This is the sound that first brought U2 to popularity in the early to mid-eighties. It's how I still think of them sounding. I think y'all would really like "Pride (In the Name of Love)" from 1984.
This was what U2 used to mean to me. Some if their later songs were good, but when I think of them them. I will always think of this angry group, and think of the days where the Irish bars in South Boston were funneling money to the war
Growing up in Ireland you have to make a choice at a young age, join in the fighting or shun the violence. I remember having a British soldier stuck his gun in my face when I was just 8 years old. I chose to not take part. This song is about U2 not wanting to take the side of hate either. Very powerful.
We left NI at the beginning of the troubles, I lost several family members to English tyranny. Mi family also has deep IRA ties, so if you are not old enough to remember the troubles you really don't understand
It's so weird finding out that you guys know U2 for their softer, later songs. To me, THIS is U2. That, and New Year's day, and many others of their early songs.
It is strange to see people not familiar with the early work of U2. The strength and passion of their early albums was a large part of my formative years. The music from Boy, War, October, Under a blood red sky, and Joshua Tree albums are essential to know what U2 is about. Their sound was much different then. Along with "Sunday, Bloody Sunday", "I will follow" was an unforgettable song of the time.
This is the U2 older fans love. When they were young a bit angry and had deep message songs...then they got older, world wide popularity and comfortable!
@C Summers Agreed. I enjoy War, but the response of older fans to it dampens my enthusiasm...I'm reminded of this side of the fan base when I listen to it...
U2's War came out in 1983, and the entire album is an extended passionate primal scream, at once melodic and driving. This was the sound and energy that grabbed our ears then and forced us to take note of this amazingly talented band. You owe it to yourselves to listen to the entire album. I find it amusing that you were introduced to the softer, slicker commercial side of U2 first and thought of that as their "true" face - this is the raw, intense sound that introduced U2 to the world in the early 80s.
This is U2. The softer pop music in their later years isn't what endeared them to millions of fans. Anything from the Joshua Tree and earlier is the U2 that matters to me at least. Intellectual and powerful and political.
This song is about the civil unrest in Ireland... specifically the title refers to an incident in 1972 where British troops opened fire on unarmed protesters and killed a numbr of them.
This is one of U2's most overtly political songs; "Bloody Sunday" refers to an incident in 1972, in which British soldiers opened fire on unarmed protestors in Northern Ireland. This took place during decades of sectarian violence known as "The Troubles." This is also a very early U2 song, which is why Bono's voice sounds so different. Next Stops, All Ireland Edition: The Pogues, "If I Should Fall from Grace with God" The Chieftains, featuring Mick Jagger, "The Long Black Veil" U2, "All I Want is You / Where the Streets Have No Name" (live, Slane Castle)
Bloody Sunday, demonstration in Londonderry (Derry), Northern Ireland, on Sunday, January 30, 1972, by Roman Catholic civil rights supporters that turned violent when British paratroopers opened fire, killing 13 and injuring 14 others (one of the injured later died)
"The Troubles" tore Ireland apart for generations. The Cranberries song "Zombie" which you also reacted to was also inspired by an incident that took place during these times.
In the military in the 80s, I was already in love with U2 when a boy from Wisconsin sat me down with a bottle of homemade whisky and played this album while fully explaining the Irish Troubles. What an awakening.
This is the U2 sound I grew up with-I vividly remember sitting in front of the TV, waiting for the video for “With Or Without You” to come on MTV. My favorite song off that album, but anything from their Joshua Tree album is stellar. I’ve seen them in concert several times and it’s always a big production, and super fun.
"With or Without You" remains by all-time favorite song by U2. It's what convinced me to buy Joshua Tree. I ended up loving the whole album, but that one song is what got it started.
@@WOranos I was only about 9 years old when the album came out, but I was totally smitten with Bono after I saw the “With Or Without You” video. 😂 I prefer The Edge these days, but Bono was just larger than life to me in 1987.
Oh I wish you'd seen the live version of this song!!! During the break in the song, Bono marches out with a huge white flag, and he has the crowd shouting "NO MORE!" over and over. This song is a commentary on the strife in Northern Ireland and all the lives lost in the war. For other fantastic U2, go to their "Live At Red Rocks" concert and you can react to ANYTHING in that concert. It is perfection.
The description as a "religious war" is part of what the song describes as "tv reality". Religion was a handy tag and had a part in the conflict but the real reasons were much more complicated and compelling. Edit: typo
I know, right? I first heard 'War' and now I think of those drum beats as gunshots (so hard and direct). Wish they had kept up with this a little bit longer.
@@bothellkenmore arguably, depending on my mood, my favourite track of theirs. More so because of the baseline and where there's a "false" outro that then picks up the baseline again. Awesome music. Thanks for your reply.
@@bothellkenmore crickey, I replied to you thinking it was a comment I'd made about another band. Had I read your reply in full, I'd not have made such a mistake. You are most certainly correct. In fact the only band t-shirt I have ever owned (I am 52 now), was for this song.
U2 is like the Beatles in that their sound changed and evolved over time. They experimented with their sound so there are different sounds for everyone’s tastes. Hard, soft, techno, punk, new wave,and more- but always passionate and meaningful.
They took almost an opposite path to the Beatles to me. you ae right about U2 changing its sound. But I think their best is Joshua Tree and earlier. they had a raw power that is not as evident in most of the later songs. The Beatles started like almost any other 60's band and morphed their sound into some very different sounds. U2's sound seemed to get more corporate and safe. I like Vertigo a lot though.
It's true. They've done a lot and mixed it up over the years. If you ever see them live, you know they still change it up, even with their existing songs. Such brilliant talent.
@@carlpeterson8182 The Joshua Tree was followed by Rattle & Hum, Achtung Baby, Zooropa & Pop etc - Nothing corporate and safe in that part of the catalog. Conversely, The Joshua Tree was corporate and safe (contained many accessible singles) in comparison.
In the early 80s and the beginning of the "MTV Generation" helped to bring their music and message alive. "Sunday, Bloody Sunday", "New Year's Day", and "Pride (in the name of love)" were all powerful hits. "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" referring to the January 1972 massacre in Derry, Ireland and "Pride (in the name of love)" referring to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr, were very powerful to so many on a personal level. Glad you enjoyed this one!
nr b, British Soldiers shot 28 protesters, killing 13 and a 14th a few months later from wounds. Anyone can look up the definition of a "massacre" and know you don't know what you are talking about. May you never be in a position where a significant loss of life changes your perception and the value of life.
@@Officialnrb So, you have an agenda that has nothing to do with the song, Sunday Bloody Sunday and now you are attempting to redefine the definition for your propaganda. Noted...and I am not interested in your cause. Sorry you hate the history of this song and wish to devalue it's meaning for your selfish reasons.
One of the best things about U2 is that many of their songs have a message and are a call to action (or often a call not to repeat the mistakes of the past). They tell a story, but more than that, they tell us where we've been and how to be better to each other. Learning from the worst of us so that we can become the best of us - for our children and our future on this planet. This band has a heart and a soul for the betterment of humanity, using their voices and their platforms for helping to make the world a better place, and that is something I believe we should all strive to be more like.
The whole concert, not just this song. Not hitting on you, but did you ever attend high school at Ramstein American High School, in Germany? I knew a Wendy Boyd way back in the mid 80's...
