This is raw , early U2 .. opening track on their first album.. 1980.. all I will say is they sure changed over the years but for me, the early stuff was the tastiest.... to each their own.. Nice reaction
I liked U2 until How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb- then they lost me. When I heard they charging over $300 for concert tickets (which was a lot back in the 2000s), I realized they were officially lame. But...I certainly don't hate them like a lot of people do. Proof of that is the whole iTunes fiasco. Imagine putting out your music for free, and people being upset because they can't delete it!
@@paulguise698 the pic you see on the vid was on the first album called Boy. This was released in America end of 1980.. as mentioned this song was the opening track. War, the third album with a similar face was released in 83.
This is from their debut album, Boy. The overriding theme of that album is Bono losing his mother when he was 14. Just about every song since has been about his mom or his wife in some way or another, at the core of the songs anyway. I think that this song starts out with him and his mother going to HER father's wake. Then she died a short time later - based on real life events. Guessing that "Your eyes make a circle / I see you when I go in there" is about seeing coins on his mom's eyes as he walks into her wake, which had to be terrifying and absolutely heartbreaking as a 14 year old. You can kind of see it in his face even in this music video. I think that they were all 17 -18 when this was released. Maybe 19. The pure energy of this album is great. They lost a lot of that over the years, but I think that comes with getting older.
@@samuelplacensia9979 hmmm. He's explicitly referencing holding his mom's hand and being afraid of something, and then straight into her wake. Like figuratively in the lyrics, obviously, but it's about the experience of losing his maternal grandfather and mother within a short span when he was 14. It's pretty cut and dry lol.
@@bminturn Actually I saw an interview with Bono where he explained what I will follow is all about. The song is about following Jesus. that’s what Bono said. 90% of all of U2‘s music references biblical scripture or Jesus. 40 is Psalm chapter 40. Tomorrow is about coming back to God. I still haven’t found what I’m looking for is a gospel song. Yahweh is literally about God. U2 are four Christians in a rock ‘n’ roll band.
Drummer Larry Mullen posted a letter on his high school billboard looking for "good looking musicians to start a band" . Larry says -"and these three guys showed up" .
It's so fun watching early U2. They have changed so much over the years. Lex nailed it again. Their earlier music was definitely more raw and carefree. Bono's lyrics are poetic. He's often referred to as a bard. I hope you'll listen to "Drowning Man". Such a good song.
Singer and bassist were 20 and guitarist and drummer were 18 when this song and album came out. Kids!!! Gloria is the song you need to check out by them. Still a timeless one.
Baby U2. Awwwh. This is the from their first album BOY. I think it is referencing his mother and God. There is always a spiritual element to their songs. His mother died when he was only 14, she collasped at her father's funeral from a brain anyruism. It inspired a lot of his writing and Bono has said that his wife Ali whom he met at the same time they formed the band, saved his life because he was so devastated by losing his mother. The glue of their family.
It occurred to me that this is the only video I've ever seen of Edge not playing his black Fender Stratocaster. This is a Gibson Les Paul. I've seen this video but many years ago when U2 was a new band.
I remember going to a record store in Columbus, Ohio near the OSU campus called Magnolia Thunderpussy in 1981 and asking about what they had that was exciting and new. The guy told me to check out this new "Scottish" band U2 and that is how my brother and I first came across the album "Boy." Fans ever since.
18 year old kids, 42 years ago who now are the biggest, most attended, highest earning Live act today. U2 are giants in the music industry who have never had to be sponsored on a live tour and who own their own music. Hate them or Love them, U2 have conquered the music industry on their own terms.
Probably Romeo Void (another new wave punk band back then)? They had toured with U2 during the early '80s. Romeo Void had songs like "Never Say Never", "Say No", "Chinatown", "A Girl in Trouble". Lead singer was a female and they had ska punk influences, a saxophone player on the band.
I have loved this song since I first heard it and didn't know who sang it for months because when I would hear it on the radio the DJ would never say who the group was LOL.
U2 became one of my favorite bands during this era. Edge’s guitar work is haunting. Bono & Edge get all the publicity but they are equally great on their instruments .
