U2 are no strangers to having a say on America, its people, and its politics. They are fairly big on political activism. In fact, making political commentary is almost second nature to Bono, if he's not singing about troubles in Ireland, he's trying to convince someone like George Bush Jnr to reduce the debt owed to America by third-world countries.
U2's lyrical journey through the complexities of American politics and culture stands as a testament to their keen observational skills and deep empathy for global issues.
He shares his views because he earnestly cares.
Most people don't.
U2's lyrical journey through the complexities of American politics and culture stands as a testament to their keen observational skills and deep empathy for global issues.
Over the decades, U2's music has often served as a mirror, reflecting the diverse and dynamic facets of American life (refer Rattle and Hum and plenty of POP), from its lofty ideals and cultural vibrancy to its political controversies and societal challenges.
The band's engagement with American themes is deeply rooted in their own experiences and observations. From their early tours in the United States, U2 was captivated by the country's vast cultural landscape and its pivotal role on the world stage and U2 began to reflect this through its song.
Songs like "Bullet the Blue Sky" and "Pride (In the Name of Love)" exemplify how U2's music delves into the heart of American political discourse, addressing issues from foreign policy to civil rights. These songs are not just performances; they are powerful statements that reflect the band's longstanding commitment to advocacy and activism.
A song inspired by singer Billie Holiday, Bono was trying to throw the kitchen sink at this song, referencing all kinds of musical figures related to the city of New York - even a popular radio station was mentioned!
U2 appeared to be trying to 'get into' the blues on Rattle on Hum. This song was a clear step in that musical genre, and the inclusion of names from artists who helped shape it was an attempt to give it an air of authenticity.
America is, after all, the home of the blues.
A less cynical reader might simply see the lyrics of Angel of Harlem as a celebration of the city.
Is it really any surprise that U2 ended up writing a song about New York?
Bono has stated that the song is a tribute of sorts to both Frank Sinatra and Lou Reed both of who Bono idolised. U2 would write Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad for Sinatra which daughter Nancy ended up releasing and U2 would cover Satellite of Love in respect of their love for Reed.
The Playboy Mansion stands (stood?) as a complex cultural symbol, embodying both the virtues and vices often attributed to American society.
Or rather he was simply a sexist, misogynist dinosaur.
That's just a taste of songs that U2 has used to make a comment on America.
There's almost a duplicity to U2 in this regard - they tour America, grab the cash + fat cheques from Apple and revel in its people and then at the same time they make sharp criticism of its leaders, their institutions, Micheal Jackson and Coke.
We trust U2 fans are in on all of this but it but it might be hard to tell in a country where many people think Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA is a patriotic song.....
The band's engagement with American themes is deeply rooted in their own experiences and observations. From their early tours in the United States, U2 was captivated by the country's vast cultural landscape and its pivotal role on the world stage and U2 began to reflect this through its song.
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| Outside is America |
10 U2 songs that reflect on American culture and politics
Songs like "Bullet the Blue Sky" and "Pride (In the Name of Love)" exemplify how U2's music delves into the heart of American political discourse, addressing issues from foreign policy to civil rights. These songs are not just performances; they are powerful statements that reflect the band's longstanding commitment to advocacy and activism.
By integrating their observations of America into their music, U2 has created a body of work that resonates with listeners worldwide, offering insights not only into American culture and politics but also into the universal themes of justice, freedom, and human resilience.
Angel of Harlem
U2 appeared to be trying to 'get into' the blues on Rattle on Hum. This song was a clear step in that musical genre, and the inclusion of names from artists who helped shape it was an attempt to give it an air of authenticity.
America is, after all, the home of the blues.
A less cynical reader might simply see the lyrics of Angel of Harlem as a celebration of the city.
The Saints Are Coming
While not written by U2 or Green Day (it was a cover of The Skids song), The Saints Are Coming is a song both bands recorded together to deliver a blunt political message about the U.S. Government's response to Hurricane Katrina which many felt was negligent and that the Bush administration was "Stuck on Stupid".
