21 Best U2 Songs

“Pride (In the Name of Love)” by U2

Song Year: 1984

U2 took the inspiration for “Pride (In the Name of Love)” from one of the world’s greatest civil rights leaders. Bono wrote the lyrics about Martin Luther King Jr.

Released as the first single off their fourth album, The Unforgettable Fire, the song has a soaring, triumphant chorus designed for stadium sing-alongs.

Though it initially inspired mixed reviews, critical reappraisals have been kinder. Rolling Stone, Spin, Mojo, VH1, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame all declared the song a classic. 

“Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2

Song Year: 1983

U2’s most politically driven expanded the band’s reach exponentially. Edge wrote “Sunday Bloody Sunday’s” initial riff. The guitarist’s heavy mindset informed the music, one of U2’s darker compositions.

Lyrically, the song deals with 1972’s Bloody Sunday incident. It laments the lives lost and the enduring damage of the violence between the IRA and the British. Over a military drumbeat, Bono implores both sides to see the humanity in the other.

Notably, this song provided a blueprint for political songs. The tune’s wild success proved a song could have a message while being a hit. 

“Even Better Than the Real Thing” by U2

Song Year: 1991

U2 channeled their fun side on “Even Better Than the Real Thing.” The song is a joyous, slick rock and roll song produced to perfection.

Bono claims his lyrics are about instant gratification. Though he is the authority on the subject, the steamy song serves as a straightforward ode to being amorous.

The song isn’t U2’s biggest hit. However, the fun, light-hearted tune earned spots on multiple global charts. In addition, it inspired several covers, and Mojo declared the song one of the best of the 1990s. 

“Angel of Harlem” by U2

Song Year: 1988

U2 defied expectations with “Angel of Harlem.” The Irish rock band dipped their toes into American blues, crafting a bright, sunshiny pop song full of New York flavor.

Bono’s lyrics reference important New York landmarks as well as jazz luminaries. The song deviates from U2’s usual guitar-driven musicality, bringing in The Memphis Horns to provide brass backing.

Despite their Irish roots, U2 wrote one of the most distinctly American songs of the 20th century. It was released as the second single off the album Rattle and Hum.  The song was a modest success, charting in multiple countries.

“Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” by U2

Song Year: 1995

Few fans cite Batman Forever as their favorite caped crusader movie. The soundtrack, however, is chock full of hits, including “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me.”

U2’s soundtrack contribution is a dark, brooding synth groove. The slinky track features a string arrangement and electronic influences. Bono wrote the lyrics about the sinister side of celebrity life.

The song earned U2 Grammy and Golden Globe nominations. Moreover, it was a massive hit, reaching number one on multiple charts globally.

“Acrobat” by U2

Song Year: 1991

“Acrobat” is the result of combining a love for an American poet, Delmore Schwartz, and an unusual time signature. Most songs are written in 4/4 time, but Edge composed “Acrobat” in 12/8 time.

Bono took inspiration from Delmore Schwartz’s poetry for his lyrics. The lyricist set out to write a more formally structured song about his insecurities and self-doubts. As such, the song has a darker edge driven by industrial instrumentation and production.

“Acrobat” allowed U2 to expand their range. The experimental track polarized critics but earned immediate fans. U2 included the song on Achtung Baby.

“The Ground Beneath Her Feet” by U2

Song Year: 2000

Music draws interesting collaborators together. “The Ground Beneath Her Feet” combined the linguistic talents of Salman Rushdie with U2’s musical know-how.

Salman Rushdie wrote the song’s lyrics for his 1999 novel of the same name. He sent the words to Bono and asked the band to provide a melody. The song retells the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, detailing a tragic love that ends in inevitable loss.

U2’s music hauntingly drives Rushdie’s lyrics. “The Ground Beneath Her Feet” appears on the soundtrack to the Bono-produced film The Million Dollar Hotel.

“Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” by U2

Song Year: 2004

“Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” is U2 at their most personal. Bono wrote the bittersweet song about his relationship with his ailing father.

The song’s music is aching and poignant, perfectly supporting Bono’s plaintive lyrics. U2 released “Sometimes You Can’t Make it on You Own” as the second single on their eleventh album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

The song was a global success and landed on myriad charts.

“Sweetest Thing” by U2

Song Year: 1998

“Sweetest Thing” has led the most interesting life of any U2 song. Bono wrote the song in 1987 as an apology to his wife. The band recorded the song as a b-side to “Where the Streets Have no Name.”

Eleven years later, U2 reworked the song and released it as a single to modest acclaim and success.

This song is, for lack of a better word, adorable. The tune makes it a tender love song with endearing, upbeat music. Bono and his wife remain together, so clearly, the song worked for her, and it worked for audiences as well. “Sweetest Thing” charted globally.

“Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” by U2

Song Year: 2000

The tragic death of INXS frontman Michael Hutchence inspired mournful songs from many musicians. U2 composed “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” as a tribute to the late singer.

The melancholy melody supports the ponderous lyrics. Notably, Edge incorporated Gospel elements into the sweeping composition. There are three versions of “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”: the album version, the acoustic version, and the radio edit.

The song was featured on All That You Can’t Leave Behind and won U2 a Grammy. The song landed on multiple global charts.

Top U2 Songs, Final Thoughts

U2’s influence on modern music can’t be overstated. The band owes its longevity to an experimental spirit and a willingness to defy genre.

The tunes included on this list of the best U2 songs aptly display why and how U2 has endured across multiple decades.