So 'Boy' was originally supposed to have been produced by Martin Hannett, who had done Joy Division's 'Unknown Pleasures' album. JD didn't like Hannett's finished product at first because it didn't sound like they did live, and U2 found him hard to work with. Of course, 'Unknown Pleasures' is now considered a classic. Steve Lillywhite, who produced 'Boy,' managed to capture some of U2's live energy on tape. I've always wondered -- what would the two records have sounded like if the producers were reversed? What if Hannett had done 'Boy' and Lillywhite had done 'Unknown Pleasures'?
Such a great album, raw, post punk. I remember when my older brother brought this home and thinking this is my type of music, wasn't hard rock ACDC, wasn't punk. It was just right. Songs like Electric Co. Out of Control and A day without me, still resonate today.
the look and the moves are very much part of the era.. in the clubs people would often move / dance like this... Simple Minds, Cure, Ultravox, OMD, Human League etc
Great to see you reacting to this. You make good choices. It brings back memories. Their first album which this is taken from was sonically groundbreaking at the time. New Wave, post punk. I remember seeing them play it at their first gig outside of Ireland. They were excellent live; much more carefree than in this video. I got to meet them backstage and had a good chat about theology with Bono. New Wave has a very rich catalogue.
Back at his 16th year old, Bono (lead singer of U2) mother past away, though, this song was a reference to pursue her mother lead and example of a good person to better himself, "-your eyes make a circle, I see you when I come in here", was one of the last memories he has before mother passing. "-I was on the inside (hospital room) When they pulled the four walls down (mother passing) I was looking through the window I was lost (depression and in denial of situation at hand), I am found (enbracing his new reality and pursue to live life without his mother)" "-walk away, walk away, I will follow" its the reference for him to say, I'll face the passing of mother, but, will continue to live an arduous life. 😊
yes!..one of the most recognizable opening guitar riffs of the early 80's and a great tune to dance to..Nuts and Bolts was one of the places to be in Toronto, well at least amongst the punk new wave subculture around at the time..miss those days
This song is just so atmospheric. The echoing rhythmic chiming guitar, those tinkling repetitive bells, and the driving bass adding tension by working against the chords. It just keeps swirling around like a wailing banshee.
I still love listening to early U2. Their sound is so raw and intense, especially the song you just reacted to, "I Will Follow". And their songs like, "Two Hearts Beat As One", "Seconds", "The Refugee", "Gloria", "The Electric Co", "October", etc. U2 Rawks!!! Thanks for your reaction, Brad and Lex? 🤘
Post-punk, new wave usually always has good dancy bass guitars. 🎸 U2, Sioxsee and the Bashees, Joy Division, The Cure, Duran Duran, Simple Minds, Gang of Four, Interpol, Bloc Party, etc
I saw them in about 1987 during the Joshua Tree Tour (Their peak IMHO) It was in a Sports Arena, but they made it feel like we were in a small club. It was an amazing concert. It truly touched my spirit.
Another song I saw so many times live. My regret is I knew who U2 was since the beginning and I never saw them until the Joshua Tree tour. If you can take away anything from this very early U2 video, take away that Bono is an awesome front man, The Edge has a super original guitar style that no one has repeated since and the song writing is super creative. That being said it was so much fun dancing to this song in clubs in the 80s. It really was.
The Edge will never be confused with Clapton, Hendrix, or Jimmy Page, but he gets a unique sound out of his Gibson Explorer...his riffs go well with Bono's thoughful lyrics...and the rhythm section of Adam Clayton's solid bass playing and Larry Mullen's firecracker snare drum never fail to satisfy.
Feel like you're really diving into the heart of my record collection down the years this weekend with U2, Simple Minds and R.E.M. reactions all dropping this last day or two! Props for having a go at this early U2 song. As always with U2, there's blood in the music - very rarely do they do bubblegum pop songs (though there are some out there), but this definitely isn't one, a lot deeper than it might initially appear. Keep smashing the reactions out, you're doing great.
Bono's mother died when he was a young boy. This song is based on that experience. Bono is still very young here. It's a song from U2's debut album "Boy". He looks like a baby!
