TK had an unfortunate death in the family over the weekend, which means — unfortunately for you — that I’ll be taking of Music Editor responsibilities until he returns (just in time for Bacon East). The usual Music Writers will still be contributing (see Christian’s phenomenal review for Grizzly Bear below — I picked it up based on it, and it’s fantastic). Anyway, to prepare you for my more radio-friendly, white-boy musical tastes (and we’ve got a doozy of a post coming tomorrow), I wanted to ease you in more slowly today with a somewhat random list: The Top Five U2 Songs of All Time, a reminder of a time when U2 was really good (it’s true, teenagers! I swear it!) They’re political posturing was once kind of cool. And their egos were once somewhat in check. And they were the best arena rock band around.
And, I’m sorry, but you can’t debate this list. I should probably just turn off the comments.
5. “Miss Sarejevo” with Luciana Pavarotti, The Passengers
4. “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” Rattle and Hum Version
3. “One,” Achtung Baby
2. “Running the Standstill,” Joshua Tree
1. “Bad/Ruby Tuesday/Sympathy for the Devil,” Rattle and Hum (Movie Only)
a reminder of a time when U2 was really good (it’s true, teenagers! I swear it!)
I'm sorry, but as a teenager who first heard U2 back when "Beautiful Day" was being played constantly on every damn radio station, it's really hard to move past that.
Posted by: claire at May 27, 2009 12:55 PM
it's hard for me to remember that U2 had a total of 5 good songs...
Posted by: djfox at May 27, 2009 1:05 PM
I don't know about the best U2 songs but my favorite songs would have to include "Two Hearts Beat As One" and "With Or Without You".
Posted by: ed newman at May 27, 2009 1:05 PM
I saw U2 in 1984 on my 21st birthday; it ranks as one of the best concerts I ever saw along with early 80's Rush. I can honestly say that I lost interest in what they had to say even before The Joshua Tree came out.
Posted by: slower lower at May 27, 2009 1:10 PM
This is an impossible list, so there's no point in arguing with your choices. About a year or so ago a radio station I listen to was having an hours long U2 anthology/history session and highlighted all of their albums from the beginning to current. I had forgotten just how great they were, and really, still are. Every song solicited a response of 'oh yeah, I love that song too'. I do think they've pretty much sounded the same since Achtung Baby, but at least it's a sound I generally like.
Posted by: katy at May 27, 2009 1:20 PM
I feel bad dissing on this list when you gave me such kind praise. So you know what? I won't. Everyone knows how I feel about U2. I'll cut you some slack for now.
Also, they are great in concert. Saw them twice in Chicago and a good time was had by all. Including my mom, who went with my sister and I to one of the concerts. It was a hoot watching my mom scream, Bono I love you!!
you post a list of U2's best songs after placing them high in the past weeks in all the top 5 most overrated/'still might have a chance but blow'/annoying/horrible/intolerable/'bands that need to stop' band lists?? really? really???
Posted by: MarcusArilius at May 27, 2009 1:38 PM
1. Tomorrow
2. Two Hearts Beat As One
3. I Fall Down
4. Drowning Man
5. Gloria (off Under a Blood Red Sky)
Posted by: slip at May 27, 2009 1:43 PM
Make "I Will Follow" #6 if we can't argue with your list.
Posted by: shelleyh at May 27, 2009 1:52 PM
Marcus: that was a different writer.
I'm a huge fan of "Electrical Storm", "Where the Streets Have No Name", and "All I Want is You."
I will also add With Or Without You. That is one of the saddest songs I've ever heard. Who hasn't felt that way? Plus it's a beautiful song.
This is kind of embarrassing, but I'm young so hopefully it won't be so bad, but the first U2 song I heard was their re-release of Sweetest Thing, off of their The Best of 1980–1990 greatest hits compilation. I was 15 when it was everywhere on the radio, and I bought the album and fell in love with U2. I'm sure I heard their music before that, but it was the first of their songs I really heard heard. Heard.
Different topic, but Sting once said that "I'll be Watching You" was also strangely popular at weddings, which he couldn't understand.
Posted by: slip at May 27, 2009 2:09 PM
I'm actually a big fan of U2 (and have had to defend this to manymany people), so I'm kinda pumped to see this list. Good choices. But really, no "With or Without You"? Or... "Where the Streets Have No Name"? And maybe "All I Want Is You".
