One song that I have recently discovered, and one that I believe to be exceptional is "The Wanderer," by U2. It was first released in 1993, on their eighth album, "Zooropa". The whole album was a break from their distinct, post-punk, new wave, and 80's sound to a more electronic and alternative rock sound, which they started to dabble in with their previous album, "Achtung Baby." But this blog isn't about the whole album, (definitely not one of my favorite U2 albums), lets get to "The Wanderer." It is the closing track off the album, and is one of the most distinct songs in the U2 catalogue, because none of the band members sing lead vocals on the song. Who does then? Many of you most likely ask. Get ready for the big surprise. Johnny Cash. Bang! Bet you didn't see that coming. U2 asked the 61 year old country legend to lend his famous baritone voice to what I believe is U2's and Cash's best song. The main underlying sound is a synthesised bassline delivered by bassist Adam Clayton. One can also hear the faint drumming of Larry Mullen and a muted acoustic guitar in the background. The Edge (U2's guitar played) provides harmonizing background vocals throughout the whole song, and in the middle of the song, delivers a short guitar solo. Bono doesn't come in until the very end, delivering a country-like yodel to finish off the song. The title fits in with Johnny Cash's "outlaw country" persona, and also with how he is aging, with less and less people listening to his music, he becoming a wanderer himself in the faster growing world of the 1990's. The lyrics are very graphic and descriptive, talking about a man searching and wandering in a kind of post-apocalyptic world for someone, what I believe to be a woman, heard in the lyric "yeah I went with nothin', nothin' but the thought of you, I went wandering" and later "I went with nothin, but the thought you'd be there too, looking for you." He has with him a bible and a gun, which I think incorporates both Bono's and Cash's religiousness. While wandering, the narrator says he is also looking for another person, just one good man left. No matter your interpretation of the song, I think it has just a great sound with some nice vocals, and recommend it to all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-dZvQxYX1g
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