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
Numb (Mike Hedges mix
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't talk out of time
Don't think
Don't worry
Everything's just fine
Just fine
Don't grab
Don't hope for too much
Don't breathe
Don't achieve
Or grieve without leave
Don't check
Just balance on the fence
Don't answer
Don't ask
Don't try and make sense
Don't whisper
Don't talk
Don't run if you can walk
Don't cheat, compete
Don't miss the one beat
Don't travel by train
Don't eat
Don't spill
Don't piss in the drain
Don't make a will
Don't fill out any forms
Don't compensate
Don't cower
Don't crawl
Don't come around late
Don't hover at the gate
Don't take it on board
Don't fall on your sword
Just play another chord
If you feel you're getting bored
I feel numb
I feel numb
Too much is not enough
I feel numb
Don't change your brand
Don't listen to the band
Don't gape
Don't ape
Don't change your shape
Have another grape
Too much is not enough
I feel numb
I feel numb
Don't plead
Don't bridle
Don't shackle
Don't grind
Don't curve
Don't swerve
Lie, die, serve
Don't theorize, realize, polarize
Chance, dance,dismiss, apologize
Too much is not enough
I feel numb
Don't spy
Don't lie
Don't try
Imply
Detain
Explain
Start again
I feel numb
Don't triumph
Don't coax
Don't cling
Don't hoax
Don't freak
Peak
Don't leak
Don't speak
I feel numb
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest
I feel numb
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest
I feel numb
Don't struggle
Don't jerk
Don't collar
Don't work
Don't wish
Don't fish
Don't teach
Don't reach
Too much is not enough
Don't borrow
Don't break
Don't fence
Don't steal
Don't pass
Don't press
Don't try
Don't feel
I feel numb
Don't touch
Don't dive
Don't suffer
Don't rhyme
Don't fantasize
Don't rise
Don't lie
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest
I feel numb
The lyrics of U2's "Numb", which was released in 1993, could be interpreted as a commentary on modern society's pressure to conform and hold back one's true emotions and desires. The repetition of phrases such as "don't move", "don't breathe", "don't feel" and "don't speak" could be seen as a metaphor for a society that is stifling individual expression and creativity. The line "chance, dance, dismiss, apologize" seems to criticize the way we are expected to follow specific social conventions and apologize for any deviation from these norms.
The repeated refrain of "I feel numb" could also be seen as an expression of the emotional numbness that can result from conforming to societal pressure and suppressing one's true feelings. The closing lines of the song, "Don't touch, don't dive, don't suffer, don't rhyme, don't fantasize, don't rise, don't lie, don't project, don't connect, protect, don't expect, suggest," suggest that there is a pressure to blend in, protect oneself from judgment or criticism, and to not expect too much from oneself or others.
Some possible interpretations of the song may be that it encourages listeners to break out of conformity and be more in touch with their true feelings, or it could be seen as a warning against the dangers of becoming too emotionally detached from oneself and others.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't move
Stay in one place
Don't talk out of time
Don't speak when it's not your turn
Don't think
Don't use your mind
Don't worry
Don't stress about anything
Everything's just fine
Nothing is wrong
Just fine
Truly everything is okay
Don't grab
Don't take hold of anything
Don't clutch
Don't hold too tightly
Don't hope for too much
Don't have high expectations
Don't breathe
Don't inhale air
Don't achieve
Don't successfully complete anything
Or grieve without leave
Don't mourn without permission
Don't check
Don't verify
Just balance on the fence
Remain impartial
Don't answer
Don't respond to a question
Don't ask
Don't pose a question
Don't try and make sense
Don't attempt logic
Don't whisper
Don't speak softly
Don't talk
Don't converse
Don't run if you can walk
Don't hurry
Don't cheat, compete
Don't break the rules, but participate
Don't miss the one beat
Don't misstep
Don't travel by train
Don't ride a train
Don't eat
Don't consume food
Don't spill
Don't cause a liquid to flow out of its container
Don't piss in the drain
Don't urinate in the drain
Don't make a will
Don't write a legal document describing what to do with your property when you die
Don't fill out any forms
Don't complete paperwork
Don't compensate
Don't make up for something
Don't cower
Don't show fear
Don't crawl
Don't move on your hands and knees
Don't come around late
Don't arrive after the expected time
Don't hover at the gate
Don't stand near the entrance
Don't take it on board
Don't accept something
Don't fall on your sword
Don't take responsibility for something you didn't do
Just play another chord
Switch to a new musical note
If you feel you're getting bored
If you become uninterested
I feel numb
