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
Xanax and Wine
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to know who’s calling
My garden’s overgrown
I go out on my belly’s crawling
I got CCTV, pornography, CNBC
I got the nightly news to
Get to know the enemy
All I want is to get right next to you
All I want is your picture in a locket
Your face in my pocket
Take a pill to stop it
Take me, save me from myself
I know that you’ve been good to me
Now I need you not to be
Wake me, I fear I can’t be asleep
I’m buying things I cannot afford
I’m on a high diving board
Two drugs keeping me dry xanax and wine
I’m going nowhere
Where I am, it is a lot of fun
There in the desert
To dismantle an atomic bomb
I watch you shadow box
Check the stocks, I’m in detox
Want a lot of what you got
What you got can make this stop
All I want is a picture of you
All I want is to get right next to you
All I want is your picture in a locket
Your face in my pocket
Take a pill to stop it
Take me, save me from myself
I know that you’ve been good to me
Now I need you not to be
Wake me, I fear I can’t be asleep
Try not to look so bored
You’re buying things you cannot afford
I got your drive, I know you want my
Xanax and wine
Don’t you worry ‘bout your mind
Seems I worry all the time
Don’t you worry, you’ll be fine
You should worry ‘bout the day
That the pain, it goes away
You know, I miss mine sometimes
There is no fiction
That will truly fit this situation
I’m documenting every detail
Every conversation
Not used to talking to somebody in the body
Somebody in a body it’s somebody in a body
In a body there’s somebody
Somebody in a body
Somebody, somebody, somebody
It’s somebody in a body somebody in a body
Somebody in a body there’s somebody
"Xanax and Wine" by U2 is a song that delves into themes of isolation, addiction, and the desperate search for connection. The opening lines, "My cell is ringing, no ID, I want to know who’s calling," suggest a longing for communication and a sense of curiosity about who might be reaching out. However, the following line, "My garden’s overgrown, I go out on my belly’s crawling," reveals a feeling of being trapped, perhaps in a personal struggle or a state of discontentment.
The lyrics then shift towards the singer's reliance on various external distractions to escape their inner turmoil. Lines like "I got CCTV, pornography, CNBC, I got the nightly news to get to know the enemy" hint at a constant bombardment of outside influences, possibly a way to avoid facing their own issues. The repetition of the line "All I want is a picture of you, all I want is to get right next to you" underscores the yearning for a genuine connection, someone who can provide comfort and stability amidst the chaos.
The chorus highlights the complexities of addiction and the desire for rescue from oneself. The mention of taking a pill to stop the pain and the plea to be saved from oneself reveal a deep sense of self-awareness and a longing for release from destructive habits. The lyrics also touch upon the singer's acknowledgement of someone who has been good to them, suggesting a reliance on this person for support.
The second verse further explores the singer's escapism and their unwillingness to confront reality. By mentioning being in the desert and dismantling an atomic bomb, symbolism is used to represent the need to escape one's own personal bombs, the emotional burdens that they carry. The references to shadowboxing, checking stocks, and detox indicate a sense of distraction and a constant search for fulfillment elsewhere. The mention of "Xanax and wine" as the two drugs keeping the singer dry suggests their reliance on substances to numb their pain and keep themselves afloat.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the search for connection and relief from inner turmoil is futile. The lyrics express a longing for someone to understand and validate their struggles, but also reveal a desperation and an awareness that they may never find it. The repetition of "Somebody in a body" suggests a longing for a genuine human connection, but also a recognition that true understanding and connection with others may be elusive.
In summary, "Xanax and Wine" delves into themes of isolation, addiction, and the desperate search for connection. The lyrics paint a picture of someone trapped in their own struggles, relying on external distractions and substances to numb their pain. It conveys a yearning for genuine human connection and the desire to be saved from oneself, but also a sense of resignation that this may never truly be achieved.
