"The truly ‘mysterious' object is beyond our apprehension... not only because our knowledge has certain irremovable
limits, but because in it we come upon something inherently ‘wholly other'... and before which we
therefore recoil in a wonder that strikes us chill and numb." - Rudolph Otto
Title: Window in the Skies Artist: U2 Director: Modernista! and The Mill Year Released: 2006
What does love do? Better yet, what does love "do" to us? Recently, the majority of U2's attention does not revolve around their music, but rather as a result of their relentless participation in social causes. Bono's celebrity label has practically shifted from "lead singer" to Africa's biggest fan, advocate, and poverty combatant. (Visit: One.org and MakePovertyHistory.org ) In addition, The Edge has put the majority of his time and energy lately into rebuilding New Orlean's musical culture through his MusicRising organization.
The "Window in the Skies" music video was released in December of last year in conjunction with the U218 Singles album. (And featured in our favorites of 2006 write-up). Though the initial fascination with this video lies with whoever sorted through the immense amount of stock footage used, there seems to be something transcendent left to experience with this short piece.
In many ways, this song (and video) is simply a gesture. A gesture of gratitude towards those who are working towards "making poverty history. "
The grain is now a groove All debts are removed... Oh can’t you see what our love has done
In some ways, it's a gesture to humanity.
Love makes strange enemies Makes love when love may please Soul in a strip tease Hate brought to its knees
And in some ways, it's a gesture to "rock-n-roll" which is only enhanced by U2's lack of performance in the video. This said, U2's presence still remains within the video. The only question is: "Can you spot them?"
Window in the Skies (Lyrics) U2
Aaah, Aaah, Ooh ooh…
The shackles are undone The bullets quit the gun The heat thats in the sun Will keep us when there’s none
The rule has been disproved The stone has been moved The grain is now a groove All debts are removed, ooh
Oh can’t you see what our love has done Oh can’t you see what our love has done Oh can’t you see what our love has done What it’s doing to me
Love makes strange enemies Makes love when love may please Soul in a strip tease Hate brought to its knees
Sky over our head Can reach it from our bed If you let me in your heart And out of my head
Oh can’t you see what our love has done Oh can’t you see what our love has done Oh can’t you see what our love has done What it’s doing to me
Oh oh oh hhhhhhhhhhh Oh oh oh hhhhhhhhhhh Please don’t ever let me out of here
I’ve got no shame oh no oh no
Oh can’t you see what love has done Oh can’t you see Oh can’t you see what love has done What it’s doing to me
Oh I know I hurt you and I made you cry Did everything but murder but you and I But love left a window in the skies And to love I rhapsodize
Oh can’t you see what love has done to every broken heart Oh can’t you see what love has done for every heart that cries Love left a window in the skies And to love I rhapsodize
I'm pretty sure that Ellie Alberhasky look alike is Meg White from the White Stripes
amazement vs. rationality written by steve sherwood , August 06, 2007
I just finished a spectacular book by Walter Brueggeman titled "The Prophetic Imagination." In the book, he says, among many wonderful things, that the message of Jesus can not be arrived at through the natural progression of logic but has to break forth as a wholly unexpected, scarcely dreamed of or hoped for reality that engenders amazement and hope.
From the moment I first saw it, this video has that effect on me. The lyrics seem to be an approach to the Gospel of Love that Brueggeman would applaud and something about the collage of images in the video just multiplies that. If the point of this site is 'wonder', for me few things I've seen do better than this video. There may be more profound words composed about God, or love or grace, and more technically brilliant videos, but this just works. It lifts my heart in an exhilarating way everytime I see it.
Plus it has Ellie Alberhasky playing the drums in a wig, 1:57 in (or 2:21 left) just for fun!
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