The Saints Are Coming

I came across an interesting article in NME magazine about the new Green Day and U2 song, The Saints Are Coming.


Following last year's devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans and it's neighbouring towns were left utterly destroyed. The article explains how U2 guitarist The Edge decided to try and raise some money to help the people of New Orleans by releasing a song, with proceeds going towards the Hurricane Katrina aid. He decided to get another very popular band (Green Day) and decided on releasing a cover of a 1978 punk song by a Scottish band called The Skids.



The headline reads 'There's nothing better to rally people than a good song' and underneath it says 'How U2 and Green Day joined forces to put right what President Bush wouldn't'. This is a rather bold statement, but despite this being a music magazine, the article begins more about politics rather than music. What is interesting is that song is being released by two bands who have never been afraid to shy away from political matters, with Green Day's multi platinum selling album 'American Idiot' being an attack on the government, and U2's front man Bono being the global ambassador for the cancellation of Third World Debt. The two bands also put a lot of work into Live8 and Make Poverty History.


The song itself ties into the theme of the disaster. Firstly, the name of the New Orleans football team is the New Orleans Saints, and the chorus of the song proclaims 'The Saints Are Coming'. It also uses lyrics about heavy rain and personal fears and loss.


I suppose it is true to say that 'There's nothing better to rally people than a good song'. People can watch the news, look at the atrocities and think 'my god, isn't that bad?' but not actually do anything about it. Some people may not even have the devastation or know anything about it. When two hugely successful bands such as Green Day and/or U2 release a song, a lot of people take notice. If they like the song, they will buy the cd, and by buying the CD they are donating money which otherwise they wouldn't have done.


I am huge fan of the music of U2 and Green Day, but I find their actions, not just their music, inspirational. These two massive bands have everything so many dream of having, and yet they are still trying to help those less fortunate. Some people have said this could be a publicity stunt, well, for a start, I dont think Green Day or U2 really need to try and make a name for themselves at this point in time, they are probably the two biggest bands on the planet. Also, it isn't the first time that they have got involved in good causes.