I'm Irish, U2 especially during their early material tackled the complicated topic of the 'Troubles' era of our history which focused mainly on the conflict in Northern Ireland. There were a number of incidents titled a 'Bloody Sunday' but the one in this song focuses on the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry City in 1972. Great track, great message, great band All the best from Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪
I am tempted to say that U2 has more songs related to the "Troubles" in the 90s going forward (that is also a longer period of time): In The Name of the Father Please North and South of the River Peace on Earth Raised by Wolves Cedarwood Road Troubles
My favorite version is the live performance, included in the film "Rattle and Hum," recorded in Denver, Colorado, just hours after the 1987 Remembrance Day bombing in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, which killed 11. Bono interrupted his singing to criticize both sides for the violence, which he claimed a majority of the people "in my country" did not want (I assume he meant all of Ireland). He screamed "f**k the revolution!" As an American of distant Irish descent, I thought "The Troubles" turned Northern Island into an awful place that neither the UK nor the Republic of Ireland desired to govern, although of course if true they would not have admitted it. I wish we in the U.S. would hear how conditions have improved since the Good Friday Agreement.
That's basically the idea for the Zoo TV and Zooropa tours as well. Thousands of TV channels dilute reality and make us disconnect from what's going on.
@@dipsydoodle7988 Unionist rhetoric in NI has always been like that and some of the later nationalist stuff veered in the same direction. Donald Trump and Boris Johnson must have studied the old videos to perfect their methodology. Media coverage of the Troubles in the UK was also very biased, often to the point of being mainly fictional. My own extended family members that lived in the UK at the time used to call me to find out what had "really" happened because I lived in NI, but unless I had seen an event or spoken to a witness I was also reliant on media coverage, although I had access to more than just British sources. Edit: I've just remembered that the first serious use of weaponised misinformation in the media was attributed to the Nazis, according to my vague recollection of school history, but no doubt it's got older origins.
Bloody Sunday is one of the most significant events in the very long, very brutal, and very entrenched Irish Troubles in Northern Ireland between the Catholics and the Unionists. It happened in 1972 when British soldiers fired upon a small group of unarmed civilians who were protesting against the controversial policy of internment without trial. Fourteen people were killed and the first of two subsequent inquiries into the events cleared the soldiers and the British forces of any wrongdoing. Bono says at the beginning of the song that 'This song is not a rebel song' because he doesn't want it to be misconstrued or dismissed as IRA propaganda, but rather to be understood as a condemnation of all political violence, since at the end of the day, it's innocent people who are largely left dead or injured. U2 are quite simply one of the best live bands of all time. Check out any of their performances --their energy and performances are extraordinary. My favourite is definitely their big entrance on the world stage when they performed 'Bad' at Live Aid in 1985. Their concert at Slane Castle in front of their home crowd is also amazing.
Sorry, but there was three "Bloody Sunday's" in Irish history... 21 November 1920 (15 British intelligence agents and 14 civilians in Dublin), 10 July 1921 (one RIC officer and 16 people killed in Belfast), and 30 January 1972 (14 civilians in Derry)
I've seen them in concert I think four times. I can't anymore because of epilepsy. The lights would make me have a seizure. I keep hoping I can watch a practice if I keep quiet and don't bother anyone.
Anyone who tries to take the UK's subjugation, domination and genocidal history in Ireland out of the equation, and turn it into "Catholics vs. Unionists" or "Catholics vs. Protestant's" is a deceiver and propogandist mouthpiece of the highest order. Your history is all Fubar. Did you learn it in posh private school in London? "The Bogside Massacre, was a massacre on 30 January 1972 in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland, when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march against internment without trial."
Bloody Sunday, or the Bogside Massacre, was a massacre on 30 January 1972 in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland, when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march against internment without trial
I was THERE. First week of June, 1983. I had moved to Denver in fall of 82, and we were used to Texas weather. An awful winter with a historic blizzard helped catch us up, but on the day of U2’s show, it was COLD and raining and miserable. The radio stations announced, in the afternoon, FREE ADMISSION if you showed up, because it was being filmed. They needed as many people as possible. So we went, sat in the nosebleed seats, froze our butts off, and became fans of U2.
Now this is the kind of comment I come here for, not to read all the ignorant people trying to explain Irish history when they have no clue and only know the lies and propaganda that they were fed.
@@nealm6764 To add to Sarah's comment, I think the reason they said fee admission was because of the weather, they didn't expect much of a turnout for the filming. I actually had purchased a ticket to the concert. Also, due to the weather, the two opening bands, The Alarm and The Divinyls both declined to play that night. After U2 had played a fairly extensive and long set, they took a break and Barry Fey, the promoter, came out on stage and told the crowd that all three bands would be playing the following night up at the CU Event Center. Entry the following night was your ticket stub. It was well worth giving up my stub the next night......
I was born & still live in N. Ireland - ''Bloody Sunday' was a mass slaughter in N. Ireland - the Army opened fire on innocent civilians protesting against oppression, many were killed; U2 wrote this song in remembrance of those who died. Decades on, the inquest remains 'unresolved' to this very day. 20 years later, the Enniskillen bombing by the I.R.A. was equally horrific - innocent people, like lambs to the slaughter at a remembrance parade - just a few miles from were I live. The bomb caused total carnage.....U2 were onstage in America when it happened, so Bono basically told the audience the truth about war in his home country, how much pain the 'Revolution' (I.R.A.) was causing and called for it to stop. *Here's the raw, highly emotional live performance of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday': **ua-cam.com/video/ahVUBlBjVv4/v-deo.html* He received many death threats for speaking the truth that day....but it made me just love them even more for standing up for what was right - an end to war! ☮️ Thousands have been killed here during 'The Troubles'.....we have an uneasy 'peace' but it's very fragile under the surface....everyone lost someone...mostly innocent family & friends... I've been lucky enough to have seen U2 twice in concert, and they DO NOT disappoint! OUTSTANDING LIVE BAND and have seen them play Belfast and in their home town, Dublin☘️both concerts were unbelievably amazing, but seeing them play to THEIR DUBLIN was something I will NEVER forget. Bono is so interactive with the crowd and the band just kept on playing for hours! Peace from Ireland💚
There has been three "Bloody Sunday's" in Irish history... 21 November 1920 (15 British intelligence agents and 14 civilians in Dublin), 10 July 1921 (one RIC officer and 16 civilians killed in Belfast), and 30 January 1972 (14 civilians in Derry)
U2 "Bad" (Live Aid 1985) U2 were performing "Bad" when Bono spotted 15-year-old audience member being crushed against the security barrier and leaped into action. He jumped down from the stage, pulled her out of the crowd and slow-danced sweetly with her. Originally they were supposed to perform "'Pride" after "Bad". U2 being the pros they are dropped "Pride" & just kept going absolutely seamlessly turning "Bad" into a 12 minute performance by singing snippets of Lou Reed's "Satellite of Love" and "Walk on the Wild Side", and The Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday" and "Sympathy for the Devil". Bono showed a billion people watching that day he was all heart. He cared more about helping one girl to safety than the planned performance. The band showed that they could support Bono no matter what. Well done U2!!❤
Probably the best live performance I ever seen by any band, U2 were meant to play 3 songs on that day but as you know Bono connected with the crowd the day & we ended up with the best ever version of Bad 👌🎶
They are so young here. Hard to believe that with Larry's birthday later this month, all 4 of the band members will be in their 60s. Time sure flies...
