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
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