Tuesday, April 24, 2012

U is for U2



When I decided to do an A to Z Challenge about 80s music, 
it was mostly for this band.

       U2 has been my constant for so long.  I don’t know what year I picked up the record album October, which had the song “Gloria”, which I immediately loved.  I don’t know if the album War was even out yet or had just come out.  I was hooked.  Through all phases of pop, new wave, and alternative, U2 was always there.  I loved them most of all because they stood for something.  It wasn’t just about music, but what music could do to make the world a better place.

       Bono has been with his wife since 1975.  Few musicians can boast that.  He was a role model to me back in the 1980s, and I still respect him.  He’s Irish, I’m half-Irish.  If I can’t marry him, then it would be nice if we were distantly related. 

       I didn’t see them in concert until 1997, at a stadium outside in New Jersey.  (The Meadowlands?)  I drove there with two friends from graduate school and it was the first time I’d driven through Manhattan.  We survived.  It was worth it. 

       Every time they come around, they play at enormous stadiums for enormous ticket prices.  I’d love to see them again.  If I could see only one more band play live, I’d want it to be U2. 

       In junior high, I played The Unforgettable Fire album constantly.  In high school, I may have even played The Joshua tree even more. 

       There are too many brilliant songs to list.  There are too many songs that influenced me.  This is just a sample:


U2 performing at Live Aid.  “Bad” is one of my favorite songs.  Ever:



“Pride (In the Name of Love)” is a wonderful tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.:



And here’s a nod to The Beatles playing on the roof from “Let it Be”:



I probably have more songs from U2 on my iPod than any other group or artist.  Unlike many bands from the 1980s, they still create music people listen to, influencing a few generations.  Their 2004 album was popular enough to have a song featured in the iPod commercials: 



U2’s last release was in 2007, so I hope they have something coming out soon.  I hope they play forever.  I can’t imagine U2 in the past tense. 






Thank you, U2




P.S.  Aubrie Dionne is featuring me today on her blog.  

34 comments:

  1. You can't get much better than U2. Bono is truly a class act~

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  2. Oh I do hope you are related! You never know!! Yay! Take care
    x

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  3. I love U2. With or without you was played over and over again during tumultous relationships throughout high school and college:)

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  4. You totally got me today! I love U2, even today.

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  5. I had a feeling this would be the post for U. ;) I agree 100%, U2 has been such a constant for me. Absolutely love them, and I actually used them for my U post during last year's A-Z Challenge. Such an extraordinary band.

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  6. U2 is one of my favorites, too! Their music always puts me in a good mood :)

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  7. U2 is a great band. So easy to like, and very catchy.

    I've seen concerts at the Meadowlands, too. :)

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  8. So many awesome songs, I can't even begin to list them out. Although the song that came straight to mind when I read your title was With Or Without You. They look so young in that photo!

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  9. Good for you Theresa featuring an Irish band.
    U2 are still really popular here too, I think they changed a lot of people's perception of what being Irish is around the world. Long may they make albums:)

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  10. Here's to a great Irish group. Thanks for the songs!

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  11. love u2!
    didnt realize how many things i love in common w/so many bloggers till this challnge!

    one joke i will never forget is when i was 12 a boy said i looked like bono. i had no idea who that was! when i found out, i was mad, but not really cause it wasnt true =)

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  12. My oldest son is a huge fans of theirs and introduced me to them. Great selection.

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  13. They are one of those bands that will be immortalized forever through their music. There is no better choice for the letter U!

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  14. Okay, first, your blog ate my witty comment on Talking Heads and their "I'm wearing fur pajamas" line. So that's a bummer. Second, OMG look at Bono's mullet!! Wow. Memories.

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  15. U2 is a band that finally grew on me. Like Gloria and Beautiful Day.

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  16. I'd have to be living under a rock not to know Bono & U2. I feel all hip today. :)

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  17. I like U2. I really prefer their older stuff to the newer.

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  18. While I respect them, I never really connected with their music like most people have.

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  19. I love U2. I almost used them for my U post today.

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  20. The Joshua Tree is in my top ten favorite albums of all time. The minute I hear the opening of "Where the Streets Have no Name" I want to drive super fast. I've never seen them live. They're definitely one of my bucket list bands. My sister was at a bar in SF and Bono sat down next to her and they chatted. I was like "NO F-ing WAY! And she was like, "Way." Bitch:)

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  21. I'm loving your posts. I need to go back and read/listen to all the ones I missed. I love U2 also. I hope you get to hear them in concert again sometime since they're you're favorite! Oh, Punkin enjoyed listening to the songs, too. Feisty little baby, I had to hold him on my lap to finish reading this and listen to your great song picks. Mr. Short Naps sure makes it hard for me to blog these days!

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  22. I was a little slow about becoming a U2 fan but now I am hooked for life! Bono and The Edge are brilliant. I saw them during the Achtung Baby tour and it was a great show

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  23. Fantastic choice.
    Love U2 although I do like their older stuff more than the new.
    Do you know about Bono and The Edge doing the music for Spider-Man on Broadway?
    Heather

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  24. I am just amazed that you are finding a band for every letter. WTG!

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  25. Egad! I love U2!!! Bono is so giving of his time to causes that really matter. (I'm half Irish too. Distantly related to Bono.) Hmmm. Could be! Uh-huh.

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  26. I remember Mum used to love listening to U2 songs and indirectly I enjoy them as well!

    Riya

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  27. My sister and her husband love U2. Sorry for the delayed visit, I couldn't access several blogs yesterday. I'm back now. :)

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  28. I've been having some trouble opening blogs too. Don't know why.

    Love U2. Your post made me wonder which songs are my favorites: I guess "Pride...", "I Will Follow", "With or Without You" (so beautiful), "Beautiful Day", "One" (awww) and "Even Better than the Real Thing"

    I've really enjoyed your blast back to the 80's. Truly great. Lots of fond memories! Good job.

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  29. LR, sorry you've had trouble opening blogs.

    There were too many great songs by U2 for me to include in this post. How do you properly write about a career that has spanned over 30 years?

    Hope you have a great rest of your week!

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  30. U2-U2-U2! BONO-BONO-BONO! I'm practicing my chants for a U2 concert. I'm dying to go to one. I'm half Irish too. Maybe we're related.

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  31. 'Pride, In the Name of Love,' may be my favorite U2 song.

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