You should probably do some research into Irish history and the "Troubles" in N Ireland if you want to understand this song since that is mainly what it refers to, but can obviously be extrapolated to human interactions everywhere. Bloody Sunday was indeed a real event in 1969, but he links it to a Sunday 2000 years ago, as he is christian.
@@graphiteandglitter yep and then it becomes an even more powerful song. I was fortunate (some would now say unfortunate) to be a teenager when U2 first blasted into the scene. It was great to see the energy and raw emotion in their songs. In 1987 I was in the UK, with no such thing as the internet and always on the move, it was hard to keep track of what was happening. We drove into Cardiff and being a Kiwi we had to visit Cardiff Arms Park. There was staging that was being dismantled and we were told that U2 had played there the night before! Disappointed much 🥲
Early U2 was amazing. Their early songs were political and social commentaries. Their album "Unforgettable Fire" was my favorite and a masterpiece. The title song was the best
I was a massive fan up to and including the Joshua tree. They were amazing, not so much after that. Unforgettable Fire is still one of my fave songs of all time!
I recognize that The Joshua Tree & Achtung Baby are masterpieces, as is War…but The Unforgettable Fire will always be my sentimental favorite. It’s just grows and grows and grows on you. Never tire of it.
Joshua Tree and S.B.S .My favorite song. THE JOSHUA TREE IS A REAL PLACE in the desert and there's a motel that is there's and a lot of celebrities have died there's like Gram Parsons. Look it up and see the story that went a long with his death it's crazy how they pulled it off. Lol.RIP Gram.
well, fucking criminals (the british government and their nazi methods of treating people) versus unarmed people... that is something that happened quite often in "empire"-politics ...
When you're ready for more U2 check out "Where the Streets Have No Name", "In God's Country", "New Year's Day", "The Unforgettable Fire", the live version of "Bullet the Blue Sky" from their from Rattle & Hum album, and too many more to list them all. Also check out the video from that same concert of the song "The Electric Co." Bono kicks off the song with a shout out to the white flag, but The Edge's guitar playing quickly takes over to drive home the message while Bono climbs all over the stage scaffolding. Excellent concert. I wore out the VHS tape I had of it back when.
"War of some sort" is one way to put it. "The Troubles", aka the tension between the Protestant Unionists and the Catholics in Northern Ireland is a complicated situation that had been going on for generations and occasionally flared up into acts of terrorism and violence. It's officially over now, though there are still tensions that will probably never end for good. "This is not a rebel song," Bono says, because he knows about the cycle of violence and doesn't want to encourage it. He doesn't want to take up arms against the British in revenge and he doesn't want anyone else to, either.
Excellent explanation Darnaguen. I’ve seen U2 twice and know every word to every song, like so many other millions of fans. So when I see reactions to songs like this, where a reactor may be loving the music, dancing around, etc. but not understanding the grave meaning behind it, I am disheartened. “Zombie” by the Cranberries is another example. But like Jayvee, bless his heart, ❤️, most reactors will look up the facts and educate themselves about the meaning of the lyrics and that is precisely why I love watching people react to music they never heard before. 🥰
Bono was advocating an end to the violence that escalated after the massacre - which was referred to as “The Troubles”. - as this was a time when the IRA (an Irish terrorist organization) was very active . Bono’ father was Catholic and his mom was Protestant, so Bono always felt in the middle of the issue in those years. This song is an attempt to say enough is enough.
As you see above, there’s still tensions between the different groups. I’m Canadian and have mostly Irish, Scottish - Catholic and protestant background, as well as a little English too. 😊 lol
YES! I've suggested it lots of times but he hasn't reacted to it yet. Hopefully some day! It gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it. Brilliant. - ua-cam.com/video/HvBgRSSlVBA/v-deo.html
1982, sophomore year in high school. I was raised on country and Elvis. Loved Prince. In history class, this girl in the seat behind me said Kathy have you you ever heard U2? And I knew by the way she dressed she was into the British alternative music. She had the original U2 album 33”. She passed it to me and said listen to the first and the third song. In the name of love, and Sunday Bloody Sunday. Please don’t scratch it and just listen. Bring it back tomorrow. She was such a nice person that I skipped homework that night and listened to the entire album 3x over cuz I got what she was talking about! 30+ years later I’m spreading the word! Thank you Sarah ❤️
Yes please do The Unforgettable Fire, my favorite song of theirs. The title (which is also the title of their fourth album) refers to the destruction of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan at the end of World War II. The horrors of war and violent conflict are a subject they are not afraid to tackle. And how the human spirit endures and seeks love. Great reaction Jay!
UA-cam is an Irish rock band.. This song is about a Sunday when there was A-war between the catholics and protestants in Ireland. They're loved. I can't remember if it took place in the 1960s or seventies but seventies but it was a really bloody car the bloody confrontation in the streets of Dublin
U2 IS BACK!!!!! Oh man, you gotta react to All I Want is You, Angel of Harlem, Beautiful Day, Bullet the Blue Sky, and BAD!!!! Bad it's a must. Gonna be amazing
God, they were so young ! I remember when they were up and coming and making a name for themselves, and watched them become immediate sensations, rock Gods..... and they are still together this day making music. Glad I had the honor to see them Live on their Pop-Mart tour at Arrowhead Stadium.
This song is from their 3rd album(not 1st as I originally stated). "I Will Follow" was the song from their first album that introduced U2 to me, thanks to college radio 1980. They performed at my school 4/28/83.
I saw them in '81 before they became huge a few years later. Only the 2nd concert I ever attended. I wasn't sure I'd be able to go because the night before I severely scratched my cornea and had to wear a protective patch over my right eye. But I did go and it was epic. Such a great atmosphere back then.
This is my favorite U2 song. The meaning behind the song, I know about. This song gets me fired up, and I'm not even from Ireland. But the message can be of universal injustice. So,I can't help but start singing and getting hyped from the music. This band are living legends.
