U2 – Paint it, Black Review

Applaud the vocalist who can step out of their comfort zone. Those who take the dive, that risk, into cover versions, are to be lauded for their approach, no matter the result. But with U2 and their cover of The Rolling Stones’ Paint it, Black, there is no sense of hazard. No jeopardy to enliven the Bono-led performance of the Mick Jagger and Keith Richards classic. Without its urgency, lacking the fire, Paint it, Black, is just stadium fodder from one big band to another. A sad shame to hear it go this way, especially given the clear talent of both bands. Poor cover songs are not exclusive to Bono and friends. Their cover of The Rolling Stones’ Paint it, Black, is up there with The Rolling Stones’ cover of Like a Rolling Stone, and that is just a peg below Bob Dylan’s attempt at Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen. 

Afford artists the chance to experiment and we receive messy moments such as this. Memorable in all the wrong ways, though we can certainly learn from it. A terribly misguided attempt at covering the thrills of a song which would go on to dominate stadiums across the globe. Capturing that thrill is near-impossible. The Rolling Stones can pride themselves on the flash-in-the-pan-like experience which comes from their Aftermath track. This is very much one of many peaks for the Jagger-fronted group. For Bono and the rest of U2, it is a dull flutter, a moment which hears Bono drag the track into monotonous territory. Short, dull, and dreadful. That trio could be used as descriptors to modern-day U2, but it also applies to their cover work. A song such as Paint it, Black, relies on the intensity, the adrenaline which rests at the heart of it. U2 does everything they can to strip the song of this thrill. The rush is removed. 

The Edge is responsible for this most of all. He provides a relatively reserved, especially understated guitar performance that neither highlights the quality of the song or the potential nuance U2 can add. Bono believes an echo filter on his voice and a tinge of soft rock can add to The Rolling Stones’ classic. If not add, then what? U2’s version of Paint it, Black, struggles because there are moments where they chase the buoyancy, the vibrant thrill of the Jagger-fronted group. But they are far too coy to capture it, too shy of their abilities to bring anything of consequence to the table. Instead, U2 offers an experience on a level just below part-time pub rockers. At least a performance to seven uninterested patrons nursing warm beer is delivered with the hopes that one of those bar-goers is associated with the darker pool of the music scene.  

Flat is the word for this U2 performance. It should be no surprise given the recent songs the band has put out. But what may surprise many listeners, those few who dare to delve into this one, is that the band recorded it during the Achtung Baby recordings. An off day, a disinterest in the core of the song, who knows? Whatever the case it sinks the chance U2 had at being associated with a harder, harsher sound. An utterly lifeless performance from a band who, at the time, were making music far better than this. A cover of one of the all-time great songs in the hands of U2 should be more than the flat-sounding sadness which filters through this Paint it, Black, performance. A shameful display, one which would make even Guns ‘n’ Roses’ frequent delves into the discography of Wings and The Stones sound listenable.