I have been so blessed to see U2 since 1985. Probably 60+ times from many different venues indoor/outdoor in CA, WA, CO, AZ and Hawaii. Hearing 40 too many times to count and it is truly a spiritual experience as church is in the building. Once the band leaves the stage the crowd continues to sing 🎶 until we leave to venue. The most awesome experience that moves within you. God bless this band for many more years to come. Oh BTW the drummers name is Larry Mullen Jr. ☮️💟 keep the songs coming 👍🏼
U2 consistently closed their gigs with 40 from the War tour through The Joshua Tree tour. It fell off the setlist during the Zoo Tv, Popmart and the Elevation tour but made re-appeared in the Vertigo tour (where I first heard it live). The Edge and Adam have always traded bass and guitar on this song. As the story goes, Adam left the recording studio early one day (tired of waiting on the Edge to perfect something) and Edge ended up recording both the bass line and the guitar part for 40.
Hi guys. Back in ‘85 and ‘87 in Dublin was just incredible to exit the stadium with everyone singing “How long to sing this song” and on into the night with it reverberating around the streets. I was a very lucky teenager!
Guys you should have done the live version from Chicago in 2005 it's miles Better trust me miles Better check it out and Larry at the end wow Please React to the Chicago version 🙏🙏🙏🙏
U2 performing Where the Streets Have No Name, Until The End of the World and 40 live are unlike any thing else I've ever seen. Transcendent. I was blessed to see them multiple times through the 2000's including the 360 tour live at the Rose Bowl. Larry started the band, is the first on stage, its fitting that he is the last to leave the stage.
@@anthonykladitis36 I was unable to procure tickets for innocence and experience. I am currently rediscovering U2 again after a multi year hiatus. I have only watched bits of I and E but am enjoying the depth of poetry in songs like Iris ( hold me close). I just watched ZooTv again this week after many years with my 14 y o son. He was all in until Mr. Macphisto, then he was like, " what the heck am I watching mom?" Its irony yes, but also creepy and weird too.
@@DesireeStamat Thanks for sharing. Personally, I like both albums but seem to favor SOI a bit more. I do love a few off of SOE like Love is bigger and landlady and the little things...
Greetings from Dublin Ireland, I've been a fan of U2 since I first them in 1980 , I've seen them live now 74 times so I've experienced the song 40 many times live , it's absolutely phenomenal live the atmosphere is incredible and crowd continuing to sing the as we walk away from the Arena is special
Hi. I just found your channel and U2 reactions/reviews. I saw U2 in November 1987 in Murfreesboro, TN and they ended the set with Pride (In the Name of Love) then came back for an encore set that ended with 40. I have to tell you that it was incredibly powerful to hear everyone in the audience singing, even after the band had left the stage and the house lights came up. Adam (the bass player) and Edge (the guitar player) always switch instruments for this song. Enjoying your channel! Thanks!
October 9th 1989 Melbourne Tennis Centre , Lovetown Tour with BB King. My first concert (Age 16) the show was mind blowing, U2 were on fire after the success of the Joshua Tree, Rattle and Hum albums. The show ended with "40" Edge and Adam swapped guitars, Edge on Bass , Adam on lead. At the end of the song , Bono,Edge and Adam walked off and Larry ended the concert with a fantastic Drum Solo. 15,000 fans continued singing "How long to sing this song as we exited the building walking out into the Melbourne City Streets for kilometres after the show had ended. Best night ever !!
@@anthonykladitis36 No. I saw Lovetown 89, Zoo TV 5 times (Melbourne Rehearsal full show, both Melbourne Shows, both Sydney Shows) Popmart concert, Vertigo concert, both Melbourne Shows 360 tour, Joshua Tree anniversary tour 2019. We didn't get U2 here in Australia for the Songs of Innocence/Experience tour. We got the Joshua Tree anniversary instead. I'm not a huge fan of those new albums as I am of their older stuff.
@@hypersphereengineering6015 awesome ! I am jealous. I did see them twice: atyclb and 360. I really wanted to see them on the soi/soe tour. I really like a lot of songs off of both of those records.
I don’t know the reason why they switch instruments but it does add even more appeal to the song for me for some reason. U2 has so many but 40 is a special one for sure.
They not only switch instruments, but also the side of the stage they are on, every time they play 40. Part of the reason may be because it was recorded last minute. Adam had already left. This final song just came together, and Edge recorded both guitar and bass in a mad dash to complete.
@@anthonykladitis36 they wanted another song to finish the album War and this song was basically written, recorded and mixed in the very last hour of their studio time. Adam Clayton wasn’t there so the Edge came up with and played the bass on the recording. So they decided to carry that on in concert.