Absolutely an iconic live performance. The entire War album tour was a series of U2 going into a venue and completely destroying it. There had not been a "New Wave" band from the UK to hit the US with that sort of arena rock power. Even really good US bands like The Cars did not bring that type of energy to a live show in that era.
I saw them at the US Festival in California. About 250,000. They played early on the bill, about noontime. During Electric Co, Bono climbed up the scaffolding and got to the top of the huge stage with his white flag. They were young lads then. Edge and I both had our hair.
@@1tishhead Watched it many times on this platform, friend. I particularly love the set because it so clearly shows The Edge deploying his combo of VOX AC30 and Roland Jazz Chorus amps to devastating effect. He got such a great clear, chimey, open tone. Anyone reading this who has not seen that performance should go watch it right now. You will not be disappointed.
“Some kind of war”, “touchy subject”, “incident”! Yeah, well Jayvee, you know, this song, “Zombie” of The Cranberries and “Belfast Child” of Simple Minds are just 3 songs about these “incidents” that happened for countless years in Northern Ireland (and England), but I believe Irish people can talk better about that than I can. But I lived in Germany and of course heard about all it in the news. “In the Name of the father” is a great movie about this theme. There are of course more songs and movies about it, but the history is undeniable and should NEVER be forgotten, even not by this your younger generation!!
I live in Colorado and have seen many concerts at Red Rocks, amazing venue. I have also seen U2 numerous times, unfortunately not this show at the Rocks.
I wanted to go to this show but I was talked out of it by some friends who wanted to see Men At Work instead. While theirs was a fun show, seeing U2 would have been better. I've since seen them on 2 other occasions but never at Red Rocks.
To this day this is still my favourite U2 song growing up in Belfast during the troubles and then coming to Canada and hearing and Irish band singing a song about a particular event that took place in Derry when you are so far away from home on the radio I had such a surreal feeling.
my god the WAR album tour was LIFE CHANGING. this was early U2 at their passionate live best! the show at red rocks was filmed for, i can't remember what outlet, but the stormy weather almost forced them to cancel. U2 was financially invested in the taping so they said WE ARE GOING ON. the storm let up enough to carry on but created an amazing atmospheric backdrop that enhanced and intensified everything! AMAZING SHOW AMAZING TOUR and i miss the youthful passion, which i know cannot be sustained. U2 is one of THE best live bands ever! they truly altered the trajectory of my life ❤
This song is from the Live album " under a blood Red sky ". It is about the tragedy of the " bloody Sunday " in the northern Ireland civil war. It is one of the best U2 song. The Northern Ireland civil war was between Catholic and Protestant Unionist .
@@declanrussell2232 The British soldiers stood on Irish unionist protestant side . One of the Catholics Irish militia was the famous IRA the Irish Republican Army
U2 is awesome!! I've seen them in concert a few times and it's always something you go away with that has changed you. Gotta do a reaction to 'NEW YEARS DAY' a song off of the same album as Sunday Bloody Sunday.
I love their early works, like the albums "Boy" and "War", where Sunday bloody Sunday is from. "New Year's Day is always on my playlist on every 1st of January.
I saw them in concert during this Sunday Bloody Sunday tour. The one here is in Colorado, whereas the one I attended was in Arizona. But, seeing this one brings back so many memories since it looks identical to the concert I saw. I vividly remember the marching and Bono waiving that huge flag. I was going to explain what Bloody Sunday refers to, but others have already talked about that massacre.
This particular performance is really what pushed U2 over the top. I am old enough to remember when it was first released. U2 already had some moderate success with 2-3 other albums then this hit. This video was played constantly on MTV - back in those days when MTV actually played music. Did you people know MTV use to play music?
I saw U2 in S.F in 1984. I was 15… their first American Tour. They continued to be in my top 5 bands thru out my life . I saw them live and he sing this several times just like this. This was at Red Rocks . Extra magical
Was lucky enough to see them live on their Joshua tree tour a few years back but they’re one of my favourite bands! Amazing, powerful songs! Elevation, vertigo and sweetest thing are good to 😊
Sunday Bloody Sunday, What a great song. It really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday, doesn't it? You wake up in the morning, you've got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running round, you've got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think "Sunday, bloody Sunday!
U2 was my fave band ever, each song from War, Boy, The unforgettable Fire has a meaning, there's my fave song OMG Luminous Times, I listened everyday, but they change, it's normal, back in day U2 was the best, now I have to select some songs, they are rock stars 😎, I still listen my collection. I cannot believe you react U2, and this version is the best!! Great just great!!🥰
I think that was the Joshua Tree tour in 1987. They are a lot older now, but I saw them a couple years ago and they still bring awesome energy. U2 was my high school life. It still is, I love Bono and the crew so much.
my all time favourite U2 song especially the live version , so much passion & history in the song , their early material was their best , new years day , gloria , etc timeless classics
As you identified, the song references Bloody Sunday, the shooting of unarmed civilians in Derry by the British Army in 1972. The backdrop is "The Troubles" which ran from 1969 to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. To put it very basically, it was violence between the nationalist/republican community which is predominantly catholic and wants reunification with the Irish Republic and the loyalist/unionist community which is preominantly protestant and wants to remain part of the UK. The forces involved were the British security forces led by the Army and backed by the RUC, which was the local police force; republican paramilitary forces, primarily the IRA, but also other smaller groups; and loyalist paramilitary groups such as the UVF and UDA. It's a subject well worth reading up on if you are interested in it. The song itself is a cry for peace. When Bono states "This is not a rebel song" at the beginning, he is specifically saying that he is not singing in support of the republican side in keeping with the Irish rebel song tradition, rather he is calling for an end to hostilities from all parties and a peaceful solution. Thankfully the call for peace was eventually heeded, although the undercurrents still bubble away and occasionally threaten to come to the surface.
I’ve seen U2 live over 20 times and they never disappoint. Bono is one of the greatest frontmen of all time. He gives everything he has into every performance and they almost sound better live. Not to mention that Bono is an amazing humanitarian and super humble. They have been part of my musical life since I was 10 years old when I first stumbled upon their album Boy.
I wasn't at Red Rocks where this is from but I did see them on this tour. I was 15 and it was one of the first concerts I attended. They were a powerful live act.
Watch the version they perform during the Rattle And Hum tour. He says the I.R.A. bombed a Memorial-Day parade full of old age pentioners, and thats where the song came from.
I clearly remember going to a friend's house when this concert was on their cable TV @ 1984 (which we didn't have at home) and seeing this and being entranced...! That weekend I bought the album on cassette, which was what we all were using more than albums at the time, and falling in love with U2. I was barely 15 years old and blown away by Bono and U2!!!
