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
Gloria )
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, I try to stand up
But I can't find my feet
I try, I try to speak up
But only in you I'm complete
Gloria in te domine
Gloria exultate
Oh Lord, loosen my lips
I try to sing this song
I, I try to get in
But I can't find the door
The door is open
You're standing there
You let me in
Gloria in te domine
Gloria exultate
Oh Lord, if I had anything
Anything at all
I'd give it to you
I'd give it to you
Gloria, Gloria
The lyrics to U2’s song Gloria are about struggling to find one’s place and voice, but finding solace and completeness in a higher power. The opening lines express the frustration of feeling stuck and unable to move forward. The singer also acknowledges the difficulty in speaking up and being heard, but recognizes that the only time he feels complete is when he is in the presence of the divine. The repeated line of “Gloria” is a Latin word meaning “glory” and is used as an exclamation of praise and adoration for God. The singer asks God to loosen his lips so he can give praise and express his faith.
The second half of the song shifts the focus from the individual’s struggles to finding acceptance and a sense of belonging. The singer wants to find a way into something bigger than himself, but can’t find his way alone. However, he is able to enter because someone else opens the door for him, presumably a representation of God’s love and acceptance. The repetition of “Gloria” throughout the song is a nod to the Catholic tradition of using the word as a form of praise, and speaks to the religious upbringing and influences on the band.
Line by Line Meaning
I try to sing this song
I attempt to express my feelings through music
I, I try to stand up
I attempt to be confident and strong
But I can't find my feet
I cannot find the footing or foundation I need
I try, I try to speak up
I make an effort to voice my opinions and thoughts
But only in you I'm complete
Only with you am I whole and fulfilled
Gloria in te domine
Glory to you, oh Lord
Gloria exultate
Rejoice in glory
Gloria, Gloria
Glory, glory
Oh Lord, loosen my lips
Give me the courage to speak out
I try to sing this song
I attempt to express myself through music
I, I try to get in
I attempt to enter a place of belonging
But I can't find the door
I am struggling to find a way in
The door is open
There is an opportunity for me to enter
You're standing there
You are present and welcoming
You let me in
You allow me to belong and be accepted
Oh Lord, if I had anything
If I possessed anything of worth
Anything at all
No matter how insignificant
I'd give it to you
I would offer it up to you
I'd give it to you
I would give everything to you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ; D. EVANS, ; L. MULLEN, ; P. HEWSON, A. CLAYTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sherryjennings666
I went to see them in London at the Lyceum on both dates December 20/21st (October Tour) 1981.
I went with a friend.
U2 came on with this song..............Gloria
All I heard was my mate scream "Jesus" and I never saw him again that evening
For the next 5 minutes I spend struggling for my life.
It was total mayhem.
One second I could virtually touch Bono, the next I was 100 yards from the stage.
I could feel people's broken bodies under my pogoing legs.
I then lost one of trainers and my watch was ripped off my limp wrist. (both found in the post gig debris)
That 5 minutes was the probably the most I have ever been alive in my entire life.
That was 35 years ago and I still get goosebumps when I hear the opening strains of this song.
@rick_terscale1111
Gloria, Gloria, oh, two, three, four
I try to sing this song
I, I try to stand up
But I can't find my feet
I try, I try to speak up
But only in you I am complete
Gloria in te domine
Gloria exultate
Gloria, Gloria
Oh Lord, loosen my lips
I try to sing this song
I, I try to get in
But I can't find the door
The door is open
You're standing there
You let me in
Gloria in te domine
Gloria exultate
Oh Lord, if I had anything
Anything at all
I'd give it to you
I'd give it to you
Gloria in te domine
Gloria, Gloria
Gloria in te domine
Gloria, Gloria
Gloria in te domine
Gloria, Gloria
@facelessfatloss
Phayzyre105
We're on the same page. Bono has claimed that the whole Zoo/etc gig was a calculated parody. The problem was, the masses ate it up like mad and took it seriously. And I'm going on the assumption he was being truthful about the parody, since the interview I was reading where he talked about it was from the mid-90's.
But perhaps it was the case that they were just selling out, because they knew how to, period. I really don't know.
In a forum once about ten years ago, current U2 fans were mocking the 80's fans saying that the change in the 90's is called "growing up." As if to suggest that their 80's material with the sort of spiritual bent, political stances, and greater musical creativity was somehow immature, and they defended U2 saying "they of course grew out of all that silliness, as did their true fans."
I saw it as the exact opposite, and I know plenty of others (all my friends) were also completely turned off by the obnoxiousness that it turned into.
I was five squashed rows back from the stage for a stadium concert, Joshua Tree tour...back when there was no such thing as assigned seats. I could barely breathe. We had peanuts (a lot) thrown at us as soon as we walked in because we were the only ones there in a metal band with dirt-bag long hair and scruffy denim. (lol)
"End of the World," was the last song I liked in the 90's...nothing at all after. Gave their latest album a try, just couldn't get into it at all. (sigh)
@DoneisDone951
I try to sing this song
I...I try to stand up
But I can't find my feet
I try, I try to speak up
But only in you I'm complete
Gloria...in te domine
Gloria...exultate
Gloria...Gloria
Oh Lord, loosen my lips
I try to sing this song
I...I try to get in
But I can't find the door
The door is open
You're standing there
You let me in
Gloria...in te domine
Gloria...exultate
Oh Lord, if I had anything
Anything at all
I'd give it to you
I'd give it to you
Gloria...Gloria...
@sansa357
This came out in 1981, and it's now 2024. Still one of their best songs! First one of their songs I ever heard as well.
@damarfulmore9374
The good old days of early MTV where we saw videos from U2, Duran Duran, INXS, Simple Minds, The Fixx, Ultravox, Prince, Adam Ant, Devo, David Bowie and many others
@lauramayfield5410
11 videos an hour🤗
@debralee2201
Damar You have given me goosebumps!!! Your Setlist of Bands that I grew up with & still grow with 🥰
@bretdouglas9407
I was there👍
@adamlynch6954
R.E.M.
@davidhuber9418
yep
@jpmthecvrrecorder4462
"Gloria, in te Domine, Gloria, exultate. Gloria, Gloria." The best Latin lyric line ever.
Translate:
"Glory, in you Lord, Glory, exalt him. Glory, Glory."
@wilE6764
So Gloria..actually means Glory?
@debbie6537
@@wilE6764 yes