Rewriting the Past, Shaping the Present: U2's Rock Lyrics As Social and Political Activism
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DIPLOMARBEIT / DIPLOMA THESIS Titel der Diplomarbeit / Title of the Diploma Thesis „Rewriting the Past, Shaping the Present: U2’s Rock Lyrics as Social and Political Activism“ verfasst von / submitted by Christina Koller angestrebter akademischer Grad / in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magistra der Philosophie (Mag. phil.) Wien, 2018 / Vienna, 2018 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt / A 190 344 406 degree programme code as it appears on the student record sheet: Studienrichtung lt. Studienblatt / Lehramtsstudium UF Englisch UF degree programme as it appears on the student Mathematik record sheet: Betreut von / Supervisor: Mag. Dr. Julia Lajta-Novak, M.A. Acknowledgements Writing this thesis has been the biggest challenge of my academic career so far, and this work would not have been possible without the support of several people. Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor Mag. Dr. Julia Lajta-Novak, M.A. She made me experience that writing a diploma thesis does not need to be a lonely process, and she introduced me to new concepts of academic writing. With her professional advice and detailed feedback, she helped me write a better thesis. I would also like to give my sincere thanks to my former teachers at school who encouraged me to take up a career as a teacher myself. Martina Haslinger made me believe in my mathematical skills, and trusting her opinion was one of the best decisions so far. Secondly, I am very grateful to Monika Ortner-Bachler, who evoked my interest in the English language and introduced me to U2. Finally, I would like to thank my family – first and foremost, my parents. They supported me financially during the course of my studies, and they provided emotional support. Thank you for cheering me up when I hit a crisis and for being happy for my successes. Thank you for tirelessly listening to me talking about my thesis – I would not be surprised if you could now write a thesis on U2. Your love and support are with me in whatever I pursue, and I am forever grateful for that. Table of Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 2 Analyzing Song Lyrics – A Binary Approach .................................................................... 4 2.1 Song Lyrics and Poetry .................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Analyzing Song Lyrics as Poetry on the Page ......................................................................... 5 2.2.1 Terminology and the Question of Genre ......................................................................................... 6 2.2.2 Genre and Thematic Analysis ............................................................................................................... 7 2.2.3 Tools for Rock Lyrics Analysis as Written Medium .................................................................... 8 2.3 Analyzing Song Lyrics in their Performance Contexts ....................................................... 9 2.3.1 Importance of Performance Context .............................................................................................. 10 2.3.2 Defining the Oral Mode ........................................................................................................................ 11 2.3.3 Analogies between Song Performances and Live Poetry ...................................................... 13 2.3.4 Tools for Song Lyrics Analysis in their Performance Contexts .......................................... 14 2.3.5 Studying Live Poetry: Key Terms .................................................................................................... 15 2.3.5.1 Audiotext and Paratext ................................................................................................................................. 15 2.3.5.2 Author and Performer ................................................................................................................................... 17 2.3.5.3 Role of the Audience ...................................................................................................................................... 18 2.3.5.4 Relationship between Performer and Audience ................................................................................ 18 2.3.5.5 Body Communication and Non-Verbal Sounds .................................................................................. 19 3 Analyzing U2’s Rock Lyrics ................................................................................................. 20 3.1 Denouncing the Troubles .......................................................................................................... 20 3.1.1 “Sunday Bloody Sunday” ..................................................................................................................... 21 3.1.1.1 The Lyrics as Written Text .......................................................................................................................... 22 3.1.1.2 Performance Context ..................................................................................................................................... 28 3.1.2 “Peace on Earth” ..................................................................................................................................... 34 3.1.2.1 The Lyrics As Written Text .......................................................................................................................... 35 3.1.2.2 Performance Context ..................................................................................................................................... 43 3.1.2.2.1 U2 Pay Tribute to American Heroes .............................................................................................. 43 3.1.2.2.2 “Peace on Earth” at the “Elevation” Tour .................................................................................... 49 3.2 Other Political and Social Activism in Ireland ................................................................... 52 3.2.1 Van Diemen’s Land ................................................................................................................................ 52 3.2.1.1 The Lyrics as Written Text .......................................................................................................................... 54 3.2.1.2 Performance Context ..................................................................................................................................... 59 3.2.2 Protesting Against Margaret Thatcher – “Red Hill Mining Town” .................................... 64 3.2.2.1 The Lyrics as Written Text .......................................................................................................................... 65 3.2.2.2 Performance Context ..................................................................................................................................... 68 4 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 72 5 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................ 75 5.1 Primary Sources ........................................................................................................................... 75 5.2 Secondary Sources ....................................................................................................................... 75 6 Appendix .................................................................................................................................. 79 6.1 Song Lyrics ..................................................................................................................................... 79 6.2 English Abstract ........................................................................................................................... 83 6.3 Deutsche Zusammenfassung .................................................................................................... 84 List of Figures Fig. 1: "A Communication Model for Live Poetry" (Novak Live Poetry 177) Fig. 2a-f: Bono (U2, “U2 Sunday Bloody Sunday, 1987 Avi.”) Fig. 3: Satellite Pictures of Bono's Childhood Home (“10 Cedarwood Rd”) Fig. 4a-e: Bono/ Bono and the Edge (U2, "U2 - Peace on Earth/Walk On") Fig. 5: The Stage at the "Elevation" Tour (U2, “U2”) Fig. 6: The Edge (U2, “Rare U2 The Edge Van Diemen’s Land Live 1990”) Fig. 7: Pitch Movement in "Van Diemen's Land" Fig. 8: Salvation Army Brass Band (U2, “U2 Red Hill Mining Town”) Fig. 9a-d: Bono (U2, “U2 Red Hill Mining Town”) 1 1 Introduction U2 are an Irish rock band that was founded in 1976 in Dublin by Larry Mullen junior, featuring Bono (Paul David Hewson) on vocals and guitar, The Edge (David Howell Evans) on guitar, Adam Clayton on bass, and Larry Mullen junior on drums. The then 14-year-old Larry Mullen junior pinned a note on the notice board of his school reading “musicians wanted,” and the members of what would become one of the world’s most successful rock bands gathered in Larry Mullen junior’s kitchen for their first rehearsal (U2, “U2”). Originally named Feedback, the band changed its name to The Hype and later to what it is today- U2 (U2, “U2”). What started out as a school band with hobby musicians developed into one of the most influential rock