I first went to a U2 concert the 'Unforgettable Fire tour' November 5th 1984 at the Edinburgh playhouse Scotland which held only 3 thousand attendance the cost of my concert ticket was monetary terms 6.50 pounds sterling ,me and my friends were 5 rows from the front they sang the song '40' at the end of the concert. I've been to eight other U2 concerts through the years This was my best ever U2 concert they were up close to the fans and the band was still raw as they were during the 'Joshua Tree tour' before they become too commercialised
A Letter to U2: I saw you guys on the Joshua Tree tour in 1987 at MTSU-Middle Tennessee State University Saturday November 28th 1987. The Bodeans opened up for you. I remember at the time Larry had a crush on Wynonna Judd and she came out and sang a duo with Bono! I didn't have tickets to the show. A friend of mine drove us 3 hours from East Tennessee to see the show. We bought tickets at the box office for $18.50. We ended up 8th row center stage! I remember back then the band held back tickets for fans who were willing to make the drive and couldn't get tickets via phone or record store locations. Thanks again to Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr for making a special album and tour! I was 18 and had just graduated High School that year! All the Best! Gary Lagstrom
Larry Mullen, Jr is the drummer, who also started the band. He put up a notice at school for others to contact him if interested. He’s the youngest member, too - he looked like a teenager well into his 20’s 😂
It is really interesting and appropriate that you bring up Christian Music and the Christian events. I grew up deep in the Christian Church. While I am no longer affiliated with a Church, I appreciate much of what is strived for. The sect I grew up in was not as intrenched into Music, sadly. Very early on, the band almost broke up due to their church affiliation. There are many articles and even books about U2 and its relationship/connection with Christian Music and events. U2 has been influenced by many Church/Christian figures, and vice versa U2 has heavily influenced Christian Music and performance. What really intriguing and perhaps one of the things I love most about U2, is that they take inspiration from Christianity, but are not heavily constrained by all tropes and customs. Their music and performance are not solely informed by the modern church or its culture, but always heavily entrenched in its core values principles and spirit. Even at U2's darkest, most experimental, most decadent and sinful, and otherworldly and angry or exhausted, it is all of God. In "Still Haven't Found What Im Looking For" there is a restless, spirit. Yet the author acknowledges his restlessness, and God. In "Wake Up Dead Man" the author is at his end, angry with despair. Yet he is shouting at God, at the world and himself. As was noted, U2 has given us full circle and scope of the human condition, but within the eyes and realm and grace of God (definition of GOD may vary). Bono may have even described some of the angrier U2 songs as being like David shouting t God. He is at his bottom, but still in conversation
I saw them back in 1987 Joshua Tree tour at Sullivan Stadium and they played 40 and the whole crowd was singing “I will sing a new song” even after the band left the stage. Awesome show indeed! Cheers!
I saw them about a week after the show this video comes from, in Boston. My first U2 show and I was hoping they would play this. I was disappointed when they started playing "One", as I knew if that was played, "40" had been cut for the night. Towards the end of "One", Bono turned to the rest of the band and put up 4 fingers and then made an 0 with his hand. I immediately knew what was coming. The crowd was extremely into it, I'd saw we were at the Garden for half an hour after the band left singing the chorus
It would be awesome if one day U2 would finally play "Drowning Man" live, as a surprise encore after "40." It would play off so well as a "new" live song to sing, being that so many fans have wondered "how long" it would be until they would finally play it live in concert.
Good performance . Saw them the first time 1985 in MSG and they did the 40 walk off. Another great song from the same album WAR is a song called Drowning Man very spiritual
I've seen U2 in concert several times from 1985 - 2000's. My favorite was at Madison Square Garden, and they played "40" to end the show. They left the stage one by one, leaving Larry Mullen, Jr. to just play the drums. When that beat ended, all you could hear was the crowd singing for literally 2 minutes. And then Larry began to play again. It was incredible.
Although u2 didn't play 40 during the 90's and only once during the Elevation tour, they played it during nearly every leg 1 and leg 3 Vertigo tour (North America and Canada). Usually, it followed Yahweh, which concluded the All Because of You, Yahweh, 40 trilogy. I saw 40 during 4 of my 5 Vertigo shows. All of them were uplifting and somewhat unreal, but the performance I remember the most was the Dallas 3rd leg show. That show had an unbelievable amount of energy and crowd connection and I remember the fans singing "How Long.." out in the parking lots. I remember feeling euphoric during Yahweh and 40 and the effect lasted well after the show ended. My friend and I saw the show together on the floor but met up with the friends who had tickets in the stands. Our conversation after the show discussed how intense the show was, and how joyful and ecstatic everyone was feeling, even those who were only casual u2 fans.
Please strongly consider doing a reaction analysis to U2s “Tomorrow”. It is about the death of Bono’s mother and their most overtly Christian song IMO.
I saw them in 1987 at Cologne West Germany, there were about 60,000 people there and they closed with this song. My friends and i had to leave early to catch our ride home. We were around a quarter mile away and you could still hear the song and the entire crowd singing in unison after Bono had left the stage.
@@anthonykladitis36 Saw them on both....3 times in Chicago on the SOE tour and once in Chicago on the SOI tour. I even got 3 of the 4 to sign my Irish flag as they arrived at the UC.