Yes!! So glad you've gone for some early U2. Bloody Sunday is a real day in history. Look it up. Next you should do "Pride ( in the name of love)" followed by "With or Without You" and "Where the streets have no name". Much love from England 🏴
@Gerald H I've just googled it myself and it takes you to the Wikipedia page telling of that fateful Sunday on 30th January 1972 also known as the Bogside Massacre. 😕
@Gerald H And that 1887 event is all but forgotten, yet it did much damage to the popularity of Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Charles Warren, who was blamed for the heavy handed police response. That bad publicity was only magnified the following year, when Sir Charles was at the head of the Jack the Ripper investigation. Another famous Bloody Sunday was on November 21, 1920. That was the day Ireland's Michael Collins' secret Squad, often called the "12 Disciples" killed about 15 men, most of whom were part of the British intel operations that were doing great damage to the effort in the Irish War of Independence. The capability of the British intel in Dublin was wiped out in one morning, but the bloodshed did not end there. In retaliation, a Gaelic Football match was raided by a mix of British Soldiers, Police and Auxiliaries and they opened fire on both players and spectators, killing 15 and wounding dozens.
@Gerald H Yes, that's the event in the Michael Collins movie. Very good film, excellent cast. One could argue with Julia Roberts being cast over an Irish actress, I suppose. But it's reasonably accurate on the history, as close as any film ever gets. As to the Jack the Ripper period, the sad thing is that the Met Police have always gotten a very bad rap, including Sir Charles Warren and others managing the case. The truth is that they spent enormous amounts of time and manpower, but there was no forensic science then, and the Ripper left no clues. Yet two top officials wrote, decades later, that they established the Ripper's identity, had a solid ID from a murder witness, but the man would not testify against someone of the same ethnicity who would face the death penalty as a consequence. A religious objection, basically, and riots against particular immigrants (due to public rumors) had already occurred. Said suspect was put away in an asylum by family, therefore no longer a threat. No positive ID published that can be confirmed, however. Truly a fascinating case.
@Gerald H That may be, but there are timeline problems with both the date Aaron Kosminski was institutionalized and his date of death, as well as no record of violent behavior. Does not match what Sir Robert Anderson wrote in his book decades later, nor with Donald Swanson's notes. Swanson notated the margins in his copy of Anderson's book and he named Kosminski, so that lends credibility. These were the Met Police officials who were in the best position to know the full investigation in detail, at the time. He is also mentioned in the Macnaghton notes, but reliability problems exit there too. Many details do not match and this was all written decades later. Such problems exist for every named suspect, which is why we will never know for certain. Great info on the "Jack the Ripper Tour" channel, lots of short videos with tremendous, well documented detail on every aspect of the case by Richard Jones. He's among the best "Ripperologists" and the man who pioneered the walking tours in London. Also, the late Martin FIdo had a brilliant take and makes a strong argument for a man named Nathan Kaminski, possibly institutionalized under a common "John Doe" of David Cohen. Cohen perfectly fits the timeline of being put away, the time of death, and the description of his mental state and behavior as described by the Met Police officials mentioned above. See the "Martin Fido - Topic" channel. These have been the sources I find most credible.
This is (relatively) early U2. It’s a very sobering song. Also try Pride(In The Name of Love), from when I was a Senior in high school. Listen closely to its lyrics.
Started listening to U2 at this point. Loved Bono's passionate voice one of the best rock and roll and so passionate. Great songwriter, Love it all. The bass is Adam Clayton, still going strong at The Sphere in 2024.
Earlier U2 is more political, later U2 more spiritual. Going to a U2 concert is like a religious experience. I have seen in stadiums and arenas, it make no difference!
Have to agree. I'm a passing U2 fan but hands down the best concert I had ever been to. Spiritual is the perfect description. I went in a cynic and they bowled me over.
@@chriswhamilton Same here. Best band I've ever seen live. I wasn't a big fan before I accidentally got exposed to U2 live when they played down the bill at a festival headlined by Rory Gallagher in 1982. They upstaged Rory and blew me away.
THIS is the U2 we were introduced to, while the Cold War was still raging and there were still bombings and massacres happening in Northern Ireland. This song is about one of those massacres. As times have mellowed, so has their sound.
There's only 2 performances from Live Aid that people ever talked about - the first is Queen, the second is U2. Definitely worth watching their Live Aid set. They really hit the world stage that day.
Actually, that's good point. It would be a longer video, but you guys absolutely MUST watch and react to Queen's entire Live Aid set. It's almost like going on a religious pilgrimage for a music lover, Freddie is just at his absolute charismatic peak in that moment.
This song deals with "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. When Ireland became its own republic, Great Britain retained control of 6 counties in the northern part of Ireland, despite the fact that 40-45% of the people there were Irish Catholics & wanted to be part of Ireland. Irish Catholics for decades were treated as 2nd class citizens by the British (similar to Jim Crow in the South). Tensions came to a boiling point in the 1960's (& would continue until the 90's). In 1972, Catholic priests and community leaders in Derry organized a peaceful protest modeled after Dr. King's civil rights marches here in the US, to take place after church services. For some unknown reason, British soldiers opened fire on the unarmed protesters. 14 were killed, another 15-20 wounded. It was one of the most significant events to take place during The Troubles & escalated the violence on both sides. Another anitwar song by U2 that has a similar feel to it is "New Year's Day" which is also one of their earlier hits. U2 is truly a phenomenal band. They have so many incredible songs to choose from - "Pride (In the Name of Love)" - which is a tribute to Dr. King, "Where the Streets Have No Name", "With or Without You", "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", "ONE", "Bullet the Blue Sky", "Ordinary Love", "Bad", "I Will Follow", "Please", "Mysterious Ways", "The Unforgettable Fire", "Breathe", "Until the End of the World", "Desire", "When Love Comes to Town" (with BB King), "Drowning Man", "Sweetest Thing" & "Van Diemen's Land"' - just to name a few. This song has a lot of meaning for me as my great-grandmother was from Belfast & I have distance cousins who were caught up in the violence there. It's a very timely song, considering current & recent events both here & abroad.
@@mikeking5175 As for "the facts" - everything I wrote is a matter of historical fact & public record. As is the fact that the "Northern Irish Protestants" are British citizens (& most will quickly tell you so) and considering that the majority of them are descended from colonists from lowland Scotland and northern England who were relocated & given land in the northern part of Ireland by the British government, they are British. Meanwhile the majority of Catholics in Northern Ireland are descended from the original Irish residents who were there before Cromwell's forces invaded in the 17th century and considered themselves Irish - they definitely did so in 1972. And yes, the Protestants did treat the Catholics badly and the British government were not exactly cordial towards them either. Have a nice day.
40/45%? More like 33/35% catholic minority in 1970s NI,1ts presently 48 % catholic 2022,with the highest growth in demographic growth The protestant pop has shrunk too,almost equal numbers...
“One” is a beautiful song; my other favorites are “Mysterious Ways”, “Desire” and “Angel of Harlem” (which has horns!). I saw them in 1984 in Houston; it was my first or second concert ever.
I met Larry the drummer and he was so quiet and humble you could not imagine this magic drumming could come from him Truly still waters do run deep!loveU2
I still remember the first time I heard that electric violin in the opening of this song, it blew my mind. I didn't even know that an electric violin was a thing back then.
You nailed it Amber, there IS pain in his voice because of the subject matter. Bloody Sunday. Sunday January 30th 1972, a clash in Ireland that killed 13 and injured 14 others. Next song you should transition to is Pride/In The Name of Love, about Martin Luther King.
