The band formed at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in 1976 when the members were teenagers with limited musical proficiency. Within four years, they signed with Island Records and released their debut album, Boy (1980). Subsequent work such as their first UK number-one album, War (1983), and the singles "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Pride (In the Name of Love)" helped establish U2's reputation as a politically and socially conscious group. By the mid-1980s, they had become renowned globally for their live act, highlighted by their performance at Live Aid in 1985. The group's fifth album, The Joshua Tree (1987), made them international superstars and was their greatest critical and commercial success. Topping music charts around the world, it produced their only number-one singles in the US, "With or Without You" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".
Facing creative stagnation and a backlash following their documentary/double album, Rattle and Hum (1988), U2 reinvented themselves in the 1990s through a new musical direction and public image. Beginning with their acclaimed seventh album, Achtung Baby (1991), and the multimedia-intensive Zoo TV Tour, the band integrated influences from alternative rock, electronic dance music, and industrial music into their sound, and embraced a more ironic, flippant image. This experimentation continued through their ninth album, Pop (1997), and the PopMart Tour, which were mixed successes. U2 regained critical and commercial favour with the records All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000) and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004), which established a more conventional, mainstream sound for the group. Their U2 360° Tour of 2009–2011 is the highest-attended and highest-grossing concert tour in history. The group's thirteenth album, Songs of Innocence (2014), was released at no cost through the iTunes Store, but received criticism for its automatic placement in users' music libraries.
U2 has released 14 studio albums and is one of the world's best-selling music artists in history, having sold more than 170 million records worldwide. They have won 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other band, and in 2005, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone ranked U2 at number 22 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Throughout their career, as a band and as individuals, they have campaigned for human rights and philanthropic causes, including Amnesty International, Jubilee 2000, the ONE/DATA campaigns, Product Red, War Child, and Music Rising.
Foundation: The band originally formed in 1976 when Larry Mullen posted a bulletin in his school asking for musicians to form a rock band. The band then consisted of the four current members plus three additional guitarists, including The Edge’s brother Dick Evans (later a member of Virgin Prunes), Ivan McCormick and Peter Martin. According to legend, Bono originally auditioned as a guitarist but couldn’t play. He auditioned as lead vocals, but really couldn’t sing. He was, however, incredibly enthusiastic about the band, extremely charismatic, a great writer, and was strangely able to reach the audience when the band played, something he is known for still today. Bono will reach out into the crowd and dance or mess with someone in the crowd at every concert. He was kept as a member. The extra guitarists would soon leave the band and the group would go through the names “Feedback ” and “The Hype” before finally settling on U2.
The 70s & 80s: 1978 was a jumping point year for the band, finally finding their sound / voice. U2 won a talent contest in 1978: £500 and funds to make a record. Paul McGuinness became the band’s manager and U2 released an EP called Three and the single Another Day, the following year. U2 went on to release their first album, Boy and then more critically acclaimed albums incl.: October, War, Under A Blood Red Sky, and The Unforgettable Fire (featuring the song PlayMLK dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr). Seen by many as a political band with more charisma than others, they were called “a different kind” of band. After a short break U2 returned with The Joshua Tree & the USA music inspired Rattle And Hum (also a movie of the same name, based on the tour).
The 90s: Promising ”to dream it all up again”, they added industrial and dance styles to their music. Trying to drop a goody two shoes image, they went to Berlin (Germany), supposedly to develop new self-expressions. From there they started to make fun of themselves and had a good time of it in albums like Achtung Baby (meaning ”watch out, baby”, artwork feat. make-up artist Nassim Khalifa) & Zooropa. Bono took on many stage personae such as “The Fly”, “Mirrorball Man” and “Mr. MacPhisto” for the gigantic ZOO TV Tour. Later they continued to make fun of Pop culture and all its extremes with the album Pop and consequent PopMart tour which was announced to be launched at a Kmart store and included a giant golden arch across the stage.
The 00s: At the end of the 90’s into 00’s U2 became less image and more reality. With the death of Bono’s good friend Michael Hutchence, the lead singer of INXS, Bono wrote more songs from the heart surrounding ideas like life and death, children, hope, and the real world past all the pop culture and TV. Some say they’ve returned to a more band-centric sound with albums like All That You Can’t Leave Behind which features a song, Kite, dedicated to Bono’s father who passed away shortly after the album’s conception and 2004’s How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.
The 10s: U2 went on the U2 360° Tour in 2009 and 2010. This tour set records for the highest-grossing concert tour. The band worked with producer Danger Mouse for their thirteenth album Songs of Innocence, which was released on 9 September 2014 for free to all Apple iCloud users.
The Name: There are many theories as to the origin of the name U2. For example, U2 was an intelligence airplane that was in use by the United States during the Cold War. Other obvious candidates include “You too” and “You two”, etc. Nonetheless the official line on the name’s origins remains unknown. The band has been quoted as saying that they did think of the U2 spy plane, but remain hushed about other reasons… U2
'Baby' Zoo Station
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm ready
I'm ready for what's next
I'm ready to duck
I'm ready to dive
I'm ready to say
I'm glad to be alive
I'm ready
In the cool of the night
In the warmth of the breeze
I'll be crawling 'round
On my hands and knees
Just down the line
Zoo Station
Got to make it on time, oh Zoo Station
I'm ready
I'm ready for the gridlock
I'm ready
To take it to the street, uh huh
I'm ready for the shuffle
Ready for the deal
Ready to let go of the steering wheel
I'm ready
Ready for the crush, uh huh
Zoo Station
Zoo Station
Zoo Station
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Hey baby, hey baby, hey baby, hey baby
It's alright, it's alright
Time is a train
Makes the future the past
Leaves you standing in the station
Your face pressed up against the glass
I'm just down the line from your love (Zoo Station)
Under the sign of your love (Zoo Station)
I'm gonna make it on time, make it on time (Zoo Station)
Just a stop down the line (Zoo Station)
Just a stop down the line
The opening track of U2's 1991 album "Achtung Baby", "Zoo Station" is characterized by its distorted guitar riff, pounding drums, and relentless energy. The lyrics are full of urgency and a sense of readiness, as if the singer is preparing to embark on a journey or confront a challenge. The repeated line, "I'm ready," is both a reassurance to the self and a challenge to whoever or whatever may stand in the way. The imagery of crawling on hands and knees and letting go of the steering wheel reinforces the sense of surrender to fate or destiny.