My first U2 album was October. I played the song Gloria over and over. Then I listened to the rest of the album. I loved it so much that I bought Boy the next week. I played I will Follow over and over But when the WAR album came out I was completely Hooked on U2. Two months later they were Touring and came to Tulsa in 1983 with the WAR tour. The opening act were the Alarm. That's another Band you should look into. U2 became My Band for Life after that show. They played Gloria and I will follow, Sunday Bloody Sunday. The show ended with 40. I have seen them 10 times through the years. The song off of War that should be heard by you guys is Drowning Man. They have never played it live. But it is a Beautifully haunting song that you should here. That album is packed with Good Stuff. Thanks for the Videos. Be Well.
Seen 40 performed live a few times.. first time at Wembley stadium in 87 . 80,000 people singing " how long " was amazing.. last time in Glasgow in 2015. It's my favourite way to end a U2 concert .. one thing I always wonder is why Bono changes the line in the psalm from 'see and fear ' to ' see and hear ' any thoughts ? Thanks 👍🏻
Ive seen U2 25+ times. I started with ZooTV Indoor Apr 13. So I did not see the tours where 40 was consistently a closer, prior. They played 40 of the Vertigo tour shows I went to, and 1 of the Innocence + Experience shows I attended.
@@anthonykladitis36 It's really hard to pick. They are all so great in different ways. ZooTV Indoor Tour: My first concert, ever. Probably the most innovative and influential tour, ever. The whole arena kept singing Still Haven't Found What Im Looking For (full tilt) after U2 left the stage, without letup until they came back for Encore. The mirrorball Trabant car over the stage (I believe during Satelite of Love?) Elevation Tour: U2 walking out and Performing Elevation to start the show, WITH HOUSE LIGHTS ON! Crowd was wild. The energy during I Will Follow. Bono's voice for Kite. Walk On was a powerful closer. There was an overall vibe and atmosphere to the whole tour, that was just... elevated. Vertigo Tour: The "Bomb Shelter" (area on the GA floor in front of stage, where the walk way created an oval encircling a crowd of a few hundred) Got in multiple shows. Felt like we were in our own U2 club venue concert. So intimate. Energy inside was amazing. All of us dancing and jumping around. In LA show I kept stepping on dude behind me. Turns out it was Tony Kanal from No Doubt, who had just performed a great opening set for U2, just minutes earlier. Ended up dancing with them the whole concert. Great Setlists. Vegas 2nd show: Bono lost voice. Went to previous night, and it was great. 2nd nite was Out of this World. They completely changed up the setlist, much more heavy on the rock and Achtung Baby songs. The crowd was 1000x better. It was a raucous and extremely high energy night from the band and the audience. The rafters behind the stage were shaking and rumbling so hard it felt like an Earthquake. They probably went with the more rock oriented songs to give Bono some relief. It was extremely intense and would not let up. On top if it already being an amazing show, and 1 of (if not the best shows, up to that point). Mary J Blige joined them on One. THEN even better, They started to play In A Little While (which was a rarity on this tour) and then Brandon Flowers from The Killers (who are from Vegas, and he is a huge U2 fan) came out for the duet. This was already the best concert ever... Then the closed with BAD!!! 360 Tour: Unknown Caller, Moment of Surrender, Magnificent, I'll Go Crazy all turned out to be AMAZING live. The version of Ultraviolet, with the suit of light and the steering wheel mic is majestic, visually and band performance. The intimacy and magic of Miss Sarajevo (and the surprise inclusion during this leg) then leading into the otherworldly alien invasion otherness of Zooropa, where the giant video screen extended and completely enveloped and obscuring the band, turning into what looked like a towering giant alien spaceship with searchlights scanning the audience for signs of life. Experience + Innocence: Everything about the stage setup, screen, visuals, performance was a masterclass in show production and artistic performance. It surpassed ZooTV in its narrative and storytelling.
This song was written & recorded in the last hours the band had booked in the studio. Adam, the bassist had left for the day, so the Edge played both bass & guitar on the album version. It’s now part of the performance (since they started performing the song live) that Adam & The Edge will swap instruments to perform this song live. Usually the crowd will continue singing long after the band has left the stage.
I am a big fan of U2's music and have seen them live at least 30 times since 1984. I have been waiting for you guys to do a video on this song. 40 is a magical song when performed live. I have been to concerts with 10,000 U2 fans to 100,000 U2 fans and hearing a 100,000 people Christians and Non-Christians singing "How long to sing this song, How long to sing this Song" is simply amazing and the feeling is incredible.
Yes they leave the stage one by one, sometimes even clapping, based on Brennan Manning example. Another fun fact is that several times Bono introduced the song live by saying "this song took 10 minutes writting it, 10 minutes recordimg it, 10 minutes mixing it, and 10 minutes playing it back, and it has nothing to do with why it's called 40". I think that's pretty cool. Search Elevation Tour Prayer blessing and you'll hear Pastor Jack Heaslip saying to them what you said in the video, that they are giving a message to all the people that arr going to their concerts every night. That's it, that's all i'm going to say. Oh! I almost forgot, both DC Talk and Michael W. Smith do a cover version of 40 in their live concerts. Really cool!
