Nick Lowe - What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love And Understanding

First performance: 05/12/2003


Coverinfo

Bruce performed the song 12 times :   
 
 
2004-12-19 Harry's Roadhouse, Asbury Park, NJ (Late)
 
2004-12-19 Harry's Roadhouse, Asbury Park, NJ (Early)
with Max Weinberg. Second of two holiday shows. Bruce Springsteen & Friends performing two shows; one at 4:30pm and another at 8:30pm.

2004-10-13 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
with Jackson Browne, Eddie Vedder, and John Fogerty

2004-10-11 MCI Center, Washington, DC
with R.E.M., John Fogerty, Dave Matthews, Dixie Chicks, Eddie Vedder, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, et al.
 
2004-10-08 TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando, FL
with R.E.M., Tracy Chapman, and John Fogerty
 
2004-10-05 Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
with R.E.M., John Fogerty, Neil and Pegi Young, and Bright Eyes 

2004-10-03 Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI
with R.E.M., John Fogerty, and Bright Eyes

2004-10-02 Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH
with R.E.M., John Fogerty, and Bright Eyes
 
2004-10-01 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
with R.E.M., John Fogerty, and Bright Eyes
  

2003-12-08 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
Willie Nile joins for "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding"
 
2003-12-05 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
First night of the Christmas Benefit shows. Some of the proceeds are donated to the Asbury Park High School band, along with 30 instruments.
 

Songinfo

"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" is a 1974 song written by English singer/songwriter Nick Lowe and subsequently covered by Elvis Costello and Curtis Stigers. The song was originally released in 1974 on the album The New Favourites of... Brinsley Schwarz by Lowe's band Brinsley Schwarz and released as a single; this version was included on Lowe's 2002 compilation Anthology (along with the Elvis Costello version), and his 2009 compilation Quiet Please... The New Best of Nick Lowe, as well as 1991's Surrender to the Rhythm: The Best of Brinsley Schwarz, 1996's Naughty Rhythms: The Best of Pub Rock 1970–1976, and 1998's Pub Rock: Paving the Way for Punk. Thus far, Lowe himself has not released a solo studio version of the song, but plays it regularly in concert, and live versions have appeared as B-sides of his 1982 double 45 single "My Heart Hurts", and his 1994 EP True Love Travels on a Gravel Road, on the radio compilations KGSR Broadcasts Vol. 3, Q107's Concerts in the Sky: the Campfire Versions, and Live at the World Cafe 10th Anniversary, some with solo acoustic guitar and some with different full bands. Another live Lowe version appeared on his 2004 live album Untouched Takeaway, and a live Brinsley Schwarz version was included on What IS so Funny About Peace Love and Understanding?, which featured songs played live in BBC sessions. Lowe also produced a cover version of the song as a B-side for the 1991 single "See Saw" by the British band the Katydids, after producing their eponymous debut album.
 
 
 
The Elvis Costello & the Attractions version was first issued as the B-side of Lowe's 1978 single "American Squirm" credited to "Nick Lowe and His Sound". At the time, Lowe was Costello's producer, and he produced this track as well. When the song became a hit, it was quickly appended as the last track to the US edition of Costello's album Armed Forces. It has appeared on most of Costello's "Best of..." compilations over the years, as well as on the soundtrack to the film 200 Cigarettes. 
 
 
 

Bruce on the artist

Lyrics

As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

And each time I feel like this inside
There's one thing I wanna know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

And as I walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony

'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony

'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?