'Instrument Flying' song lyrics by U2 from the Songs of Experience album
"Instrument Flying" is an unreleased U2 track developed during the recording sessions for their 2017 album, Songs of Experience. First mentioned in April 2015 during an interview with The New York Times, Bono referenced the track and sang along to its in-progress version. Later that year, Q Magazine described the song as having a "sleek, motorik quality," indicative of U2’s experimentation with rhythm and texture during that period. While the song garnered interest, its development status and ultimate fate remained uncertain.
During U2's U2ieTour, which ran from 2015 to 2018, the band used "Instrument Flying" in a unique way. The track, still unfinished, was featured as part of the pre-show atmosphere, playing in venues before the concerts began. This pre-show soundscape included ambient music and visual elements that immersed audiences in U2's creative world, building anticipation before the band appeared onstage. By using "Instrument Flying" in this way, U2 gave fans an indirect taste of the song, blending it seamlessly into the live concert experience.
The decision to include the track in the pre-show environment reflected U2’s approach to bridging their studio work with live performances. While most bands focus solely on released material for their live shows, U2 has often embraced works-in-progress as part of their artistic expression. This inclusion provided a glimpse into the band’s evolving creative process, even if the full song itself was never formally shared with the public.
Ultimately, "Instrument Flying" did not make the final cut for Songs of Experience. While several tracks from the album’s sessions were selected to complement its themes of reflection, resilience, and global awareness, "Instrument Flying" remained behind the scenes. The reasons for its exclusion have not been disclosed, but its live presence as pre-show music suggests it served a different purpose: setting a mood rather than delivering a finalized statement.
Despite its status as an unreleased track, "Instrument Flying" retains a unique place in U2’s history. Its use during live shows highlights the band’s innovative way of engaging audiences, even with incomplete or experimental material. For fans, its existence continues to symbolize U2’s creative depth, sparking curiosity about whether it might one day resurface in a future release. Until then, it remains an intriguing piece of U2 lore, a hidden thread in the band’s extensive tapestry.
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