Posted by: b at May 27, 2009 2:12 PM
So much wasted potential.
Posted by: admin at May 27, 2009 2:18 PM
In no particular order:
1. The Three Sunrises
2. The Unforgettable Fire
3. Red Hill Mining Town
4. Twilight
5. One
Posted by: samantha t at May 27, 2009 2:27 PM
I'm a big U2 fan...and I never, ever liked "Bad." Never.
Posted by: samantha t at May 27, 2009 2:27 PM
slip, I plan on playing "I'll Be Watching You" at my wedding just for the shear irony factor.
Anyways, I'm really young compared to most of you, and I've been listening to U2 since I was a kid. Actually, we listened to Joshua Tree as a family so much that we burned a hole in the foil of the CD. True story. I really don't think you can make a fair list of the top 5 songs, but lord knows it would have to only include songs from the 1980s. You know, back before they started sucking.
Posted by: Quincy at May 27, 2009 2:30 PM
Oooh. I love "Electrical Storm" and "The unforgettable Fire" and "October". But Achtung Baby was the first U2 album I owned, and although I skip over the radio hits, "so Cruel", "Ultraviolet" and "Acrobat" still get me!
Posted by: luka at May 27, 2009 2:32 PM
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" is one of the purest, most powerful rock songs ever written or recorded, and it should be number 1 on this list. Say what you will about U2 being overrated, disappointing ponces in their latter days, but if you deny the majesty, beauty and relevance of that song, then we have nothing to discuss with each other musically.
Posted by: socalledonlycousins at May 27, 2009 2:39 PM
I'm with Julie on All I Want is You. It's a beautiful song. So is Running to Stand Still.
"Lemon". Culmination of everything U2 ever did right, with a big hand from Brian Eno. If only they disbanded after that. But noooooo, they had to go and try'n'make dance music themselves.
Also, "Numb" (from Zooropa as well, quite underappreciated in their catalogue).
And "Gloria" from the Blood Red Sky album.
"Angel of Harlem"
"Stay (Far Away, So Close!)" (Zooropa again)
Posted by: Adere at May 27, 2009 2:53 PM
If "Running to Stand Still" hadn't been on this list, I would have quit Pajiba.
Probably.
Posted by: courtney at May 27, 2009 2:54 PM
Adere: I forgot about "Stay (Far Away, So Close)". That is such a beautiful song.
Posted by: samantha t at May 27, 2009 2:58 PM
SWEETEST THING
LOVE IS BLINDNESS
IN A LITTLE WHILE
STARING AT THE SUN
SECONDS
Only one person has mentioned "Drowning Man" and no one digs "Like A Song" (both on War)?
Damn.
Posted by: cmr at May 27, 2009 3:43 PM
I forgot about "Like a Song"! That song is fantastic. I love the lead-in and Bono's voice is so good in it. "Oh, generation without name...tattered and torn."
Posted by: samantha t at May 27, 2009 4:05 PM
Angel of Harlem
Running to Stand Still
Red Hill Mining Town
Bad
Where the Streets Have No Name
Miss Sarajevo (album version NOT short single)
(Shit, that's 6...)
And I don't care how shitty anyone thinks U2's later stuff is, Walk On and Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own (for Bono's late father) are two just killer songs. I still tear up when he says "You're the reason I sing/You're the reason why the opera is in me".
Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at May 27, 2009 4:34 PM
Jesus Christ, Dustin, you're too white. But it's kind of weird knowing that U2 used to not suck. Only Nickelback has matched their ego.
You know, I have been reading the negative comments about U2 for a while and I have to take issue with them. For starters, U2 is the biggest band of my generation. I am 35 and I remember them from the early 80's and while I like their old stuff best, they have managed to stay relevant and popular by changing their sound, poking fun at themselves, and putting on bad-ass concerts.
Besides that, they are the absolute kings of making big, vibrant, anthemic songs that stick in your head and the world's psyche. For instance, Beautiful Day was the perfect song for the few months post 9-11 (before W pissed all over it and used it a s a campaign prop). Who else could have done the post 9-11 Super-Bowl halftime show better than U2? Maybe Springsteen, but when Bono pulled his jacket open to reveal the American flag on the inside, that was perfect.