JV, Bono has had it rough. He was ten years old when his grandfather died. They were at the funeral and his mother had an.aneurysm or brain hemorrhage and died shortly after. Her name was Iris. His father was a single dad to him and his brother. Bono is a good man. When his father was dying, he did concerts and flew home to be by his dad's bedside. I prayed for him a lot.
I'm an 80's teen and knew of U2 and their Joshua Tree album but never paid deep attention til mid 2000's. On a trip to Europe my Uncle put on the U2 dvd Live at Slane Castle Ireland. I was blown away and now appreciate just how I incredible this band is and how amazing Bono is. A top 5 all time band, way to react!
I'd love to see you react to U2's Where the Streets Have No Name, live from Boston 2001. To me it's their defining live performance. Wonderful warmth and soul in it, and during that era their stage design was really on point.
My all time favourite band!!! Yay! U2 are definitely great live, I've seen them every time they've played in my country and they're amazing. I hope you'll react to more U2 in the future. They've reuploaded most of their videos in better quality, so it's the right time to watch ;)
This energy was 38 years ago, they are somewhat slower now (I saw them a couple of years ago on their Joshua Tour). This is a protest song in reaction to the massacre in Northern Ireland in 1972 (there are unfortunately numerous other historical days of violence and massacres termed "Bloody Sunday", three others in Ireland and two in the USA). The awesome U2 concert I went to opened with this song and Larry's opening drum beat literally made the ground shake. I had waited nearly 40 years to see them live and it was well worth it.
Saw Robert Plant there at Red Rocks a few years ago. What a phenomenal place carved into the foothills outside of Denver. Has such a unique aura, and the sound is amazing.
What an absolutely perfect introduction to U2 live. This song encompasses the heart of U2 and what they stand for. I actually wrote a paper about this song in high school, it touched me so deeply that almost ten years later I was still passionate about it. This one still gives me chills when I hear it and see Bono on that stage marching and singing his heart out. I was never lucky enough to see them perform live, but I’ve heard their shows are incredible. The movie Rattle and Hum is a great way to experience that, even if you just check out videos taken from it. “Silver and Gold” and “Bullet the Blue Sky” live are so so good!
It's so weird getting old. I'm from Québec, and were learning about the Troubles in 3rd grade... but it's been so long .. and the peace has been somewhat successful.. it's weird seeing people not knowing about it. but it's completely normal! It's just such a part of my generation... god what a difference 10 years makes...
I was wrong, it was the 1984 tour for the album War, and it was filmed maybe for Rattle and Hum (the movie). I saw them live for the Zoo Tour at Arrowhead Stadium, KC in 1992 when I was 15. One of the best concerts and experiences of my life.
If there's any single concert I wish I could've been born to see, it's this one (and probably Live Aid cause that's obviously legendary). To have taken part in that performance of 40 at the end of Red Rocks would've been an unforgettable experience for anyone involved.
One of my closest friends saw him in concert back in the late 80's. It was raining and he slipped onstage, got up and finished the performance. Turns out he had broken his arm in the fall but it didn't slow him down.
I'm Irish, U2 especially during their early material tackled the complicated topic of the 'Troubles' era of our history which focused mainly on the conflict in Northern Ireland. There were a number of incidents titled a 'Bloody Sunday' but the one in this song focuses on the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry City in 1972.
Great track, great message, great band
All the best from Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪
Loved it this past New Year's Eve when Bono featured Irish bands on the Sirius XM U2 Channel. That was amazing music.
ROSS FROM E-DUBLIN !!! ... I LOVE YOU, DUDE 🍀🧡
I am tempted to say that U2 has more songs related to the "Troubles" in the 90s going forward (that is also a longer period of time):
In The Name of the Father
Please
North and South of the River
Peace on Earth
Raised by Wolves
Cedarwood Road
Troubles
My favorite version is the live performance, included in the film "Rattle and Hum," recorded in Denver, Colorado, just hours after the 1987 Remembrance Day bombing in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, which killed 11. Bono interrupted his singing to criticize both sides for the violence, which he claimed a majority of the people "in my country" did not want (I assume he meant all of Ireland). He screamed "f**k the revolution!" As an American of distant Irish descent, I thought "The Troubles" turned Northern Island into an awful place that neither the UK nor the Republic of Ireland desired to govern, although of course if true they would not have admitted it. I wish we in the U.S. would hear how conditions have improved since the Good Friday Agreement.
@@JPMadden I love that version
i’ve always liked the line when he says “& its true we are immune,when fact is fiction & tv reality” little did we know how true that would be🤔
I was thinking how ironic to say those words so many years ago.
Irrefutably accurate! Unfortunately.
That's basically the idea for the Zoo TV and Zooropa tours as well. Thousands of TV channels dilute reality and make us disconnect from what's going on.
We've pretty much always had storytelling propaganda viz Shakespeare and the Tudors.
@@dipsydoodle7988 Unionist rhetoric in NI has always been like that and some of the later nationalist stuff veered in the same direction. Donald Trump and Boris Johnson must have studied the old videos to perfect their methodology. Media coverage of the Troubles in the UK was also very biased, often to the point of being mainly fictional. My own extended family members that lived in the UK at the time used to call me to find out what had "really" happened because I lived in NI, but unless I had seen an event or spoken to a witness I was also reliant on media coverage, although I had access to more than just British sources. Edit: I've just remembered that the first serious use of weaponised misinformation in the media was attributed to the Nazis, according to my vague recollection of school history, but no doubt it's got older origins.
Bloody Sunday is one of the most significant events in the very long, very brutal, and very entrenched Irish Troubles in Northern Ireland between the Catholics and the Unionists. It happened in 1972 when British soldiers fired upon a small group of unarmed civilians who were protesting against the controversial policy of internment without trial. Fourteen people were killed and the first of two subsequent inquiries into the events cleared the soldiers and the British forces of any wrongdoing.
Bono says at the beginning of the song that 'This song is not a rebel song' because he doesn't want it to be misconstrued or dismissed as IRA propaganda, but rather to be understood as a condemnation of all political violence, since at the end of the day, it's innocent people who are largely left dead or injured.
U2 are quite simply one of the best live bands of all time. Check out any of their performances --their energy and performances are extraordinary. My favourite is definitely their big entrance on the world stage when they performed 'Bad' at Live Aid in 1985. Their concert at Slane Castle in front of their home crowd is also amazing.
Great explanation!
All so very true! Thanks for capturing those points.
