'Stranded'

Jan

2010

'Stranded'

Less than a week ago, producer Swizz Beatz texted Jay-Z and Bono with the idea of collaborating together to benefit the people of Haiti. Tonight, at the Hope For Haiti Now global telethon, the track they wrote makes its debut. Swizz Beatz tells Rolling Stone how it came together:

'The idea of the song is 'We're not gonna leave you stranded' and that's what the chorus is,' explains Swizz. 'So me and Bono started going back and forth with ideas, and he was like, 'You know this word 'stranded' keeps standing out to me' and I asked him to sing it, and he put me on hold 'cause he's recording the ideas on a Dictaphone - so he did it there and then on the phone.'

'I knew that Jay would be able to tell a story, and that Bono would be able to sing and bring it home. The last component that I added was Rihanna, and she's kinda like the angel that's on the track, softening it up and giving it that caring feeling, because this hook is so powerful.'

More here.

Get RSS

13 Comments

You must be a logged-in member to add comments. Sign In | Subscribe

tinaniki - 01 March, 2010

stranded...never without u2 in my car!

will u2 be adding "stranded" in the next album? such a brilliant song.. got the charity album..but wish to hear on a u2 album more! by the way well done for achieving greatness with this 360 album..hitting the top board is such an achievement..well deserved. keep up the singing!

rfinnie - 23 January, 2010

good work

Love the song and plan to download. does anyone know if this song and the rest of the hope for haiti album will be available hardcopy (in a form other than as a download from itunes?). thanks

donnavoxtoo - 23 January, 2010

vocals

it's a beautiful song with a compelling message, but, i was disappointed that bono's vocals were so difficult to hear -- rihanna's voice definitely drowned him out; also, i would have been happy to see more of bono and edge on camera. these are the words of a U2 fan who can't get enough of her boys, though and, in the end, nothing matters except that the people of haiti get the help they so desperately need.

bonohot - 23 January, 2010

haitai telethon

beautiful song terrific combination of talent ...but why was it so difficult to hear legendary BONO for a while i thought his mike was off he should always be in the spotlight not the background

xalira - 22 January, 2010

Great song!

I loved it, nice riff by the Edge, too bad Bono wasn't that hearable... Hope it will become a hit and that all profits will go to help the people of Haiti.

MeghanW - 22 January, 2010

Amazing

That collaboration and performance was brilliant. Amazing song with a great purpose.

Paykid - 22 January, 2010

Inspiration

I'm really psyched to hear this song! Definitely think Bono's onto something with the word 'stranded,' -especially- in this situation. It reminds me of everything that's happened on these lines; for example, the concert with Greenday in New Orleans following Katrina, the image of the woman stranded; her sign reads Please-- I am an American! More importantly, she is-- they are-- humans, and it is so important that they not remain stranded. Props to everyone involved in this effort!

lf1971 - 22 January, 2010

Stranded

So looking forward to hearing this song. I've already made my donations to help the people of Haiti and I'm sure the Canadian and US funding drive tonight will raise more much needed funds. I encourage all in the "U2 community" to give as much as you can to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. We are ONE!

mattybono - 22 January, 2010

Cool!

Easily three of the best acts in the world coming together! Brilliant idea. Can't wait to hear it! Hold on Haiti!

mariannemo - 22 January, 2010

Hope

I am very excited to hear the new music and lyrics. My hope is that some day, Haiti will hear what the world is doing for them because right now, they don't even know this is going on. May they feel our prayers.

karenmikoyan - 22 January, 2010

Maybe it wil be awesome!

Can't wait to listen the song!

EverythingU2 - 22 January, 2010

Stranded

Music has always been my favorite art form and not just because I love to sing in the car to all my favorite hits! Music ALL WAYS comes to the rescue of the "Stranded." Musicians and compassion are two words that are in synch with one another>how else could we all experience multiple emotions that great songs inspire in all of us? Once again, musicians (Bono and all others) come to the rescue and help the people of Haiti whom are devastated from this earthquake. Bono, Jay Z,and Rihanna will most likely deliver a song put together with Bonos lyrics (that always reach us globally and individually-we can relate to both Haiti... and introspectively, to ourselves) that will empower the "helpful" and those in need of "help." Thank you Valerie

First < Previous 1 - 13 of 13 Comments Next > Last