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
The Blackout
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A meteor, promises it's not gonna hurt, yeah
Earthquake, always happen when you're in bed, Fred
The house shakes, maybe was it something I said, Ned
Go, easy on me, easy me, brother
Go, easy on me, easy on me brother
In the darkness where we learn to see
When the lights go out, don't you ever doubt
The light that we can really be
Statues fall, democracy is flat on its back, Jack
We had it all, and what we had is not coming back, Zach
A big mouth says the people, they don't wanna be free for free
The blackout, is this an extinction event we see
Go, easy on me, easy me, brother
Go, easy on me, easy on me, now
When the lights go out and you throw yourself about
In the darkness where we learn to see
When the lights go out, don't you ever doubt
The light that we can really be
When the lights go out
When the lights go out
When the lights go out
When the lights go out
Blackout, it's clear, who you are will appear
Blackout, no fear, so glad that we are all still here
Here!
When the lights go out
Go out
When the lights go out
When the lights go out
When the lights go out, throw yourself about
In the darkness where we learn to see
When the lights go out, don't you ever doubt
The light that we can really be
When the lights go out
When the lights go out
When the lights go out
When the lights go out
When the lights go out
The lyrics of U2's "The Blackout" explore the idea of chaos and destruction, while also suggesting that these forces may ultimately lead to something positive. The verses use imagery of natural disasters and extinction events, such as earthquakes and meteors, as well as societal collapse and political upheaval, to convey a sense of impending doom. However, the chorus suggests that in the darkness, there is an opportunity to find oneself and discover a deeper sense of purpose.
The lyrics convey the sense that in times of crisis, people can come together and find strength in their shared experience. The line "the darkness where we learn to see" implies that it is only in times of struggle that people are truly able to understand themselves and their place in the world. The repeated phrase "when the lights go out" further emphasizes this idea, implying that it is only when things are stripped away that people can find their true light.
Overall, "The Blackout" is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of adversity. The song suggests that even in times of darkness, there is always hope for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
A dinosaur, wonders why it's still on the earth, yeah
Something ancient and seemingly irrelevant wonders why it still exists.
A meteor, promises it's not gonna hurt, yeah
An incoming disaster tries to ease the anxiety of those in its path.
Earthquake, always happen when you're in bed, Fred
Disruptions in your environment happen at the worst possible time.
The house shakes, maybe was it something I said, Ned
A disruption occurs and people try to regard it as a reflection on their own actions.
Go, easy on me, easy me, brother
A plea for compassion and understanding from someone close by.
When the lights go out, throw yourself about
In the darkness where we learn to see
When the lights go out, don't you ever doubt
The light that we can really be
When there is darkness and confusion, it is a time to embrace it and find true self.
Statues fall, democracy is flat on its back, Jack
Symbols of the past, like statues, lose their importance and the established order is disrupted.
We had it all, and what we had is not coming back, Zach
Things have changed and will not return to the way they were.
A big mouth says the people, they don't wanna be free for free
Some people don't want the responsibility that comes with true freedom, and would prefer to be controlled or coddled.
The blackout, is this an extinction event we see
The current crisis raises the possibility of total annihilation.
Go, easy on me, easy on me, now
A plea for patience and mercy in the present moment.
Blackout, it's clear, who you are will appear
When things are stripped away, one's true character is revealed.
Blackout, no fear, so glad that we are all still here
Here!
Despite the difficulties, there is a sense of gratitude and survival that overshadows the fear.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM CLAYTON, DAVE EVANS, LARRY MULLEN, PAUL DAVID HEWSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adamatincul2618
I so adore Bono's voice when he sings the line "When the lights go out!" Sounds so crystal clear! They're still rocking- U2 the legends!
@catherinechurko4041
His voice still has it, as well as the rest of the band! This a fantastic song!
@WHYtheband
Love this version so much more than the album version. So good!
@PastorinoOlivier
U2 is my oldest love in music. Bono's voice, Edge's great sound and guitar playing and the solid and original spine of the band with Larry and Adam who are always forgotten... Juts one of the best bands still active that never changed a band member and that was never afraid to take chances. I would love your input on our last video. If you have just 3 minutes to listen and a bit more to comment, that would mean the world to me. Keep rockin' : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufF4gUA_6rQ
@catherinechurko4041
I forgot there was this version. The album is excellent but this is *Smokin'*! Love the vid, too!
@thetaylordonnan
U2 have been one of the greatest live acts for the better part of 40 years. This sounds just as incredible. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE!
@catherinechurko4041
One of their best and so late in their career (& some others on E+I)!
@GaisSacredCreations
43 years of unforgettable rock music and still going strong....
@GeoDel97
EPIC. 40+ years together and still on top of the (music) world producing masterpieces such as this! WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT!
@catherinechurko4041
It was fantastic to see that live! Plus other E+I songs.