Sorry, but there was three "Bloody Sunday's" in Irish history... 21 November 1920 (15 British intelligence agents and 14 civilians in Dublin), 10 July 1921 (one RIC officer and 16 people killed in Belfast), and 30 January 1972 (14 civilians in Derry)
I've seen them in concert I think four times. I can't anymore because of epilepsy. The lights would make me have a seizure. I keep hoping I can watch a practice if I keep quiet and don't bother anyone.
Anyone who tries to take the UK's subjugation, domination and genocidal history in Ireland out of the equation, and turn it into "Catholics vs. Unionists" or "Catholics vs. Protestant's" is a deceiver and propogandist mouthpiece of the highest order.
Your history is all Fubar. Did you learn it in posh private school in London?
"The Bogside Massacre, was a massacre on 30 January 1972 in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland, when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march against internment without trial."
My youth right here... U2 were the first group I ever saw in concert in 1983. I lived and breathed this group. The WAR album is a masterpiece.
WAR is truly a masterpiece!!!
@@peacetoyou63 I think it's still their best!
I love War. It's a Great Album.
@@heididietrich9800 Absolute MASTERPIECE!!
My favorite U2 album. ❤️
Bloody Sunday, or the Bogside Massacre, was a massacre on 30 January 1972 in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland, when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march against internment without trial
I was THERE. First week of June, 1983. I had moved to Denver in fall of 82, and we were used to Texas weather. An awful winter with a historic blizzard helped catch us up, but on the day of U2’s show, it was COLD and raining and miserable. The radio stations announced, in the afternoon, FREE ADMISSION if you showed up, because it was being filmed. They needed as many people as possible. So we went, sat in the nosebleed seats, froze our butts off, and became fans of U2.
Now this is the kind of comment I come here for, not to read all the ignorant people trying to explain Irish history when they have no clue and only know the lies and propaganda that they were fed.
@@nealm6764 To add to Sarah's comment, I think the reason they said fee admission was because of the weather, they didn't expect much of a turnout for the filming. I actually had purchased a ticket to the concert. Also, due to the weather, the two opening bands, The Alarm and The Divinyls both declined to play that night. After U2 had played a fairly extensive and long set, they took a break and Barry Fey, the promoter, came out on stage and told the crowd that all three bands would be playing the following night up at the CU Event Center. Entry the following night was your ticket stub. It was well worth giving up my stub the next night......
This is one of the most iconic rock performances of all time. They are still practically kids in this.
I was born & still live in N. Ireland - ''Bloody Sunday' was a mass slaughter in N. Ireland - the Army opened fire on innocent civilians protesting against oppression, many were killed; U2 wrote this song in remembrance of those who died. Decades on, the inquest remains 'unresolved' to this very day. 20 years later, the Enniskillen bombing by the I.R.A. was equally horrific - innocent people, like lambs to the slaughter at a remembrance parade - just a few miles from were I live. The bomb caused total carnage.....U2 were onstage in America when it happened, so Bono basically told the audience the truth about war in his home country, how much pain the 'Revolution' (I.R.A.) was causing and called for it to stop. *Here's the raw, highly emotional live performance of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday': **ua-cam.com/video/ahVUBlBjVv4/v-deo.html*
He received many death threats for speaking the truth that day....but it made me just love them even more for standing up for what was right - an end to war! ☮️
Thousands have been killed here during 'The Troubles'.....we have an uneasy 'peace' but it's very fragile under the surface....everyone lost someone...mostly innocent family & friends...
I've been lucky enough to have seen U2 twice in concert, and they DO NOT disappoint! OUTSTANDING LIVE BAND and have seen them play Belfast and in their home town, Dublin☘️both concerts were unbelievably amazing, but seeing them play to THEIR DUBLIN was something I will NEVER forget. Bono is so interactive with the crowd and the band just kept on playing for hours! Peace from Ireland💚
There has been three "Bloody Sunday's" in Irish history... 21 November 1920 (15 British intelligence agents and 14 civilians in Dublin), 10 July 1921 (one RIC officer and 16 civilians killed in Belfast), and 30 January 1972 (14 civilians in Derry)
I watched the version you linked and I cried through the whole video.
And I am not even Irish.
U2 "Bad" (Live Aid 1985)
U2 were performing "Bad" when Bono spotted 15-year-old audience member being crushed against the security barrier and leaped into action. He jumped down from the stage, pulled her out of the crowd and slow-danced sweetly with her.
Originally they were supposed to perform "'Pride" after "Bad". U2 being the pros they are dropped "Pride" & just kept going absolutely seamlessly turning "Bad" into a 12 minute performance by singing snippets of Lou Reed's "Satellite of Love" and "Walk on the Wild Side", and The Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday" and "Sympathy for the Devil".
Bono showed a billion people watching that day he was all heart. He cared more about helping one girl to safety than the planned performance. The band showed that they could support Bono no matter what. Well done U2!!❤
Probably the best live performance I ever seen by any band, U2 were meant to play 3 songs on that day but as you know Bono connected with the crowd the day & we ended up with the best ever version of Bad 👌🎶
They are so young here. Hard to believe that with Larry's birthday later this month, all 4 of the band members will be in their 60s. Time sure flies...
You should probably do some research into Irish history and the "Troubles" in N Ireland if you want to understand this song since that is mainly what it refers to, but can obviously be extrapolated to human interactions everywhere. Bloody Sunday was indeed a real event in 1969, but he links it to a Sunday 2000 years ago, as he is christian.
yeah tragic,im irish myself
I think listening to the song first without knowledge lets you listen without a preconceived idea. Then go back and look at the history
1972
@@JH-kq3yp agreed. Then once you've looked into the history listen to it a second time
@@graphiteandglitter yep and then it becomes an even more powerful song. I was fortunate (some would now say unfortunate) to be a teenager when U2 first blasted into the scene. It was great to see the energy and raw emotion in their songs. In 1987 I was in the UK, with no such thing as the internet and always on the move, it was hard to keep track of what was happening. We drove into Cardiff and being a Kiwi we had to visit Cardiff Arms Park. There was staging that was being dismantled and we were told that U2 had played there the night before! Disappointed much 🥲
Early U2 was amazing. Their early songs were political and social commentaries. Their album "Unforgettable Fire" was my favorite and a masterpiece. The title song was the best
I was a massive fan up to and including the Joshua tree. They were amazing, not so much after that. Unforgettable Fire is still one of my fave songs of all time!
I recognize that The Joshua Tree & Achtung Baby are masterpieces, as is War…but The Unforgettable Fire will always be my sentimental favorite. It’s just grows and grows and grows on you. Never tire of it.
