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
California
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Barbara, Santa Barbara
Barbara, Santa Barbara
Barbara, Santa Barbara
Barbara, Santa Barbara
Barbara, Santa Barbara
Barbara, Santa Barbara
Barbara, Santa Barbara
Barbara, Santa Barbara
California
Then we fell into the shiny sea
The weight that drags your heart down
Well, that's what took me
Where I need to be
Which is here, out on Zuma
Watching you cry like a baby
California, at the dawn
You thought would never come
But it did like it always does
All I know
And all I need to know
Is there is no
Yeah there is no end to love
I didn't call you
Words can scare a thought away
Everyone's a star in our town
It's just your light gets dimmer
If you have to stay
In your bedroom, in a mirror
Watching yourself cry like a baby
California, blood orange sunset
Brings you to your knees
I've seen for myself
There's no end to grief
That's how I know
That's how I know
And why I need to know
That there is no
Yeah, there is no end to love
All I know and all I need to know
Is there is no
Yeah, there is no end to love
Barbara, Barbara
There is no end to love
Oh oh-oh all I know and all I need to know
Is there is no
Yeah, there is no end to love, whoa oh oh oh
We come and go
But stolen days you don't give back
Stolen days are just enough
The song "California" by U2 is a reflection of the state of California and the emotions it brings out in people. The repetitive chorus of "Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Barbara, Santa Barbara" sets the tone for the song and creates a chant-like quality. The reference to California being "at the dawn you thought would never come" is a metaphor for the hope that the state inspires in people. It speaks to the idea that even at the darkest moments, the dawn will always eventually break through.
The lyric "then we fell into the shiny sea" can be interpreted as a metaphor for being so captivated by California's allure that it feels like falling into a hypnotizing dream. The weight that drags your heart down is perhaps the knowledge that this state of being is temporary and cannot last forever. The mention of Zuma, a beach in Malibu, is a specific location that adds an element of personal experience to the song. The line "watching you cry like a baby" is a reminder that even in the most beautiful moments, there is always a tinge of sadness and vulnerability.
The lyric "words can scare a thought away" suggests that sometimes love is better expressed through actions rather than words. The idea that everyone's a star in their own town but their light may get dimmer if they have to stay in one place speaks to the restlessness of the human spirit. The blood orange sunset is a symbol of the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of change. Overall, the song is a celebration of the enduring power of love and the need to appreciate life's stolen moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara
Mentioning the name of the city Santa Barbara, twice, probably to emphasize its importance in the song.
California
Reference to the state of California which is known for its glamour and shine.
Then we fell into the shiny sea
Metaphorically falling into the ocean that is reflecting the sun and hence looks shiny, may be used to refer to a new beginning.
The weight that drags your heart down
Things in life that make you feel heavy or burdened.
Well, that's what took me
Linking the feeling of weight that was dragging the heart down, to the reason for the singer to be in California.
Where I need to be
The singer feels that California is where he belongs or needs to be.
Which is here, out on Zuma
Referring to a beach called Zuma where the singer needs to be.
Watching you cry like a baby
Unspecified who the person is but they are seen crying and the singer is observing them.
California, at the dawn
Relaying imagery of California at the break of dawn.
You thought would never come
The person crying thought the dawn would never come. Potentially a metaphor for a difficult situation that one sees no end to.
But it did like it always does
Dawn always comes and things will change.
All I know
The singer states that this is all they know.
And all I need to know
The singer is implying that knowing this is enough for them.
Is there is no
This is the realization that the singer has reached.
Yeah there is no end to love
The singer believes that love has no end.
I didn't call you
The singer didn't call a person.
Words can scare a thought away
Words can affect somebody's perception or change their thought process.
Everyone's a star in our town
Implying that everyone in their town is important.
It's just your light gets dimmer
The singer suggests that the person they are addressing is still important, but their presence is getting weaker.
If you have to stay
The person may be forced to stay somewhere that is not affecting them positively.
In your bedroom, in a mirror
The person may be depressed and only reflecting on themselves.
Watching yourself cry like a baby
Something that may occur if someone remains in a negative or toxic environment.
California, blood orange sunset
Describing a sunset that is turning the sky into an orange color.
Brings you to your knees
A sunset that makes someone feel elated or joyful.
I've seen for myself
The singer experienced this sunset themselves.
There's no end to grief
This line seems to contradict that 'love has no end', and may be referring to the personal grief the singer experienced in California.
That's how I know
The grief the singer experienced taught them this important life lesson.
And why I need to know
The singer feels it is important to remember this now, even if they didn't believe it before.
Barbara, Barbara
Addressing someone named Barbara twice.
There is no end to love
Repeating this line to reinforce the message that the singer believes that love has no end.
Oh oh-oh all I know and all I need to know
Repetition of the idea that the singer does not need to know more than this
We come and go
The cycles of life, people are born and die.
But stolen days you don't give back
Moments in life that are precious and cannot be given back.
Stolen days are just enough
The time that was spent on those precious days are enough to stay with you forever.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM CLAYTON, DAVE EVANS, LARRY MULLEN, PAUL DAVID HEWSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rebeccageorge616
This song came out the summer that my Mom passed away, and the lyrics "there is no end to love" made me think of her. Still does. I love this song dearly.
@abelq3767
Rebecca George I’m so sorry for your loss I hope ur mom is in a better place god bless love this song I lost my two best friends in a matter of a month and I found this song and it really made me feel better
@rebeccageorge616
@@abelq3767 I'm glad it did, music can do things to heal that most other things can't.
@tyrantgregcagkaiju71
I’m sorry to hear of your loss, Rebecca.
@priyankavys
Rebecca George, I am extremely sorry for your loss, hope your mother is in a happier place above the children of god, I am glad this song cures your sadness
@vortex_hd2040
My condolences
@geraldinegarces5320
Was I the only one that had this song in their iPhone randomly like literally this was in my phone when I got it and I’m not mad they’re pretty good songs
@pyvui
Geraldine Garces lol same
@ogawamakoto6003
Same here. That's how I knew U2 lol
@cadencewilson7572
Same 😂