I wrote this at the start of the new year… hoping, praying and trying to manifest some fiery forward momentum for 2026.

2026. The Year of the Fire Horse starts in a little less than a month.  According to Chinese astrology, the Fire Horse is intense and powerful. I’m ready for intense and powerful- in all good ways.  The last year of the Fire Horse was the year I was born.  So I thought it might be fitting to start this one with the perfect song that also has intense and powerful energy.  Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses by a band I had an intense and powerful love affair with at one time, and that would  be U2.

I know U2 doesn’t have the cred or the cache or the following they did at one time, and actually a lot of people dismiss them today.  But if you were of a certain age in the mid 80s, U2 was freaking everything.  Big, bold, sounds that were resonant and full and completely different from a lot of music at the time. They made great videos, had a gorgeous frontman with that beautiful dark mullet.  Bono’s charisma was radiant back in the day.  And by 1987 you could hear their sound evolving.  Two of my absolute favorites albums, The Joshua Tree and The Unforgettable Fire sounded different from their early stuff like Boy and War.  

I was introduced to U2 in high school by a gorgeous fellow I had a deep and intense crush on.  He resembled Bono a little bit in that dark haired, fair skinned way.  And he was in a bunch of local bands, so of course I was entranced.  I was also entranced by Bono.  Bono in the 80s was absolutely spectacular.  And IMO, the 80s and early 90s was the prime of U2.  

Who’s Gonna Ride was from the band’s 1991 album Achtung Baby and was released as a single in November 1992. 

This song, that intro. I mean the Edge’s atmospheric, otherworldly, and uniquely distinctive guitar just cuts right through me…  and that tambourine playing gently in the background provides such a tender contrast.  Then fourteen measures in- BONO! I get verklempt over those lyrics. The aura, the energy, the emotion, the passion.  I always wished it was written about me and I wanted someone to sing it to me, lol. A song about a damaged but beautiful woman. Wild and reckless.  I always wanted to be someone’s muse. 

You left my heart empty as a vacant lot for any spirit to haunt

Took a drive in the dirty rain

To a place where the wind calls your name

The doors you open I just can’t close.

Who’s gonna taste your saltwater kisses?

Oh, my God. The passion in this song pairs perfectly with the energy predicted for this coming year, and for a milestone year for me.  I’m gonna use this energy and this song as inspiration to do something fucking wild, something I’ve never done before, something totally and completely life changing.  I don’t know what yet, but I’m ready for a wild and passionate change that’s for sure.  If anyone out there wants to join me, or feels the intense need, the desire, to free your gypsy heart and run wild, hit me up.  We can do it together.  And if not, then at least wave when you see me run by. 

For a real treat, if you are not aware, check out the kindergarten baby version of this song, the demo that was re-worked into the version that made it to the album.  More tender, more sweet, not as big sounding, but absolutely fucking phenomenal in a different way.

Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses by U2 is THE perfect song.

Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/@SFB66