History
The lyric had its origins in a love song from Bono to his wife, but then was reshaped and inspired by the Polish Solidarity movement.
The video was their first to see heavy rotation on MTV. It was filmed in Sweden in December 1982 and directed by Meiert Avis. The band only appeared in the performance scenes of the video as it was filmed in the dead of the Swedish winter. U2 guitarist Edge revealed in the official U2 biography that the four people riding on horseback in the video that appeared to be the four U2 members were in fact four Swedish teenage girls disguised as the members of U2 riding on horseback with masks over their faces. This was done as the band were frozen from shooting the video in sub-freezing temperatures the day before. Their biography states that Bono refused to wear any headgear despite the cold weather and had a lot of trouble mouthing the lyrics. The video also features footage of Soviet troops advancing in winter during the second world war.
"New Year's Day" is U2's third most frequently performed live song, with The Edge switching back and forth between piano and guitar during the song. It has been a standard on every U2 tour since its debut on 1 December 1982 at the first show of the War Tour's Pre-Tour. During the 1980s, The Edge used a Fender Stratocaster to perform this song, along with a keyboard. During the 1990s and 2000s, he has alternated between a Gibson Les Paul Custom and Les Paul Standard. Coincidentally, the Les Paul the Edge used to write this song was sold for charity. Up until the Elevation Tour, Adam normally used a chorus effect on his bass guitar for this song live.
In 1983, Bono said of the song, "It would be stupid to start drawing up battle lines, but I think the fact that 'New Year's Day' made the Top Ten indicated a disillusionment among record buyers. I don't think 'New Year's Day' was a pop single, certainly not in the way that Mickie Most might define a pop single as something that lasts three minutes and three weeks in the chart. I don't think we could have written that kind of song."
"New Year's Day" has appeared on numerous U2 concert video releases, beginning with 1983's Under a Blood Red Sky.
The B-side of "New Year's Day", "Treasure (Whatever Happened to Pete the Chop?)", was never performed live. However, an early version known simply as "Pete the Chop" was played at some concerts in 1980 and can claim the title of being the last commercially unreleased pre-Boy song known to have been performed live.
New Year's Day
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All is quiet on New Year's Day
A world in white gets underway
I want to be with you
Be with you night and day
Nothing changes on New Year's Day
On New Year's Day
I will be with you again
I will be with you again
Under a blood red sky
A crowd has gathered in black and white
Arms entwined, the chosen few
The newspapers says, says
Say it's true, it's true
And we can break through
Though torn in two
We can be one
I, I will begin again
I, I will begin again
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
I will be with you again
I will be with you again
I will be with you again
I will be with you again
I will be with you again
The song New Year’s Day by U2 is a poetic song that conveys a feeling of yearning, determination, and hope amidst a world that seems to be stagnant despite the new beginnings brought about by the new year. The first verse of the song speaks of a world seemingly asleep on New Year’s Day, but despite its quietness, the singer sets his heart on being with someone he loves, someone he wants to be with night and day. The chorus affirms a sad realization that nothing has changed on New Year’s Day, and yet the determination to be with his love remains. The second verse presents a more passionate tone with the image of a crowd gathered under a blood-red sky. This crowd, represented in black and white, seems to signify a world divided and torn in two. But amidst such a world, a few chose to entwine their arms, and the newspapers confirm the truth of this event. From this, the singer draws the belief that despite being torn in two, they can break through and become one. The chorus then repeats with the declaration that he will begin again, and he will be with his love again.
To an extent, New Year’s Day conveys a message of hope amidst difficult times. The world may seem to be sleeping, and things may not change even during moments of new beginnings, but the determination to be with someone you love and the belief that one can break through despite being torn apart gives a sense of a brighter future. The mention of blood-red sky and the newspapers confirm that even the most chaotic situations can happen, but the determination to not give up on hope can ultimately bring people together. And even as the lyrics repeat, it adds to the sense of determination and hope that the singer has. The song, as a whole, speaks of not giving up in the face of adversity and to continue moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
All is quiet on New Year's Day
The day after a big celebration such as New Year's Eve is usually calm and peaceful.
A world in white gets underway
The world starts a new year with a fresh and clean beginning, like a blank canvas waiting to be painted.
I want to be with you
The singer desires the company of someone special, and is willing to be with them constantly, both day and night.
Be with you night and day
The artist wants to share intimate moments with their significant other during all times of the day.
Nothing changes on New Year's Day
Despite the new year, things often remain the same and problems or conflicts experienced in the previous year may continue to persist.
On New Year's Day
This repetition reinforces the idea that the day itself doesn't bring any significant changes.
I will be with you again
The singer is determined to continue their strong bond with the person they want to be with, and promises to be with them again.
Under a blood red sky
The imagery of a red sky might symbolize violence and tension, setting a contrast to the tranquil and white world mentioned earlier in the song.
A crowd has gathered in black and white
The people have united despite their differences, coming together as one in times of distress.
Arms entwined, the chosen few
The people's physical connection represents a bond of solidarity and support, reminding us that everyone comes together under challenging circumstances.
The newspapers says, says
The singer may be highlighting the media's tendency to exaggerate, repeat, or manipulate news stories for their own purposes.
Say it's true, it's true
The repetition of 'it's true' might indicate skepticism towards what the media says or reassurance that the news being reported is accurate.
And we can break through
Despite challenges or obstacles, the people can overcome them together if they work towards a common goal.
Though torn in two
The 'torn in two' imagery might represent division within society, with different ideologies or beliefs separating people from one another.
We can be one
The singer is optimistic that despite being different, people can still come together as one to create a better world.
I, I will begin again
The artist is determined to start over despite any struggles they may have faced before, and is looking for a fresh start.
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
This section serves as a refrain to emphasize the importance of the previous lines and to make the song more memorable and catchy.
I will be with you again
The final repetition of this line allows the singer to end the song on the same optimistic note as it began, promising to continue their strong bond with the person they desire to be with.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Adam Clayton, Paul Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chahrazadz6926
One of my favourite U2 song - Happy New Year 2021 !
Yeah
All is quiet on New Year's Day
A world in white gets underway
I want to be with you
Be with you, night and day
Nothing changes on New Year's Day
On New Year's Day
I will be with you again
I will be with you again
Under a blood red sky
A crowd has gathered in black and white
Arms entwined, the chosen few
The newspapers says, says
Say it's true, it's true
And we can break through
Though torn in two
We can be one
I, I will begin again
I, I will begin again
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Ah, maybe the time is right
Oh, maybe tonight
I will be with…
@futureandevolution8315
41 years and this song is still a banger on New Year's Day
@shawnieBaby
Yep. I have to hear it every year! 🎆🥂
@giovannimagliocco2535
I agree with you ❤
@jamiebilich7406
They need to play this song after the ball drops at midnight! I've always listened to this song every new year!
@rebecca8525
Happy New Year!
@S.l.o.p.
Happy 2024!
@richardharmon647
My favorite song of all time. A complete masterpiece! Sounds as fresh in 2023 as it did 40 years ago.
@maggienbob1304
❤ my favourite song also. I love it today as much as I did when it was released.
@handyhank1967
Best U2 song.. Happy New Years all......
@IMGWindham
Tyvm I can c we both have excellent taste in music have a blessed 2024