Purely Academic

It’s official: U2 are nominated for the Oscar for “The Hands That Built America,” up against Eminem (“Lose Yourself” – 8 MILE), Kander & Ebb (“I Move On” – CHICAGO), Paul Simon (“Father And Daughter” – THE WILD THORNBERRIES) and Elliot Goldenthal / Julie Taymor (“Burn It Blue” – FRIDA). The ceremony takes place on March 23rd; U2 can reasonably be expected to perform. (And now that you know this, go read the next article down, it’s much more interesting.)

90 thoughts on “Purely Academic

  1. If they’re going to win bloody everything there is to win in their career, let them win the World Cup for Ireland. Now there’s a challenge. Start training all those kids NOW.

  2. If they’re going to win bloody everything there is to win in their career, let them win the World Cup for Ireland. Now there’s a challenge. Start training all those kids NOW.

  3. … and then they themselves will become an award. The ‘Bono’, given out to artists that have the biggest, um… well, you think of something.

  4. … and then they themselves will become an award. The ‘Bono’, given out to artists that have the biggest, um… well, you think of something.

  5. Look for Bono & Edge to perform THTBA live in the studio on the Today show later this month. (Most likely late next week.)

  6. Look for Bono & Edge to perform THTBA live in the studio on the Today show later this month. (Most likely late next week.)

  7. Or: biggest amount of fans.
    Or: biggest amount of airmiles.
    Or: biggest amount of time spent on noble causes.
    Or: biggest amount of time spent with 3 other guys.
    Or: biggest collection of cool shades.
    Or: biggest collection of tunes written for a 2-letter-band.
    Or: biggest amount of reasons why an award should be named after you.

  8. Or: biggest amount of fans.
    Or: biggest amount of airmiles.
    Or: biggest amount of time spent on noble causes.
    Or: biggest amount of time spent with 3 other guys.
    Or: biggest collection of cool shades.
    Or: biggest collection of tunes written for a 2-letter-band.
    Or: biggest amount of reasons why an award should be named after you.

  9. The Oscars are pretty lame. I couldn’t care less if U2 got one.. no, actually I kind of want them NOT to win. The Oscars is so bleeding mainstream it’s making me sick.

  10. The Oscars are pretty lame. I couldn’t care less if U2 got one.. no, actually I kind of want them NOT to win. The Oscars is so bleeding mainstream it’s making me sick.

  11. Ah Debaser is back…actually the Golden Globes are mainstream…the Oscar would be a priveledge I imagine for the boys!! More importantly, I bet the would be even happier if Marty won!!

  12. Ah Debaser is back…actually the Golden Globes are mainstream…the Oscar would be a priveledge I imagine for the boys!! More importantly, I bet the would be even happier if Marty won!!

  13. Ah Debaser is back…actually the Golden Globes are mainstream…the Oscar would be a priveledge I imagine for the boys!! More importantly, I bet the would be even happier if Marty won!!

  14. Ah Debaser is back…actually the Golden Globes are mainstream…the Oscar would be a priveledge I imagine for the boys!! More importantly, I bet the would be even happier if Marty won!!

  15. U2: The Musical. Woo hoo! Well, if Mamma Mia (featuring Abba music) is any indication, a musical based on U2 music would be wildly popular.

  16. U2: The Musical. Woo hoo! Well, if Mamma Mia (featuring Abba music) is any indication, a musical based on U2 music would be wildly popular.

  17. So if they themselves are the awards do we have the ‘Adam’ “given out to artists that have the biggest, um… well, you think of something.”

  18. So if they themselves are the awards do we have the ‘Adam’ “given out to artists that have the biggest, um… well, you think of something.”

  19. Fan since ’80 — hey, I’m just curious what makes you find the GGAs more mainstream than the Oscars? In my own opinion I find the Oscars to favor depressing, but not necessarily out of the mainstream. Curious how you see it. Thanks.