U2 is so diverse! This song along with "New Year's Day" exploded during the height of the MTV days. Their catalog is huge, I don't know where to begin! But give New Year's Day a listen to, it's a great song! 😃
Us 80s kids...these are the songs of our LIFE! Get the albums Joshua Tree + the 90s hit album, Achtung Baby. EVERY song...amazing hits forever. Sunday Bloody Sunday is on 'War
Another great U2 song with similar emotional resonance, and also a heavy rock sound is Bullet The Blue Sky. Many excellent, evolving, and different versions of the song are out there.
Such an anthem about resistance over bloody power. U2 captured the power, the resistance, the pain and the tragedy of real “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” which took place January 30th, 1972, when members of the British Army opened fire on a group of unarmed civil rights protesters in the Northern Irish town of Derry, killing 14, including seven teenagers. “How long will we sing this song?” Bono writes about a tragic event 50 years ago yet we are still living similar tragedies today: “And it's true we are immune When fact is fiction and TV reality. And today the millions cry, We eat and drink while tomorrow they die” 🇺🇦
My fav U2 song ❤️ played a lot in the clubs in the 80s. Sadly we still need to sing this song. Here in Europe we really feel near to and pray for the people in Ukraine.
Video #999! One more to go to history!! And U2 is a such a great choice. This was the first U2 song I ever heard . Can't believe it's forty years old! For your next U2 song, I recommend "One", "Mysterious Ways", "New Years Day", or "Discotheque". Also: Rolling Stone, in 2004, listed this as one of the 500 Greatest Songs of all time. It's been a staple of U2's concerts for the last four decades. The lead singer's name is pronounced BAH-no, not BOW-no. The latter would be how you pronounce Cher's ex-husband and former singing partner.
I see a lot of people giving you the thumbs up, and you are still my spirit animal (for now! lol) but I have to disagree on the song choices. There are much better songs on Joshua Tree and Rattle and Hum than their later stuff. And I can't say that I like Mysterious Ways a whole lot. To each his own, but I'd love to see them react to Bullet the Blue Sky, Running to Stand Still, Trip Through Your Wires, and pretty much any song on Joshua Tree. But also nearly every song on Rattle and Hum is awesome as well. Angel of Harlem, their version of Helter Skelter, Van Diemen's Land, All I Want is You, and so many more! 😀
This was the song, that made U2. I think it's one of the finest ballads ever published. Marty Robbins did have the best quality ballads, but they were all fictional, based on historical stereotypes. But U2's ballad was pure truth from an Irish perspective.
I was a DJ in college. We got all the early records from the UK and the songs I Will Follow and Gloria by U2 was amongst the new arrivals. Excellent from the get go. Epic emotional music.
Proud of Amber for getting the real meaning of the song without knowing all the details. Bono wrote this in direct response to the Sunday Bloody Sunday Massacre. I think I read somewhere that he wrote it the next day. A lot of other people have gone into details in the comments below. But they have gone through a lot of growth as a band over the years
You sure about that? Bono would've been about eleven when Bloody Sunday happened. I read that Edge wrote the song in 1982. And the song is not 'about' the Bloody Sunday massacre, it's about how the violence of The Troubles tore up communities, and the internal struggle to not get embroiled in that violence. It's totally anti-war and anti-nationalism.
My ALL-TIME favourite U2 track will forever be: "(Pride) In The Name of Love" ** "Early evening, April 4. Shots ring out in the Memphis sky. Free at last. They took your life. They could not take your pride." RIP the blessed Martin Luther King jr.
Bono was young back then in the early 80s and also extremely passionate about the Northern Ireland civil conflict still going on. If you truly want to see how passionate he is, see the concert film (Ratttle and Hum???) where the band is about to do one of their amazing live outdoor stadium shows in the U.S. and find out about yet another bombing (though years after the worst part of the conflict had passed) killing people, so when they started rocking this song, he has the band play subdued for a bit in a loop as he goes off on a huge rant about how Irish Americans identify with the Northern Irish terrrorist organization fighting for Irish unification, because though he was clearly pro-Irish the whole time, he was more anti-war than anti-British. It's extremely touching to see.
The best U2 songs IMO (and ones I think you'll love!): 'One,' 'Pride,' 'Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For,' and 'Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own.' These songs are so full of emotion and meaning, I think Amber especially will love them! If you want to rock out a little with U2, listen to 'Vertigo.'
You went from the polished, later, sound to the raw, earlier, angry U2 telling the world about the violence in Northern Ireland. "New Year's Day" and "Two Hearts Beat As One" from the same album War, still my favorite from U2.
from 83, the album war started to break these guys from college radio to world conquerers. Sunday Bloody Sunday is all about Ireland nearly tearing itself apart. The video from the movie Rattle and Hum is a must see
U2 was my very first concert and their very first tour the War Tour. I think it was 1980. I was in high school. They were barely known but the one song I Will Follow was just the beginning of an incredible band that is so diverse, so many hit songs. Absolutely love them to this day.
"With or Without You" is another of U2's biggest tracks. Also even softer than "Beautiful Day". Would love you guys to react to some classic South African tracks.
The song "MLK" never got the attention it deserved. Neither did "Mothers of the Disappeared" "Hawkmoon 269" "Surrender" and "One Tree Hill" and that's just to name a few.
'Sunday Bloody Sunday'. What a great song. It really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday, doesn't it? You wake up in the morning, you've got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running round, you've got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think "Sunday, bloody Sunday!
As I was growing up in the 1970's you kept seeing on the news the violence in Northern Ireland. I have loved U2 even before their mega album The Joshua Tree. This song is a passionate cry for the people of Ireland. Take time sometime and watch the film they did which was documentary/concert footage and they play this song live with just as much passion. I am not Irish but I feel for the violence that these people have experience for so many generations.
Rob Squad you have to listen to the live concert version of Sunday Bloody Sunday. It puts the meaning of the song into perspective. Not to mention it is a fantastic visual performance of this meaningful song. PLEASE check it out. I promise you you will be thankful that you took the time to see this monumental performance. This performance made U2 who they are today. Thanks Rob Squad!!
This is early political U2 and the one I love the best as I grew up with this sound. Saw them in concert first in 84, later in 2007. This song goes off live and is very emotional. Another similar banger is BULLET THE BLUE SKY. Must be done live. It's incredible
This is from the War album, which is when everyone really started to take notice of them. The song is a reference to a tragedy in Northern Ireland as a result of their struggles with British rule. It is a harder sound than much of their subsequent work. Try "New Years Day" and "Two Hearts Beat as One" from the same album. Their next album was The Unforgettable Fire, which put them on the road to being superstars, the title track is my favorite song from them. Paul "Bono Vox" Hewson: Vocals David "The Edge" Evans: Guitar Adam Clayton: Bass Larry Mullen Jr: Drums
That's from the War album, which was their second album released in North America as far as I know. I saw them in Vancouver on the War tour in 1983 in a beautiful theatre that wasn't quite sold out. They were young and hungry and put on a very energetic, engaging show.
U2 is one of those few bands who have lasted for more than a generation putting out new music. Reacting to their career arc would be cool. I am sure there are others watching who know of people with 20+ year legacies of new music for you to listen to.
U2 are masters, they can do it all. For another rocker, I'd suggest New Year's Day, the first U2 song I'd heard. Something funkier? Try Pride. A dance banger? Night and Day. A groove bomb? With or Without You or Every Breaking Wave. Motown? Angel of Harlem. I can go on and on. So so much to recommend when it comes to U2!
