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
Slug
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Don't want you to get hurt, can't help it, I'm a flirt
Don't want to take your drugs, don't want to be your slug
Don't want to overdress, don't want to make a mess
Don't want you to confess, not under duress
Don't want to be untrue, I want to be with you
Don't want to make you swerve, don't want what I deserve
Don't want to change the frame, don't want to be a pain
Don't want to stay the same
In the song "Slug" by U2 and Brian Eno, the lyrics explore the conflict and insecurities that arise within a romantic relationship. The singer expresses their desire to avoid any potential harm or negativity that could arise from their actions or choices. They emphasize not wanting to lose anything valuable, such as their shirt or their dignity, as they navigate the complexities of the relationship.
The phrase "can't help it, I'm a flirt" suggests that the singer is naturally inclined to engage in playful or flirtatious behavior, but they also express concern for the well-being of their partner. This creates a tension between their playful nature and their deep emotional connection, where they strive to avoid hurting their loved one.
The lyrics also touch upon the aversion to substances and unhealthy behaviors. The line "Don't want to take your drugs, don't want to be your slug" implies a rejection of any substance abuse or dependency within the relationship. The word "slug" could symbolize a lazy or lethargic state, suggesting a refusal to adopt a passive or dependent role within the partnership.
Furthermore, the lyrics convey a reluctance to create chaos or complications within the relationship. The singer expresses their desire to maintain a sense of order and cleanliness, metaphorically represented by not wanting to overdress or make a mess. They also emphasize not wanting their partner to reveal any secrets or vulnerabilities under pressure, declaring that they do not wish for confessions extracted through force.
The fourth paragraph highlights the singer's commitment to authenticity and their longing to be true to themselves and their partner. They express a fear of losing their courage or confidence and a desire to remain faithful. The line "don't want to clothe the curve" may symbolize a resistance to hiding or distorting their true self and instead embracing vulnerability.
The singer acknowledges that relationships require effort and compromise. They assert their willingness to adapt and avoid causing their partner any unnecessary distress or discomfort. The phrase "don't want to make you swerve, don't want what I deserve" illustrates their intention to prioritize their partner's well-being over their own desires or expectations. This hints at a desire to maintain balance and harmony in the relationship.
In the final lines, the lyrics suggest an aversion to stagnation or complacency. The singer expresses their resistance to remaining unchanged or becoming a source of pain for their partner. They aspire for growth and development, signaling a commitment to evolve together with their loved one rather than remaining stagnant or creating discord.
Overall, "Slug" delves into the complexities of relationships, exploring themes of self-awareness, fear of causing harm, the struggle for authenticity, and the pursuit of growth within a romantic connection.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheU2kitteh
I remember buying this album when it first came out and listening to it so many times in the wee hours of the morning, laying in my room in complete darkness. It was like a head trip without drugs. - It's just brilliant and spooky and completely, beautifully, timeless.
@Fercoppelia
it too reminds me of wee hrs of the morning... specially always forever now...
@jungo5387
THANK BRIAN ENO - NOT U2!!!!!!!!!!!
@gordonkent5371
@@jungo5387 Thank both Eno & U2
@delretadonaldson
I've just found this and it's the most amazing album. Where the hell have I been all this time without hearing this.....its brilliant....whilst I'm listening to this im thinking this voice sounds familiar, it sounds like Bono as im a massive U2 fan then find out its Bono and Brian Eno...MIND BLOWN
@delretadonaldson
@@jungo5387 does it matter 🙄....don't sweat the small stuff, there's so much big shit to be worrying about
@brentdey2244
I wish U2 did more stuff like this.
@tobyfunk6858
Absolutely. I grabbed this album in 1997 at an Uncle Sam's music store. Had to have the guy order it. Still one of my favorite albums ever.
@eiredawn6325
Me too...
@rodrigoernestofalchetti4167
They couldn't. The public opinion and the TV and all the stuff that they used to laugh about, could more and U2 take wrong direction.