In 2006, when U2\u2019s Bono guest-edited an issue of The Independent<\/em>, he interviewed comedian Eddie Izzard<\/a>, and they explored questions about the influences of their mothers over their own desire for the affections of their audiences.<\/p>\n Bono has, of course, sung about this. In \u201cMofo<\/a>,\u201d rock\u2019n\u2019roll becomes his surrogate mother \u2014 a source of identity and inspiration as well as a channel for his cries to his absent mother.<\/p>\n And then, in the recent Songs of Innocence, <\/em>he sings about her specifically in a song named for her: \u201cIris.\u201d<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KDIPN2Zmm_w<\/a>\n Mothers \u2014 their counsel, their example, their presence, and their absence. Who can measure how much influence they have over our lives, our work, our creative expression?<\/p>\n I\u2019ve written about two remarkable songs about mothers (one by Sufjan Stevens, one by St. Vincent) in today\u2019s edition of my weekly music column<\/a> \u2014 Listening Closer \u2014 over at Christ and Pop Culture.<\/p>\n One of Over the Rhine\u2019s most beloved songs, \u201cOnly God Can Save Us Now,\u201d was inspired by Karin Bergquist\u2019s experiences visiting and caring for her mother in a nursing home. Listen to her testimony in this live performance:<\/span><\/p>\n