood aside of Roy and just stood there in awe how much Roy put into the song, and when he ended the song, only Roy could put his full range into the song. BTW Roys version is almost 5 minutes long....absolutely stunning.

[pumas11atlas]

While back I bought a Roy Orbison cd, I thought of myself as a U2 fan but just come to realize that I couldn't have been such a fan since I didn't know of the coalition of these 2 greats....stunning is right...

[aerosnowu2]

WOW! i heard old cd (live) versions of this song so many times many years ago and I loved it so much. I can't believe I am just now seeing this. This is a huge gift for me as a fan.

By the way, if you're wondering how people can like this song, I speak for myself, it is a fun song for baritones to sing.

[aerosnowu2]

sorry, i should have given more detail. U2 have performed this before, but very few times. So a video with this quality is very special.

[stvoyager]

Roy Orbison recorded this song for his final album thanks to Bono and it was a HUGE hit for Roy. Absolutely stunning.

[imedi]

wow am floored never heard u2 play this before thanks

[JasPiotrek]

After this song (written in 1989 "for" R.Orbison) I've just fallen in love once again with U2....

ThankU for this clip.

[Kihotay]

Wow! Knew Bono wrote this for the Big O (rest in piece Roy) but this is the first time I've heard U2's version - great stuff, thanks!

[mike11112e]

one of my favorite Songs for ever.

bono write this Song for Roy Orbison.

[Opullal]

U2 rule!

Haven't heard that one.