  20. Fan since ’80 — hey, I’m just curious what makes you find the GGAs more mainstream than the Oscars? In my own opinion I find the Oscars to favor depressing, but not necessarily out of the mainstream. Curious how you see it. Thanks.

  21. Hey Debaser, I think you might be right. I don’t think U2 is mainstream at all at this point, so it would be a shame to ruin their underground mystique. Were you even around when they released the Joshua Tree? I sure hope not. I’ve heard that when that album came out, that the mainstream issue was a little bit bigger. Still, you should cross your fingers to hope that U2 does not succeed in their jobs. Were you also upset when they won their grammies last year and the year before? The setup, is in essence, the same to determine the winners… sorry if I shattered any of illusions that lead you to believe otherwise.

  22. Hey Debaser, I think you might be right. I don’t think U2 is mainstream at all at this point, so it would be a shame to ruin their underground mystique. Were you even around when they released the Joshua Tree? I sure hope not. I’ve heard that when that album came out, that the mainstream issue was a little bit bigger. Still, you should cross your fingers to hope that U2 does not succeed in their jobs. Were you also upset when they won their grammies last year and the year before? The setup, is in essence, the same to determine the winners… sorry if I shattered any of illusions that lead you to believe otherwise.

  23. Whether or not GGAs are more mainstream than the Oscars, Eminem should have won the GGA and SHOULD win the Oscar…Finally he does something worth giving an award for and they won’t recognize him for it…yet, all the CRAP that he’s done before “Loose Yourself” has been recognized…but is PURE CRAPOLA…lol, anyways, as much of a U2 fan as I am, Eminem should win it…

  24. Whether or not GGAs are more mainstream than the Oscars, Eminem should have won the GGA and SHOULD win the Oscar…Finally he does something worth giving an award for and they won’t recognize him for it…yet, all the CRAP that he’s done before “Loose Yourself” has been recognized…but is PURE CRAPOLA…lol, anyways, as much of a U2 fan as I am, Eminem should win it…

  25. i heard the thing about bono and edge being on the today show in the US. Does anybody know why Adam and Larry aren’t participating in any of the promotion/award getting for “Hands”?

  26. i heard the thing about bono and edge being on the today show in the US. Does anybody know why Adam and Larry aren’t participating in any of the promotion/award getting for “Hands”?

  27. Well we all know Eminem wont win – my money is on the Chicago juggernaunt that is rearing its ugly head through theaters.

  28. Well we all know Eminem wont win – my money is on the Chicago juggernaunt that is rearing its ugly head through theaters.

  29. it is weird that edge and bono have been performing it solo, but larry and adam are included in the nomination for the oscar so they’ll probably all be at the show (to perform!?), i wouldn’t see why not. and even if ‘lose yourself’ is a good song, eminem has a horrendous attitude problem and will probably snub the show, IMO. I think U2 has a great chance, but has serious competitors with chicago and frida.

  30. it is weird that edge and bono have been performing it solo, but larry and adam are included in the nomination for the oscar so they’ll probably all be at the show (to perform!?), i wouldn’t see why not. and even if ‘lose yourself’ is a good song, eminem has a horrendous attitude problem and will probably snub the show, IMO. I think U2 has a great chance, but has serious competitors with chicago and frida.

  31. golden globes, I thought, were chosen by the hollywood foreign press, a rather small organization. So they can’t possibly be more mainstream than the oscars, where every grip and dolly boy gets to vote. Gloria, I think you’re right – “lose yourself” is the more appropriate winner (I HATE to say that because I despise eminem) but I think eminem’s attitude will lose it for him.

  32. golden globes, I thought, were chosen by the hollywood foreign press, a rather small organization. So they can’t possibly be more mainstream than the oscars, where every grip and dolly boy gets to vote. Gloria, I think you’re right – “lose yourself” is the more appropriate winner (I HATE to say that because I despise eminem) but I think eminem’s attitude will lose it for him.