The promotional video deliberately played on popular feelings of utter disbelief and dismay at the way the U.S. government had responded to the event.
Stuck on stupid indeed.
Perhaps the archetype political song by U2 (arguably Sunday Bloody Sunday could take that role too) the lyrics describe the unintended consequences of US President Ronald Reagan's foreign policy decisions in South America.
The song lyrics are an overt criticism of the American policy of "stop communism at all costs"
Such policy led the Reagan Administration to provide financial and political support to the Salvadoran regime which required them to ignore that regime's abuse of human rights.
The promotional video deliberately played on popular feelings of utter disbelief and dismay at the way the U.S. government had responded to the event.
Stuck on stupid indeed.
Bullet the Blue Sky
Perhaps the archetype political song by U2 (arguably Sunday Bloody Sunday could take that role too) the lyrics describe the unintended consequences of US President Ronald Reagan's foreign policy decisions in South America.
The song lyrics are an overt criticism of the American policy of "stop communism at all costs"
Such policy led the Reagan Administration to provide financial and political support to the Salvadoran regime which required them to ignore that regime's abuse of human rights.
Is it really any surprise that U2 ended up writing a song about New York?
U2’s song "New York," from their 2000 album All That You Can’t Leave Behind, reflects Bono’s complex relationship with the city, blending admiration with personal introspection. The song serves as both a tribute to the vibrant and diverse metropolis, while also highlighting its contradictions—its allure, chaos, and underlying darkness.
Throughout the lyrics, Bono captures the energy and dynamism of New York, portraying it as a place of reinvention and possibility, where people from all walks of life come together. The city becomes a metaphor for resilience, diversity, and the constant renewal of identity.
The Play Boy Mansion
The Playboy Mansion stands (stood?) as a complex cultural symbol, embodying both the virtues and vices often attributed to American society.
On one hand, it represents the excess, hedonism, and materialism that some critics argue are among the more troubling aspects of the American dream. The mansion, with its infamous parties, opulence, and superficial glamour, highlights the country’s obsession with wealth, pleasure, and fame, often at the expense of deeper values.
Hugh Hefner, the mastermind behind this iconic landmark, remains a figure of both admiration and controversy, embodying the paradox of American values—he is celebrated for pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms, yet criticized for promoting a lifestyle that some view as shallow or morally questionable.
A relic of the Cold War...
In the context of Bono's lyrics, the mention of the Playboy Mansion could be seen as a satirical commentary on these dualities.
The lyrics might offer a tongue-in-cheek critique of American icons, highlighting how celebrity, wealth, and material pleasure are often held up as ideals in popular culture.
Yet, Bono’s own moral and philosophical leanings suggest he is not sincerely advocating a visit to Hefner’s mansion as a genuine path to fulfillment. By invoking the Playboy Mansion, Bono might be critiquing the way American society conflates superficial pleasure with genuine happiness, using irony to challenge listeners to reflect on what they truly value.
We are pretty sure Bono's Fly character would have turned up at some point...
Two for the money here - U2 have often sang about Elvis - and these songs were a celebration of the man and his legacy on music.
The lyrics that 'Elvis would have been a sissy without Johnny Cash' were a great piece of commentary - the use of the word 'n-word' was a brave move.... did Chuck D approve?
Many of the verse lyrics are borrowed from the slogans of American companies and corporations.
These slogans include "Be all that you can be" from the United States Army), "Fly the friendly skies" from airline United Airlines), Colgate's "Ring of confidence (the lyric being "We've got that ring of confidence"), and Fairy's "Mild green Fairy liquid" (the line being "We're mild and green and squeaky clean").
This could be simply viewed some kind of meta commentary on American consumerism (admittedly the song has slogans from other European countries) and perhaps hints at some kind of moral confusion where the morals of a society may be dictated by the corporate dollar spend on advertising.
Pride has become an international anthem for peace, freedom, and human rights.
Its inspiration was the civil rights movement in the United States in the 1950s and '60s.
The song is a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. who has become the symbol for equal rights in America for all persons.
U2 also wrote the song MLK about the same subject.