Bono has been an activist for decades. His charitable causes include: ONE, helping end extreme poverty, RED, helping with the AIDS pandemic & Greenpeace, just to name a few. I've seen them Ive seen them in concert for the Elevation tour and they are truly amazi g
I love this song ! I love you U-2! They are amazing in concert. I saw them a few times. Amber, To see them in concert is a total different experience. It’s spiritual. I don’t know how else to explain it. I never felt anything like that before. It’s unbelievable!!!
This is U2’s breakout song! First major hit from the first album as I recall. I know they have evolved and it’s different than the sound they have today, but this is what I grew up thinking they were like. This is an amazing antiwar song. It’s obviously about the Rebellion in their homeland of Ireland with the English. The term Sunday, Bloody Sunday actually refers to a specific event in which protesting Irish civilians were gunned down by British police. What makes it more impactful to me is that it doesn’t attack the English as much as blame humanity as a whole. We have not being able to change after all these millennia. The lines: “the real battle yet begun... to claim the victory Jesus won...” are so powerful in this.
I think of this song as the soul of U2. It told you everything you needed to know about them, or about what they WERE. Time passes & people change, I guess.
Yeah, they've done a lot of different styles over the decades. I really don't even know what to suggest since I love dozens and dozens of songs of theirs. Just look forward to seeing you discover more of them.
Watch the U2 video of the 1983 Red Rocks concert. This concert ended up serving two purposes. 1) This was the concert that launched U2 as a world wide super group and 2) this concert finally put Red Rocks as one of the ultimate concert venues in the world. I turned down going to this concert because, as an 18 year old, I thought it would be too cold and wet (it was) for a group I only knew something like one song for. This was a defining moment in my concert going life and the definition was total stupidity. I have been fortunate in that I have since seen many concerts at Red Rocks. For those who have not seen a concert at Red Rocks I would highly recommend it.
These guys barreled into the 80's as rockers with a message. I love that they still write threads of their faith into their songs. If you want to bridge the U2 experience into Female Friday, if you aren't already a fan, U2 and Mary J Blige's "One Love." It's an achingly beautiful duet from two singers whose voices have power and grace.
"New Years Day" check it out ..U2's best song in my opinion followed by "The Unforgettable Fire" and "Gloria". Just my favorites, I'm sure others will disagree. And with most U2 if you can check out the Red Rocks version definitely do that. That show was incredible
This is the sound that first brought U2 to popularity in the early to mid-eighties. It's how I still think of them sounding. I think y'all would really like "Pride (In the Name of Love)" from 1984.
This was what U2 used to mean to me. Some if their later songs were good, but when I think of them them. I will always think of this angry group, and think of the days where the Irish bars in South Boston were funneling money to the war
A song which is about MLK ;)
@@mikesteinkrauss9773 Still love the first 4 albums, and even Rattle and Hum was decent, but they became a different band after that.
YES! Official music video to
Yes!!!!
Growing up in Ireland you have to make a choice at a young age, join in the fighting or shun the violence. I remember having a British soldier stuck his gun in my face when I was just 8 years old. I chose to not take part. This song is about U2 not wanting to take the side of hate either. Very powerful.
Wow.... I can't imagine what that was like for you.
Troubles....
Civil war is a bitch. As a Salvadorian I completely understand that pain. 🥺✌️☮️
I’m calling BS
We left NI at the beginning of the troubles, I lost several family members to English tyranny. Mi family also has deep IRA ties, so if you are not old enough to remember the troubles you really don't understand
It's so weird finding out that you guys know U2 for their softer, later songs. To me, THIS is U2. That, and New Year's day, and many others of their early songs.
It is strange to see people not familiar with the early work of U2. The strength and passion of their early albums was a large part of my formative years. The music from Boy, War, October, Under a blood red sky, and Joshua Tree albums are essential to know what U2 is about.
Their sound was much different then. Along with "Sunday, Bloody Sunday", "I will follow" was an unforgettable song of the time.
An Cat Dubh I think will always be my favourite U2 song.
I went to Bristol and saw them at the colston hall,on their war tour, brilliant 🤩 ❤🎉
Yes, while I love these two, sometimes I’m baffled by how they have never heard some of these songs or artists.
Ditto 😊
The Joshua Tree album is incredible.
This is the U2 that I was introduced to, a bunch of raw, angry Irish men that totally rocked!
The edge is English and as Bono said "this is not a rebel song"
@@neilrenton2501 doesn't matter. It might not have meant to be a rebel song, but it inspired them.
The lyrics specifically say “I won’t heed the battle call”, it’s specifically in opposition to those who advocated for more militant resistance
@@neilrenton2501 Edge was born in Wales and Adam Clayton was born in England, but they grew up in Ireland.
@@dougdougw Doesn't matter where they grew up.
This is the U2 older fans love. When they were young a bit angry and had deep message songs...then they got older, world wide popularity and comfortable!
As my old man used to say, The exact opposite of what the Beatles did.
I love this older U2, it brings back memories of HS and simpler times for me.
You mean back in the day, when Bono could still walk through a door without his head getting stuck.
@C Summers Agreed. I enjoy War, but the response of older fans to it dampens my enthusiasm...I'm reminded of this side of the fan base when I listen to it...
U2's War came out in 1983, and the entire album is an extended passionate primal scream, at once melodic and driving. This was the sound and energy that grabbed our ears then and forced us to take note of this amazingly talented band. You owe it to yourselves to listen to the entire album. I find it amusing that you were introduced to the softer, slicker commercial side of U2 first and thought of that as their "true" face - this is the raw, intense sound that introduced U2 to the world in the early 80s.
War was my first taste of U2 and it hits hard and deep and has never left me
War is a masterpiece
Perfectly said.
Absolutely.
This is U2. The softer pop music in their later years isn't what endeared them to millions of fans. Anything from the Joshua Tree and earlier is the U2 that matters to me at least. Intellectual and powerful and political.
This song is about the civil unrest in Ireland... specifically the title refers to an incident in 1972 where British troops opened fire on unarmed protesters and killed a numbr of them.
Oh my goodness, never heard to that before. So sad
Thanks for letting people know this.
@@kathybwell czcams.com/video/00pnIEsxA9A/video.html
The Easter Rebellion, Bloody Sunday 1920, so many Bloody Sundays in Irish history.
You're right about the 1972 incident but it happened in Northern Ireland which is British not Ireland where the band is from.
This is one of U2's most overtly political songs; "Bloody Sunday" refers to an incident in 1972, in which British soldiers opened fire on unarmed protestors in Northern Ireland. This took place during decades of sectarian violence known as "The Troubles." This is also a very early U2 song, which is why Bono's voice sounds so different. Next Stops, All Ireland Edition:
The Pogues, "If I Should Fall from Grace with God"
The Chieftains, featuring Mick Jagger, "The Long Black Veil"
U2, "All I Want is You / Where the Streets Have No Name" (live, Slane Castle)
Stiff Little Fingers and Boomtown Rats.
Bloody Sunday, demonstration in Londonderry (Derry), Northern Ireland, on Sunday, January 30, 1972, by Roman Catholic civil rights supporters that turned violent when British paratroopers opened fire, killing 13 and injuring 14 others (one of the injured later died)
It is also an appeal to both sides not to continue with the cycle of violence which simply prolonged hate.