I listened to that album many times from beginning to end. I especially loved listening to it at night before going to sleep
Joshua Tree and S.B.S .My favorite song. THE JOSHUA TREE IS A REAL PLACE in the desert and there's a motel that is there's and a lot of celebrities have died there's like Gram Parsons. Look it up and see the story that went a long with his death it's crazy how they pulled it off. Lol.RIP Gram.
You got it. The title track, "Unforgettable Fire", is their great forgotten tune.
I’m English but Bloody Sunday happened in my mums home town. Disgraceful that still nobody has been charged with what was cold blooded murder.
Different times
A 'touchy subject' is an understatment, and issues still rumble on this day and age. Such a powerful song. Cool reaction ☺
well, fucking criminals (the british government and their nazi methods of treating people) versus unarmed people... that is something that happened quite often in "empire"-politics ...
When you're ready for more U2 check out "Where the Streets Have No Name", "In God's Country", "New Year's Day", "The Unforgettable Fire", the live version of "Bullet the Blue Sky" from their from Rattle & Hum album, and too many more to list them all. Also check out the video from that same concert of the song "The Electric Co." Bono kicks off the song with a shout out to the white flag, but The Edge's guitar playing quickly takes over to drive home the message while Bono climbs all over the stage scaffolding. Excellent concert. I wore out the VHS tape I had of it back when.
I think he played it
"War of some sort" is one way to put it. "The Troubles", aka the tension between the Protestant Unionists and the Catholics in Northern Ireland is a complicated situation that had been going on for generations and occasionally flared up into acts of terrorism and violence. It's officially over now, though there are still tensions that will probably never end for good.
"This is not a rebel song," Bono says, because he knows about the cycle of violence and doesn't want to encourage it. He doesn't want to take up arms against the British in revenge and he doesn't want anyone else to, either.
Excellent explanation Darnaguen. I’ve seen U2 twice and know every word to every song, like so many other millions of fans. So when I see reactions to songs like this, where a reactor may be loving the music, dancing around, etc. but not understanding the grave meaning behind it, I am disheartened. “Zombie” by the Cranberries is another example. But like Jayvee, bless his heart, ❤️, most reactors will look up the facts and educate themselves about the meaning of the lyrics and that is precisely why I love watching people react to music they never heard before. 🥰
Bono was advocating an end to the violence that escalated after the massacre - which was referred to as “The Troubles”. - as this was a time when the IRA (an Irish terrorist organization) was very active . Bono’ father was Catholic and his mom was Protestant, so Bono always felt in the middle of the issue in those years. This song is an attempt to say enough is enough.
There’s no reason to be in the middle just because you’re a prod doesn’t mean you can’t be a unionist
@Mr Buckfast say that to all the innocent people they shot an tortured
As you see above, there’s still tensions between the different groups. I’m Canadian and have mostly Irish, Scottish - Catholic and protestant background, as well as a little English too. 😊 lol
Their rendition of Bad at Live Aid is also a fantastic live performance.
Yes indeed.
The BEST! U2 were beasts in the 80’s! And Bono always brought the passion.
YES! I've suggested it lots of times but he hasn't reacted to it yet. Hopefully some day! It gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it. Brilliant. - ua-cam.com/video/HvBgRSSlVBA/v-deo.html
BAD from U2 at Live Aid is *THE* track to react to for this bad. Epic performance. And what happened during it was unplanned & authentic.
No one plays the guitar like The Edge!
1982, sophomore year in high school. I was raised on country and Elvis. Loved Prince. In history class, this girl in the seat behind me said Kathy have you you ever heard U2? And I knew by the way she dressed she was into the British alternative music. She had the original U2 album 33”. She passed it to me and said listen to the first and the third song. In the name of love, and Sunday Bloody Sunday. Please don’t scratch it and just listen. Bring it back tomorrow. She was such a nice person that I skipped homework that night and listened to the entire album 3x over cuz I got what she was talking about! 30+ years later I’m spreading the word! Thank you Sarah ❤️
Except U2 are Irish, not British.
Red Rocks is one of the premier concert venues in the US
U2 is one of the greatest live bands of all time
Hands down best band I've ever seen live, what a privilege.. would love for you to do "unforgettable fire". Haunting and timeless masterpiece
Agreed. Saw them in Toronto for Joshua Tree. We passed Slane Castle when they were playing but didn’t know it was them; a thisclose I still regret.
Yes please do The Unforgettable Fire, my favorite song of theirs. The title (which is also the title of their fourth album) refers to the destruction of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan at the end of World War II. The horrors of war and violent conflict are a subject they are not afraid to tackle. And how the human spirit endures and seeks love. Great reaction Jay!
UA-cam is an Irish rock band.. This song is about a Sunday when there was A-war between the catholics and protestants in Ireland. They're loved. I can't remember if it took place in the 1960s or seventies but seventies but it was a really bloody car the bloody confrontation in the streets of Dublin
U2 IS BACK!!!!! Oh man, you gotta react to All I Want is You, Angel of Harlem, Beautiful Day, Bullet the Blue Sky, and BAD!!!! Bad it's a must. Gonna be amazing
Incredible live band. The Edge literally sounds like 3 guitarists are up there.
God, they were so young ! I remember when they were up and coming and making a name for themselves, and watched them become immediate sensations, rock Gods..... and they are still together this day making music. Glad I had the honor to see them Live on their Pop-Mart tour at Arrowhead Stadium.
We were British and I think this stuff played a part in my parents decision to get out of the UK. We left for Canada in 1978.
This is when they had fire in there belly takes me back to my youth another good choon from this album "11 o'clock tick tock "
They were great. Grew up listening to them.
“There’s many lost but tell me who has won?” This is conflicts in a nutshell
This song is from their 3rd album(not 1st as I originally stated). "I Will Follow" was the song from their first album that introduced U2 to me, thanks to college radio 1980. They performed at my school 4/28/83.
Sunday Bloody Sunday is actually from U2's third album 'War', released 02/28/83.
@@Almost_Famous_Ryan you are correct. showing my age! I will edit.
You saw U2 perform in your school. That sounds fantastic.
I saw them in '81 before they became huge a few years later. Only the 2nd concert I ever attended. I wasn't sure I'd be able to go because the night before I severely scratched my cornea and had to wear a protective patch over my right eye. But I did go and it was epic. Such a great atmosphere back then.
This is my favorite U2 song. The meaning behind the song, I know about. This song gets me fired up, and I'm not even from Ireland. But the message can be of universal injustice. So,I can't help but start singing and getting hyped from the music. This band are living legends.
Absolutely an iconic live performance. The entire War album tour was a series of U2 going into a venue and completely destroying it. There had not been a "New Wave" band from the UK to hit the US with that sort of arena rock power. Even really good US bands like The Cars did not bring that type of energy to a live show in that era.
