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
Glad To See You
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One bullet in the cylinder
And in a moment of passion get
The glory like Charles Manson gonna smile
I'm gonna laugh you're gonna get a blood bath
And in a moment of passion get
The glory like Charles Manson
You gotta go go go go goodbye glad to
Now I know the score I don't
Need you anymore don't want
You cause you're a bore I need
Somebody good I need a miracle
Should I take a chance on her?
One bullet in the cylinder gonna smile
I'm gonna laugh they're gonna
Want my autograph
And in a moment of passion get
The glory like Charles Manson
You gotta go go go go goodbye Glad to
See you go go go go goodbye goodbye
The lyrics of U2's song "Glad To See You" contain dark and edgy imagery, exploring themes of taking chances, violence, and liberation from a toxic relationship. The opening lines suggest a willingness to take risks, symbolized by "one bullet in the cylinder." This can be interpreted as the singer's readiness to confront danger and uncertainty in pursuit of a desired outcome.
The reference to Charles Manson, a notorious cult leader and murderer, adds a chilling touch to the lyrics. It suggests that in a moment of intense passion, the singer seeks to achieve some form of glory or recognition, even if it means resorting to extreme measures. The mention of a "blood bath" indicates a potential for violence or destructive behavior, perhaps as a way to assert power or gain control.
The repetition of the phrase "gotta go go go go goodbye" reinforces a sense of finality and liberation. It suggests a desire to escape a stagnant and unfulfilling relationship. The lyrics express a newfound realization that the singer no longer needs or wants the person they are addressing, as they have become mundane and boring. It implies a longing for someone more exciting and a need for a life-altering change.
The mention of wanting a miracle further emphasizes this desire for a significant transformation. It reflects a yearning for a profound and positive change in their life, rather than settling for mediocrity. The questioning of whether to take a chance on someone can be interpreted as questioning whether the risk of pursuing a new relationship is worth it. The lyrics suggest a hunger for personal growth and an aspiration to be someone extraordinary.
In conclusion, the lyrics of "Glad To See You" explore themes of risk-taking, violence, and liberation from a stagnating relationship. The references to Charles Manson and the repetition of "goodbye" indicate a desire for glory and escape. The lyrics convey a longing for a significant change and a search for something extraordinary.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna take a chance on her
I am willing to take a risk and pursue a relationship with her
One bullet in the cylinder
Symbolizing the potential danger and uncertainty in this pursuit
And in a moment of passion get the glory like Charles Manson gonna smile
I anticipate experiencing intense emotions and achieving a level of fame and success similar to that of Charles Manson, with a sense of satisfaction
I'm gonna laugh you're gonna get a blood bath
While I find amusement in this situation, you will face a violent and disastrous outcome
And in a moment of passion get the glory like Charles Manson
Again emphasizing the potential for achieving fame and recognition through intense emotions
You gotta go go go go goodbye glad to see you go go go go goodbye
I want you to leave and I am happy to bid you farewell
Now I know the score I don't need you anymore
I have understood the reality of the situation and no longer require your presence or involvement
Don't want you cause you're a bore
I am uninterested in you as you are dull and unexciting
I need somebody good I need a miracle
I desire someone exceptional and extraordinary in my life, someone who can bring about a positive and incredible change
Should I take a chance on her?
Contemplating whether it is worth risking and pursuing a connection with her
One bullet in the cylinder gonna smile
Highlighting the potential risk and danger involved, yet finding amusement and excitement in this pursuit
I'm gonna laugh they're gonna want my autograph
It is anticipated that I will find humor in the situation, and others will seek my signature and acknowledgment
And in a moment of passion get the glory like Charles Manson
Reiterating the idea that intense emotions can lead to achieving fame and recognition, drawing a parallel to Charles Manson
You gotta go go go go goodbye glad to see you go go go go goodbye goodbye
Repeating the desire for the person to leave and expressing satisfaction in their departure
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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w w w . e q u i p . o r g
this sounds like the chipmunks not bono edge larry and adam now i know the score
John r Walker
Ha,Ha my exact thoughts.
Bojan Kunstelj
post-punk