"The Troubles" tore Ireland apart for generations. The Cranberries song "Zombie" which you also reacted to was also inspired by an incident that took place during these times.
@@mac1975 No, that's simply not true.
In the military in the 80s, I was already in love with U2 when a boy from Wisconsin sat me down with a bottle of homemade whisky and played this album while fully explaining the Irish Troubles. What an awakening.
For me, "The unforgettable fire" is their best song. One of the best ever written and so underated.
Just typed the exact same......by FAR their best song!
I requested the same. One of the best songs ever produced
Their best album!
My favourite song aswell off my favourite U2 album
Love that one, along with A Sort of Homecoming, especially the version off of Wide Awake in America
This is the U2 sound I grew up with-I vividly remember sitting in front of the TV, waiting for the video for “With Or Without You” to come on MTV. My favorite song off that album, but anything from their Joshua Tree album is stellar. I’ve seen them in concert several times and it’s always a big production, and super fun.
"With or Without You" remains by all-time favorite song by U2. It's what convinced me to buy Joshua Tree. I ended up loving the whole album, but that one song is what got it started.
The crazy thing is that it came out dead in the middle of the spandex and eye liner decade.
New Years Day, also...such a great song
This is what U2 originally was, a raw, earnest politically conscious rock band. I miss that band.
@@WOranos I was only about 9 years old when the album came out, but I was totally smitten with Bono after I saw the “With Or Without You” video. 😂 I prefer The Edge these days, but Bono was just larger than life to me in 1987.
Oh I wish you'd seen the live version of this song!!! During the break in the song, Bono marches out with a huge white flag, and he has the crowd shouting "NO MORE!" over and over. This song is a commentary on the strife in Northern Ireland and all the lives lost in the war. For other fantastic U2, go to their "Live At Red Rocks" concert and you can react to ANYTHING in that concert. It is perfection.
The description as a "religious war" is part of what the song describes as "tv reality". Religion was a handy tag and had a part in the conflict but the real reasons were much more complicated and compelling. Edit: typo
The Red Rocks version is so much more powerful. It evokes the anger and passion for the situation so much better than the studio version
Nice rock climb ,Bono! That is hard to watch!
Yes! That video was my first exposure to U2. Been a fan ever since
I saw that back in the day (I was a kid of the 80s). Red Rocks was when I knew that they were going to be big!
Their early albums contained a lot of heavier sounds like “Bullet The Blue Sky”, “I Will Follow”, “Two Hearts Beat As One”….tremendous period!
I know, right? I first heard 'War' and now I think of those drum beats as gunshots (so hard and direct). Wish they had kept up with this a little bit longer.
Bullet the blue sky is my absolute favourite song of theirs
@@eumaeus Bullet the Blue Skye has a killer bass lines, it just drives.
@@bothellkenmore arguably, depending on my mood, my favourite track of theirs. More so because of the baseline and where there's a "false" outro that then picks up the baseline again. Awesome music. Thanks for your reply.
@@bothellkenmore crickey, I replied to you thinking it was a comment I'd made about another band. Had I read your reply in full, I'd not have made such a mistake. You are most certainly correct. In fact the only band t-shirt I have ever owned (I am 52 now), was for this song.
U2 is like the Beatles in that their sound changed and evolved over time. They experimented with their sound so there are different sounds for everyone’s tastes. Hard, soft, techno, punk, new wave,and more- but always passionate and meaningful.
They took almost an opposite path to the Beatles to me. you ae right about U2 changing its sound. But I think their best is Joshua Tree and earlier. they had a raw power that is not as evident in most of the later songs. The Beatles started like almost any other 60's band and morphed their sound into some very different sounds. U2's sound seemed to get more corporate and safe. I like Vertigo a lot though.
It's true. They've done a lot and mixed it up over the years. If you ever see them live, you know they still change it up, even with their existing songs. Such brilliant talent.
They did take the opposite path, they didn't break up.
@@carlpeterson8182 The Joshua Tree was followed by Rattle & Hum, Achtung Baby, Zooropa & Pop etc - Nothing corporate and safe in that part of the catalog. Conversely, The Joshua Tree was corporate and safe (contained many accessible singles) in comparison.
Nothing like the Beatles. The Beatles were good. U2 the most boring overrated band ever
Jay/Amber, you'll love their "Pride (In The Name Of Love)", "Two Hearts Beat As One" and "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"
Two Hearts is my fav.
for SURE PRIDE
And One
In the early 80s and the beginning of the "MTV Generation" helped to bring their music and message alive. "Sunday, Bloody Sunday", "New Year's Day", and "Pride (in the name of love)" were all powerful hits. "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" referring to the January 1972 massacre in Derry, Ireland and "Pride (in the name of love)" referring to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr, were very powerful to so many on a personal level. Glad you enjoyed this one!
Gary Pike
Thing you need to refer to a dictionary regarding the meaning of “massacre”
nr b, British Soldiers shot 28 protesters, killing 13 and a 14th a few months later from wounds. Anyone can look up the definition of a "massacre" and know you don't know what you are talking about. May you never be in a position where a significant loss of life changes your perception and the value of life.
@@garycp70
I think the Portadown killings of 1641 is a more accurate representation of a massacre.
@@Officialnrb So, you have an agenda that has nothing to do with the song, Sunday Bloody Sunday and now you are attempting to redefine the definition for your propaganda. Noted...and I am not interested in your cause. Sorry you hate the history of this song and wish to devalue it's meaning for your selfish reasons.
@@garycp70
Sorry you have little grasp of reality.
Much like U2
I’m still waiting on their song lamenting the Omagh bombings.
One of the best things about U2 is that many of their songs have a message and are a call to action (or often a call not to repeat the mistakes of the past). They tell a story, but more than that, they tell us where we've been and how to be better to each other. Learning from the worst of us so that we can become the best of us - for our children and our future on this planet. This band has a heart and a soul for the betterment of humanity, using their voices and their platforms for helping to make the world a better place, and that is something I believe we should all strive to be more like.
I love old U2 the best. This album has a lot of bangers. The harmonies are 👌
This is what U2 was all about in the early days: A Rock & Roll protest band. Then, they got popular .. lol :)
a2zme once they got popular I liked very few of their songs. My favorite is "Two Hearts Beat As One."
Shuhh
They're still a protest band. Songs of Experience was their most political album in years.
Yeah , shame on them for being great.
There is no mistaking The Edge's guitar. You need to watch this live at Red Rocks. Love to see you do "Bad"
The whole concert, not just this song.
Not hitting on you, but did you ever attend high school at Ramstein American High School, in Germany? I knew a Wendy Boyd way back in the mid 80's...
@@Wolverines77 No, I went to school in the 80's but in America....and I wasn't a Boyd then. ☺️
I still have the album from back then..Great record!
I love them but haven't really listened to them in a while. Hearing Edge's guitar again made my hair stand up, lol. Wow.
They were SO young to be writing such meaningful, heart wrenching lyrics.
This was the sound that made them popular. They "aged, changed" over the years. This is raw and pure.
Yes!! So glad you've gone for some early U2. Bloody Sunday is a real day in history. Look it up. Next you should do "Pride ( in the name of love)" followed by "With or Without You" and "Where the streets have no name".
