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
Love Is Bigger Than Anything I
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I could I would come, too
But the path is made by you
As you're walking start singing and stop talking
Oh, if I could hear myself when I say
(Oh love) love is bigger than anything in its way
I know the rage in you is strong
Write a world where we can belong
To each other and sing it like no other
Oh, if I could hear myself when I say
(Oh love) love is bigger than anything in its way
If the moonlight caught you crying on Killiney Bay
Oh, sing your song
Let your song be sung
If you listen you can hear the silence say
"When you think you're done
You've just begun"
Love is bigger than anything in its way
Love is bigger than anything in its way
Love is bigger than anything in its way
The song Love is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way by U2 is an anthem for love that empowers people to remain steadfast in their quest to live a fulfilling life. The opening lines of the song convey the idea that the path to achieving one's goals is always unique to each person, and that we must take responsibility for the choices we make in life. The song invites us to join our hearts with others and to share our experiences through music, to sing like we've never sung before. The song suggests that love is the ultimate force that will guide us to our destiny if we let it.
The second verse of the song is an encouragement to those who are struggling to find their voice, especially the young who are often dismissed for their lack of experience. The song reminds us that rage and passion are powerful emotions that can be harnessed to create something beautiful. We can create a world where we all belong by imagining a world where we can all sing together in harmony. The chorus is a reminder that love is always bigger than anything that might try to stand in its way. Even when we are overwhelmed by our emotions, we can lean on love to guide us.
The bridge of the song encourages us to keep going, even when the journey gets tough. The song suggests that by listening closely, we can hear the stillness of the world speak to us, reminding us that we are never truly done, we are always in the process of becoming. Love is the force that propels us forward, and it will always be bigger than anything that might try to hold us back.
Line by Line Meaning
The door is open to go through
An opportunity is waiting for you to grab it
If I could I would come, too
I wish I could be part of your journey
But the path is made by you
You are the one who decides where to go
As you're walking start singing and stop talking
Express yourself through your actions and music
Oh, if I could hear myself when I say
I wish I could listen to my own advice
(Oh love) love is bigger than anything in its way
Love is a powerful force that can overcome any obstacle
So young to be the words of your own song
You have a lot of potential to create something beautiful
I know the rage in you is strong
I can feel your passion and energy
Write a world where we can belong
Create a world where everyone is accepted and loved
To each other and sing it like no other
Celebrate our uniqueness and diversity
If the moonlight caught you crying on Killiney Bay
When you are feeling sad and alone
Oh, sing your song
Express yourself through music
Let your song be sung
Don't be afraid to share your voice
If you listen you can hear the silence say
Take a moment to be still and listen
"When you think you're done
Just when you feel like giving up
You've just begun"
You still have a lot left to do and discover
Love is bigger than anything in its way
Love is a force that can unite and conquer
Love is bigger than anything in its way
Love can overcome any obstacle
Love is bigger than anything in its way
Love is the most powerful force in the world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul David Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
al McDonald
Greatest band in history. In terms of reach, messaging, wit, lyrical poetry, devotion to their craft and to each other
Treva Whitmoyer
And devotion to their fans! 💕 👍
paritosh nirvana
Coldplay?
Margaret Sch.
Well said!
Maverick M
There are a very few bands in the world which make impact in people's life with their music and U2 is definitely one of them.... So proud of them and I feel honoured growing up listening to their music..... Love and respect to Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry.....
아홉시똥덩이떼몇달간과거댓글태그중
Agreed
- From a shitless slave region which irritates humanism under hoon-tribe-originated-parasitism and kiki'she' collectivism which is known as the name 'Korea', whose dwellers always steals and begs from Japan's original history which clearly inherited sincere humanity in Ancient Cudara more than its 'original' dwellers in hometown.
Кирил Павлов
+1 I grow up with their music too :) Listening 27 years since I was a teenager:)
Epic Automotive Detailing
We are the lucky ones. The Youth will never understand true greatness
Eric Gonzalez
Nice of you praising them so and by name!
Kristin Tilley
I've been a fan of U2 since 1980 and I'm ashamed to say I didn't even really bother to listen to the last couple of albums because I felt like their sound had changed too much. How wrong I was to have ignored these albums. Lots of wonderful gems hidden in here. This is a fantastic song with a necessary message. Love is more important than anything else and self-love is even more important. Thank you Bono, Edge, Larry, and Adam for continuing to bless us with your talent and genius. ❤❤❤❤