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
Mercy
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's the use of religion... if you're any good
I know I'm weedkiller honey... and you're sugar
If you're the prosecution... I get away with murder
If you were ice... I'm water
And with your telescope... I can see further
We're binary code... a one and a zero
You wanted violins... and you got Nero
You're silence... searching for a sound
Your heart is aching... your heart is my home
It's fascinating... I know I'll never be alone
I'm rippin' the stitches
You got two hands to rub
I'm in the ditches
Of someone else's love
Love is when I lie
Love puts the blue back in my eye
Love will come again
I'll be gone again... again
If you're hunger... baby let me feed it
If your heart is full... baby let me bleed it
And happiness is for... those who don't really need it
You love me... too much
You always loved me... too much
When I was rippin' the stitches
You got two fists to rub
I'm in the ditches
Of someone else's luck
Love is when I lie
Love puts the blue back in my eye
Love has come again
I am gone again
Love's got to be with a wink
Only then love gets a chance to speak
Love will come again
I'll be gone again... again
I... I can't escape myself
I hear you talk
Feeling nothing
I fear nothing
Feel....
I can hear so much
Fear nothing
I feel so much
Fear... nothing
Love has come again
I am gone again
Love is the end of history
The enemy of misery
Love has come again
I am gone again
Love is justice, a charity
Love brings with it a clarity
Love has come again
I'm alive again
Alive...
I am alive, baby I'm born again and again
And again, and again and again and again
Again
At first, the opening lines of "I was drinking some wine... and it turned to blood, What's the use of religion... if you're any good" is a callback to the Eucharist or the Holy Communion in Christianity where wine is transformed into the blood of Jesus Christ. By comparing the transformation from wine to blood with the futility of religion unless one practices it, U2 seems to be questioning the point of religious customs that don't serve a tangible purpose. The next line "I know I'm weedkiller honey... and you're sugar" portrays the two people in a relationship as fundamentally different, but complementary. The singer is likening himself to a weedkiller, a harsher substance, and the other person to sugar, a milder substance, which may suggest the two are a match in spite of their differences. The lines "If you were ice... I'm water, and with your telescope... I can see further" can be interpreted as the singer seeing the world from a different perspective because of his relationship with the other person. He is comparing himself to water, which, like ice, is a fundamental element, and saying that through their relationship, he is able to have some insight he wouldn't otherwise have had.
The final lines "Love is the end of history, the enemy of misery, Love has come again, I'm alive again, Alive..." imply that love is the solution to the struggles of the past and the source of joy and life. Love is deemed "the enemy of misery" because it can help counteract all of the negative forces that have led to misery in the world. The repetition of "I'm alive again" ties in with the idea of love bringing people back to life, and the repeated "again and again" emphasizes how love can always provide renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
I was drinking some wine... and it turned to blood
The singer was doing something innocuous, but it transformed into something significant and important.
What's the use of religion... if you're any good
The singer is questioning the value of religion if it doesn't inspire action for the greater good.
I know I'm weedkiller honey... and you're sugar
The singer is not as sweet and easily accepted as their partner, but they still provide essential nourishment.
If you're the prosecution... I get away with murder
The artist is confident in their ability to avoid blame and punishment for their actions.
If you were ice... I'm water
The two individuals are complementary opposites that balance and complement each other's nature.
And with your telescope... I can see further
The singer can see more and perceive differently due to the unique perspective and abilities their partner offers.
We're binary code... a one and a zero
The singer and their partner are two distinct and separate entities that operate together in harmony - one cannot fully function without the other.
You wanted violins... and you got Nero
The artist's partner wanted something idealistic, but instead received something destructive and tragic.
You're gravity... searching for the ground
The artist's partner is searching for a foundation or stability in their life despite being grounded and consistent themselves.
You're silence... searching for a sound
The artist's partner is trying to find their voice or express themselves despite being a quiet and introspective person.
Your heart is aching... your heart is my home
The singer's partner is suffering, but the singer's love and support provide a sense of comfort and security.
It's fascinating... I know I'll never be alone
The artist is intrigued by their partner's complexity and knows that they will always have someone to share their life with.
I'm rippin' the stitches
The singer is tearing apart something that was once stitched together, which could signify a personal relationship or their own emotional state.
You got two hands to rub
The singer's partner has the ability to soothe and comfort them during this difficult time.
I'm in the ditches
The singer is in a tough situation or low point in their life.
Of someone else's love
The artist is experiencing the fallout of a relationship that wasn't theirs.
Love is when I lie
The artist equates the act of lying with the feeling of love.
Love puts the blue back in my eye
The singer's emotional state changes when they experience love, bringing back the color and vibrancy in their life.
Love will come again
The singer believes that love is a cyclical experience that will occur again in the future.
I'll be gone again... again
The artist is not optimistic about the longevity of their relationship or their ability to endure and maintain a connection.
If you're hunger... baby let me feed it
The artist is willing to provide whatever their partner needs or craves.
If your heart is full... baby let me bleed it
The artist wants to help their partner release any negative emotions or energy that might be holding them back despite their surface-level contentment.