Embryonic U2, though it's notable how the foundations of their sound was already there. It's impressive how they had matured by their second album - "Gloria" is a great example. This one was for the clubs. Bono never learned how to dance, btw, but that never stopped him. 😃
This was from their first album, and you can tell the punk influence. On the Songs of Innocence album, the song, The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone) talks about how seeing the Ramones changed their lives and you can certainly see the inspiration they took from the punk scene. And so young! Great reaction y'all!
One of the best songs of 1980 and one of my favourite U2 songs...gosh this song is soooo old. Even back here Bono is confident radiant and a great dancer🎵🎶🎵
These were the days where MTV was opening up a new world of music to America and you still had to go buy it in a record shop. It seems old and quaint, but they were much better days in many respects. U2 is inextricably linked to my early and late teens. They were the soundtrack for a decade.
The first track by the group that got any play in the USA (c. 1980), mostly on album rock and progressive radio. Bono and the lads were all just around 20 years old.
🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸 From my favorite U2 album. Their first. When they played Ames, Iowa in support of this album they were not even played on the radio. I saw them in a small club that I think was sold out. They were great. Fresh and new. No one sounded like them. They played the complete Boy album ( I think ) and played their first song a second time as the encore.
Bono's lyric was inspired by his mother, who died in 1974 when he was 14. Bono calls it "a song about unconditional love." The love he refers to is between a mother and a child, how no matter what the child does, the mother will still love him.
Always a fan favorite from them and in years past was often an encore tune. My favorite version of this is early on in their career, they did it at Red Rocks CO back in 1983 or so. That and the song that preceded it there, 11 O'Clock, Tik-Tok, were absolute fire, the crowd is amazing and you can sense something big was going on. Do 11 O'Clock, Tik-Tok and I Will Follow Live at Red Rocks, please! Enjoy. 🎵🎸🎤🎶
...nobody knew what a juggernaut U2 would become when we first heard them in the early 80s...this song has deeper meanings you will have to research for yourself. But U2 has always sounded different because they do things their own way...no one sounds like U2, they are special...( maybe "The Alarm")
It’s actually lyrically a very dark song . It was about Bono’s mother dying when he was 14. The I will follow part means about him taking his own life and following his mother into the afterlife. U2’s first album was called boy and the cover is the image you can see behind the band. This is post punk at its finest. Song came out in 1980 ,U2 were actually 46 years old yesterday Was typing this while listening to the video. Brad you got it right at the end 👌 it’s about following his mother . But obviously you’re not going to know it was about him following his mother into the afterlife . Well done
Bout time! This song 🎵 is about Bono listening to his Mother. (Who passed away when he was 14) He wanted to follow her all the way. This way back in 1980. When Bono was 20 years old.
Give credit where it's due. The Edge's guitar ability makes Curt Cobain look like Alex Lifeson but The Edge took that bit of talent and made himself an iconic sound that you know it's him when you hear it.
@@mtbhelius It's not about the sound only, any guitarist will sound like another that preceded him, it's the tunes that make he difference. And in this department he has the edge over Levenes, who is very talented of course.
Some have made the case given U2's prolific Christian imagery (October, 40, Drowning Man, Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, When Love Comes to Town, Sunday, Bloody Sunday, Desire, Pride (In The Name Of Love), etc.) throughout their discography that this song is about a conversion experience. A boy leaves the shelter and protection of his parents to become a man and chooses for himself what values he will base his life upon. "I was on the outside, when you (Christ) say, you say you needed me. I was looking at myself (looking at my life - introspectively). I was blind. I could not see (Amazing Grace reference #1). Jesus said to those who wanted to become his disciples , "Follow me." So, if Jesus, walks away (to lead his followers on mission), I will follow [Him]. The next verse is, " I was on the inside when they pulled the four walls down. I was looking through the window (observing but not really engaging in life). I was lost. I am found. (Amazing Grace reference #2). Bridge: "Your eyes, make a circle (represents completion, perfection, unity, purity, holiness, eternal life). I see you when I go in there." (in prayer, where the Lord meets us, through the Holy Spirit and reveals His will).