  33. Tizer — ooh — just where is that? I’m a bit bad at finding Bono’s misakes. But I don’t mind when they’re pointed out. LOL

  34. Tizer — ooh — just where is that? I’m a bit bad at finding Bono’s misakes. But I don’t mind when they’re pointed out. LOL

  35. I wasn’t too WOOHOO-y about the golden globes either. And oh Dudelove721, you know zero about my stance on mainstream and U2, so don’t act like you do ok? I have no problemas with U2 being mainstream like they have in past, but there HAS been a difference between the U2esque way of mainstream than let’s say Celine Dion’s way, or Bon Jovi. I don’t really feel there is anymore. You get my drift?
    What I meant to say is that the Oscars define Hollywood. And that is a plastic, fake world. I’m just upset U2 wants to be a part of that world. Hey, I CARE for this band, that’s why I’m concerned. And don’t give me the “U2 can do the hell they want, screw the fans”, it’s really getting old.

  36. I wasn’t too WOOHOO-y about the golden globes either. And oh Dudelove721, you know zero about my stance on mainstream and U2, so don’t act like you do ok? I have no problemas with U2 being mainstream like they have in past, but there HAS been a difference between the U2esque way of mainstream than let’s say Celine Dion’s way, or Bon Jovi. I don’t really feel there is anymore. You get my drift?
    What I meant to say is that the Oscars define Hollywood. And that is a plastic, fake world. I’m just upset U2 wants to be a part of that world. Hey, I CARE for this band, that’s why I’m concerned. And don’t give me the “U2 can do the hell they want, screw the fans”, it’s really getting old.

  37. Lose Yourself is a better song. I doubt Eminem would win though.

    The real travesty is that Badly Drawn Boy didn’t even get nominated. The About a Boy soundtrack was excellent, entirely composed for the movie. “Something to Talk About” and “A Minor Incident” were both worthy of nominations.

  38. Lose Yourself is a better song. I doubt Eminem would win though.

    The real travesty is that Badly Drawn Boy didn’t even get nominated. The About a Boy soundtrack was excellent, entirely composed for the movie. “Something to Talk About” and “A Minor Incident” were both worthy of nominations.

  39. on the spray of a new land star …GRACE,gravity recovery and climate experiment…twin satellites flying in formation…

  40. on the spray of a new land star …GRACE,gravity recovery and climate experiment…twin satellites flying in formation…

  41. Hey Debaser, if winning an Oscar to you, puts U2 in the same mainstream category as Celine Dion and Bon Jovi, then you’ve got problems. Nevermind the fact, that U2 is kind of already in the same bracket as Bon Jovi. Just because Bon Jovi might not cover more of a wide array of subjects, it doesn’t make them any less of a band than U2. Considering that the Hollywood lifestyle won’t be changing the band any time soon (they’ve come this far on their own) and considering that they want their music to be heard by the widest audience possible, I would say that this is nothing but a positive thing for them. Being accepted by more people doesn’t diminish the quality of their music, so what’s the problem? There is also one huge difference between Celine Dion and the band. Celine, is a singer, and U2 are songwriters. I don’t think that there’s any threat of anyone confusing the differences between the two. And how are you so sure about the Hollywood lifestyle? Have you lived inside of it? Have you even lived in Hollywood? I haven’t, but maybe not all things about it are as fake and plastic as you might want to believe. Having an open mind towards your opinions are a good thing, but being set on one mindset is dangerous. Look at the paranoia mindset of America. It’s gonna get us all bombed. I’m not saying you’re wrong, and this is not a personal attack by any means. I am just questioning your reasoning, that’s all. Sorry if I offended you.