Much love from England 🏴
@Gerald H I've just googled it myself and it takes you to the Wikipedia page telling of that fateful Sunday on 30th January 1972 also known as the Bogside Massacre. 😕
@Gerald H And that 1887 event is all but forgotten, yet it did much damage to the popularity of Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Charles Warren, who was blamed for the heavy handed police response. That bad publicity was only magnified the following year, when Sir Charles was at the head of the Jack the Ripper investigation. Another famous Bloody Sunday was on November 21, 1920. That was the day Ireland's Michael Collins' secret Squad, often called the "12 Disciples" killed about 15 men, most of whom were part of the British intel operations that were doing great damage to the effort in the Irish War of Independence. The capability of the British intel in Dublin was wiped out in one morning, but the bloodshed did not end there. In retaliation, a Gaelic Football match was raided by a mix of British Soldiers, Police and Auxiliaries and they opened fire on both players and spectators, killing 15 and wounding dozens.
@Gerald H Yes, that's the event in the Michael Collins movie. Very good film, excellent cast. One could argue with Julia Roberts being cast over an Irish actress, I suppose. But it's reasonably accurate on the history, as close as any film ever gets.
As to the Jack the Ripper period, the sad thing is that the Met Police have always gotten a very bad rap, including Sir Charles Warren and others managing the case. The truth is that they spent enormous amounts of time and manpower, but there was no forensic science then, and the Ripper left no clues. Yet two top officials wrote, decades later, that they established the Ripper's identity, had a solid ID from a murder witness, but the man would not testify against someone of the same ethnicity who would face the death penalty as a consequence. A religious objection, basically, and riots against particular immigrants (due to public rumors) had already occurred. Said suspect was put away in an asylum by family, therefore no longer a threat. No positive ID published that can be confirmed, however. Truly a fascinating case.
@Gerald H That may be, but there are timeline problems with both the date Aaron Kosminski was institutionalized and his date of death, as well as no record of violent behavior. Does not match what Sir Robert Anderson wrote in his book decades later, nor with Donald Swanson's notes. Swanson notated the margins in his copy of Anderson's book and he named Kosminski, so that lends credibility. These were the Met Police officials who were in the best position to know the full investigation in detail, at the time. He is also mentioned in the Macnaghton notes, but reliability problems exit there too. Many details do not match and this was all written decades later. Such problems exist for every named suspect, which is why we will never know for certain. Great info on the "Jack the Ripper Tour" channel, lots of short videos with tremendous, well documented detail on every aspect of the case by Richard Jones. He's among the best "Ripperologists" and the man who pioneered the walking tours in London. Also, the late Martin FIdo had a brilliant take and makes a strong argument for a man named Nathan Kaminski, possibly institutionalized under a common "John Doe" of David Cohen. Cohen perfectly fits the timeline of being put away, the time of death, and the description of his mental state and behavior as described by the Met Police officials mentioned above. See the "Martin Fido - Topic" channel. These have been the sources I find most credible.
This is (relatively) early U2. It’s a very sobering song. Also try Pride(In The Name of Love), from when I was a Senior in high school. Listen closely to its lyrics.
Early U2. Post-punk, new wave. 🎸 🕺Also mixed with Irish folk music.
Started listening to U2 at this point. Loved Bono's passionate voice one of the best rock and roll and so passionate. Great songwriter, Love it all. The bass is Adam Clayton, still going strong at The Sphere in 2024.
Earlier U2 like this one "I will follow" "New Years Day" are my Favorite U2 😁
Agree!!
Earlier U2 is more political, later U2 more spiritual. Going to a U2 concert is like a religious experience. I have seen in stadiums and arenas, it make no difference!
Perfect description.
Have to agree. I'm a passing U2 fan but hands down the best concert I had ever been to. Spiritual is the perfect description. I went in a cynic and they bowled me over.
@@chriswhamilton Same here. Best band I've ever seen live. I wasn't a big fan before I accidentally got exposed to U2 live when they played down the bill at a festival headlined by Rory Gallagher in 1982. They upstaged Rory and blew me away.
This is U2 - hard-driving drumbeat and bass, growly guitar, Bono's power, with haunting melody and deep-meaning/activist lyrics.
THIS is the U2 we were introduced to, while the Cold War was still raging and there were still bombings and massacres happening in Northern Ireland. This song is about one of those massacres.
As times have mellowed, so has their sound.
I love the way you said this.
This is a true story. Very serious topic.
There's only 2 performances from Live Aid that people ever talked about - the first is Queen, the second is U2. Definitely worth watching their Live Aid set. They really hit the world stage that day.
Actually, that's good point. It would be a longer video, but you guys absolutely MUST watch and react to Queen's entire Live Aid set. It's almost like going on a religious pilgrimage for a music lover, Freddie is just at his absolute charismatic peak in that moment.
Also, if you can find it, their performance at the US Festival was phenomenal.
If you listen to this song and you don't feel something you aren't breathing. The live version at Red Rocks is so incredible.
Wow! Amber captured exactly the pain coming out of this song.
This song deals with "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. When Ireland became its own republic, Great Britain retained control of 6 counties in the northern part of Ireland, despite the fact that 40-45% of the people there were Irish Catholics & wanted to be part of Ireland. Irish Catholics for decades were treated as 2nd class citizens by the British (similar to Jim Crow in the South). Tensions came to a boiling point in the 1960's (& would continue until the 90's). In 1972, Catholic priests and community leaders in Derry organized a peaceful protest modeled after Dr. King's civil rights marches here in the US, to take place after church services. For some unknown reason, British soldiers opened fire on the unarmed protesters. 14 were killed, another 15-20 wounded. It was one of the most significant events to take place during The Troubles & escalated the violence on both sides. Another anitwar song by U2 that has a similar feel to it is "New Year's Day" which is also one of their earlier hits. U2 is truly a phenomenal band. They have so many incredible songs to choose from - "Pride (In the Name of Love)" - which is a tribute to Dr. King, "Where the Streets Have No Name", "With or Without You", "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", "ONE", "Bullet the Blue Sky", "Ordinary Love", "Bad", "I Will Follow", "Please", "Mysterious Ways", "The Unforgettable Fire", "Breathe", "Until the End of the World", "Desire", "When Love Comes to Town" (with BB King), "Drowning Man", "Sweetest Thing" & "Van Diemen's Land"' - just to name a few. This song has a lot of meaning for me as my great-grandmother was from Belfast & I have distance cousins who were caught up in the violence there. It's a very timely song, considering current & recent events both here & abroad.
it wasnt us that treated the catholics bad it was the northern irish protestants we came in to try an protect the catholics get your facts right
@@mikeking5175 Who is "we"?
@@mikeking5175 As for "the facts" - everything I wrote is a matter of historical fact & public record. As is the fact that the "Northern Irish Protestants" are British citizens (& most will quickly tell you so) and considering that the majority of them are descended from colonists from lowland Scotland and northern England who were relocated & given land in the northern part of Ireland by the British government, they are British. Meanwhile the majority of Catholics in Northern Ireland are descended from the original Irish residents who were there before Cromwell's forces invaded in the 17th century and considered themselves Irish - they definitely did so in 1972. And yes, the Protestants did treat the Catholics badly and the British government were not exactly cordial towards them either. Have a nice day.
@@mikeking5175 Tell that to the Paras, brother.
40/45%?
More like 33/35% catholic minority in 1970s NI,1ts presently 48 % catholic 2022,with the highest growth in demographic growth
The protestant pop has shrunk too,almost equal numbers...
“One” is a beautiful song; my other favorites are “Mysterious Ways”, “Desire” and “Angel of Harlem” (which has horns!). I saw them in 1984 in Houston; it was my first or second concert ever.
