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In 1980, U2 started their journey to become the biggest rock band in the world. To this day, Bono thinks they only have two rock and roll songs
Bono draws a distinction between rock and roll’s rhythmic swing and U2’s more expansive, self-conscious style of rock. He has said that songs such as ‘Desire’ and ‘Vertigo’ are among the rare moments when U2 sound like rock and roll, reflecting a band whose ambition has been to create a shared, almost spiritual experience for arena audiences.
The article traces U2’s sound from their post-punk beginnings through the Americana of ‘The Joshua Tree’, the industrial edge of ‘Achtung Baby’ and later polished rock. It also points to ‘The Fly’, ‘Mysterious Ways’, ‘Mofo’ and ‘Elevation’ as exceptions with a more playful, grooving or forceful feel. U2 formed in 1976 and began recording in 1980; Bono made the comments in a 2005 interview.
In short
- Bono says ‘Desire’ and ‘Vertigo’ capture U2’s rare rock-and-roll side.
- U2 have pursued expansive, spiritually tinged arena rock.
- Their sound has shifted across post-punk, Americana and electronic experimentation.