This was in 1980. Most of us just kind of bounced around (pogo-ing was still a thing). Despite being a huge U2 virtually from the beginning, I have to say that Bono's dancing always struck me as just a little bit 'girly.'
This video always gets me. Its like a bunch of 14 year-olds writing and singing hit songs. They're all so dang young! While I grew up with U2, I don't think I ever saw a current video of theirs until Pride. And by that point they really didn't look like kids any more.
The very first song The world received from this band, first album, first track, first video to MTV, and yes, it is about a boy trying to become a man but still tight to mother's care, nobody knew back then how big the boys from Dublin would become.
Man, they were REAL young here! Actually, it's about Bono losing his Mom when he was 14. Don't think you did WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME, yet. Also, try The Smiths hit song HOW SOON IS NOW? or Chumbawamba's TUBTHUMPING or AMNESIA from their Tubthumper album.
FINALLY!!! Someone reacts to it, this is one of the best U2 songs! Also, do Gloria, 2 hearts beat as one, Out Of Control, the electric co., and new Year's Day (the full 5 min ver) Some of their 1978-9 songs, like "The Fool" and "Stories For Boys" are good too.
I tend to think of this as a early early experimental garage band version of U2. I like it cause ya still do see the creativity of the drumming guitar and bass. Lyrics maybe not so much. Hope you 2 though are alright with regards to hurricane.
I read that Bono said this was about a mother’s undying love for her son. Bono said it is also about God. This is from U2’s first album and my opinion is their earlier music is their best. ✌️🎶💙
Once, by mistake, I didn't buy a U2 album. When I got home, I found I'd bought UB40. Being lazy, I didn't return it so now I listen to Red, Red Wine occasionally and still don't have any U2.
This was about his mother, and her death. Bono was very strongly effected by this death, and it has stayed with him until this day. His repetition of "if you walk away, I will follow" is a promise that he will remember her, that he will do his best to follow in her example so he can follow her into the arms of God. U2 are very Christian in their writing and presentation. When I listen to their earliest work it really comes to the surface forcefully, and makes me want to shout; "Okay, 'Christian rock bands', THAT is how you write a REAL Christian Rock Song!!"
From their first album. Great live song. Some bands just need to be seen live to truly appreciate. U2 is definitely one of those. I've seen them 10 times. Maybe more. Lost track. They played Madison Square Garden which I think was the first concert there after 9/11. They played hit after hit and the most emotional show I've seen.
1980 18 year old bono...great song especially live. And thats my recommendation to you both, watch some live stuff too. Their live stuff is nearly a religious experience.
The early production robs it a bit of it's power... but I love the glass bottle chiming noises. They were just babies here. Bono still working through his stage moves and The Edge not being as stoic as he later grew into.
This is raw , early U2 .. opening track on their first album.. 1980.. all I will say is they sure changed over the years but for me, the early stuff was the tastiest.... to each their own.. Nice reaction
I agree.
Me too. It's natural for bands to change and evolve but I definitely prefer their early stuff as well.
I liked U2 until How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb- then they lost me. When I heard they charging over $300 for concert tickets (which was a lot back in the 2000s), I realized they were officially lame.
But...I certainly don't hate them like a lot of people do. Proof of that is the whole iTunes fiasco. Imagine putting out your music for free, and people being upset because they can't delete it!
Hiya Easy Rolling, it was more like 1983 than 1980 for U2's first album,its the same face as the album called War
@@paulguise698 the pic you see on the vid was on the first album called Boy. This was released in America end of 1980.. as mentioned this song was the opening track. War, the third album with a similar face was released in 83.
This is from their debut album, Boy. The overriding theme of that album is Bono losing his mother when he was 14. Just about every song since has been about his mom or his wife in some way or another, at the core of the songs anyway. I think that this song starts out with him and his mother going to HER father's wake. Then she died a short time later - based on real life events. Guessing that "Your eyes make a circle / I see you when I go in there" is about seeing coins on his mom's eyes as he walks into her wake, which had to be terrifying and absolutely heartbreaking as a 14 year old. You can kind of see it in his face even in this music video. I think that they were all 17 -18 when this was released. Maybe 19. The pure energy of this album is great. They lost a lot of that over the years, but I think that comes with getting older.
well said.