Desire and Angel of Harlem are my husband's and my "songs" ❤❤
I met Larry the drummer and he was so quiet and humble you could not imagine this magic drumming could come from him Truly still waters do run deep!loveU2
I still remember the first time I heard that electric violin in the opening of this song, it blew my mind. I didn't even know that an electric violin was a thing back then.
You nailed it Amber, there IS pain in his voice because of the subject matter. Bloody Sunday. Sunday January 30th 1972, a clash in Ireland that killed 13 and injured 14 others. Next song you should transition to is Pride/In The Name of Love, about Martin Luther King.
U2 is so diverse! This song along with "New Year's Day" exploded during the height of the MTV days. Their catalog is huge, I don't know where to begin! But give New Year's Day a listen to, it's a great song! 😃
Us 80s kids...these are the songs of our LIFE! Get the albums Joshua Tree + the 90s hit album, Achtung Baby. EVERY song...amazing hits forever. Sunday Bloody Sunday is on 'War
The song is about the troubles in Ireland, and being an Irish band it touched them personally.
If you haven’t already, try U2’s “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for” and “pride in the name of love”
Another great U2 song with similar emotional resonance, and also a heavy rock sound is Bullet The Blue Sky. Many excellent, evolving, and different versions of the song are out there.
I saw them for their Unforgettable Fire tour in 1984 in Hollywood, Florida, 16 yrs old, awesome !!
When I was in high school in the mid 80's U2 were one of the few crossover bands where metal heads, new wavers and any of the other "clicks" all liked
Such an anthem about resistance over bloody power. U2 captured the power, the resistance, the pain and the tragedy of real “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” which took place January 30th, 1972, when members of the British Army opened fire on a group of unarmed civil rights protesters in the Northern Irish town of Derry, killing 14, including seven teenagers. “How long will we sing this song?”
Bono writes about a tragic event 50 years ago yet we are still living similar tragedies today:
“And it's true we are immune
When fact is fiction and TV reality.
And today the millions cry,
We eat and drink while tomorrow they die” 🇺🇦
🙏🏽❤️✌🏽🇺🇦
My fav U2 song ❤️ played a lot in the clubs in the 80s. Sadly we still need to sing this song. Here in Europe we really feel near to and pray for the people in Ukraine.
✊ THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING!
Solidarity
Hippie Redneck
Fort Worth, Texas⭐
That’s an electric violin in the background of this iconic song
I am Irish American, and I have family in Derry. I have been blessed by the priest.
Video #999! One more to go to history!! And U2 is a such a great choice. This was the first U2 song I ever heard . Can't believe it's forty years old! For your next U2 song, I recommend "One", "Mysterious Ways", "New Years Day", or "Discotheque". Also: Rolling Stone, in 2004, listed this as one of the 500 Greatest Songs of all time. It's been a staple of U2's concerts for the last four decades. The lead singer's name is pronounced BAH-no, not BOW-no. The latter would be how you pronounce Cher's ex-husband and former singing partner.
Love - New Years Day!
U2!! Pride (In the Name of Love) and City of Blinding Lights from The Devil Wears Prada soundtrack are some of my favorites from them
It's pronounced bonn oh
A Sort of Homecoming. I miss the political days of the early to mid 80s. War, Unforgettable Fire, Joshua Tree. Rattle and Hum
I see a lot of people giving you the thumbs up, and you are still my spirit animal (for now! lol) but I have to disagree on the song choices. There are much better songs on Joshua Tree and Rattle and Hum than their later stuff. And I can't say that I like Mysterious Ways a whole lot. To each his own, but I'd love to see them react to Bullet the Blue Sky, Running to Stand Still, Trip Through Your Wires, and pretty much any song on Joshua Tree. But also nearly every song on Rattle and Hum is awesome as well. Angel of Harlem, their version of Helter Skelter, Van Diemen's Land, All I Want is You, and so many more! 😀
People who did not grow up in the late 70' /80's missed an incredible time of music glad you are finding and keeping these songs going.
This was the song, that made U2. I think it's one of the finest ballads ever published. Marty Robbins did have the best quality ballads, but they were all fictional, based on historical stereotypes. But U2's ballad was pure truth from an Irish perspective.
I was a DJ in college. We got all the early records from the UK and the songs I Will Follow and Gloria by U2 was amongst the new arrivals. Excellent from the get go. Epic emotional music.
Proud of Amber for getting the real meaning of the song without knowing all the details. Bono wrote this in direct response to the Sunday Bloody Sunday Massacre. I think I read somewhere that he wrote it the next day. A lot of other people have gone into details in the comments below. But they have gone through a lot of growth as a band over the years
You sure about that? Bono would've been about eleven when Bloody Sunday happened. I read that Edge wrote the song in 1982. And the song is not 'about' the Bloody Sunday massacre, it's about how the violence of The Troubles tore up communities, and the internal struggle to not get embroiled in that violence. It's totally anti-war and anti-nationalism.
This is the sound I associate with U2 and it is what their legions of fans know and love about them.
My ALL-TIME favourite U2 track will forever be:
"(Pride) In The Name of Love"
** "Early evening, April 4.
Shots ring out in the Memphis sky.
Free at last.
They took your life.
They could not take your pride."
RIP the blessed Martin Luther King jr.
Bono was young back then in the early 80s and also extremely passionate about the Northern Ireland civil conflict still going on. If you truly want to see how passionate he is, see the concert film (Ratttle and Hum???) where the band is about to do one of their amazing live outdoor stadium shows in the U.S. and find out about yet another bombing (though years after the worst part of the conflict had passed) killing people, so when they started rocking this song, he has the band play subdued for a bit in a loop as he goes off on a huge rant about how Irish Americans identify with the Northern Irish terrrorist organization fighting for Irish unification, because though he was clearly pro-Irish the whole time, he was more anti-war than anti-British. It's extremely touching to see.
The best U2 songs IMO (and ones I think you'll love!): 'One,' 'Pride,' 'Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For,' and 'Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own.' These songs are so full of emotion and meaning, I think Amber especially will love them! If you want to rock out a little with U2, listen to 'Vertigo.'
You went from the polished, later, sound to the raw, earlier, angry U2 telling the world about the violence in Northern Ireland. "New Year's Day" and "Two Hearts Beat As One" from the same album War, still my favorite from U2.
Agreed, New Year's Day always so powerful too!
Perfect how Amber says "It has almost an Irish sound to it."
Guys, this is the authentic U2 . Look up the real , tragic event of Bloody Sunday during the Troubles in Ireland. Their songs are ABOUT something!!!
Their early work was best, by far (imo) "Pride (in the name of Love)" & "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" are 2 other great songs by U2.
If you like the harder edge on this tune, try "New Year's Day", off the same album, it will blow you away! Keep up the great reactions!
Almost every song on that album is fire.
Agreed! Every song on that album is fucking great!
@@t-roy4879 I remeber during that time I truely believed that they are not able to write a "bad" song. Well, I was proven wrong later.
I remember playing New Year’s Day at top volume at a new year’s Eve lifeguard party in 86? 87? We lit foreworks and it was amazing.
And Bullet the Blue Sky
from 83, the album war started to break these guys from college radio to world conquerers. Sunday Bloody Sunday is all about Ireland nearly tearing itself apart. The video from the movie Rattle and Hum is a must see
U2 was my very first concert and their very first tour the War Tour. I think it was 1980. I was in high school. They were barely known but the one song I Will Follow was just the beginning of an incredible band that is so diverse, so many hit songs. Absolutely love them to this day.
