U2’s Bono Wrote a Song About Spider-Man That Was Supposed to Make Fans Cry – Showbiz Cheat Sheet

U2s Bono and The Edge wrote classic rock songs on many topics including Spider-Man. During the creation of the song, Bono said he wanted it to be akin to one of the greatest songs ever written. In addition, he said he wanted the song to make people cry.

Broadway has given the world many shows that are based on popular characters like Superman, Mary Poppins, and Lestat. In the same vein, popular musicians have composed musicals for Broadway. These two trends collided with Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Based on the beloved comic book character, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark featured original songs from Bono and The Edge. The co-writer of the musical, Glen Berger, wrote a book about it called Song of Spider-Man: The Inside Story of the Most Controversial Musical in Broadway History.

In his book, Berger revealed Bono and The Edge wanted to write an anthem for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Bono and Edge had pinpointed a mood for the song they were going to write that would carry an audience from the nihilism sparked by Uncle Bens death toward the musicals defining moment when Peter vows to fight in the name of love and justice as Spider-Man, Berger said. Rise Above, suggested Bono. Rise above the difficulties around you. Above the sadness within you.Beyourbetterself.'

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Bono and The Edge created a song about Spider-Man called Rise Above and Bono had high hopes for it. If Imgonna actually plop something like that onto a f****** page, it better be somethingthat people will sing infootball finalsin 10 years and make everyone cry, Bono said. I just mean it has to be a classic. In the rising-above-it-type genre, if you follow me.'

Bono wanted the song to be as good as another song from a Broadway musical. It better be as good as Youll Never Walk Alone, which is one of the greatest songs ever written, Bono said. For context, Youll Never Walk Alone is a song from Rodgers and Hammersteins musical Carousel. In Ireland, Youll Never Walk Alone is commonly used as a football anthem.

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Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark featured two versions of Rise Above. Rise Above 1, a conventional power ballad, and Rise Above 2, a version of the song with vocals from a choir. Bono and The Edge released Rise Above 1 featuring vocals from actor Reeve Carney as a single. It peaked at No. 74 on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining on the chart for a week. Rise Above 1 wasnt much of a hit; however, maybe fans will someday use it in sporting events as Bono hoped.

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U2's Bono Wrote a Song About Spider-Man That Was Supposed to Make Fans Cry - Showbiz Cheat Sheet