The song's title refers to a train station in Berlin that was located near the Berlin Zoological Garden. This location was significant to U2 because it was where they recorded many of the songs that would later become "Achtung Baby". The station was also where many of the refugees from East Berlin would arrive, giving it a symbolic resonance as a place of escape and new beginnings. The line "Time is a train" reinforces this sense of movement and transition.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm ready for the laughing gas
I'm ready to take on whatever is coming my way. I'm ready to face a challenging situation with a positive attitude.
I'm ready
I'm mentally prepared and have everything needed to tackle any obstacle that comes my way.
I'm ready for what's next
I'm prepared to face the next phase of my life with great enthusiasm and eagerness.
I'm ready to duck
I'm ready to avoid any immediate danger that may be coming my way.
I'm ready to dive
I'm ready to take the plunge into an opportunity with full commitment and dedication.
I'm ready to say
I'm willing to express my feelings or thoughts without hesitation or fear of judgment.
I'm glad to be alive
I'm appreciative of being alive and experiencing life to the fullest despite any challenges that may arise.
I'm ready for the push, uh huh
I'm eager and motivated to face any obstacles that come my way and overcome them with determination.
In the cool of the night
During the calm and peaceful moments of the night when everything seems to be quiet and still.
In the warmth of the breeze
During a pleasant and refreshing breeze that brings comfort and tranquility.
I'll be crawling 'round
I'll be navigating through a difficult situation on my hands and knees with great diligence and focus.
On my hands and knees
In a position of humility and willingness to work hard to achieve success and overcome obstacles.
Just down the line
Located nearby or immediately after a specific point in time or space.
Zoo Station
A metaphorical representation of the chaotic and bustling city life filled with obstacles and challenges.
Got to make it on time, oh Zoo Station
I need to reach the destination on time and face the challenges that come my way with determination and resilience.
I'm ready for the gridlock
I'm ready to overcome any challenges or difficulties that may arise due to a difficult situation or circumstance.
To take it to the street, uh huh
To overcome obstacles or challenges in a public domain or space with confidence and courage.
I'm ready for the shuffle
I'm willing to adapt and adjust to any unexpected obstacle or challenge that may come my way in a constantly changing environment.
Ready for the deal
Ready to face any challenge or obstacle that requires strategic decision-making and negotiation skills.
Ready to let go of the steering wheel
Willing to relinquish control and trust the process to unfold organically, allowing life to steer its course.
Ready for the crush, uh huh
Readiness to face high-pressure or crowded situations where there are many obstacles or challenges that need to be addressed.
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Expressing confidence and determination in the situation despite any obstacles or setbacks that may arise.
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
An expression of reassurance and positivity despite any challenges or difficulties that may arise.
Hey baby, hey baby, hey baby, hey baby
A term of endearment used to express affection or love towards someone.
Time is a train
A metaphorical representation of time that depicts it as an unstoppable force that continuously moves forward.
Makes the future the past
Time continuously moves forward, making future moments become past memories.
Leaves you standing in the station
Time moves forward and leaves you behind in a specific situation, making you feel stuck or unable to move on.
Your face pressed up against the glass
The feeling of being trapped or stuck in a specific situation without being able to move forward or progress further.
I'm just down the line from your love (Zoo Station)
I'm close to experiencing the love and affection of someone I care about, but I'm still not quite there yet.
Under the sign of your love (Zoo Station)
I'm surrounded and influenced by the love of someone I care about, and the impact it has on me is apparent to those around me.
I'm gonna make it on time, make it on time (Zoo Station)
I'm determined to reach a significant milestone or goal in my life, and I'm confident that I'll achieve it in due time.
Just a stop down the line (Zoo Station)
A reference to the next destination in life or the next milestone that needs to be achieved to progress further.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mads-Jakob Vad Kristensen
Now I understand why there apparently - in the mans own words - was a brief moment, where the album might have been called "Adam" :-). He should get much much more recognition. Absolutely stellar.
Steve Burgess
Might be just me but I always felt Zoo Station would have been better as the last song on the Achtung Baby album. Rounding it of on a high with a sense of leaving you wanting for more.
I love this original ‘baby’ version!
Decisiveness
holy crap absolutely not zoo station’s one of their best openers and LIB best closer
Kitnet2500
Same, and I think the album should've started with 'Even Better'.
Edward Bliss
t took me nearly 3 decades to realize that Adam Clayton makes the song
CSManiac1000
How? Even I don't know it still
seamac206
There was nothing wrong with these demos, but Eno obviously thought otherwise.
Alexander Cheban
There were a lot of demo recordings in raw form. Releasing such a thing on a major label is career suicide
Sgt. Scales
These are great, but you can't really argue with the final result.
NikCom1
Sounds Great