Congrats Bono!

 

By Debbie Kreuser

With its soaring vocals and nearly perfect rhythm lines, "New Year's Day" emerged in the early 1980s as a U2 favorite. Composed of simple words, it stirred a timeless hope and belief in the souls of all those who heard it, the aspiration for freedom and unity for people around the world, a theme that would continue in U2's songwriting in the years to come with songs like "Pride," "Please," "Walk On," and the recent "American Prayer." And with its message of peace and goodwill for all humanity, it is the perfect U2 song to reflect on as we start the year 2009.

All is quiet on New Year's Day
A world in white gets underway
I want to be with you
Be with you night and day
Nothing changes on New Year's Day
On New Year's Day

I will be with you again
I will be with you again

According to Niall Stokes in "Into the Heart: The Stories Behind Every U2 Song," "New Year's Day" probably began as a love song from Bono to Ali but quickly became something more. In 1980, the Solidarity movement in Poland, under the leadership of future Nobel Peace Prize winner and president Lech Walesa, openly challenged the oppressive rule of the then Polish government. In December 1981, the Solidarity movement was outlawed and Walesa, and its other leaders, were arrested and put in jail. As Bono once recalled: "Subconsciously I must have been thinking about Lech Walesa being interned and his wife not being allowed to see him. Then, when we'd recorded the song, they announced that martial law would be lifted in Poland on New Year's Day. Incredible."

As the song continues, it further documents the growing movement of people clamoring for freedom and justice throughout Eastern Europe in the early 1980s.

Under a blood red sky
A crowd has gathered in black and white
Arms entwined, the chosen few
The newspapers say it's true
It's true
And we can break through
Though torn in two
We can be one

But while the song no doubt holds now-historic significance, what is the significance of this song for us in 2009? It resides in the power of four words--"I will begin again." The willingness to start over, to "begin again," may be the most important idea that we can gleam from U2's music and is a very appropriate concept to consider at the start of a new year.

U2's music, and Bono's lyrics, have always providing a sense of empowerment, the knowledge that deep within us we have the ability to change ourselves--and our world. We can recreate ourselves, become better human beings, bring hope and love to our world. And if U2's music hasn't motivated us to "begin again," the personal trials, tribulations and ultimate triumphs of Bono's life should.

Bono's life and career has been an evolving tale of one man's decision to choose good over bad, hope over despair, action over apathy, grace over karma. And in the process, he has given us a brilliant life which we can affirm and emulate.

So, as we start the year 2009, let us remember this magnificent song by U2 and on New Year's Day let our resolution simply be--I will begin again!

 

Paris' mayor, Bertrand Delanoe, "U2" singer Bono, and former Rome's mayor Walter Veltroni, pose for photographers at Paris city hall, during the 9th world summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. Nobel peace laureates gathered in Paris on Friday awarded Bono an annual "Man of Peace" prize for his crusade to tackle African debt, poverty and disease.

Nobel laureates crown U2's Bono 'man of peace'

PARIS (AFP) - - Nobel peace laureates gathered in Paris on Friday awarded the Irish rocker-turned-activist Bono an annual "Man of Peace" prize for his crusade to tackle African debt, poverty and disease.

Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, who hosted the event, handed the U2 frontman the Peace Summit Award in presence of five Nobel winners, in recognition of two decades of global anti-poverty activism.

"This is a very big award for me, because let's be honest this is as close as I am going to get -- as close as a rock star is ever going to get to the Nobel Peace Prize," the 48-year-old Bono quipped to the audience.

"I am an over-awarded, over-rewarded rock star. You are the people who do the real work," he told the Nobel winners present, who included F.W. de Klerk of South Africa, Lech Walesa of Poland and Northern Ireland's John Hume.

"So I am very, very pleased to be in such esteemed company."

Organisers said Bono was chosen for his global campaigning to persuade rich nations to lighten Africa's debt burden, combat poverty, promote fair trade and raise funds for the treatment of HIV-AIDS and malaria.

"We decided to nominate a man who has given a lot and will continue to give a great deal to the struggle for human rights, to the fight against poverty, with his music and with his words," said Italian left-wing leader Walter Veltroni, co-host of the event.

"He has put pressure on the world's governments to reach the UN's Millennium Goals. To give him the prize, is to say that fight will carry on."

Last year's recipients of the peace award were US actors George Clooney and Don Cheadle, who have spoken out against the violence in Sudan's war-torn Darfur.

Nobel winners were meeting in Paris for a three-day summit, coinciding with celebrations marking 60 years since the UN declaration of human rights was adopted in Paris.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev -- whose foundation co-organises the annual event -- was unable to attend for medical reasons. His spokesman said he was undergoing eye treatment.

 A fitting title for Bono

 

 

Bono is ever the style icon.. dig the star shades, the Grafitti  (Wallers, take notice) scarf.

I too think his ensemble was pretty cool at this event, Dori.

 

I have the Edun T-Shirt with the poem on it, just like B's scarf. I love how soft the Edun t-shirts are. Very nice.