This is the last song of their encore. Edge playing bass, Adam playing guitar. I saw them do this in 2005. Pope John Paul II had just died and Bono had a rosary that the pope had given him. He draped it over the microphone stand. It was powerful. The audience just continues singing. Also fitting that Larry is the last to leave since he was the one who started the band.
I'm not sure why, I haven't been able to find that answer. I did read that it has always been this way for the song, even when they recorded it for the War album
This is the moment when you realize that contemporary Christian music is entirely a bad U2 cover... U2 invented all of the hallmarks of a Christian concert
Try listening to ‘70s albums by Paul Clark, Second Chapter of Acts and others that came before U2 and are very much contemporary music. They gave plenty of live concerts in the 70s.
Christian bands took a lot of pages from U2's 1980s playbook. It's not U2 sounding like a 2000s Christian band. This is U2 sounding like U2 from the 80s. If that makes sense. Also, this song is the 2nd lamentation (I know that it's technically a psalm, but work with me here) on the War album. Sunday Bloody Sunday asks "how long must we sing this song" and "40" takes up the same question to end the album. It's a very spiritual album. It's spiritual, but not in the sense that most contemporary Christian music tackles the subject. It's not afraid to doubt - which isn't really allowed in the "Nashville" Christian ethos, which was one of the things that drew me to U2 in the first place.
@@adrianrussell580 "You're dangerous. Cause you're honest. You're dangerous. You don't know what you want. Well you left my heart empty as a vacant lot. For any spirit to haunt."
Psalm 40. Larry Mullins is the drummer. Today's christian music has no originality. I go back to my days of the 70's-80's. Bands like Phil Keaggy, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Chuck Girard, Petra, Resurrection Band, Sweet Comfort Band, Jerusalem, White Heart, Darrell Mansfield, Degarmo and Key and Mylon Lefebvre.
I have been so blessed to see U2 since 1985. Probably 60+ times from many different venues indoor/outdoor in CA, WA, CO, AZ and Hawaii. Hearing 40 too many times to count and it is truly a spiritual experience as church is in the building. Once the band leaves the stage the crowd continues to sing 🎶 until we leave to venue. The most awesome experience that moves within you. God bless this band for many more years to come. Oh BTW the drummers name is Larry Mullen Jr. ☮️💟 keep the songs coming 👍🏼
What has been your favorite tour?
My favorite tour wow that’s a good question? Maybe Joshua tree 1987 and the 30th anniversary tour. 🎶🎶✝️
U2 consistently closed their gigs with 40 from the War tour through The Joshua Tree tour. It fell off the setlist during the Zoo Tv, Popmart and the Elevation tour but made re-appeared in the Vertigo tour (where I first heard it live). The Edge and Adam have always traded bass and guitar on this song. As the story goes, Adam left the recording studio early one day (tired of waiting on the Edge to perfect something) and Edge ended up recording both the bass line and the guitar part for 40.
Hi guys. Back in ‘85 and ‘87 in Dublin was just incredible to exit the stadium with everyone singing “How long to sing this song” and on into the night with it reverberating around the streets. I was a very lucky teenager!
And back then Bono could really belt it out, and would include great snippets of songs too.
@@joesheltonsings what tour was that?
Yes Joe was there for both shows in 85 " 87 they just blew me away
Guys you should have done the live version from Chicago in 2005 it's miles Better trust me miles Better check it out and Larry at the end wow Please React to the Chicago version 🙏🙏🙏🙏
@@reactionfan1448 That is what we've been told. I went to check it out and it is fantastic !
U2 performing Where the Streets Have No Name, Until The End of the World and 40 live are unlike any thing else I've ever seen. Transcendent. I was blessed to see them multiple times through the 2000's including the 360 tour live at the Rose Bowl. Larry started the band, is the first on stage, its fitting that he is the last to leave the stage.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I was wondering what you think of SOI and SOE?
@@anthonykladitis36 I was unable to procure tickets for innocence and experience. I am currently rediscovering U2 again after a multi year hiatus. I have only watched bits of I and E but am enjoying the depth of poetry in songs like Iris ( hold me close). I just watched ZooTv again this week after many years with my 14 y o son. He was all in until Mr. Macphisto, then he was like, " what the heck am I watching mom?" Its irony yes, but also creepy and weird too.
@@DesireeStamat Thanks for sharing. Personally, I like both albums but seem to favor SOI a bit more. I do love a few off of SOE like Love is bigger and landlady and the little things...
Greetings from Dublin Ireland,
I've been a fan of U2 since I first them in 1980 , I've seen them live now 74 times so I've experienced the song 40 many times live , it's absolutely phenomenal live the atmosphere is incredible and crowd continuing to sing the as we walk away from the Arena is special
74 times!!! You WIN!