While the lyrics are a loose story of a terrorist trying to arm a bomb and perhaps set it off, the context for the song is that it was written by Bono in the 1980s.
This was a period when the Cold War between the USSR and America had reached an all-time freezing point in relations (save for the Cuban missile crisis!).
The song evokes the fears that people had that this Cold War could potentially lead to nuclear war and the cold winter that would bring.
Elvis Ate America and Elvis Presley And America
Two for the money here - U2 have often sang about Elvis - and these songs were a celebration of the man and his legacy on music.
The lyrics that 'Elvis would have been a sissy without Johnny Cash' were a great piece of commentary - the use of the word 'n-word' was a brave move.... did Chuck D approve?
Zooropa
Many of the verse lyrics are borrowed from the slogans of American companies and corporations.
These slogans include "Be all that you can be" from the United States Army), "Fly the friendly skies" from airline United Airlines), Colgate's "Ring of confidence (the lyric being "We've got that ring of confidence"), and Fairy's "Mild green Fairy liquid" (the line being "We're mild and green and squeaky clean").
This could be simply viewed some kind of meta commentary on American consumerism (admittedly the song has slogans from other European countries) and perhaps hints at some kind of moral confusion where the morals of a society may be dictated by the corporate dollar spend on advertising.
Pride (In the Name of Love)
Pride has become an international anthem for peace, freedom, and human rights.
Its inspiration was the civil rights movement in the United States in the 1950s and '60s.
The song is a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. who has become the symbol for equal rights in America for all persons.
U2 also wrote the song MLK about the same subject.
Seconds
While the lyrics are a loose story of a terrorist trying to arm a bomb and perhaps set it off, the context for the song is that it was written by Bono in the 1980s.
This was a period when the Cold War between the USSR and America had reached an all-time freezing point in relations (save for the Cuban missile crisis!).
The song evokes the fears that people had that this Cold War could potentially lead to nuclear war and the cold winter that would bring.
The Hands That Built America
"The Hands That Built America" is a reflective piece that pays homage to the immigrant experience in the United States, centering on the contributions of Irish immigrants and expanding to represent the diversity and hardship of all immigrant stories.
Written for Gangs of New York and later included on The Best of 1990-2000, the song delves into themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the promise of the "American Dream."
It touches on the physical and emotional labor immigrants invested in building the nation, often in the face of prejudice and struggle. The lyrics underscore America as both a beacon of opportunity and a site of challenges, highlighting the juxtaposition between the ideals of freedom and the reality of assimilation and survival.
It was nominated for Best Original Song at the 75th Academy Awards, but lost to "Lose Yourself" by rapper Eminem.American Soul
From the Songs of Experience album, U2 dropped American Soul like it was hot with a rap by Kendrick Lamar. It explores themes of American identity, patriotism, and idealism, while also critiquing the nation's contradictions and challenges.
The song reflects on the idea of America as a symbol of freedom, hope, and inclusivity, but juxtaposes this with its history of social inequality, political strife, and exclusion. Bono’s lyrics call for unity, love, and a reawakening of the values that America claims to uphold, urging listeners to reclaim the true "American soul" in the face of division and injustice.
That's just a taste of songs that U2 has used to make a comment on America.
There's almost a duplicity to U2 in this regard - they tour America, grab the cash + fat cheques from Apple and revel in its people and then at the same time they make sharp criticism of its leaders, their institutions, Micheal Jackson and Coke.
Get Out of Your Own Way
"Get Out of Your Own Way," also from Songs of Experience, critiques both personal and societal barriers, intertwining themes of political resistance with a message of empowerment.
The lyrics combine Bono’s call for self-awareness with a reflection on the social tensions he observes in America, especially regarding civil rights and political division.
The song has direct commentary on the state of American politics, the election, and performance of Donald Trump, echoing sentiments of disillusionment in a fractured landscape. The track is a critique of injustice and systemic failure, while exhorting listeners to overcome personal and societal divisions.
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We trust U2 fans are in on all of this but it but it might be hard to tell in a country where many people think Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA is a patriotic song.....