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| U2 as lego blocks! |
U2 songs that reference real people
Here's a few songs where Bono was named checked real people in his song lyrics.
There's also a few songs where the lyrics a talking about a real person but they are not directly named.
Angel of Harlem
A song about singer Billie Holiday, Bono was trying to throw the kitchen sink at this song, referencing all kinds of musical figures including John Coltrane and Miles Davis.
One Tree Hill
Bono name dropped Victor Jara in this song that is really popular in NZ for some reason.....
"And in our world a heart of darknessA firezone where poets speak their hearts
Then bleed for it Jara sang his song a weapon
In the hands of love
You know his blood still cries from the ground"
This verse is referring to how Victor Jara was executed for his political disssent and thus became a symbol of the struggle for human rights.
Elvis Ate America
This is possibly the U2 lyric that refers to the most people Lisa Marie Presley Chuck D, Johnny Cash all feature with shout outs to Hitler, Nixon, Christ, Mishima, Markus and Michael Jackson.
Bono would later refer to Michael Jackson in Pop's The Playboy Mansion as well, but that's all history now...
God Part II
This song was intended as a sequel to John Lennon's song called God.
Lennon's song refers to things he didn't believe in such as war and The Beatles.
Bono's version also refers to things that he also doesn't believe in but also goes on to refer to how angry he was at the author Albert Goldman who wrote an unflattering biography of Lennon (and also a controversial biography of Elvis, and given U2's love of Elvis, I'm not surprised Bono made the reference).
Pride
"For the Reverend Martin Luther King, sing". Pride was inspired the the civil rights activist - that particular line comes from the live version of Pride on Rattle and Hum.
Stand Up Comedy
References the famous French soldier Napoleon and his wife Josephine.
Peace on Earth
Inspired by the Real IRA Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland on 15 August 1998. The song lists the names of people killed in the bombing. Similarly, inspiration for the lyric, "She never got to say goodbye / To see the colour in his eye / Now he's in the dirt" comes from the funeral of Barker, another victim of the bombing. Other bomb victims named were Sean, Julia, Gareth, Anne, and Brenda.
Dirty Day
Whilst not directly referenced but the liner notes of Zooropa showed the song was dedicated to Charles Bukowski.
Who have I missed?
| Song Title | Person Referenced | Context |
|---|---|---|
| "MLK" | Martin Luther King Jr. | Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on peace and dreams of a better future. |
| "Pride (In the Name of Love)" | Martin Luther King Jr. | Inspired by the civil rights leader; live versions explicitly dedicate it to him with the line, "For the Reverend Martin Luther King, sing." |
| "Angel of Harlem" | Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Miles Davis | Tribute to Billie Holiday, with additional musical references highlighting jazz legends. |
| "One Tree Hill" | Victor Jara | Honors the Chilean activist and musician executed under Pinochet's regime, symbolizing the fight for justice. |
| "God Part II" | John Lennon, Albert Goldman | Written as a sequel to Lennon’s “God”; references Bono’s anger at Goldman’s controversial biographies of Lennon and Elvis. |
| "Elvis Ate America" | Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, Johnny Cash, Michael Jackson | Name-drops numerous cultural icons, blending critique and admiration; also references Hitler, Nixon, and Christ. |
| "Stand Up Comedy" | Napoleon, Josephine | Reflects on power and relationships, invoking the famous French leader and his wife. |
| "Peace on Earth" | Victims of Omagh bombing | Inspired by the 1998 Omagh bombing, explicitly naming victims (e.g., Sean, Julia, Gareth, Anne, Brenda). |
| "Dirty Day" | Charles Bukowski | Not directly referenced but the liner notes dedicate the song to Bukowski’s raw and reflective style. |
| "The Sweetest Thing" | Ali Hewson | Written as an apology after Bono missed her birthday, the song is both regretful and celebratory, highlighting the depth of their relationship. |
| "With or Without You" | Ali Hewson | Captures the tension between Bono’s role as a global rock star and his commitment to Ali, revealing the sacrifices of love and ambition. |
| "All I Want Is You" | Ali Hewson | A heartfelt declaration of enduring love, often interpreted as Bono’s ode to Ali and their lifelong bond. |
| "Wild Honey" | Ali Hewson | A cheerful love song reflecting the simplicity and joy Bono associates with his relationship with Ali. |
| "Miss Sarajevo" | Inela Nogić | References the Miss Sarajevo pageant held during the Bosnian War, symbolizing resilience amidst suffering. |
| "Van Diemen's Land" | John Boyle O'Reilly | Tribute to the Irish poet and activist exiled to Australia for his revolutionary activities. |
| "Iris (Hold Me Close)" | Iris Hewson (Bono’s mother) | Tribute to Bono’s mother, expressing the loss and her lasting influence on his life. |
| "Breathe" | Aung San Suu Kyi | Inspired by the Burmese leader, focusing on themes of resilience and hope. |
| "The Playboy Mansion" | Michael Jackson | Critiques fame and materialism, mentioning Jackson in the context of societal excesses. |
| "The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)" | Joey Ramone | Tribute to Joey Ramone, celebrating the influence of punk rock on U2. |
| "Cedarwood Road" | Guggi (childhood friend) | Describes Bono’s childhood bond with Guggi, centered on shared formative experiences. |
| "When Love Comes to Town" | Jesus Christ | Reflects on human culpability in Christ’s crucifixion, weaving in gospel themes. |
| "Silver and Gold" | Nelson Mandela (indirect) | Written for the anti-apartheid movement, indirectly inspired by Mandela’s activism. |
