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
Elvis Presley & America
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black flash over my own love
Tell me of my eyes
Black flash come though my own life
Telling these things
And I believe them
And I believe in you
And it turns its side from you
She won't turn my back
And I know you turn so blue
You know
And your sky is feeling blue
And your heart
So cold when I'm with you
You feel
Like no one told you to
And your time is your side
And your time with me
Ah, don't talk to me
Ah, don't talk to me
Don't talk to me
You know
Like no one told you how but you know
Though the king that howls has howled
We're like sentimental, but you don't care
If I just share it in your heart, heart
(Heart, heart)
Hopelessly, so hopelessly
I'm breaking through for you and me
You don't
Though no one told you to
And you found out
Where you were going, where to
You're through with me
But I know that you will be back for more
And you know
And though no one told you so
And you know, blue sky
Like a harder shade of blue
And you walk
When you want
To let go
Me, I'm on the outside, tell me not to fade away
Drop me down but don't break me
In your sleep
In your sleep, inside, it's in your heart and mine
Whole sea is dark, it's in your heart and mine
Sweetly, those will come
Loving is on your side walking through
So let me in your heart
Your beat is like something new
They
Run
See, say you're sad and reach by
So, say you're sad above beside
Oh, stay sad above beside
So, stay sad above we said
You know I don't
And no one told you how
And you don't
And you wipe sweat off your white brow, and you care
And no one told you tried
And your heart
Is left out from the side
And the rain beats down
And the shame goes down
And this rain keeps on coming down
And this sky
Tonight
Give a S-O-N-G-why
Your joy to God
Give a S-O-N-G-why
Give away some in your life
Give away some while you're able
You know
And though no one told you sky
And you feel
Like you pretend you can, you say go, you live
Go live outside of me
Don't you leave
Don't leave out part of me, then I can feel
Like I feel before
Like it hurt now, and I see the floor
If you pick me up
Bits and pieces on this floor
The lyrics of U2's song Elvis Presley & America are introspective and seem to explore themes of loss, heartbreak, and self-renewal. The song opens with the mention of a "black flash," which could symbolize a sudden and overwhelming feeling of despair or sadness. The singer believes in this feeling and acknowledges the pain that comes with it. Meanwhile, a "white flash" sees the sky and turns away, representing an inability to face the truth or to move on.
The song seems to suggest that letting go and finding hope again after experiencing loss or heartbreak is possible, but it requires a willingness to face the pain head-on. The singer urges the listener to "give away some" of their life and emotions and to embrace joy, even in the midst of heartache.
The lines "If you pick me up, bits and pieces on this floor" suggest a desire to be pieced back together after a difficult experience. Overall, the song seems to be a exploration of hope and self-discovery in the face of pain and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Black flash over my own love
Unexpected darkness has overshadowed my love life
Tell me of my eyes
Explain to me what I am seeing
Black flash come though my own life
Sudden tragedy has struck me
Telling these things
Sharing the story of the tragedy
And I believe them
I accept what has happened
And I believe in you
Though things have gone wrong, I still have faith in you
White flash sees the sky
A bright light illuminates the sky
And it turns its side from you
The light seems to avoid you
She won't turn my back
I won't abandon you
And I know you turn so blue
I can see that you're feeling sad
And your sky is feeling blue
You're going through a tough time
And your heart
Your emotions
So cold when I'm with you
I can feel the tension between us
You feel, like no one told you to
You're lost and unsure what to do
And your time is your side
You have control over your time
And your time with me
Our time together
Ah, don't talk to me
I don't want to talk about it
Don't talk to me
Let's not discuss the issue
Like no one told you how but you know
You have an intuition for what's going on
Though the king that howls has howled
Even when you're feeling low, you're not alone
We're like sentimental, but you don't care
We have emotions, but you're indifferent
If I just share it in your heart, heart
If I can make you understand what I'm feeling
Hopelessly, so hopelessly
Feeling helpless in this situation
I'm breaking through for you and me
I'm trying to improve our relationship
And you found out, where you were going, where to
You've discovered your direction in life
You're through with me, but I know that you will be back for more
You're ending our relationship for now, but I'm hopeful for the future
And though no one told you so
You figured it out on your own
Like a harder shade of blue
Feeling a deeper level of sadness now
When you want to let go
When you're ready to move on
Me, I'm on the outside, tell me not to fade away
I feel like I'm being pushed out of your life
Drop me down but don't break me in your sleep
Push me away but don't destroy me completely
Whole sea is dark, it's in your heart and mine
We're going through a dark time together
Sweetly, those will come
Good things will happen
Loving is on your side walking through
Love is supporting you
So let me in your heart
Allow me to be a part of your life
Your beat is like something new
Our connection feels renewed
See, say you're sad and reach by
Let me know when you're feeling down and I'll be there
So, say you're sad above beside
Tell me when you're sad and I'll be by your side
Oh, stay sad above beside
It's okay to be sad and I'll stick with you
Give a S-O-N-G-why, your joy to God
Sing to express your happiness and gratitude to God
Give away some in your life
Be generous with what you have
And though no one told you sky
You had to figure out things on your own
Like you pretend you can, you say go, you live
You're pretending like you have it all together and you're moving on
Go live outside of me, don't you leave
Find your own way, but don't abandon me
Don't leave out part of me, then I can feel
Stay connected to me so that I don't feel incomplete
Like I feel before, like it hurt now, and I see the floor
I'm feeling the pain from our struggles and it's bringing me down
If you pick me up, bits and pieces on this floor
If you support me, we can move forward from our brokenness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A me
on eleven o' clock tick tock
And girls can make children but not like this one...so will just have to walk around with a painted face then...
LMewdowlark
on One
Baby, baby, baby, I know I'm not alone
Ha, ha, ha
Oh, it's not a hill it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
You see, for me, I've been shouting
Let's shout into the darkness, squeeze out sparks of light
You know we're gonna go crazy, you know we'll go crazy
You know we'll go crazy, if we don't go crazy tonight
Oh, slowly
Oh
Hold me slow
Again, these are the wrong lyrics. They are not the lyrics for 'One' but a different song. I pasted the correct lyrics in my other comment.
LMewdowlark
on One
And there's a part of you that wants me to riot
Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit
Every sweet-tooth needs just a little hit
Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?
Oh, change of heart comes slow
It's not a hill, it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
Do you believe me or are you doubting?
We're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight
Every generation gets a chance to change the world
Pity the nation that won't listen to you boys and girls
Is the sweetest melody the one we haven't heard?
Is it true that perfect love drives out all fear?
The right to be ridiculous is something I hold dear
Oh, but change of heart comes slow
It's not a hill, it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
You see, for me, I've been shouting
But we're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight
Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you now
You got someone to blame?
You say, one love, one life
When it's one need in the night
One love, we get to share it
Leaves you, baby, if you don't care for it
Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well, it's too late tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
Have you come here for forgiveness?
Have you come to raise the dead?
Have you come here to play Jesus?
To the lepers in your head
Did I ask too much? More than a lot
You gave me nothing, now it's all I got
We're one but we're not the same
Well, we hurt each other then we do it again
You say love is a temple, love a higher law
Love is a temple, love the higher law
You ask me to enter but then you make me crawl
And I can't be holdin' on to what you got
When all you got is hurt
One love, one blood
One life, you got to do what you should
One life with each other
Sisters, brothers
One life but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
One