Bono's Debut Column: An Ode to Sinatra

Bono waxes eloquent about Frank Sinatra and the life lessons he learned from the Chairman in his debut column today for the New York Times. Among other things, he contrasts an early boastful recording of "My Way" with one Sinatra made late in life that is filled with remorse. "To what end? Duality, complexity. I was lucky to duet with a man who understood duality, who had the talent to hear two opposing ideas in a single song, and the wisdom to know which side to reveal at which moment."

Bono finds relevance in those contrasting notions—swagger and regret—for the current economic troubles. But it's not all serious, and he gives us a little secret: "If you want to hear the least sentimental voice in the history of pop music finally crack, though—shhhh—find the version of Frank’s ode to insomnia, 'One for My Baby (and One More for the Road),' hidden on Duets. Listen through to the end and you will hear the great man break as he truly sobs on the line, 'It’s a long, long, long road.' I kid you not." (More Bono stories.)