"With or Without You" is another of U2's biggest tracks. Also even softer than "Beautiful Day". Would love you guys to react to some classic South African tracks.
“Pride” amazing anthem about MLK, “One” with Mary J. Blige, and “Mysterious Ways” are some of my favorites not only of U2, but of all time.
The song "MLK" never got the attention it deserved. Neither did "Mothers of the Disappeared" "Hawkmoon 269" "Surrender" and "One Tree Hill" and that's just to name a few.
'Sunday Bloody Sunday'. What a great song. It really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday, doesn't it? You wake up in the morning, you've got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running round, you've got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think "Sunday, bloody Sunday!
As I was growing up in the 1970's you kept seeing on the news the violence in Northern Ireland. I have loved U2 even before their mega album The Joshua Tree. This song is a passionate cry for the people of Ireland. Take time sometime and watch the film they did which was documentary/concert footage and they play this song live with just as much passion. I am not Irish but I feel for the violence that these people have experience for so many generations.
Rob Squad you have to listen to the live concert version of Sunday Bloody Sunday. It puts the meaning of the song into perspective. Not to mention it is a fantastic visual performance of this meaningful song. PLEASE check it out. I promise you you will be thankful that you took the time to see this monumental performance. This performance made U2 who they are today. Thanks Rob Squad!!
This was probably my first exposure to U2. This is the group I knew before mellow times. Although if you want softer, “One” is my favorite mellow U2.
This is early political U2 and the one I love the best as I grew up with this sound. Saw them in concert first in 84, later in 2007. This song goes off live and is very emotional. Another similar banger is BULLET THE BLUE SKY. Must be done live. It's incredible
These are the real U2, their 80's songs were incredible. At that time Bono still had his incredible voice, unfortunately it wasn't the case after.
U2 totally changed their sound after Rattle And Hum. I just cannot get into that later era of U2
@@dathorndike4908 the same for me. They passed from my preferred band to useless to me.
Yeah!!!
👍👍😊
You should watch this live at Redrocks anphatheader !!!
It's Awesome.
U2 live under a blood red sky is a fantastic live album.
Amphitheater?😁
@@timgerke8714 Thank you! 👍👍
This is from the War album, which is when everyone really started to take notice of them. The song is a reference to a tragedy in Northern Ireland as a result of their struggles with British rule. It is a harder sound than much of their subsequent work. Try "New Years Day" and "Two Hearts Beat as One" from the same album. Their next album was The Unforgettable Fire, which put them on the road to being superstars, the title track is my favorite song from them.
Paul "Bono Vox" Hewson: Vocals
David "The Edge" Evans: Guitar
Adam Clayton: Bass
Larry Mullen Jr: Drums
Northern Ireland is British most people in Northern Ireland consider themselves as British
Love Unforgettable Fire. Either that or "One" is my favorite tho "The Joshua Tree" is my favorite record.
@@lisakaz35 One breaks my heart a little... great song.
@@lillianbuckingham4529 I can see that. Very pleading aspect.
A Sort of Homecoming
1st side of WAR is my favorite U2 material. Bloody Sunday is my top song.
Amber, you are nailing it! INTENSE is the perfect description of early U2..
That's from the War album, which was their second album released in North America as far as I know. I saw them in Vancouver on the War tour in 1983 in a beautiful theatre that wasn't quite sold out. They were young and hungry and put on a very energetic, engaging show.
Third album I believe. I could be wrong
@@suzieredfoxfur6982 You are right. "Boy" and "October" came before "War".
You could honestly get 20 videos out of U2, they have a massive career with great songs all over. More U2 please.
80s U2 is peak U2. Only found this channel today. Loving it so far!
U2 is one of those few bands who have lasted for more than a generation putting out new music. Reacting to their career arc would be cool. I am sure there are others watching who know of people with 20+ year legacies of new music for you to listen to.
U2 are masters, they can do it all. For another rocker, I'd suggest New Year's Day, the first U2 song I'd heard. Something funkier? Try Pride. A dance banger? Night and Day. A groove bomb? With or Without You or Every Breaking Wave. Motown? Angel of Harlem. I can go on and on. So so much to recommend when it comes to U2!
One of the best bands ever. Need to check out them and BB King When Love Comes to Town
Bono has been an activist for decades. His charitable causes include: ONE, helping end extreme poverty, RED, helping with the AIDS pandemic & Greenpeace, just to name a few. I've seen them Ive seen them in concert for the Elevation tour and they are truly amazi g
My favorite U2 song! It's so meaningful and powerful that I always shed a tear when I hear it.
I love this song ! I love you U-2!
They are amazing in concert. I saw them a few times.
Amber, To see them in concert is a total different experience.
It’s spiritual. I don’t know how else to explain it. I never felt anything like that before. It’s unbelievable!!!
This is U2’s breakout song! First major hit from the first album as I recall. I know they have evolved and it’s different than the sound they have today, but this is what I grew up thinking they were like. This is an amazing antiwar song. It’s obviously about the Rebellion in their homeland of Ireland with the English. The term Sunday, Bloody Sunday actually refers to a specific event in which protesting Irish civilians were gunned down by British police. What makes it more impactful to me is that it doesn’t attack the English as much as blame humanity as a whole. We have not being able to change after all these millennia. The lines: “the real battle yet begun... to claim the victory Jesus won...” are so powerful in this.
This isn’t from their first album, it’s from their third album. Their first 2 albums were Boy and October. This is is from War.
@@SuperEdge67 you are right it’s from their third album but it’s still their breakout song I believe.
"New Year's Day" is my favorite U2 song. It's really eerie, and the guitar effects are very cool.
I think of this song as the soul of U2. It told you everything you needed to know about them, or about what they WERE. Time passes & people change, I guess.
Like the Cranberries, U2 notes the horrors of the “troubles” that cursed Ireland for generations.
Yeah, they've done a lot of different styles over the decades. I really don't even know what to suggest since I love dozens and dozens of songs of theirs. Just look forward to seeing you discover more of them.
Watch the U2 video of the 1983 Red Rocks concert. This concert ended up serving two purposes. 1) This was the concert that launched U2 as a world wide super group and 2) this concert finally put Red Rocks as one of the ultimate concert venues in the world. I turned down going to this concert because, as an 18 year old, I thought it would be too cold and wet (it was) for a group I only knew something like one song for. This was a defining moment in my concert going life and the definition was total stupidity. I have been fortunate in that I have since seen many concerts at Red Rocks. For those who have not seen a concert at Red Rocks I would highly recommend it.
One of the most iconic drum intros ever.
These guys barreled into the 80's as rockers with a message. I love that they still write threads of their faith into their songs. If you want to bridge the U2 experience into Female Friday, if you aren't already a fan, U2 and Mary J Blige's "One Love." It's an achingly beautiful duet from two singers whose voices have power and grace.
"New Years Day" check it out ..U2's best song in my opinion followed by "The Unforgettable Fire" and "Gloria". Just my favorites, I'm sure others will disagree. And with most U2 if you can check out the Red Rocks version definitely do that. That show was incredible
They were so young. This is the early stuff, you can hear a more Irish influence on this even, in the early days the protested.
1979 this album came out. I remember because I was spending Christmas in the UK and this song was at the top of the charts along with New Year's Day.