Hi. I just found your channel and U2 reactions/reviews. I saw U2 in November 1987 in Murfreesboro, TN and they ended the set with Pride (In the Name of Love) then came back for an encore set that ended with 40. I have to tell you that it was incredibly powerful to hear everyone in the audience singing, even after the band had left the stage and the house lights came up. Adam (the bass player) and Edge (the guitar player) always switch instruments for this song. Enjoying your channel! Thanks!
We are glad you found the channel and loo forward to interacting with you. Thank you for sharing your experience with us !
Amy Beth I was at the same show!
October 9th 1989 Melbourne Tennis Centre , Lovetown Tour with BB King. My first concert (Age 16) the show was mind blowing, U2 were on fire after the success of the Joshua Tree, Rattle and Hum albums. The show ended with "40" Edge and Adam swapped guitars, Edge on Bass , Adam on lead. At the end of the song , Bono,Edge and Adam walked off and Larry ended the concert with a fantastic Drum Solo. 15,000 fans continued singing "How long to sing this song as we exited the building walking out into the Melbourne City Streets for kilometres after the show had ended. Best night ever !!
I keep hearing stories like these and they sound awesome !
@@anthonykladitis36 You need to go to at least one U2 concert. I'm lucky. I've seen them over 10 times here in Australia 🇦🇺
@@hypersphereengineering6015 did you see them on the SOI/SOE tour?
@@anthonykladitis36 No. I saw Lovetown 89, Zoo TV 5 times (Melbourne Rehearsal full show, both Melbourne Shows, both Sydney Shows) Popmart concert, Vertigo concert, both Melbourne Shows 360 tour, Joshua Tree anniversary tour 2019. We didn't get U2 here in Australia for the Songs of Innocence/Experience tour. We got the Joshua Tree anniversary instead. I'm not a huge fan of those new albums as I am of their older stuff.
@@hypersphereengineering6015 awesome ! I am jealous. I did see them twice: atyclb and 360. I really wanted to see them on the soi/soe tour. I really like a lot of songs off of both of those records.
Fun fact: Edge and Adam Clayton have always switched instruments on this song.
Do you know the reason they do this?
I don’t know the reason why they switch instruments but it does add even more appeal to the song for me for some reason. U2 has so many but 40 is a special one for sure.
They not only switch instruments, but also the side of the stage they are on, every time they play 40. Part of the reason may be because it was recorded last minute. Adam had already left. This final song just came together, and Edge recorded both guitar and bass in a mad dash to complete.
@@anthonykladitis36 they wanted another song to finish the album War and this song was basically written, recorded and mixed in the very last hour of their studio time. Adam Clayton wasn’t there so the Edge came up with and played the bass on the recording. So they decided to carry that on in concert.
@@MBeano BINGO ! thank you :)
I first went to a U2 concert the 'Unforgettable Fire tour' November 5th 1984 at the Edinburgh playhouse Scotland which held only 3 thousand attendance the cost of my concert ticket was monetary terms 6.50 pounds sterling ,me and my friends were 5 rows from the front they sang the song '40' at the end of the concert. I've been to eight other U2 concerts through the years This was my best ever U2 concert they were up close to the fans and the band was still raw as they were during the 'Joshua Tree tour' before they become too commercialised
WOW what a great experience! Thank you for sharing!
A Letter to U2:
I saw you guys on the Joshua Tree tour in 1987 at MTSU-Middle Tennessee State University Saturday November 28th 1987. The Bodeans opened up for you. I remember at the time Larry had a crush on Wynonna Judd and she came out and sang a duo with Bono!
I didn't have tickets to the show. A friend of mine drove us 3 hours from East Tennessee to see the show. We bought tickets at the box office for $18.50. We ended up 8th row center stage!
I remember back then the band held back tickets for fans who were willing to make the drive and couldn't get tickets via phone or record store locations.
Thanks again to Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr for making a special album and tour! I was 18 and had just graduated High School that year!
All the Best!
Gary Lagstrom
Larry Mullen, Jr is the drummer, who also started the band. He put up a notice at school for others to contact him if interested. He’s the youngest member, too - he looked like a teenager well into his 20’s 😂
I swear he still looks young for his age.
@@anthonykladitis36 That he does 🤗
He still looks like a teenager ;-)
@@DesireeStamat yes
It is really interesting and appropriate that you bring up Christian Music and the Christian events. I grew up deep in the Christian Church. While I am no longer affiliated with a Church, I appreciate much of what is strived for. The sect I grew up in was not as intrenched into Music, sadly. Very early on, the band almost broke up due to their church affiliation. There are many articles and even books about U2 and its relationship/connection with Christian Music and events. U2 has been influenced by many Church/Christian figures, and vice versa U2 has heavily influenced Christian Music and performance.
