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
alone
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But babe you gotta give and go
Cigarette lights then my finger alights
I need to be alone
She can take you tonight
She can make you, that's alright
Don't misunderstand
Cigarette girls goes head in and whirls
You will be a superman
Open her booths deal must to the bruiser
Drinking all I can
We can take that tonight
We can make them, that's right
We can break them tonight
Don't misunderstand
The light alone in the light
Alone in the light in the sea of pain
You can take it tonight
She can make you, that's right
She can break you tonight
Don't misunderstand 'cause they cry, and
Alone in the light alone in the light
Alone in the light in the sea at night
We rode the streets in the morning light
We held our day in our hands
Alone in the light alone in the light
Alone in the light in the sea at night
The lyrics of U2's "Alone in the Light" paint a picture of a bustling city, with streetlights illuminating the night as people go about their lives. The singer acknowledges the multiple complexities of city life, but ultimately expresses the need to be alone. He lights a cigarette, perhaps finding solace in the act of smoking. The mention of a "cigarette girl" suggests a seedy setting, adding to the grittiness of the scene.
The lyrics shift to a third-person perspective, with "she" being able to "take you," "make you," or "break you" as the singer warns not to misunderstand. It's unclear who "she" is, but the language used implies danger or potential harm. The singer acknowledges the allure of such danger, with the promise of being a "superman" if one succumbs.
The chorus repeats the phrase "alone in the light" and adds "in the sea of pain," suggesting a feeling of isolation and emotional turmoil. The song ends with a haunting repetition of the chorus as the singer reflects on the events of the night. Overall, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of city life, danger, and the sometimes-overwhelming need for solitude.
Line by Line Meaning
City street lights and the multiple life
But babe you gotta give and go
The hustle and bustle of the city life can be overwhelming, but you have to keep moving forward.
Cigarette lights then my finger alights
I need to be alone
The act of lighting a cigarette is a moment of solitude that the singer needs to clear their head.
She can take you tonight
She can make you, that's alright
She can break you tonight
Don't misunderstand
There may be temptations and risks, but don't underestimate your ability to handle them.
Cigarette girls goes head in and whirls
You will be a superman
The fleeting moments and people in life can make you feel strong and invincible - like a superhero.
Open her booths deal must to the bruiser
Drinking all I can
Partaking in the pleasures of life (such as drinking) can make you feel alive, but there may be consequences.
We can take that tonight
We can make them, that's right
We can break them tonight
Don't misunderstand
Again, there may be risks involved in pursuing your desires, but don't be afraid to take a chance.
The light alone in the light
Alone in the light in the sea of pain
Sometimes we must face our hardships and sorrows alone, but there is still light to guide us through.
You can take it tonight
She can make you, that's right
She can break you tonight
Don't misunderstand 'cause they cry, and
Once more, there may be consequences and emotions to consider, but don't let fear hold you back.
Alone in the light alone in the light
Alone in the light in the sea at night
We rode the streets in the morning light
We held our day in our hands
Despite facing challenges and experiencing moments of solitude, there are still moments of joy to be had and memories to be made.
Alone in the light alone in the light
Alone in the light in the sea at night
The feeling of loneliness and isolation is a recurring theme, but there is always a glimmer of hope and light to cling to.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@darkknight2304
Tough
You think you've got the stuff
You're telling me and anyone
You're hard enough
You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight
Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone
And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
We fight all the time
You and I, that's alright
We're the same soul
I don't need, I don't need to hear you say
That if we weren't so alike
You'd like me a whole lot more
Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone
And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
I know that we don't talk
I'm sick of it all
Can you hear me when I sing?
You're the reason I sing
You're the reason why the opera is in me
Hey now
Still got to let you know
A house doesn't make a home
Don't leave me here alone
And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you that makes it hard to let go
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Sometimes you can't make it
Best you can do, is to fake it
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
@MrPge1970
My Dad died four years ago.
We had a typical Irish Dad/Son relationship for someone in his 70s and me in my 40s (now 50s).
I drove him to Beaumont for treatment for three years and he told me of all the traffic shortcuts (that were wrong!). But he wouldn't be told!
I went to see U2 in Croke Park in 85 when he got me tickets for my inter cert. And in 87, 89 and after that. Even if he didn't approve.
Thanks Dad.
@StillnessofMind
They say " Time is a great healer..". that is the biggest lie and total fairytale. When you lose someone you love, you do not heal with time .. you learn to live with the loss, because, you have no choice. Love this song .. breaks my heart too. I lost my Dad in November 2020.
@Ellemtee749
@OPENYOUREYES88🌊🗽 Nah mate. Go the hell away please.
@NazriB
Lies again? Bob Porn Ugly University
@jeffdawson1680
Time does help you , until you can handle the pain . Great song!
@fayded99
That's because we never forget them!
@marioluisi44
@@jeffdawson1680 a
@Marzosio
I came here today, after reading the chapter in Bono's book: Surrender, in which he talks about the elationship with his father and the creation of this song. I was so moved by this chapter. I had to put the book down.
My father died when I was 13 years old, after a long struggle which he had with cancer. The house was no longer a home. It became empty. I missed him so much and the only place I had to run to was music. Music helped me to deal with the grief.
My oldest brother bought me a DVD of U2's show in Chicago (The Elevation Tour). I would put on that DVD and just shower myself with the music and shower my emotions with the music. I felt hurt and sad. I felt lonely. But the music was always there.
Thank you Bono for sharing a beautiful creation which came out of your grief, with us. Your band will always be my number one. Thank you. Mark
@nelnipper354
❤❤❤❤
@doolally1478
❤❤❤❤
@stevewilson5402
Wow you are there #1 fan I think!@@doolally1478