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
Slow Dancing
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She steals the sun, and shuts out the light
All of my colors turn to blue
Win or lose
Slow dancing
Slow dancing
Slow
Scarlet eyes and a see-through heart
I saw it comin' right from the start
She picked me up, but had me down on my knees
Just a' beggin' her please
Take me slow dancing
Slow dancing
Slow
And I don't know why a man
Search for himself in his woman's eyes
No, I don't know why a man
Sees the truth but needs the lies
My love is restless as the wind
She moves like a shadow across my skin
She left with my conscience, and I don't want it back
It just gets in the way
Wanna go slow dancing
Slow dancing
Slow
Slow dancing
Slow dancing
Slow
Slow dancing
Slow dancing
Slow
The lyrics of U2's song "Slow Dancing" are a metaphor for a relationship that is filled with pain and confusion. The first verse describes the singer's lover as being "cruel as the night" and stealing "the sun, and shuts out the light." This could be interpreted as her having a negative impact on the singer's life, taking away his happiness and ability to see things clearly. The second verse describes her as having "scarlet eyes and a see-through heart" and manipulating the singer from the beginning. The chorus "Win or lose, slow dancing" implies that the singer is stuck in this relationship and just going through the motions, regardless of the outcome. In the final verse, the singer admits that his love is "restless as the wind" and has left him without his conscience. The repetition of "slow dancing" throughout the song suggests that the relationship is moving slowly towards its inevitable end.
The lyrics to "Slow Dancing" showcase Bono's impressive songwriting skills, as he uses vivid metaphors and imagery to paint a picture of a troubled relationship. The title of the song is ironic, as it suggests a slow, romantic dance, but the lyrics convey a sense of struggle and heartache. The song was released on U2's 1984 album "The Unforgettable Fire," which was a critical and commercial success.
Line by Line Meaning
My love is cruel as the night
My romantic partner is unkind and merciless like the darkness of the night
She steals the sun, and shuts out the light
She takes away the warmth and brightness in my life, leaving me in the darkness
All of my colors turn to blue
My emotions and world become depressing and sad
Win or lose
Regardless of the outcome, whether I succeed or fail, it does not matter
Scarlet eyes and a see-through heart
Her eyes shine vivid with passion, but revealing her lack of true feelings
I saw it comin' right from the start
I foresaw the fate of our relationship and how it would end
She picked me up, but had me down on my knees
She gave me hope, but then humiliated me, leaving me vulnerable
Just a' beggin' her please
Begging her to show mercy and kindness
Take me slow dancing
Dancing lovingly and intimately without haste
And I don't know why a man
I do not understand why a person
Search for himself in his woman's eyes
Looks for his own worth and identity in his partner's eyes
No, I don't know why a man
I still cannot understand why someone
Sees the truth but needs the lies
Acknowledges reality but still requires deception for comfort
My love is restless as the wind
My partner is changeable and cannot stay still, like the wind
She moves like a shadow across my skin
Her presence is faint and fleeting, but still impactful
She left with my conscience, and I don't want it back
She took my morals and values, and I do not wish for them to return
It just gets in the way
It obstructs my view and ability to pursue my desires
Wanna go slow dancing
I yearn for intimate and tender dancing at a leisurely pace
Slow dancing
Dancing slowly, lovingly, and tenderly
Slow dancing
Dancing slowly, lovingly, and tenderly
Slow
At a relaxed or easygoing pace
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, David Evans, Laurence Mullen, Paul David Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lordkorner
U2, though one of the biggest bands ever I think Bono and the boys don't get the respect they deserve for their song writing.
@sixerirish
Stuck in an Airport, stressed and trying to get home for my sons birthday. Watching two incredible artists, doing what they do best, melts all my troubles away… Happy B/Day Willie & my son Richard!
@MurrayMcMillan73
This was my first dance at my wedding. Love it.
@joachimhannah7523
great taste friend.
@joachimhannah7523
still married
@jncfrost
Same. 1999. Going stronger than ever.
@actung74
U2 put this out as a B-side in 1997, they didn't even have it as a track on an album. It deserves so much more, an A-side release of its own at least. A fantastic tune which won't be heard by enough people. It deserves so much more.
@MrERLoner
It was out way before 97. I remember writing the lyrics on a page in junior year and i graduated 94. If memory serves it WAS a b side and i think.it was a on Faraway so close
@actung74
@@MrERLoner Yeah, written in 1989 especially for Willie Nelson. Bono and Edge done early versions though it took some time to get Willie on board which they eventually did. My point above enhanced by this info, all the effort to get the song recorded it hasn't been heard by enough people. It should have been a hit single, something on the level of When Love Comes to Town with B.B. King.
@actung74
@@MrERLoner And this version was 97 a b-side to If God Will Send His Angels for the album PoP which was released in 1997. The earlier version you refer to is Bono and Edge only. That version is a great version too but this one is the ultimate version.