It would be interesting to see a reaction to “Iris” - some of the same themes but almost 40 years later.
I will follow is about following Jesus Christ. That’s what the original title was. I will follow Jesus. Boy is basically a Christian album.
@@samuelplacensia9979 hmmm. He's explicitly referencing holding his mom's hand and being afraid of something, and then straight into her wake. Like figuratively in the lyrics, obviously, but it's about the experience of losing his maternal grandfather and mother within a short span when he was 14. It's pretty cut and dry lol.
@@bminturn Actually I saw an interview with Bono where he explained what I will follow is all about. The song is about following Jesus. that’s what Bono said. 90% of all of U2‘s music references biblical scripture or Jesus. 40 is Psalm chapter 40. Tomorrow is about coming back to God. I still haven’t found what I’m looking for is a gospel song. Yahweh is literally about God. U2 are four Christians in a rock ‘n’ roll band.
Drummer Larry Mullen posted a letter on his high school billboard looking for "good looking musicians to start a band" . Larry says -"and these three guys showed up" .
It's so fun watching early U2. They have changed so much over the years. Lex nailed it again. Their earlier music was definitely more raw and carefree. Bono's lyrics are poetic. He's often referred to as a bard. I hope you'll listen to "Drowning Man". Such a good song.
Singer and bassist were 20 and guitarist and drummer were 18 when this song and album came out.
Kids!!!
Gloria is the song you need to check out by them. Still a timeless one.
Such a great song, U2 early days was amazing.. I still hear this on the radio almost every day, still never gets old.
I remember how great early U2 was. Bands like U2 and The Alarm were raw and heavy but with a touch of pop sensibility.
Baby U2. Awwwh. This is the from their first album BOY. I think it is referencing his mother and God. There is always a spiritual element to their songs. His mother died when he was only 14, she collasped at her father's funeral from a brain anyruism. It inspired a lot of his writing and Bono has said that his wife Ali whom he met at the same time they formed the band, saved his life because he was so devastated by losing his mother. The glue of their family.
It occurred to me that this is the only video I've ever seen of Edge not playing his black Fender Stratocaster. This is a Gibson Les Paul. I've seen this video but many years ago when U2 was a new band.
I remember going to a record store in Columbus, Ohio near the OSU campus called Magnolia Thunderpussy in 1981 and asking about what they had that was exciting and new. The guy told me to check out this new "Scottish" band U2 and that is how my brother and I first came across the album "Boy." Fans ever since.
Alternative rock/college radio was huge in the late 70's/80's...that is what we're new wave/punk music got its start.
18 year old kids, 42 years ago who now are the biggest, most attended, highest earning Live act today. U2 are giants in the music industry who have never had to be sponsored on a live tour and who own their own music. Hate them or Love them, U2 have conquered the music industry on their own terms.
I saw U2 at the Hollywood Palladium in 1981. I remember enjoying it. I don’t remember who opened.
Probably Romeo Void (another new wave punk band back then)? They had toured with U2 during the early '80s.
Romeo Void had songs like "Never Say Never", "Say No", "Chinatown", "A Girl in Trouble". Lead singer was a female and they had ska punk influences, a saxophone player on the band.
You could be right. I’ve seen Romeo Void several times .
I have loved this song since I first heard it and didn't know who sang it for months because when I would hear it on the radio the DJ would never say who the group was LOL.
U2 became one of my favorite bands during this era. Edge’s guitar work is haunting. Bono & Edge get all the publicity but they are equally great on their instruments .
A very post-punk sound, rough at the edges (and middle) and light years before the decluttered Joshua Tree. This is proto-U2.
So 'Boy' was originally supposed to have been produced by Martin Hannett, who had done Joy Division's 'Unknown Pleasures' album. JD didn't like Hannett's finished product at first because it didn't sound like they did live, and U2 found him hard to work with. Of course, 'Unknown Pleasures' is now considered a classic.
Steve Lillywhite, who produced 'Boy,' managed to capture some of U2's live energy on tape. I've always wondered -- what would the two records have sounded like if the producers were reversed? What if Hannett had done 'Boy' and Lillywhite had done 'Unknown Pleasures'?
