The music of U2 has had a major influence on the soundtrack of my life since I was 8 years old. To this day I’m still moved hearing the words “Early morning, April four, shot rings out in the Memphis sky…” even if it’s at a crowded gas station I have a very hard time not mouthing the words without some ridiculous facial expression during the chorus. Shit is just that good. As time goes on I find myself realizing that my first instincts especially regarding artists have been correct, and I should have listened to them always. My mom had “Joshua Tree” on constant repeat during the late 80’s and even hearing it now I am still blown away by the mastery of lyrics, legitimate political causes and the feelings that accompany the songs that were expressed through the always willing and blank canvas of their front-man.
From the beginning U2 has made absolutely no secret about who they are, what they believe, and what they know for fact is right and wrong. After the IRA Enniskillen Day Bombing, Bono expressed the majority of his countrymen’s opinions during a concert that night in Denver, it was recorded and would eventually earn him an attempted kidnapping plot from the terrorists his comments were directed at. “Fuck the Revolution” was his official statement. Since that day in 1987, the young antagonist for truth has grown into the wise prophet with a platform, talent and grace that has walked among us on stage for the last 30 odd years. This band hasn’t achieved this by mistake, the list of songs and albums and moments are as endless as their ability to recreate themselves without losing a sense of who they are. U2 hasn’t experimented through the years, they instead have evolved into an upper echelon of artist. Every album is drastically different, but never without the strong sense of identity that has defined their sound for decades.
U2 has done what few bands could ever hope too, mixing poetry with politics, world crisis and human rights into a unique lyrical style that has been imitated by musical greats throughout the years. Bono has used his haunting voice slash mysterious rock-god persona to channel the most powerful of human emotions. He has written some of the most recognizable, relatable, teary-eyed, singing in your car-by-yourself love songs ever created. “One”, “With or Without You”, “All I Want Is You” …. C’mon. You tell me that U2 isn’t on after a girl dumps you, and I’ll tell you being a liar probably didn’t help matters much in your previous relationship either.
It’s been said that every great band or artist has one album if they are lucky, one masterpiece, one unbelievable piece of art they know even as they are creating it will never be duplicated. U2 has four. “Joshua Tree”, ”Achtung Baby”, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” and “ How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb” are incredible front to back, complete albums. Every song is good, with some that are more than great. They have become iconic classics that transcend time and space with messages applicable to every type of person on earth. Just like the band itself. The fact that this group has two people with only one name and can pull it off because of how cool they are speaks volumes. Bono and the Edge are as recognizable a duo and as amazing as Jordan and Pippen. What they do on stage is as comparable. If this is what aging rock stars look like….sign me up. Seriously. (see 2:55 in)
Do not get it twisted. U2 is a motherfucking guitar-rock band, and they always will be. They stand for what is right, decent and good in this world still. They sound better live than in studio. So here are the hits. Known and Unknown by a grateful many for artistry and a message needed now more than ever in this world.
The Hits: “Mysterious Ways”, “One”, “Beautiful Day”, ”I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, “Elevation”, “Vertigo”, ”Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kill Me, Kiss Me”, “Discotheque”, “Pride”, “I Will Follow”, “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, “New Year’s Day” ”Even Better Than The Real Thing”
The Hidden Gems: “New York”, “Desert Sky”, “Do You Feel Loved”, “Zoo Station”, “Dancing Barefoot”, “Electrical Storm”, “Love Comes Tumbling”, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind”, “Ordinary Love” ”The Fly”
“Well, if the sky can crack, there must be some way back. For love and only love.”-U2
The Modern Renaissance Man 
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