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
You're the Best Thing About Me
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you look so good and baby, you don't even know
When the world is ours but the world is not your kind of thing
Full of shooting stars, brighter as they're vanishing
Oh you've seen enough to know it's children who teach
You're still free enough to wake up on a bed or a beach
You're the best thing about me
You're the best thing about me
I'm the kind of trouble that you enjoy
You're the best thing about me
The best things are easy to destroy
You're the best thing about me
The best thing about me
I been crying out, "How bad can a good time be?"
Shooting off my mouth, that's another great thing about me
I have everything but I feel like nothing at all
There's no risky thing for a man who's determined to fall
You're the best thing about me
The best thing that ever happened a boy
You're the best thing about me
I'm the kind of trouble that you enjoy
You're the best thing about me
The best things are easy to destroy
You're the best thing about me
Why am I
Why am I walking away?
Walking away
Why am I walking away?
I can see it all so clearly
I can see what you can't see
I can see you love her loudly
When she needs you quietly
You're the best thing about me
The best things are easy to destroy
You're the best thing about me
Why am I
Why am I walking away?
Walking away
Why am I walking away?
The lyrics of U2's "You're the Best Thing About Me" speak to the complicated nature of relationships and the inner turmoil that can arise even in the face of something wonderful. The opening lines describe how the subject of the song, likely a romantic partner, appears radiant and beautiful despite potentially hiding pain beneath the surface. The world around them is full of wonder and possibility, but it is not a perfect fit for either of them. Throughout the song, there is a sense of instability and uncertainty, echoed in lines about crying out in a good time and feeling like nothing at all.
However, the chorus offers a glimmer of hope amidst all this turmoil. The subject of the song, who is referred to as "the best thing about me," represents a source of joy and excitement in the singer's life. They acknowledge that they may be trouble, but seem to revel in the thrill of that danger. The final lines of the song, questioning why the singer is walking away, suggest that despite the difficulties they are facing, they are not ready to give up on this relationship just yet.
Overall, "You're the Best Thing About Me" is a complex and introspective exploration of love and human emotion. It acknowledges the challenges that can arise in any relationship, but also celebrates the moments of beauty and connection that make it all worthwhile.
Line by Line Meaning
When you look so good, the pain in your face doesn't show
Your attractive appearance can mask any internal anguish, so others aren't aware of your suffering.
When you look so good and baby, you don't even know
Despite your stunning looks, you remain unaware of your own attractiveness.
When the world is ours but the world is not your kind of thing
The world may be full of wonders, but they don't cater to your preferences.
Full of shooting stars, brighter as they're vanishing
The world may have beautiful things to offer, but they're fleeting and temporary.
Oh you've seen enough to know it's children who teach
You've witnessed plenty in life to realize that children have valuable life lessons to offer.
You're still free enough to wake up on a bed or a beach
You have the freedom to choose where you awaken, whether it be a bed or a beach.
You're the best thing about me
You're the most valuable aspect of my life.
The best thing that ever happened a boy
You're the most significant event that has ever occurred to me, as a man.
I'm the kind of trouble that you enjoy
Although I may present difficulties, you find them thrilling and enjoyable.
The best things are easy to destroy
Valuable things, such as relationships, can be easily damaged or destroyed.
I been crying out, "How bad can a good time be?"
Despite having fun, I still have moments of doubt and uncertainty.
Shooting off my mouth, that's another great thing about me
I tend to speak my mind, which can be both positive and negative.
I have everything but I feel like nothing at all
Even though I have many material possessions, they don't bring me true happiness or fulfillment.
There's no risky thing for a man who's determined to fall
A man who is resolute in his desire to fail will take risks without fear of consequences.
Why am I walking away?
I question why I am leaving or ending a particular situation or relationship.
I can see it all so clearly
I have a clear and accurate understanding of a situation or person.
I can see what you can't see
I possess knowledge or insight that you are unaware of.
I can see you love her loudly
I recognize that you have strong feelings for someone, which are overtly displayed.
When she needs you quietly
However, the person you love may require your love and support in a more subtle way.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM CLAYTON, DAVE EVANS, LARRY MULLEN, PAUL DAVID HEWSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@janastloukalova3053
Both the song and the video resonate so much positive energy I can't help but smile and sing along. U2 still knows how to do great music. The Songs of Experience album is pure masterpiece.
@matthewclay6535
I'm 54 years old... and have been loving this band since 1981...!!!!!!!!! "They're the best thing about me!!"
@JR-zv6qm
@Matthew Clay 59 years old been loving this great band since '81as well. Seen them 43 times since. My 1st show was in Limelight in NYC in '81. And yes, musically they are 1 of the best things about me!!!
@matthewclay6535
@@JR-zv6qm You've seen them in concert 43 times? That's AWESOME!! I've only seen them 20 times (so far). First time was The Unforgettable Fire Tour on April 18, 1985 at the Worcester Centrum in Worcester, MA. Boy, how time flies!
@fabiosantos3672
me too ! i'm 44 years old
@krzysztofsmentek6516
I am waiting for the concerts the U2😊
@EpicLib
Ha ha, I'm 44 now and have been fan of U2 for 20yrs now, welcome to the club!
@MrDennysblack
Essa musica da uma vibe tão boa,dá vontade de entrar no carro e sair dirigindo pela cidade curtindo esse som ambiente..dá uma sensação tanto de passado como de presente...Isso é inexplicável isso é U2 <3
@ceolnaghra
I;ve been a fan since i was 20 and I'm now 63 and they still rock!
@michaelmcguinness4440
Fair play man,i got the bug when i was 15 now 51 and still rocking to u2,they say you cant beat perfection. Keep rocking mate