I saw them at the US Festival in California. About 250,000. They played early on the bill, about noontime. During Electric Co, Bono climbed up the scaffolding and got to the top of the huge stage with his white flag. They were young lads then. Edge and I both had our hair.
🙄🙄UK ya mean Ireland 🇮🇪🇮🇪
@@1tishhead Watched it many times on this platform, friend. I particularly love the set because it so clearly shows The Edge deploying his combo of VOX AC30 and Roland Jazz Chorus amps to devastating effect. He got such a great clear, chimey, open tone. Anyone reading this who has not seen that performance should go watch it right now. You will not be disappointed.
“Some kind of war”, “touchy subject”, “incident”! Yeah, well Jayvee, you know, this song, “Zombie” of The Cranberries and “Belfast Child” of Simple Minds are just 3 songs about these “incidents” that happened for countless years in Northern Ireland (and England), but I believe Irish people can talk better about that than I can. But I lived in Germany and of course heard about all it in the news. “In the Name of the father” is a great movie about this theme. There are of course more songs and movies about it, but the history is undeniable and should NEVER be forgotten, even not by this your younger generation!!
Yaaaaay! The song that made me love U2 and opened my mind to the complexity of the world we live!
Thanks for reacting to this amazing song!
Not a huge U2 fan but I do love this and New Year’s Day.
Another great one.
Yeah Bono's voice is gorgeous. Powerful vibe, great message.
I live in Colorado and have seen many concerts at Red Rocks, amazing venue. I have also seen U2 numerous times, unfortunately not this show at the Rocks.
Saw Beck there 3 years ago. It was a dream of mine to see Beck and a concert at Red Rocks Amazing place and concert!
I wanted to go to this show but I was talked out of it by some friends who wanted to see Men At Work instead. While theirs was a fun show, seeing U2 would have been better. I've since seen them on 2 other occasions but never at Red Rocks.
To this day this is still my favourite U2 song growing up in Belfast during the troubles and then coming to Canada and hearing and Irish band singing a song about a particular event that took place in Derry when you are so far away from home on the radio I had such a surreal feeling.
Morrison, CO here. I see this amazing venue every day. Easily one of the best outdoor amphitheater in the nation.
my god the WAR album tour was LIFE CHANGING. this was early U2 at their passionate live best! the show at red rocks was filmed for, i can't remember what outlet, but the stormy weather almost forced them to cancel. U2 was financially invested in the taping so they said WE ARE GOING ON. the storm let up enough to carry on but created an amazing atmospheric backdrop that enhanced and intensified everything!
AMAZING SHOW AMAZING TOUR and i miss the youthful passion, which i know cannot be sustained.
U2 is one of THE best live bands ever! they truly altered the trajectory of my life ❤
This song is from the Live album " under a blood Red sky ". It is about the tragedy of the " bloody Sunday " in the northern Ireland civil war. It is one of the best U2 song. The Northern Ireland civil war was between Catholic and Protestant Unionist .
Sorry but you’re wrong. British soldiers killing Irish civilians? Nothing about that is Irish civil.
@@declanrussell2232 The British soldiers stood on Irish unionist protestant side . One of the Catholics Irish militia was the famous IRA the Irish Republican Army
U2 is awesome!! I've seen them in concert a few times and it's always something you go away with that has changed you. Gotta do a reaction to 'NEW YEARS DAY' a song off of the same album as Sunday Bloody Sunday.
I love their early works, like the albums "Boy" and "War", where Sunday bloody Sunday is from.
"New Year's Day is always on my playlist on every 1st of January.
I saw them in concert during this Sunday Bloody Sunday tour. The one here is in Colorado, whereas the one I attended was in Arizona. But, seeing this one brings back so many memories since it looks identical to the concert I saw. I vividly remember the marching and Bono waiving that huge flag. I was going to explain what Bloody Sunday refers to, but others have already talked about that massacre.
Such an iconic performance in a breathtaking venue. Wish I could have been there! They were still babies then.
Awesome honest reaction, my friend, to a classic U2 song that forever carries a tragic message of wasted innocent human life.
Finally someone is reacting to this song.
Thank you.
"In Gods country" is my most favourite U2 song ever, they have so much great music for you to check out. Love your vids. 😃
This particular performance is really what pushed U2 over the top. I am old enough to remember when it was first released. U2 already had some moderate success with 2-3 other albums then this hit. This video was played constantly on MTV - back in those days when MTV actually played music. Did you people know MTV use to play music?
This was such a massive hit. You would not believe it how huge this song was …
This was a song about the Bloody Sunday killings in Northern Ireland when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians killing 14. So yes very touchy.
I saw U2 in S.F in 1984. I was 15… their first American Tour. They continued to be in my top 5 bands thru out my life . I saw them live and he sing this several times just like this. This was at Red Rocks . Extra magical
This song was my first introduction to U2 and ever since I have been fan since then.
jayvon that is the truce flagg he's flying ..very powerful statement when i saw that the 1st time
Was lucky enough to see them live on their Joshua tree tour a few years back but they’re one of my favourite bands! Amazing, powerful songs! Elevation, vertigo and sweetest thing are good to 😊
U2 was definitely punk heavy when they first came on the scene. Bono would go full rockstar on the stage climbing the speaker towers n crap. Awesome
This is a very memorable song in terms of speaking of history and of music speaking of peace! Trylly U2!!
U2 is awesome. I have all their records and have been lucky enough to have seen them 3x in concert
This version blows the studio version out of the water.
I have seen U2 live far in 1992 in Vienna Austria. Unforgettable.
They were phenomenal live in this era.
You should cover the live version at Slane. It took place three years after the Good Friday Agreement
Slane was of their better concerts!
Another favourites are: Beautiful day, The hands that built America, One ft Mary j. Blige, With or without you.
Zombie by the Cranberries or Belfast Child are about the same topic
Sunday Bloody Sunday, What a great song. It really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday, doesn't it? You wake up in the morning, you've got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running round, you've got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think "Sunday, bloody Sunday!
That was a revolutionary collab back in the day, seeing The Clash and U2 playing together. Truly amazing.
