Boy Falls From the Sky

Album: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the first song premiered from Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, which is the Broadway musical penned by U2's Bono and the Edge. Reeve Carney, who stars as Spider-Man's alter ego Peter Parker, performed the track on the September 10, 2010 edition of Good Morning America. The Edge said before it was debuted, "One of the great things about this casting is that we have Reeve, who is this amazing singer, but we've also brought in his band, so we have the sound of real authentic rock n' roll band performing at the show."
  • Bono began composing Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark after a quip by Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber. According to the to the New York Post, the English musical composer joked, "I'd like to thank rock musicians for leaving me alone for 25 years – I've had the theater all to myself." Bono, The Edge and director Julie Taymor "decided to give Andrew a little competition."
  • Bono discussed what drew the U2 duo to the project on Good Morning America: "I think we're interested in it because it's a really quintessential New York story, and we're all kind of wanna-be New Yorkers. It's not so serious, but this post-9/11 idea of everyone being capable of being a hero caught our imaginations."
  • Director Julie Taymor, who previously helmed The Lion King musical, had a strong influence on the sound of the score. "Julie Taymor is very strong in her opinions," Glen Berger, who co-wrote the musical's book with Taymor, told Billboard magazine. "So probably more than any producer that [Bono and the Edge] have ever worked with, she cracked the whip and took them in some directions that they might not have contemplated."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?