I am emotionally detached
Too much is not enough
I desire excess
Don't change your brand
Don't alter your choice of product
Don't listen to the band
Don't pay attention to the musical group
Don't gape
Don't stare with your mouth open
Don't ape
Don't mimic
Don't change your shape
Don't modify your body
Have another grape
Eat more grapes
Don't plead
Don't beg
Don't bridle
Don't be angry
Don't shackle
Don't imprison
Don't grind
Don't wear away through friction
Don't curve
Don't deviate from a straight line
Don't swerve
Don't change direction suddeny
Lie, die, serve
Be dishonest, pass away, work for someone else
Don't theorize, realize, polarize
Don't speculate, recognize the truth, divide into extreme groups
Chance, dance, dismiss, apologize
Take risks, move your body, ignore, say sorry
Don't spy
Don't secretly watch
Don't lie
Don't say something false
Don't try
Don't make an effort
Imply
Suggest indirectly
Detain
Hold against will
Explain
Make understandable
Start again
Begin anew
Don't triumph
Don't be victorious
Don't coax
Don't persuade through flattery
Don't cling
Don't hold tightly
Don't hoax
Don't deceive
Don't freak
Don't be extremely excited
Peak
Reach the highest point
Don't leak
Don't allow liquid or gas to escape
Don't speak
Don't say anything
Don't project
Don't extend outward
Don't connect
Don't link or join
Protect
Keep safe
Don't expect
Don't anticipate
Suggest
Propose an idea
Don't struggle
Don't fight against something
Don't jerk
Don't move abruptly
Don't collar
Don't grab onto someone's neck
Don't work
Don't put in effort towards a goal
Don't wish
Don't hope for something
Don't fish
Don't attempt to catch fish
Don't teach
Don't instruct
Don't reach
Don't extend your arm
Don't borrow
Don't take something with the intention of returning it
Don't break
Don't cause something to become separated into pieces
Don't fence
Don't build a barrier around something
Don't steal
Don't take something without permission
Don't pass
Don't go past a certain point
Don't press
Don't apply force to something
Don't feel
Suppress emotions
Don't touch
Don't make physical contact
Don't dive
Don't jump into water headfirst
Don't suffer
Don't endure pain
Don't rhyme
Don't make words end with the same sound
Don't fantasize
Don't imagine things that aren't real
Don't rise
Don't stand up
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MIKE SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A me
on eleven o' clock tick tock
And girls can make children but not like this one...so will just have to walk around with a painted face then...
LMewdowlark
on One
Baby, baby, baby, I know I'm not alone
Ha, ha, ha
Oh, it's not a hill it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
You see, for me, I've been shouting
Let's shout into the darkness, squeeze out sparks of light
You know we're gonna go crazy, you know we'll go crazy
You know we'll go crazy, if we don't go crazy tonight
Oh, slowly
Oh
Hold me slow
Again, these are the wrong lyrics. They are not the lyrics for 'One' but a different song. I pasted the correct lyrics in my other comment.
LMewdowlark
on One
And there's a part of you that wants me to riot
Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit
Every sweet-tooth needs just a little hit
Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?
Oh, change of heart comes slow
It's not a hill, it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
Do you believe me or are you doubting?
We're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight
Every generation gets a chance to change the world
Pity the nation that won't listen to you boys and girls
Is the sweetest melody the one we haven't heard?
Is it true that perfect love drives out all fear?
The right to be ridiculous is something I hold dear
Oh, but change of heart comes slow
It's not a hill, it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
You see, for me, I've been shouting
But we're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight
Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you now
You got someone to blame?
You say, one love, one life
When it's one need in the night
One love, we get to share it
Leaves you, baby, if you don't care for it
Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well, it's too late tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
Have you come here for forgiveness?
Have you come to raise the dead?
Have you come here to play Jesus?
To the lepers in your head
Did I ask too much? More than a lot
You gave me nothing, now it's all I got
We're one but we're not the same
Well, we hurt each other then we do it again
You say love is a temple, love a higher law
Love is a temple, love the higher law
You ask me to enter but then you make me crawl
And I can't be holdin' on to what you got
When all you got is hurt
One love, one blood
One life, you got to do what you should
One life with each other
Sisters, brothers
One life but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
One