Line by Line Meaning
My cell is ringing, no ID
I want to know who’s calling because it could be important
My garden’s overgrown
I have neglected my responsibilities and things are out of control
I go out on my belly’s crawling
I am willing to do whatever it takes to fix my situation, even if it means crawling and searching
I got CCTV, pornography, CNBC
I'm surrounded by distractions and superficial things that don't bring me true happiness
I got the nightly news to get to know the enemy
I constantly consume negative information to feel informed but it only increases my fears and anxieties
All I want is a picture of you
I desire a reminder of love and connection in my life
All I want is to get right next to you
I long for physical closeness and intimacy with someone
All I want is your picture in a locket
I want to keep a symbol of love close to me at all times
Your face in my pocket
I yearn to always have thoughts of you with me, providing comfort and solace
Take a pill to stop it
I use medication as a means to escape from my overwhelming thoughts and emotions
Take me, save me from myself
I need someone else to rescue me from my self-destructive tendencies
I know that you’ve been good to me
I acknowledge that you have shown kindness and support in the past
Now I need you not to be
But now I need you to challenge me and force me to face my problems
Wake me, I fear I can’t be asleep
I am afraid to confront my own thoughts and emotions, preferring to numb myself instead
I’m buying things I cannot afford
I am indulging in material possessions to fill the void inside me, even though it creates financial strain
I’m on a high diving board
I am in a precarious situation, teetering between security and danger
Two drugs keeping me dry Xanax and wine
I rely on Xanax and wine as coping mechanisms to numb my pain and emotions
I’m going nowhere
I feel stuck and directionless in life
Where I am, it is a lot of fun
Even though I'm not making progress, I find temporary pleasure and distraction in my current situation
There in the desert to dismantle an atomic bomb
In an unlikely and challenging environment, I hope to solve a major problem in my life
I watch you shadow box
I observe you fighting your own battles and facing your demons
Check the stocks, I’m in detox
I am addicted to checking financial investments and I'm currently trying to break free from this habit
Want a lot of what you got
I envy and desire the qualities and possessions you possess
What you got can make this stop
I believe that what you have can bring an end to my suffering and provide a solution
Don’t you worry ‘bout your mind
You shouldn't be concerned about your own mental state
Seems I worry all the time
I, on the other hand, am constantly consumed by worries and anxieties
You’ll be fine
I hope that you will be able to navigate through life without the same struggles I face
You should worry ‘bout the day that the pain, it goes away
However, you should be cautious about the potential emptiness and uncertainty that may come when the pain finally subsides
You know, I miss mine sometimes
I admit that, despite the difficulties, I sometimes miss the times when my pain was familiar and predictable
There is no fiction that will truly fit this situation
No fictional story or narrative can fully capture or explain the complexity of my current predicament
I’m documenting every detail
I am meticulously recording and analyzing every aspect of my life, trying to find answers
Every conversation
And each dialogue or interaction is scrutinized for any hint of meaning or resolution
Not used to talking to somebody in the body
I am not accustomed to having genuine conversations with someone who is physically present
Somebody in a body it’s somebody in a body
It is a significant and meaningful experience to connect with another person who is physically present
In a body there’s somebody
Within our physical existence, there resides a unique individual with their own thoughts and feelings
Somebody, somebody, somebody
The presence of another individual, with their own identity and perspective, has a profound impact on our lives
It’s somebody in a body somebody in a body
The physical presence of someone else is an essential aspect of human connection and understanding
Somebody in a body there’s somebody
The physical form of a person signifies their existence and their ability to impact the world and others
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM CLAYTON, DAVE EVANS, LARRY MULLEN, PAUL DAVID HEWSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Carreño
Better rock than Fast Cars.
Daniel Grimes
you're right
nshvnancy
Thanks for posting, I have been looking for this song forever! All I could upload was a loop, this video is the shit, U2 RULE!
C
holy crap im in love with this, im hearing it for the first time after i discovered fast cars a few days ago
Alan Pérez
This song has single material! Plain awesome
Muldfeld
Thanks for posting this. I bought the deluxe version of HTDAAB, which had "Fast Cars", but was unwilling to buy mp3s off the web. Nice to finally hear this early version.
luisroflosa
OHH MY GODD Thiss ig Great!!! they never stop doing Great stuff... hope the next album will be as good as the past ones.. specially kind of achtung baby, wich i think is the best one... best group of the world
MzSelinaKyle
I LOVE HOW YOU MIXED UP THESE IMAGES WITH THIS LOL love it
headfulloftraffic
agreed best band ever :D this song is amazing this sould have been released instead of fast cars its way better and much more upbeat
Egg Chungo
Awesome song!!