What really intriguing and perhaps one of the things I love most about U2, is that they take inspiration from Christianity, but are not heavily constrained by all tropes and customs. Their music and performance are not solely informed by the modern church or its culture, but always heavily entrenched in its core values principles and spirit. Even at U2's darkest, most experimental, most decadent and sinful, and otherworldly and angry or exhausted, it is all of God. In "Still Haven't Found What Im Looking For" there is a restless, spirit. Yet the author acknowledges his restlessness, and God. In "Wake Up Dead Man" the author is at his end, angry with despair. Yet he is shouting at God, at the world and himself. As was noted, U2 has given us full circle and scope of the human condition, but within the eyes and realm and grace of God (definition of GOD may vary). Bono may have even described some of the angrier U2 songs as being like David shouting t God. He is at his bottom, but still in conversation
Excellent post and well thought out. I think of U2 a lot like the Psalms - honest with God. Some folks just cannot handle that.
I saw them back in 1987 Joshua Tree tour at Sullivan Stadium and they played 40 and the whole crowd was singing “I will sing a new song” even after the band left the stage. Awesome show indeed! Cheers!
thanks for sharing your memory with us !
I saw them about a week after the show this video comes from, in Boston. My first U2 show and I was hoping they would play this. I was disappointed when they started playing "One", as I knew if that was played, "40" had been cut for the night. Towards the end of "One", Bono turned to the rest of the band and put up 4 fingers and then made an 0 with his hand. I immediately knew what was coming. The crowd was extremely into it, I'd saw we were at the Garden for half an hour after the band left singing the chorus
What a great experience! Thank you for sharing it!
It would be awesome if one day U2 would finally play "Drowning Man" live, as a surprise encore after "40." It would play off so well as a "new" live song to sing, being that so many fans have wondered "how long" it would be until they would finally play it live in concert.
Good performance . Saw them the first time 1985 in MSG and they did the 40 walk off. Another great song from the same album WAR is a song called Drowning Man very spiritual
We will add that song to our reviews.
I saw U2 3 times in the 80’s and early 90’s in Detroit and they ended with this every time. Incredible moments. Seemed like it went on forever.
I've seen U2 in concert several times from 1985 - 2000's. My favorite was at Madison Square Garden, and they played "40" to end the show. They left the stage one by one, leaving Larry Mullen, Jr. to just play the drums. When that beat ended, all you could hear was the crowd singing for literally 2 minutes. And then Larry began to play again. It was incredible.
Although u2 didn't play 40 during the 90's and only once during the Elevation tour, they played it during nearly every leg 1 and leg 3 Vertigo tour (North America and Canada). Usually, it followed Yahweh, which concluded the All Because of You, Yahweh, 40 trilogy. I saw 40 during 4 of my 5 Vertigo shows. All of them were uplifting and somewhat unreal, but the performance I remember the most was the Dallas 3rd leg show. That show had an unbelievable amount of energy and crowd connection and I remember the fans singing "How Long.." out in the parking lots. I remember feeling euphoric during Yahweh and 40 and the effect lasted well after the show ended. My friend and I saw the show together on the floor but met up with the friends who had tickets in the stands. Our conversation after the show discussed how intense the show was, and how joyful and ecstatic everyone was feeling, even those who were only casual u2 fans.
What a great post! Thank you for sharing this!
Please strongly consider doing a reaction analysis to U2s “Tomorrow”. It is about the death of Bono’s mother and their most overtly Christian song IMO.
We will add this to our list. I appreciate the suggestion.
@@anthonykladitis36 Looking forward to it!
I saw them in 1987 at Cologne West Germany, there were about 60,000 people there and they closed with this song. My friends and i had to leave early to catch our ride home. We were around a quarter mile away and you could still hear the song and the entire crowd singing in unison after Bono had left the stage.
Now that is an epic experience !
The actual show date for this was July 2, 2015. I was at this show, and it was an incredible night. I love seeing the shows that end with this song.
Did you see them on the SOE / SOI tour?
@@anthonykladitis36 Saw them on both....3 times in Chicago on the SOE tour and once in Chicago on the SOI tour. I even got 3 of the 4 to sign my Irish flag as they arrived at the UC.
@@marknash2038 Excellent. what songs from those albums are your stand outs?
@@anthonykladitis36 Blackout, Every Breaking Wave, Red Flag Day are at the top of my list. They were all fantastic live.
@@marknash2038 I watched the video when it was available on TH-cam and really thought the new material was excellent live.
My first U2 album was October. I played the song Gloria over and over. Then I listened to the rest of the album. I loved it so much that I bought Boy the next week. I played I will Follow over and over But when the WAR album came out I was completely Hooked on U2. Two months later they were Touring and came to Tulsa in 1983 with the WAR tour. The opening act were the Alarm. That's another Band you should look into. U2 became My Band for Life after that show. They played Gloria and I will follow, Sunday Bloody Sunday. The show ended with 40. I have seen them 10 times through the years. The song off of War that should be heard by you guys is Drowning Man. They have never played it live. But it is a Beautifully haunting song that you should here. That album is packed with Good Stuff. Thanks for the Videos. Be Well.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I would of loved to see the band back in 83. We will check out the Drowning Man!
