U2 (The Electric Co) Bass Cover

Recorded in 1980 at Dublin’s Windmill Lane Studios for inclusion on U2’s debut album, Boy. Some fans had initially interpreted the song as referring to an electrical power supply company but in fact the Electric Co being referred to is electric convulsive therapy which is a treatment still used in certain cases these days, to apply electric shocks to mentally ill patients. The song was a nod to a friend of the band’s who underwent this therapy.
Fun Fact : the song made many live appearance on the Boy and War tours with the band adding an intro called Cry thus the song became known as Cry/Electric Co on some live set-lists. Bono infamously sang a 30 second excerpt from Send In the Clowns throughout the song bridge during the War tour. The penalty for that was the band having to pay royalties to Stephen Sondheim for the privilege on every occasion the excerpt was performed.
Tuning: Tune down a half-step. Eb Ab Db Gb
Gear: Fender Deluxe Precision Bass (Duff McKagan signature) round wound strings 45-105, Boss LMB 3 Limiter Enhancer, Behringer UC200 Ultra Chorus, Roland Mixer Pro X

[@thomasfioriglio]

Nice job Sean. And thanks for the background info. I didn't know this was about electroshock therapy. Or that they had to pay royalties every time they sang Bring in The Clowns. I did know that that was edited out of the live version from Under A Blood Red Sky. Is that a Santa hat on your basses? And I love the Fender shirt. Nice pick work. This is a fun one to play. Keep at it! Oh, and I always hated that fade out and in.

[@basstrap3430]

Ah the aul pick. Still practicing with it, still struggling with it, you can hear it in this one, but some songs, like this one, demand it 🙂. Love Adam’s early stuff, energetic punky and he really experimented. The basses have Santa hats on. Tis the season.🎅🏻 Thanks for the support as always. Looking out for your next video 👍

[@thomasfioriglio]

@@basstrap3430 Keep at it. A pick is a good tool to use.