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
Happy Xmas
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, please come home
(Yeah!)
The snow's coming down
Watching the people around
Baby please come home
The church bells in town
They're ringing a song
What a happy sound
Baby please come home
They're singing deck the halls
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
Pretty lights on the tree
I'm watching 'em shine
You should be here with me
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
They're singing deck the halls
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
If there was a way
I'd hold back these tears
But it's Christmas day
Baby please come home
Ohh...
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
Ohh...
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
"Happy Xmas (War is Over)", written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and was released in 1971. This song has unique lyrics and is one of the few holiday songs that addresses the difficulties of being away from a loved one over Christmas. The song is about missing someone special during the holiday season and the singer's plea for them to come home. The song begins with the singer watching the snow while thinking about the people around and wishing for the person they're missing to come home. The church bells in town add to the festive atmosphere, but it's not Christmas without the person they're missing.
The singer remembers the fun they had last year, and how different it feels without their loved one. They express their Christmas wishes, hoping that if there's a way to hold back tears, their loved one would come home. The chorus becomes more intense with each repetition, expressing the singer's desperation for their loved one to return home.
It's interesting to note that "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" was initially written as an anti-Vietnam War protest song, making it a song of peace and hope during times of despair. Additionally, it has been covered by many artists, including Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Michael Bublé. The song also features on many Christmas music compilations, attesting to its enduring popularity. The song's music video features John Lennon and Yoko Ono, along with their son Sean, a group of children, and words that read, "War is Over! If You Want It. Happy Christmas." This message embodies the song's intention and makes it a meaningful addition to any Christmas music playlist.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Christmas
It's the time for festivities, joy, and happiness.
Baby, please come home
I miss you and want you to be with me during this special time of the year.
The snow's coming down
It's snowing heavily outside, creating a beautiful winter wonderland.
I'm watching it fall
I'm standing by the window, enjoying the snowfall and feeling nostalgic.
Watching the people around
Observing the happy faces of people enjoying the holiday season.
The church bells in town
The ringing bells of the church are spreading the message of peace and love among people.
They're ringing a song
Through the ringing of the bells, a message of hope and unity is being conveyed.
What a happy sound
The sound of the bells is filling the air with joy, happiness, and positivity.
They're singing deck the halls
People are singing classic Christmas carols and decorating their homes with festive decor.
But it's not like Christmas at all
Despite the efforts to create a Christmas-like atmosphere, it's not the same without the presence of a loved one.
I remember when you were here
I fondly recall the memories of all the Christmases we spent together.
And all the fun we had last year
Remembering the happiness and laughter that we shared during last year's Christmas celebrations.
Pretty lights on the tree
The Christmas tree is adorned with beautiful, colorful lights that brighten up the room.
I'm watching 'em shine
I'm gazing at the lights on the Christmas tree, feeling a sense of wonder and nostalgia.
You should be here with me
I wish you were here with me to share these special moments.
If there was a way
If it were possible.
I'd hold back these tears
I would control my emotions and not be overwhelmed by sadness.
But it's Christmas day
This is the day to celebrate, spread joy, and spend time with loved ones.
Baby please come home
I miss you and want you to be here with me.
Ohh...
An expression of sadness and longing.
Baby please come home
I miss you and want you to be here with me.
Baby please come home
I miss you and want you to be here with me.
Baby please come home
I miss you and want you to be here with me.
Ohh...
An expression of sadness and longing.
Baby please come home
I miss you and want you to be here with me.
Baby please come home
I miss you and want you to be here with me.
Contributed by Ryan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shirif Nurmagomedov
Hope this band continues for at least nxt 20 years. Simply the best of all
Peter Danner
I remember my brother recording this from the TV using one of those old tape recorders back when it happened live. We listened to it on rotation. Bono's voice made it. It's funny though listening now and Edge seems to be really struggling with it :)
Sonia Pérez
I've fallen in love again 😍
30 years since this performance.
evey molly
love this song..great cover.
Patricia Palma
best band ever u2..happy christmas to all people in world and all u2 fans..love u2 from portugal u2 u2 u2 the best
Earthmoving and Mining Wear parts.
Patricia Palma, thank you from Zimbabwe!
Richard Reyes
Vuelvo todos los años ha escuchar este pedazo de cover , aguante U2...
yurieu
I listen to this year after year. A anual classic.
Tony Samu
Wow, U2, John Lennon, wonderful.
Karlo Di Tomasso
wow nice tribute to John lennon from his holiday classic🌲🎄🎉🎁