@@anthonykladitis36 Check out U2 live at Red Rocks. They played Tulsa and few other places then they played that show. They ended that show with 40.
@@whotrek on it
You should see 60,000 fans leaving a U2 show when 40 was the closing song, everyone sings it all the way out to their cars non stop!
this experience sounds fantastic ! What tour dd you see u2 on?
Seen 40 performed live a few times.. first time at Wembley stadium in 87 . 80,000 people singing " how long " was amazing.. last time in Glasgow in 2015. It's my favourite way to end a U2 concert .. one thing I always wonder is why Bono changes the line in the psalm from 'see and fear ' to ' see and hear ' any thoughts ? Thanks 👍🏻
Good observation. I never picked up on the word change. My hunch is that it might be a translation choice Bono made to make it fit singing live.
U2 gets a secular crowd of thousands to sing a psalm
remarkable isn't it?
Ive seen U2 25+ times. I started with ZooTV Indoor Apr 13. So I did not see the tours where 40 was consistently a closer, prior. They played 40 of the Vertigo tour shows I went to, and 1 of the Innocence + Experience shows I attended.
Do you have a fav tour or experience ?
@@anthonykladitis36 It's really hard to pick. They are all so great in different ways.
ZooTV Indoor Tour: My first concert, ever. Probably the most innovative and influential tour, ever. The whole arena kept singing Still Haven't Found What Im Looking For (full tilt) after U2 left the stage, without letup until they came back for Encore. The mirrorball Trabant car over the stage (I believe during Satelite of Love?)
Elevation Tour: U2 walking out and Performing Elevation to start the show, WITH HOUSE LIGHTS ON! Crowd was wild. The energy during I Will Follow. Bono's voice for Kite. Walk On was a powerful closer. There was an overall vibe and atmosphere to the whole tour, that was just... elevated.
Vertigo Tour: The "Bomb Shelter" (area on the GA floor in front of stage, where the walk way created an oval encircling a crowd of a few hundred) Got in multiple shows. Felt like we were in our own U2 club venue concert. So intimate. Energy inside was amazing. All of us dancing and jumping around. In LA show I kept stepping on dude behind me. Turns out it was Tony Kanal from No Doubt, who had just performed a great opening set for U2, just minutes earlier. Ended up dancing with them the whole concert. Great Setlists. Vegas 2nd show: Bono lost voice. Went to previous night, and it was great. 2nd nite was Out of this World. They completely changed up the setlist, much more heavy on the rock and Achtung Baby songs. The crowd was 1000x better. It was a raucous and extremely high energy night from the band and the audience. The rafters behind the stage were shaking and rumbling so hard it felt like an Earthquake. They probably went with the more rock oriented songs to give Bono some relief. It was extremely intense and would not let up. On top if it already being an amazing show, and 1 of (if not the best shows, up to that point). Mary J Blige joined them on One. THEN even better, They started to play In A Little While (which was a rarity on this tour) and then Brandon Flowers from The Killers (who are from Vegas, and he is a huge U2 fan) came out for the duet. This was already the best concert ever... Then the closed with BAD!!!
360 Tour: Unknown Caller, Moment of Surrender, Magnificent, I'll Go Crazy all turned out to be AMAZING live. The version of Ultraviolet, with the suit of light and the steering wheel mic is majestic, visually and band performance. The intimacy and magic of Miss Sarajevo (and the surprise inclusion during this leg) then leading into the otherworldly alien invasion otherness of Zooropa, where the giant video screen extended and completely enveloped and obscuring the band, turning into what looked like a towering giant alien spaceship with searchlights scanning the audience for signs of life.
Experience + Innocence: Everything about the stage setup, screen, visuals, performance was a masterclass in show production and artistic performance. It surpassed ZooTV in its narrative and storytelling.
@@MBeano I first saw U2 for the atyclb tour. its still my favorite
@@anthonykladitis36 The Elevation/ATYCLB Tour was sooo good. Did you go to each of the following tours as well?
@@MBeano Just 360. I missed out of I & E and I regret it
we been see concert u2 of last tour in my city of 360' tour
This song was written & recorded in the last hours the band had booked in the studio. Adam, the bassist had left for the day, so the Edge played both bass & guitar on the album version. It’s now part of the performance (since they started performing the song live) that Adam & The Edge will swap instruments to perform this song live. Usually the crowd will continue singing long after the band has left the stage.
I am a big fan of U2's music and have seen them live at least 30 times since 1984. I have been waiting for you guys to do a video on this song. 40 is a magical song when performed live. I have been to concerts with 10,000 U2 fans to 100,000 U2 fans and hearing a 100,000 people Christians and Non-Christians singing "How long to sing this song, How long to sing this Song" is simply amazing and the feeling is incredible.
In your estimation, what was your favorite tour?
