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
One
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 holding 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 (lone)
One...
Make in it, make in it, higher...
The song "One" by U2 reflects on the complexities and challenges of relationships, particularly the misunderstandings and hurt that can arise between two people. The first verse explores the idea of improvement or stagnation in a relationship, questioning whether things are getting better or remaining the same. The line "Will it make it easier on you, now, you got someone to blame" suggests that placing blame on others doesn't make the situation any easier. The lyrics emphasize the importance of unity and sharing one's love: "One love, one life, when it's one need in the night, one love, we get to share it, it leaves you, baby, if you don't care for it." This highlights how love is meant to be nurtured and cared for, and if not, it can be lost.
The second verse continues to explore the dynamics of the relationship. It questions whether the singer has disappointed their partner or left a negative impression, making them act as if they've never experienced love before. The line "It's too late, tonight, to drag the past out into the light" suggests that dwelling on past mistakes or regrets is futile, and that they need to move forward together. The lyrics "We're one, but we're not the same, we get to carry each other" showcase the idea that even though they are united, they still have their individual experiences and burdens. They must support and carry each other through those struggles.
The third verse delves deeper into the relationship by questioning the motivations of the partner. It asks if they have come seeking forgiveness or trying to heal their own emotional wounds. The line "Have you come here to play Jesus to the lepers in your head" suggests a sense of trying to save or fix oneself through the relationship. The lyrics convey a sense of imbalance in the relationship, with the singer feeling like they have given more than they have received. They express that despite the hurt they've experience, they continue to hurt each other, implying a cycle of pain and reconciliation.
The final section of the song emphasizes the concept of love and its significance. The phrase "love is a temple, love a higher law" suggests that love should be honored and respected, considered sacred and above worldly matters. However, the lyrics go on to express the contradictions in the relationship, as the singer is asked to enter but feels forced to crawl, implying a power dynamic or manipulation. The line "I can't be holding on, to what you got when all you got is hurt" illustrates the realization that remaining in a relationship filled with pain and hurt is not sustainable.
Overall, U2's "One" explores the complexities of relationships, the need for unity and care in love, and the challenges of finding balance and understanding in a re
Line by Line Meaning
Is it getting better?
Are things improving?
Or do you feel the same?
Or do you remain unchanged?
Will it make it easier on you, now
Will it provide you with comfort now?
You got someone to blame
You have found someone to hold responsible
You say one love, one life
You proclaim the idea of unity and shared existence
When it's one need, in the night
When it is a single essential requirement, during times of darkness
One love, we get to share it
One affection, we have the opportunity to experience and distribute it
It leaves you, baby, if you don't care for it
It departs from you, my dear, if you do not nurture it
Did I disappoint you?
Did I fail to meet your expectations?
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
Or create an unpleasant sensation within you?
You act like you never had love
You behave as if you have never experienced love
And you want me to go without
And you desire for me to be deprived of it
Well, it's too late, tonight
Well, it is too far into the night, at this moment
To drag the past out into the light
To reveal past events and expose them to scrutiny
We're one, but we're not the same
We are unified, but we are not identical
We get to carry each other, carry each other
We have the privilege and responsibility to support one another, support one another
Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you arrived seeking absolution?
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come with the purpose of reviving the lifeless?
Have you come here to play Jesus
Have you come to embody the role of a savior?
To the lepers in your head
To the outcasts residing within your mind
Did I ask too much, more than a lot
Did I make excessive demands, surpassing what was reasonable
You gave me nothing, now it's all I got
You provided me with nothing, and now it is the sole possession I possess
Well, we hurt each other
Well, we cause pain to one another
Then we do it again
Then we repeat the same actions
You say love is a temple, love a higher law
You declare that love is a sacred place, governed by a superior principle
Love is a temple, love the higher law
Love is a sanctuary, love the supreme rule
You ask me to enter, but then you make me crawl
You request my involvement, but then you degrade me and reduce me to crawling
And I can't be holding on, to what you got
And I am unable to cling onto what you possess
When all you got is hurt
When all that you possess brings pain
One love, one blood
A single love, a single lineage
One life, you got to do what you should
A single existence, you must act responsibly
One life with each other: sisters, brothers
A shared life, with one another: as sisters, brothers
One life, but we're not the same
A single life, yet we are not identical
We get to carry each other, carry each other
We have the privilege and responsibility to support one another, support one another
Make it higher
Elevate it
Contributed by Lily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pas2933
"One life with each other: sisters, brothers.
One life, but we're not the same.
We get to carry each other, carry each other."
So true... Just try just a second to imagine a world were all people were the same...
No, we are not the same, and all the wealth come from mixing such differences.
Mixing, not conflicting...
obscurantism and hate will NEVER win
Knowledge and tolerance will DEFINITIVELY win
In memory of Samuel Paty
@keithwente5930
Nobody should say anything about Bono anyways.
The guy is a prolific humanitarian who cares about people.
He's helped more people than most can imagine.
And he's inspired and touched more people in the past..
The present..
And still will in the future.
@ericvalls2685
Lyrics | U2 - One
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 nothin' 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
@lisadeluxemusic4625
My dad passed away 2weeks ago, he loved this song ever since i was little, now i listen to his music with his picture in my hands to think about all memories we had❤❤❤
@biancabotha5355
From Germany a BIG hug !
@soniagomessantos5939
🎉Love it! ❤I me Sorry❤
@johncollins4402
Stay strong friend.I know it's hard.let the tears out.God bless
@countloco5362
Keep ya head up sister! I know hurts like hell but the pain will get better! I lost my dad a little over 1 and a half years ago...it still hurts but not like it did when he passed away! Hugs and much love to ya!!!
@Adroyo
Sorry for your loss
@amykaaa3570
Que la liberté des Lumières perdure..... que l'Egalité perdure enfin que la Fraternité perdure ....🇫🇷 Adieu Monsieur PATY, vous étiez et vous resterez un représentant de la connaissance, nous ne vous oublierons jamais 😪⚘⚘⚘🤲
@luciennesanchez8146
Hommage au professeur victime de tous nos renoncements
@Samourai-dz8zk
🙏🙏🙏
@user-ef8jx4rg1b
Yeahh