This is some original shit. You could almost see generations changing. I'll say late '82.
Such a great album, raw, post punk. I remember when my older brother brought this home and thinking this is my type of music, wasn't hard rock ACDC, wasn't punk. It was just right. Songs like Electric Co. Out of Control and A day without me, still resonate today.
Awe, my skate punk days. 6th grade.
Live under a blood red sky is awesome. Recorded at Red Rocks.
the look and the moves are very much part of the era.. in the clubs people would often move / dance like this... Simple Minds, Cure, Ultravox, OMD, Human League etc
New wave post-punk.
Great to see you reacting to this. You make good choices. It brings back memories. Their first album which this is taken from was sonically groundbreaking at the time. New Wave, post punk. I remember seeing them play it at their first gig outside of Ireland. They were excellent live; much more carefree than in this video. I got to meet them backstage and had a good chat about theology with Bono. New Wave has a very rich catalogue.
Theology? That would be an ecumenical matter...
Yeah, this video has "studio handlers' all over it. You can tell someone was trying to package them for a certain demographic. ;)
Back at his 16th year old, Bono (lead singer of U2) mother past away, though, this song was a reference to pursue her mother lead and example of a good person to better himself, "-your eyes make a circle, I see you when I come in here", was one of the last memories he has before mother passing.
"-I was on the inside (hospital room)
When they pulled the four walls down (mother passing)
I was looking through the window
I was lost (depression and in denial of situation at hand), I am found (enbracing his new reality and pursue to live life without his mother)"
"-walk away, walk away, I will follow" its the reference for him to say, I'll face the passing of mother, but, will continue to live an arduous life. 😊
yes!..one of the most recognizable opening guitar riffs of the early 80's and a great tune to dance to..Nuts and Bolts was one of the places to be in Toronto, well at least amongst the punk new wave subculture around at the time..miss those days
This song is just so atmospheric. The echoing rhythmic chiming guitar, those tinkling repetitive bells, and the driving bass adding tension by working against the chords. It just keeps swirling around like a wailing banshee.
When U2 were great, their post punk days before they got commercial
I still love listening to early U2. Their sound is so raw and intense, especially the song you just reacted to, "I Will Follow". And their songs like, "Two Hearts Beat As One", "Seconds", "The Refugee", "Gloria", "The Electric Co", "October", etc. U2 Rawks!!! Thanks for your reaction, Brad and Lex? 🤘
Will you ever run for President again?
I'm thinking about it! Gotta drain the swamp. Lol
Boy for me was one of he best if not the best debut post punk albums ever. Heady wonderful stuff. Thank you
Post-punk, new wave usually always has good dancy bass guitars. 🎸 U2, Sioxsee and the Bashees, Joy Division, The Cure, Duran Duran, Simple Minds, Gang of Four, Interpol, Bloc Party, etc
Brad & Lex, you'll love their "Two Hearts Beat as One"!!!
Yep
Great song.
I saw them in about 1987 during the Joshua Tree Tour (Their peak IMHO) It was in a Sports Arena, but they made it feel like we were in a small club. It was an amazing concert. It truly touched my spirit.
The original energy of early U2 is infectious. Edge's insistent lead guitar and Adam's upfront bass defined their sound.
Another song I saw so many times live. My regret is I knew who U2 was since the beginning and I never saw them until the Joshua Tree tour. If you can take away anything from this very early U2 video, take away that Bono is an awesome front man, The Edge has a super original guitar style that no one has repeated since and the song writing is super creative. That being said it was so much fun dancing to this song in clubs in the 80s. It really was.
The Edge will never be confused with Clapton, Hendrix, or Jimmy Page, but he gets a unique sound out of his Gibson Explorer...his riffs go well with Bono's thoughful lyrics...and the rhythm section of Adam Clayton's solid bass playing and Larry Mullen's firecracker snare drum never fail to satisfy.
The Edge doing his best impression on Public ImageLimited guitarist Keith Levene .
By copying someone else’s unique guitar sound ?