  42. Hey Debaser, if winning an Oscar to you, puts U2 in the same mainstream category as Celine Dion and Bon Jovi, then you’ve got problems. Nevermind the fact, that U2 is kind of already in the same bracket as Bon Jovi. Just because Bon Jovi might not cover more of a wide array of subjects, it doesn’t make them any less of a band than U2. Considering that the Hollywood lifestyle won’t be changing the band any time soon (they’ve come this far on their own) and considering that they want their music to be heard by the widest audience possible, I would say that this is nothing but a positive thing for them. Being accepted by more people doesn’t diminish the quality of their music, so what’s the problem? There is also one huge difference between Celine Dion and the band. Celine, is a singer, and U2 are songwriters. I don’t think that there’s any threat of anyone confusing the differences between the two. And how are you so sure about the Hollywood lifestyle? Have you lived inside of it? Have you even lived in Hollywood? I haven’t, but maybe not all things about it are as fake and plastic as you might want to believe. Having an open mind towards your opinions are a good thing, but being set on one mindset is dangerous. Look at the paranoia mindset of America. It’s gonna get us all bombed. I’m not saying you’re wrong, and this is not a personal attack by any means. I am just questioning your reasoning, that’s all. Sorry if I offended you.

  43. “Get us all bombed”
    Like some of us have control over our President! Sounds a little narrow minded.

  44. “Get us all bombed”
    Like some of us have control over our President! Sounds a little narrow minded.

  45. The Oscars, wow, it’s allways been a childhood dream of mine to go there! Yeah, yeah, very girlie and superficial and all that, but I can’t help it, every year I keep my fingers crossed that BBC will broadcast it(stupid Dutch TV never buys the rights), so I can ooeh and aah about all the stars and their (sometimes disturbingly ugly) dresses and tuxes. The showparts are always boring as hell though, especially when the nominees perform their ‘best song’. Just picture U2 in a huge showset with ridiculous ballet in the background. Hahaha, this is going to be the best Oscarnight ever!

  46. The Oscars, wow, it’s allways been a childhood dream of mine to go there! Yeah, yeah, very girlie and superficial and all that, but I can’t help it, every year I keep my fingers crossed that BBC will broadcast it(stupid Dutch TV never buys the rights), so I can ooeh and aah about all the stars and their (sometimes disturbingly ugly) dresses and tuxes. The showparts are always boring as hell though, especially when the nominees perform their ‘best song’. Just picture U2 in a huge showset with ridiculous ballet in the background. Hahaha, this is going to be the best Oscarnight ever!

  47. Yes, hosting, that’s what I meant. Steve
    Martin, hmm. Used to be funny, don’t know if he still is.

  48. Yes, hosting, that’s what I meant. Steve
    Martin, hmm. Used to be funny, don’t know if he still is.

  49. hmm… I dont like the Oscars, because they always seem to disagree with my own personal views. And i definetly hate the “Official” mark that hangs over the oscars. Its as if what the jury chooses really IS the best. Last year The Lord of The Rings (a masterpiece in my eyes) got robbed by a fairly boring and uninteresting movie: a beautiful mind. This year i would like Eminem to win. His song is much more innovative than u2’s, although it is a very good song they have produced.

  50. hmm… I dont like the Oscars, because they always seem to disagree with my own personal views. And i definetly hate the “Official” mark that hangs over the oscars. Its as if what the jury chooses really IS the best. Last year The Lord of The Rings (a masterpiece in my eyes) got robbed by a fairly boring and uninteresting movie: a beautiful mind. This year i would like Eminem to win. His song is much more innovative than u2’s, although it is a very good song they have produced.

  51. I just learned that Kander & Ebb wrote “New York, New York” back in the day and got snubbed by the Academy. So they’ve been around – might be enough industry affection for them to pull off an upset.

  52. I just learned that Kander & Ebb wrote “New York, New York” back in the day and got snubbed by the Academy. So they’ve been around – might be enough industry affection for them to pull off an upset.

  53. Jeez. Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Aimee Mann and Bjork all got nominations and performed at the Oscars and nobody whined, “waaahhh that puts Bob Dylan into the same category as Celine Dion”.

