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
Stand by Me
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No, I won't be afraid, no, I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
So darling, darling, stand by me
Oh, stand by me, oh, stand
Stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall
Or the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
U2's rendition of "Stand by Me" is a beautiful tribute to the act of standing by someone in times of trouble. The lyrics are simple yet impactful, urging the listener to seek comfort in the presence of someone they trust. The opening lines describe a dark and uncertain world, but the singer reassures themselves that they won't be afraid as long as someone is standing by their side.
The chorus of the song is a plea for someone to stand by the singer - "So darling, darling, stand by me / Oh, stand by me, oh, stand / Stand by me, stand by me." The repetition of "stand by me" makes it clear that this is the most important message of the song.
The second verse takes the idea even further, imagining worst-case scenarios like the sky falling or the mountains crumbling to the sea. Despite these apocalyptic visions, the singer promises that they won't cry or shed a tear as long as someone stands by them. This verse underscores the importance of having someone to rely on during difficult times.
Overall, U2's "Stand by Me" is a moving reminder of the power of human connection. The song's message is simple yet profound - when everything else around us is falling apart, having someone we can count on can make all the difference.
Line by Line Meaning
When the night has come and the land is dark
Even in the darkest of times, when everything seems hopeless, I will stand firm.
And the moon is the only light we'll see
When we have lost every source of hope, we may find comfort in just one small light.
No, I won't be afraid, no, I won't be afraid
I am strong enough to face my fears, no matter how terrifying they may be.
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
I am asking for your unwavering support in tough times. I believe together we can face anything.
So darling, darling, stand by me
You are my most precious and valued ally, who I need to stand beside me through thick and thin.
Oh, stand by me, oh, stand
As my true companion, please remain at my side through anything and everything.
If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall
In case the world crumbles or falls apart, I will stay brave and be unfazed, because I have you.
Or the mountains should crumble to the sea
Even if the seemingly unmovable and permanent aspects of our world vanish, your undying presence will keep me strong.
I won't cry, I won't cry, no, I won't shed a tear
I won't allow myself to break down and cry because your support means everything to me.
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
Your committed presence is all I ask for, in order to remain unshakable in any situation that life may throw at us.
Contributed by Oliver O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sally Lee
An unforgettable moments that one should experience is singing along with everyone in a U2 concert. The feeling is indescribable.
Han Arantes
+the trueparadisecity totally agree. The feeling is unbelievable
Thepremierguy
Yes it is my friend, yes it is
Felipe Assumpção
Lindoooo demaisss não me canso de assistir. Faltam 60 dias para eles se apresentarem no Brasillllll #Ansiosodemaisssssssssssssss / Extremely beautiful. I don't get tired of watching. In 60 days u2 concert will be in Brazilllllll. Anxious a lot
Johnny
Abre os olhos, palerma!
You...talking about Ukraine & freedom?! Have you heard of IRELAND & ENGLISH OCCUPATION?? For centuries! So many Irish died, were tortured, starved, were exploited, treated as garbage and having no access to the basic Human Rights!..... In their own land!
That country happens to be yours, right?! And you never cared !!!!
WHAT AN HYPOCRITE AND OPPORTUNIST !!! SHAME ON YOU BONO !!!! 🤬🤬🤬
Joelma Dias
U2 amor meu❤❤❤❤
Natalia Be
i LOVE HIS VOICE! It always makes me cry... Even now :(
SisAngel
Favorite band + favorite song = *HEART EXPLODES FROM EXCITEMENT*
Gleise Sousa
Aaamo essa música na voz do bono
Payo Leftwich
I love it 😍😍😍