U2 was my fave band ever, each song from War, Boy, The unforgettable Fire has a meaning, there's my fave song OMG Luminous Times, I listened everyday, but they change, it's normal, back in day U2 was the best, now I have to select some songs, they are rock stars 😎, I still listen my collection. I cannot believe you react U2, and this version is the best!! Great just great!!🥰
I think that was the Joshua Tree tour in 1987. They are a lot older now, but I saw them a couple years ago and they still bring awesome energy. U2 was my high school life. It still is, I love Bono and the crew so much.
my all time favourite U2 song especially the live version , so much passion & history in the song , their early material was their best , new years day , gloria , etc timeless classics
As you identified, the song references Bloody Sunday, the shooting of unarmed civilians in Derry by the British Army in 1972. The backdrop is "The Troubles" which ran from 1969 to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. To put it very basically, it was violence between the nationalist/republican community which is predominantly catholic and wants reunification with the Irish Republic and the loyalist/unionist community which is preominantly protestant and wants to remain part of the UK.
The forces involved were the British security forces led by the Army and backed by the RUC, which was the local police force; republican paramilitary forces, primarily the IRA, but also other smaller groups; and loyalist paramilitary groups such as the UVF and UDA.
It's a subject well worth reading up on if you are interested in it.
The song itself is a cry for peace. When Bono states "This is not a rebel song" at the beginning, he is specifically saying that he is not singing in support of the republican side in keeping with the Irish rebel song tradition, rather he is calling for an end to hostilities from all parties and a peaceful solution. Thankfully the call for peace was eventually heeded, although the undercurrents still bubble away and occasionally threaten to come to the surface.
This was the song & video which made U2 come onto my radar and i think a lot in the US..it was a staple on MTV rotation of videos when it came out.
I’ve seen U2 live over 20 times and they never disappoint. Bono is one of the greatest frontmen of all time. He gives everything he has into every performance and they almost sound better live. Not to mention that Bono is an amazing humanitarian and super humble. They have been part of my musical life since I was 10 years old when I first stumbled upon their album Boy.
I wasn't at Red Rocks where this is from but I did see them on this tour. I was 15 and it was one of the first concerts I attended. They were a powerful live act.
One of my favorites from U2.
Check out U2's October/Bullet the Blue Sky, live from Paris 2015. Talk about a message, man. This will blow you away, my friend....
This whole concert at Red Rocks still holds up as one of the great live shows. So damn good.
Watch the version they perform during the Rattle And Hum tour. He says the I.R.A. bombed a Memorial-Day parade full of old age pentioners, and thats where the song came from.
I clearly remember going to a friend's house when this concert was on their cable TV @ 1984 (which we didn't have at home) and seeing this and being entranced...! That weekend I bought the album on cassette, which was what we all were using more than albums at the time, and falling in love with U2. I was barely 15 years old and blown away by Bono and U2!!!
I love your reactions cuz they are always spot on. Every time you give a fresh, authentic and concise response that's always bang on.
Thankyou so much for doing this classic song.. Enjoyed. I saw them live in the ‘80’s.
JV, Bono has had it rough. He was ten years old when his grandfather died. They were at the funeral and his mother had an.aneurysm or brain hemorrhage and died shortly after. Her name was Iris. His father was a single dad to him and his brother. Bono is a good man. When his father was dying, he did concerts and flew home to be by his dad's bedside. I prayed for him a lot.
Whenever this song comes on the stereo, my neighbors get to listen to it also. Never had a complaint yet.
I'm an 80's teen and knew of U2 and their Joshua Tree album but never paid deep attention til mid 2000's. On a trip to Europe my Uncle put on the U2 dvd Live at Slane Castle Ireland. I was blown away and now appreciate just how I incredible this band is and how amazing Bono is.
A top 5 all time band, way to react!
U2 one of the best acts I''ve seen live in concert.
This is my favorite U2 song. Soo powerful. When this came out in the early 80s it dominated and really put them on the map.
Saw U2 twice - Joshua Tree tour in the 80s and Zoo TV tour in 90s. They were part of my teen years soundtrack.
I'd love to see you react to U2's Where the Streets Have No Name, live from Boston 2001. To me it's their defining live performance. Wonderful warmth and soul in it, and during that era their stage design was really on point.
My all time favourite band!!! Yay! U2 are definitely great live, I've seen them every time they've played in my country and they're amazing. I hope you'll react to more U2 in the future. They've reuploaded most of their videos in better quality, so it's the right time to watch ;)
Seeing U2 live is close to a religious ceremony.
The story is telling about war over religion in the UK in the 70s and into the 80’s
This energy was 38 years ago, they are somewhat slower now (I saw them a couple of years ago on their Joshua Tour). This is a protest song in reaction to the massacre in Northern Ireland in 1972 (there are unfortunately numerous other historical days of violence and massacres termed "Bloody Sunday", three others in Ireland and two in the USA). The awesome U2 concert I went to opened with this song and Larry's opening drum beat literally made the ground shake. I had waited nearly 40 years to see them live and it was well worth it.
Saw Robert Plant there at Red Rocks a few years ago. What a phenomenal place carved into the foothills outside of Denver. Has such a unique aura, and the sound is amazing.
Bloody Sunday was the name given to a massacre where 26 unarmed civilians were killed by the British Army in Northern Ireland in January 1972
U2 is great live….seen them a few times and wow. Loved every second. Springsteen showed up at a concert in philly and that was a surprise! Great show
What an absolutely perfect introduction to U2 live. This song encompasses the heart of U2 and what they stand for. I actually wrote a paper about this song in high school, it touched me so deeply that almost ten years later I was still passionate about it. This one still gives me chills when I hear it and see Bono on that stage marching and singing his heart out. I was never lucky enough to see them perform live, but I’ve heard their shows are incredible. The movie Rattle and Hum is a great way to experience that, even if you just check out videos taken from it. “Silver and Gold” and “Bullet the Blue Sky” live are so so good!
It's so weird getting old. I'm from Québec, and were learning about the Troubles in 3rd grade... but it's been so long .. and the peace has been somewhat successful.. it's weird seeing people not knowing about it. but it's completely normal! It's just such a part of my generation... god what a difference 10 years makes...
From this tour through most of the rest of the 80's and 90's there were few,VERY FEW,live acts that could touch them.
I was wrong, it was the 1984 tour for the album War, and it was filmed maybe for Rattle and Hum (the movie). I saw them live for the Zoo Tour at Arrowhead Stadium, KC in 1992 when I was 15. One of the best concerts and experiences of my life.
So glad to see more U2! Now do another song of theirs but maybe a more current U2.
I am hoping for Beautiful Day. Just for contrast.
If there's any single concert I wish I could've been born to see, it's this one (and probably Live Aid cause that's obviously legendary). To have taken part in that performance of 40 at the end of Red Rocks would've been an unforgettable experience for anyone involved.
One of my closest friends saw him in concert back in the late 80's. It was raining and he slipped onstage, got up and finished the performance. Turns out he had broken his arm in the fall but it didn't slow him down.