I challenge you to think of another band in the last 30 years that has had the lasting impact that U2 has. Sure, Bono's a wanker, but he is the best front man out there today. They can still hold an entire stadium of people in the palms of their hands and provide a near religious experience at their concerts.
Is every album a classic? Probably not, but every album has at least one classic song that will be played 20, 30, 40 years from now. If you're not a fan, okay, but try not to attack those of us who are. I mean, you don't see me attacking you for liking whiny, overrated tripe like Radiohead, do you?
Now my five:
5. Beautiful Day
4. City of Blinding Lights
3. Where the Streets Have No Name
2. In God's Country
1. New Year's Day
Posted by: Forrest at May 27, 2009 5:10 PM
"bad" from unforgetable fire
"until the end of the world" from that movie's soundtrack
"fire" from october
"new year's day" from war
"i will follow" from boy
Posted by: gp at May 27, 2009 5:22 PM
Angel Of Harlem
When Love Comes To Town
Desire
Running To Stand Still
Elevation
The Sweetest Thing
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
One
Zooropa
Numb
Pride
All I Want Is You
With Or Without You
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Where The Streets Have No Name
Way more than 5 there. Take away all the political grandstanding, and U2 are still one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
Posted by: Shane at May 27, 2009 5:35 PM
I say With Or Without You should be on the list, because even if you think it's sappy, every version I've heard (live, duet, original, etc) whomever/whatever Bono is singing about still seems fresh and painful. Lots of artists sing the same love song over and over again and it doesn't mean anything. With Or Without You still sounds like he's getting his heart ripped out every time.
Posted by: scorzi at May 27, 2009 5:49 PM
This is one of the arena bands I've still
not seen in concert. Passed up some fine opportunities over the years and do so
regret it so.
I've a few to add to the list:
"I will follow" --- this I heard over the massive sound system at the US Festival in '82. It so blew me away. Just how big it loomed over that crowd of 300,000 or so, totally sticks with me.
"Stay {Far Away, So Close}" --- why this song makes me cry nearly every time I hear, I don't know.
"The Unforgettable Fire" --- Beautiful, sweet and grand. All at once.
"Hold me Kiss me Kill me" --- Really pop-y. Think it was used on a Batamn soundtrack at some point. You don't hear it played on the radio ever. I dig it.
Over and out, Mo
Posted by: Ms MoMo at May 27, 2009 6:07 PM
In no order:
1. Mysterious Ways
2. New Year's Day
3. Bullet the Blue Sky
4. I Will Follow
5. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
Posted by: Fredo at May 27, 2009 6:15 PM
In college I played October till the grooves wore out. Yeah. There were grooves back then.
There are too many great U2 songs to narrow them down to a Top 5 list, for me. Still, I guess, to play along...
In no particular order:
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Where the Streets Have No Name
Gloria
Desire
God Part II
You can distinguish between 5 different U2 songs? I'm not sure whether to be impressed or disgusted.
Posted by: Chugga at May 27, 2009 7:41 PM
MLK.
Seriously has no one ever heard of this one? Go youtube it and then tell me it isn't awesome. And yes, I just used youtube as a verb.
Posted by: Maria at May 27, 2009 8:25 PM
I also don't mind admitting I'm a huge U2 fan.
My top 5
One
All I Want is You
Kite
In a Little While
City of Blinding Lights
In a Little While will be played at my funeral.
Posted by: eiluj at May 27, 2009 9:06 PM
In no particular order:
Pride (In the Name of Love)
One
All I Want is You
With or Without You
Where the Streets Have No Name
Just 5 is difficult! I also love Stay (Far Away, So Close).
Posted by: Melissa at May 27, 2009 9:45 PM
I apologize, but #1 is cheating. We ought to take away your medal.
My favourite U2 songs will always be as follows:
Mysterious Ways
The Sweetest Thing
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (Rattle and Hum version, the radio edit is a steaming pile.)
Also from Rattle and Hum: Silver and Gold
And then the obvious ones which don't need to be listed.
"All I Want Is You" is not one of my favourites on merit alone, but it deserves mention. It's my parent's "song" and it came to be so because on their honeymoon, they were driving across a deserted bridge at night and the line "you say you'll give me / a highway with no one one it" played and they freaked out a little with looove. And I only tell this story because I'll make millions off that screenplay one day and you can all say, "We totes read that in the comments!"