@@anthonykladitis36Man...that is hard to choose one. I think ZOO TV was pretty amazing but also loved the 360 Tour. I think those are 2 of the best.
@@johnsaunders4594 I saw the 360 tour and thought it was a bit too big. I like the arenas better.
Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro Massachusetts, I forgot to mention
great memories I am sure!
Another is When Love Comes To Town.
I'm familiar with the song. I will give it another listen
Yes they leave the stage one by one, sometimes even clapping, based on Brennan Manning example. Another fun fact is that several times Bono introduced the song live by saying "this song took 10 minutes writting it, 10 minutes recordimg it, 10 minutes mixing it, and 10 minutes playing it back, and it has nothing to do with why it's called 40". I think that's pretty cool. Search Elevation Tour Prayer blessing and you'll hear Pastor Jack Heaslip saying to them what you said in the video, that they are giving a message to all the people that arr going to their concerts every night. That's it, that's all i'm going to say. Oh! I almost forgot, both DC Talk and Michael W. Smith do a cover version of 40 in their live concerts. Really cool!
I appreciate the insights here. I did not know DCT and MWS do covers of 40. I will try to find them on TH-cam.
This is the last song of their encore. Edge playing bass, Adam playing guitar.
I saw them do this in 2005. Pope John Paul II had just died and Bono had a rosary that the pope had given him. He draped it over the microphone stand.
It was powerful. The audience just continues singing.
Also fitting that Larry is the last to leave since he was the one who started the band.
U2 forever!!!!!!!!
BOOM!
I don’t think you can get any cooler, because you are the coolest
Maybe I should be the 5th member of u2?
Ace mentioned it below, but I wanted to share that The Edge and Adam Clayton always swap instruments and stage spots for this song.
Do you know the reason that why do this?
I'm not sure why, I haven't been able to find that answer. I did read that it has always been this way for the song, even when they recorded it for the War album
Memories...
Fantastic. Great choice to choose a live song Paulie.
badda bing!
I get a vibe of pancakes and syrup from this video.
lol
This is the moment when you realize that contemporary Christian music is entirely a bad U2 cover...
U2 invented all of the hallmarks of a Christian concert
bingo!
Try listening to ‘70s albums by Paul Clark, Second Chapter of Acts and others that came before U2 and are very much contemporary music. They gave plenty of live concerts in the 70s.
Psalm 40
Christian bands took a lot of pages from U2's 1980s playbook. It's not U2 sounding like a 2000s Christian band. This is U2 sounding like U2 from the 80s. If that makes sense. Also, this song is the 2nd lamentation (I know that it's technically a psalm, but work with me here) on the War album. Sunday Bloody Sunday asks "how long must we sing this song" and "40" takes up the same question to end the album. It's a very spiritual album. It's spiritual, but not in the sense that most contemporary Christian music tackles the subject. It's not afraid to doubt - which isn't really allowed in the "Nashville" Christian ethos, which was one of the things that drew me to U2 in the first place.
you hit the nail on the head with "Nashville" christian phony vibes.
Listen to 40 at red rocks
it's a great one!
I am a atheist, i do not believe in any gods. But i have seen u2 play 40 live a number of times and it is a religious experience to be there for it.
They picked the wrong version, U2 Elevation Tour from Boston 2001 was the right one!
SO many great ones to choose from !
HOW LONG TO SING THIS SONG…HOW LONG TO SING THIS SONG…HOW LONG…HOW LONG…HOW LONG…TILL JESUS COMES AGAIN…AND TAKES US HOME!
Best song ever for u2 is :kite
I love that song to the 100th degree.
One of my favorites, too 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
My favorite from that album for sure
I agree, that’s one of my favs too👍
@@effdonahue6595 do you know the background to this song?
Do Paris live 93 wild horses
on it ! thanks !
what is the meaning behind wild horses ?
It’s about your self . About all the ex girlfriends how they put up with you
And how your love of life put up with you.
@@adrianrussell580 "You're dangerous. Cause you're honest. You're dangerous. You don't know what you want. Well you left my heart empty as a vacant lot. For any spirit to haunt."
What did you think?
Nowcthey will walk off individually and Larry will finish the song!
Why is one of these guys wearing sun glasses ?
long story is explained in our previous U2 vid. short story is bc I am channeling my inner BONO.
Drummer, LarryMullen Jr.
No one like him!
does he age????
edge play bass and adam play guitar they switch instruments ...
Request -- Full Force Gale and When God Shines His Light by Van Morrison. th-cam.com/video/mTCrVydBAqo/w-d-xo.html
thanks !
Psalm 40. Larry Mullins is the drummer. Today's christian music has no originality. I go back to my days of the 70's-80's. Bands like Phil Keaggy, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Chuck Girard, Petra, Resurrection Band, Sweet Comfort Band, Jerusalem, White Heart, Darrell Mansfield, Degarmo and Key and Mylon Lefebvre.
I agree - today's christian music is basically a formula
Mullen*