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
Your Song Saved My Life
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
about a quarter past four
You were busy dreaming
So what did you wake up for?
Are you a stranger in your own life?
What are you hiding behind those eyes?
Is no one looking for you there?
You know your song saved my life
I don't sing it just so I can get by
Won't you hear me when I tell you, darling
I sing it to survive
You're looking for a miracle
The kind that science can't explain
The man you carry in your heart
Is only comfortable when he's in pain
Are you a stranger in your own life?
What are you hiding behind those eyes?
Can anyone find you there?
Or just me?
You know your song saved my life
I don't sing it just so I can get by
Won't you hear me when I tell you, darling
I sing it to survive
Your song saved my life
The worst and the best days of my life
I was broken, now I'm open, your love keeps me alive
It keeps me alive
Your song saved my life
The worst and the best days of my life
Your song saved my life
Song saved my
Song saved my
Your song saved my life
Your song got me through tonight
Your song saved my life
Song saved my
Song saved my life
The song "Your Song Saved My Life" by U2 is a touching tribute to someone who has helped the singer through a difficult time. The lyrics are filled with images of loneliness and pain, as the singer describes feeling like a stranger in their own life and carrying a man in their heart who only feels comfortable when he's in pain. Despite these struggles, the singer finds solace in the music of this person, recognizing that their song has saved their life.
The first verse sets the scene for the rest of the song, beginning with a specific moment in time (a Monday morning at quarter past four) and asking why the person was awake. This sets up a sense of restlessness and unease that is present throughout the song. The second verse asks the person if they are a stranger in their own life and what they are hiding behind their eyes. This creates a sense of mystery and distance, as if the person is somehow disconnected from the world around them. The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "your song saved my life," is a powerful affirmation of the role that this person has played in the singer's life.
The bridge of the song is particularly moving, with the singer acknowledging that the person they are singing to is looking for a miracle that science can't explain. This suggests that there is something deeply spiritual or profound about the connection between these two people, and that the power of music transcends even the most difficult of circumstances. The final verse repeats the chorus with a slight variation, emphasizing the importance of this person and their music in both the best and worst days of the singer's life.
Overall, "Your Song Saved My Life" is a poignant exploration of the ways in which music can provide comfort and healing in times of difficulty. The lyrics are full of compassion and empathy, showing a deep understanding of the struggles that many people face in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Was a Monday morning about a quarter past four
The moment I heard your song on that particular morning, it left an extremely profound impact on me
You were busy dreaming So what did you wake up for?
I noticed that you have been lost in your own world lately, and I wonder if something is troubling you
Are you a stranger in your own life?
Do you feel like you've lost touch with who you are as a person and the world around you?
What are you hiding behind those eyes?
Is there something you're trying to keep hidden, even from those closest to you?
Is no one looking for you there?
Do you feel like you're alone in your struggles and nobody cares enough to help you?
You know your song saved my life
Your music has been a saving grace, providing me comfort and the strength to keep pushing through life's challenges
I don't sing it just so I can get by
I don't just listen to your music as a way to cope, but because it resonates with me on a deeper level
Won't you hear me when I tell you, darling I sing it to survive
I hope you understand how important your art is to me; it's not just entertainment, but a lifeline that helps me keep going
You're looking for a miracle
You seem to be seeking something that feels impossible or unattainable
The kind that science can't explain
Something beyond the realm of logical explanation, perhaps spiritual or emotional in nature
The man you carry in your heart Is only comfortable when he's in pain
The person you want to be is someone who finds solace in pain, but it's not who you truly are or necessarily what you need
Can anyone find you there? Or just me?
I wonder if anyone else can see that you're hurting the way I can, or if you're keeping up a facade around others
The worst and the best days of my life
Your song has been with me through both the highest and lowest points of my existence
I was broken, now I'm open, your love keeps me alive It keeps me alive
Your music has transformed me from a state of pain and isolation to one of openness and belonging, and for that, I am forever grateful
Your song got me through tonight
Your music has once again provided me with the strength I needed to make it through a difficult time
Song saved my
Your song has been a source of salvation and hope for me
Song saved my life
Your song has quite literally saved me from despair and given me a reason to keep living
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, Paul David Hewson, Larry Jr. Mullen, David Howell Evans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zachary Loizides
Isla Fisher Maddie
Reese Witherspoon Rosita
Tim Minchin Tom (Pretty Boy)
Matthew McConaughey Buster Moon
Miranda Tapsell Zoe
Scarlett Johansson Ash
Angus Imrie Nigel
Nick Kroll Gunter
Guy Pearce Frank
Taron Egerton Johnny
Lia J
I was in a hospital bed, dying of sepsis in a lot of pain. I do remember hearing U2 from my computor beside me, it helped me. Now here they are with the song- your song saved my life. 🤯🧡
Metro Wireless
I've found similar joy, even while being very ill. And while in grief as well. Im glad you're still.here. im 58 , U2 songs are deep, I feel like you do about U2. Critical music to have.
Patricia Beni
Wow! God bless you♥️🙌🏼
Lia J
Thank you both of you.🧡
Peter Warren
hi yes was in hospital new yrs eve 2017 live at abbey road accoustics got me through the lowestpoints go U2
colet garcia zetina
I'm glad you're okay now.
U2 has always had a song for any special moment in the lives of many of us..
🤗🤗
ImWounded
I am 37 years old with 2 children under 2. I religiously watch the movie Sing 2. Personally the entire movie is motivational. If you are going through something difficult, have anxiety, depression please just watch this movie. It will cheer you up for a moment. Remember there is light on the other side of the tunnel. See the light ! Be the light ! Sending you love🙏🏿
g martinez
Awe simply lovely. It's beautiful. Inspirational definitely. God bless
Christopher Ruiz
Thank you for reminding there's light at the end of a dark tunnel.
Lori
Never give up.💖💕💖