And happiness is for... those who don't really need it
The singer believes that true happiness exists only for those who have reached a level of peace and contentment within themselves and aren't seeking something external to achieve it.
You love me... too much
The artist's partner loves them deeply and perhaps too intensely, which makes the artist uneasy or uncomfortable.
You always loved me... too much
The singer's partner has always displayed extreme love and passion, which could be overwhelming at times.
Love's got to be with a wink
The singer feels that there should be a sense of playfulness or humor involved in romantic love.
Only then love gets a chance to speak
When there is a sense of lightheartedness and mutual understanding, it becomes easier to express genuine love and affection.
I... I can't escape myself
The artist is struggling with internal issues or demons that they cannot avoid or hide from.
I hear you talk
The artist is aware of the words their partner is saying, but there may be a disconnect between what is being said and how the artist is feeling.
Feeling nothing
The singer's emotional numbness or detachment is preventing them from fully engaging with their partner.
I fear nothing
Despite the singer's internal struggles and emotional distance, they feel no fear or anxiety about their situation.
Feel....
The artist is struggling to connect with their emotions and perceives everything in a detached, clinical way.
I can hear so much
The artist is highly perceptive and aware of small details and nuances despite their emotional distance.
Fear nothing
The artist feels safe and secure despite their lack of emotional investment or connection with their partner.
I feel so much
The singer may be sensorily overloaded or unable to control their own emotions despite their detachment from their partner.
Love is the end of history
The artist believes that love is a transformative, life-altering experience that changes the course and direction of an individual's life.
The enemy of misery
The singer believes that love is a force of positivity and hope that can conquer and overcome negative emotions and experiences.
Love is justice, a charity
The singer believes that love is a selfless act that operates on the principles of fairness and kindness for all parties involved.
Love brings with it a clarity
The singer believes that love provides a sense of focus and direction in one's life that was previously lacking.
I'm alive again
The artist feels reinvigorated and renewed due to their experience with love.
Alive...
The artist repeats this phrase to emphasize the significance and transformative power of love.
I am alive, baby I'm born again and again
The singer feels reborn and revitalized due to their experience with love, and they believe that the experience can be repeated and continued anew in the future.
And again, and again and again and again
The singer repeats this phrase to emphasize the cyclical, ongoing nature of love and its transformative power.
Contributed by Madelyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@elizabetharmstrong3205
I am. You are
I’m up. You’re down
Together we’re balance
We enhance
I have a white gown
To live to die
You’re always in my being
Oh my
That’s my way of seeing
Lillies a sexual scent
A veil of white decent
You’ve seen my soul
I’m so vulnerable
You make me feel whole
@anavi2282
😍😍😍
I was drinking some wine... and it turned to blood
What's the use of religion... if you're any good
I know I'm weedkiller honey... and you're sugar
If you're the prosecution... I get away with murder
If you were ice... I'm water
And with your telescope... I can see further
We're binary code... a one and a zero
You wanted violins... and you got Nero
You're gravity... searching for the ground
You're silence... searching for a sound
Your heart is aching... your heart is my home
It's fascinating... I know I'll never be alone
I'm rippin' the stitches
You got two hands to rub
I'm in the ditches
Of someone else's love
Love is when I lie
Love puts the blue back in my eye
Love will come again
I'll be gone again... again
If you're hunger... baby let me feed it
If your heart is full... baby let me bleed it
And happiness is for... those who don't really need it
You love me... too much
You always loved me... too much
When I was rippin' the stitches
You got two fists to rub
I'm in the ditches
Of someone else's luck
Love is when I lie
Love puts the blue back in my eye
Love has come again
I am gone again
Love's got to be with a wink
Only then love gets a chance to speak
Love will come again
I'll be gone again... again
I... I can't escape myself
I hear you talk
Feeling nothing
I fear nothing
Feel....
I can hear so much
Fear nothing
I feel so much
Fear... nothing
Love has come again
I am gone again
Love is the end of history
The enemy of misery
Love has come again
I am gone again
Love is justice, a charity
Love brings with it a clarity
Love has come again
I'm alive again
Alive...
I am alive, baby I'm born again and again
And again, and again and again and again
Again
Let the heart answer❣
@romanrodriguez5100
And after all this years we still haven’t got this masterpiece in any U2 album.
I sometimes think that never will we ever hear this as an official release.
It’s a blessing we can listen to it here in YouTube.
@sterlingshadowx
The original unreleased version is among the best things this band has ever done, but this version... even with the shorter verses, the different chorus, and the different bridge... is still pretty amazing and heartfelt. Would have been the best song on either of the "Songs of..." albums.
@brianzelch4734
This is one of the best U2 songs ever made .
@SwirlyJoe
And not officially released as of 2022
@ChristineCleese
It really is! I only just heard of it today. 🌹
@deadairconversion
Next to ZooTv, I think this tour is their second best. Just something about it. I think it’s the self confidence they seemed to have at this point in their career. ZooTv was the absolute height of their self confidence. They were on top of the world for sure.
@jamesbutterfield9214
That guitar solo 😍😍😍
@thuurmans
What solo?
@sevenfootball7tv998
@@thuurmans from 3:19 to 3:35
@Claw100Minecraft
The need to have this on songs of experience