Is it strange that when Dustin referred to teenagers I considered myself among them? (I am turning 21 in August.)
Anywhoo, I extremely dislike U2 but I really really love With or Without You. The emotional mind-fuck effect this song has on me will know no bounds.
Posted by: joyeetargh at May 27, 2009 10:16 PM
Disclaimer: Never a real big fan, they strike me as pretentious twat waffles (buy The Edge a decent hat, please, that shit is as lame as Slash).
...and yet, some of their music is fucking awesome: When Love Comes to Town, Bullet the Blue Sky, Sunday Bloody Sunday.
More than that of course, but those are the three I remember by name.
Hey, at least they aren't Springsteen.
Posted by: Walter at May 28, 2009 5:49 AM
What? No mention of two of the best U2 songs EVER?
Exit
Mothers of the Disappeared
Posted by: MadameUgly at May 28, 2009 12:31 PM
oh man, you gotta love it. withing 3 posts we get a youngster dismissing them out of hand for Beautiful Day and an old fart saying they were played out before Joshua Tree.
What? No old-time U2 fans here? Done by Joshua Tree? They were done by '84. ;-)
I mean 1978/79 6.30pm on RTE 1 'Anything Goes' with what's his face, the Radio 1 producer these days, oh, Aengus Fanning...
Haven't liked U2 since Achtung Baby,but the really old time fans, will remember...the first "big" concert, U2 playing the RDS to 2000 fans in 1982, and bang at 11pm, yer man Bono roaring out, "what time is it?" and the crowd roaring back....
"11 O'Clock, Tick-Tock". Yep. Still their best song and best moment. Of course I was considered a blow-in fan because I never saw them in the Dandelion Market.
I've got a mint perfect pack of the 4 singles pack from back then which included 11 O'Clock Tick-tock. I've been meaning to sell it.
(Betraying the "old-time thing", actually the only other songs I still really like are Miss Sarajevo & The Unforgettable Fire.)
Posted by: Donal at May 28, 2009 6:06 PM
running TO stand still
Posted by: mario at May 29, 2009 2:42 PM
First off, thank you Forrest for taking some "Edge" off all the U2 bashing we've been hearing lately. Their last three albums have been some of their best work ever, including "No Line ...," which takes a while to warm up to, but once you get it, you know why it's a work of art. As to their 5 best songs, that's too short a list (Facebook has the same problem with some of their random lists) to BEGIN to capture the band's best work. (What about a list of the 5 absolute best Beatle songs? See what I mean?) If I MUST, however ... anything off of "War" for starters. I like the suggestion of "The Unforgettable Fire" (title track), which was on the soundtrack of my life back in '85. "Rattle and Hum" is almost wall-to-wall brilliance and "Achtung Baby" has a ton of great material. I don't know where to start ... the lot of you posting here are all over it, so moving on!
Posted by: Andy Geisel at June 5, 2009 6:12 PM
Man, Dustin, you didn't even get close to their 5 best. I would say you got 2, but you chose the "SBS" off of Rattle and Hum, which is a good version, but for the purposes of the article, is not allowed. So, instead, you found 1.5 of their best 5 songs.
I would have allowed this, but if you're trying to tell teenagers that U2 were once good, this list ain't gonna help anyone. I give you props for "Running TO Stand Still", though.
So, here you go (all songs are from their original LP/EP):
5. Running to Stand Still
4. Party Girl
3. New Year's Day
2. Sunday, Bloody Sunday
1. Bad
Other honorable mentions would include "Exit" were it not for the shitty audio levels in the beginning of the song. I'm cool with dynamics, and the crickets are nice in the beginning, but it really could have been produced a bit better. "Bullet the Blue Sky" is also great, but it's even better when you see any band do a decent version of it live, outdoors.
Posted by: Jez at June 9, 2009 1:44 PM
In no order:
Vertigo
Elevation
New Year's Day
Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
a reminder of a time when U2 was really good (it’s true, teenagers! I swear it!)
I'm sorry, but as a teenager who first heard U2 back when "Beautiful Day" was being played constantly on every damn radio station, it's really hard to move past that.