  54. Jeez. Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Aimee Mann and Bjork all got nominations and performed at the Oscars and nobody whined, “waaahhh that puts Bob Dylan into the same category as Celine Dion”.

  55. …and since Springsteen and Dylan both won, I guess we can fairly say that winning an Oscar puts U2 in the same league as Bruce and Bob. No objections here!

    My bone is this: why couldn’t they have been nominated for UTEOTW, Stay, HMTMKMKM, or TGBHF?

  56. …and since Springsteen and Dylan both won, I guess we can fairly say that winning an Oscar puts U2 in the same league as Bruce and Bob. No objections here!

    My bone is this: why couldn’t they have been nominated for UTEOTW, Stay, HMTMKMKM, or TGBHF?

  57. Come on guys, who cares? The song was not nominated on its own merits. It was nominated because it’s attached to Gangs of New York. Simple as that. Had it been the theme to Divine Sisters of the Ya Ya Sisterhood it would have been ignored. Movies typically pick up nominations in blocks. If you’re up for Best Movie, an actor nod, director nod or even song nod is likely as well. U2 is simply a part of that block this year. If U2 wins, they might as well hand the award over to Scorsese.

  58. Come on guys, who cares? The song was not nominated on its own merits. It was nominated because it’s attached to Gangs of New York. Simple as that. Had it been the theme to Divine Sisters of the Ya Ya Sisterhood it would have been ignored. Movies typically pick up nominations in blocks. If you’re up for Best Movie, an actor nod, director nod or even song nod is likely as well. U2 is simply a part of that block this year. If U2 wins, they might as well hand the award over to Scorsese.

  59. Itchseed, the reason that Until the End of the World, Stay, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me and The Ground Beneath Her Feet weren’t nominated is because of the movies those songs are attached to. That’s the major reason. There is also the smaller one which is that these stuffy shows usually award safe garbage over anything good. Such as the Grammies awarding ATYCLB yet all but ignoring Pop and giving Achtung Baby “see, we’re a cool show afterall” nominations only to not award the band with a single statue.

  60. Itchseed, the reason that Until the End of the World, Stay, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me and The Ground Beneath Her Feet weren’t nominated is because of the movies those songs are attached to. That’s the major reason. There is also the smaller one which is that these stuffy shows usually award safe garbage over anything good. Such as the Grammies awarding ATYCLB yet all but ignoring Pop and giving Achtung Baby “see, we’re a cool show afterall” nominations only to not award the band with a single statue.

  61. Well, if I remember correctly, Achtung Baby did win for Best Rock Album. And POP’s nomination in the same category was far more than that extremely patchy album really deserved.

  62. Well, if I remember correctly, Achtung Baby did win for Best Rock Album. And POP’s nomination in the same category was far more than that extremely patchy album really deserved.

  63. I agree that “Hands” is not U2’s best movie song. However, that being said getting nominated for an Oscar does NOT equal selling out in my book. If all the “honors” went to their heads and they started making sloppy, bad music that was trash THAT would equal selling out. But that’s hasn’t happened yet and it’s 20 years they’ve been making music. A song like “Walk On” written for a victim of political oppression which then became an comfort for America after 9/11 and now is used to honor the Columbia astronauts is just one example. U2 hasn’t “sold out” they still make wonderful, meaningful music.

  64. I agree that “Hands” is not U2’s best movie song. However, that being said getting nominated for an Oscar does NOT equal selling out in my book. If all the “honors” went to their heads and they started making sloppy, bad music that was trash THAT would equal selling out. But that’s hasn’t happened yet and it’s 20 years they’ve been making music. A song like “Walk On” written for a victim of political oppression which then became an comfort for America after 9/11 and now is used to honor the Columbia astronauts is just one example. U2 hasn’t “sold out” they still make wonderful, meaningful music.

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