U2's Bono to Write For "New York Times" in 2009

In addition to penning "50-60 songs" for U2's upcoming album, Bono will also use his literary skills by frequently contributing to the New York Times Op-Ed section in 2009. NYT editor Andrew Rosenthal told journalism students at Columbia University that Bono will write between six and ten pieces for the newspaper, ranging on topics from Africa to poverty to the music of Frank Sinatra. Asked about Bono's fee, Rosenthal said the Irishman would be working for free, but it's not like Bono needs a journalist's salary anyway. The editor also expressed an interest in reacquiring Queen guitarist Brian May to pen some columns. This isn't Bono's first foray into journalism: Bono guest-edited an issue of Vanity Fair back in June 2007 and UK's The Independent in May of 2006. More recently, he blogged for the Financial Times during the United Nations Milliennium Development Goals event earlier this year.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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