U2 – 20 Essential Tracks
November 2, 2011
This is a new feature where I take a band that’s for whatever reason on my mind and make a list (of no set number) of my favorite songs from said band. Simple enough, right? I thought I’d kick this off with U2, not just because they’re reissuing what is likely the peak of their artistic and creative career, Achtung Baby, but because for many years (throughout high school and up to the beginning of college) they were my favorite band. I even did crazy stuff like drive to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just to see the U2 exhibit and stand outside all day to get up front for their concert (which led to me getting interviewed on this DVD).
I’m not anywhere close to the super-fan that I used to be, but on the occasion I throw on their old stuff, I find there’s still a lot of joy and catharsis to be found in the band’s immense, stadium-rock anthems. Here’s my top 20 songs from the Irish lads. You can listen to the whole list in a Spotify Playlist and you can click the track name to watch a live concert video. Feel free to share your favorites or angrily disagree with my choices in the comments!
U2 – 20 Essential Tracks
Most easily found on: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Most easily found on: Zooropa
Most easily found on: The Joshua Tree
Most easily found on: All That You Can’t Leave Behind
Most easily found on: The Unforgettable Fire
Most easily found on: Achtung Baby
MP3 Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
Most easily found on: War
Most easily found on: Pop
Most easily found on: The Joshua Tree
Most easily found on: The Unforgettable Fire
Most easily found on: Achtung Baby
Most easily found on: Boy
Most easily found on: Rattle & Hum
Most easily found on: The Unforgettable Fire
Most easily found on: Achtung Baby
Most easily found on: The Joshua Tree
Most easily found on: Achtung Baby
Most easily found on: Zooropa
Most easily found on: The Joshua Tree
Most easily found on: Wide Awake In America
Spotify Playlist: U2 – 20 Essential Tracks
Tags: Essential Tracks, U2
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November 2nd, 2011 at 2:03 pm
U2 was my #1 band way back in my younger days too; your playlist hit all of my old favorites!
(via twitter)
November 2nd, 2011 at 10:09 pm
No Desire?
No Hallelujah Here She Comes?
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Great list. Glad to see a lot of Unforgettable Fire songs.
A few I’d add:
- Heartland from Rattle and Hum
- Promenade from Unforgettable Fire
- Drowning Man from War
A few I’d drop from your list:
- City of Blinding Lights
- Walk On
- Lemon
November 4th, 2011 at 8:30 am
Nice choices, Tim. Heartland is a gorgeous song.
November 11th, 2011 at 10:54 am
As a self proclaimed super-fan, I approve of this list! There are many I’d add (agree with City of Blinding Lights suggestion) plus Miss Sarajevo, but you’ve got my two perennial favorites (Bad and Ultraviolet…oh and Stay..oh and Running to Stand Still…and…oh hell…let’s face it, all their songs are amazing.)
November 12th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
Great idea for a feature. Unfortunately, I loathe U2 (in my opinion, their early stuff is fine but unexceptional, and their new stuff is garbage) , but I look forward to seeing this feature with other bands!
November 20th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Oh come on!where’s electrical storm? Although I wouldn’t call myself a fan,I really loved this song.