Feel like you're really diving into the heart of my record collection down the years this weekend with U2, Simple Minds and R.E.M. reactions all dropping this last day or two! Props for having a go at this early U2 song. As always with U2, there's blood in the music - very rarely do they do bubblegum pop songs (though there are some out there), but this definitely isn't one, a lot deeper than it might initially appear. Keep smashing the reactions out, you're doing great.
Bono's mother died when he was a young boy. This song is based on that experience.
Bono is still very young here. It's a song from U2's debut album "Boy". He looks like a baby!
I love the early U2 ... this is a kick ass song !
Embryonic U2, though it's notable how the foundations of their sound was already there. It's impressive how they had matured by their second album - "Gloria" is a great example. This one was for the clubs. Bono never learned how to dance, btw, but that never stopped him. 😃
This is quintessential early Punk U2. It's so good.....oh, it's just so good. Listen to that guitar sound. 😁
This was from their first album, and you can tell the punk influence. On the Songs of Innocence album, the song, The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone) talks about how seeing the Ramones changed their lives and you can certainly see the inspiration they took from the punk scene. And so young! Great reaction y'all!
One of my favorites. I love their early music. They are so young.
Ahhhh the innocence of the early 80's
New wave rock
Early U2. Post-punk, new wave classic. Fun dance music lol. 🕺
One of the best songs of 1980 and one of my favourite U2 songs...gosh this song is soooo old. Even back here Bono is confident radiant and a great dancer🎵🎶🎵
The "Carlton" dance works best with this.😁😉✌️
These were the days where MTV was opening up a new world of music to America and you still had to go buy it in a record shop. It seems old and quaint, but they were much better days in many respects. U2 is inextricably linked to my early and late teens. They were the soundtrack for a decade.
The first track by the group that got any play in the USA (c. 1980), mostly on album rock and progressive radio. Bono and the lads were all just around 20 years old.
🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸 From my favorite U2 album. Their first. When they played Ames, Iowa in support of this album they were not even played on the radio. I saw them in a small club that I think was sold out. They were great. Fresh and new. No one sounded like them. They played the complete Boy album ( I think ) and played their first song a second time as the encore.
Bono's lyric was inspired by his mother, who died in 1974 when he was 14. Bono calls it "a song about unconditional love."
The love he refers to is between a mother and a child, how no matter what the child does, the mother will still love him.
His "dancing" looks like it was inspired by his granny.
@@nealm6764 you’ve seen Bono’s granny dance? You’re old AF.
Before The Edge grew a hat.
Classic U2! my God they look so young. Didn’t we all. 🙏🏽✌🏽♥️
Always a fan favorite from them and in years past was often an encore tune. My favorite version of this is early on in their career, they did it at Red Rocks CO back in 1983 or so. That and the song that preceded it there, 11 O'Clock, Tik-Tok, were absolute fire, the crowd is amazing and you can sense something big was going on. Do 11 O'Clock, Tik-Tok and I Will Follow Live at Red Rocks, please! Enjoy. 🎵🎸🎤🎶
...nobody knew what a juggernaut U2 would become when we first heard them in the early 80s...this song has deeper meanings you will have to research for yourself. But U2 has always sounded different because they do things their own way...no one sounds like U2, they are special...( maybe "The Alarm")
First song I remember from U2...the whole album is great...still one of my favorite bands ever!!!!
It's songs like this that let us know there was actually good music in the 80's.
It’s actually lyrically a very dark song . It was about Bono’s mother dying when he was 14. The I will follow part means about him taking his own life and following his mother into the afterlife.
U2’s first album was called boy and the cover is the image you can see behind the band.
This is post punk at its finest. Song came out in 1980 ,U2 were actually 46 years old yesterday
Was typing this while listening to the video. Brad you got it right at the end 👌 it’s about following his mother . But obviously you’re not going to know it was about him following his mother into the afterlife . Well done
That gives me a wave of nostalgia for when we were all that young.
PS If there was a prize for the most infectious giggle... 😂
Early U2 before 'stadium rock' took over was so good.
The Calling "Wherever You Will Go"
It's crazy looking back on how young they were. Makes me feel old.
My first song back in the day that made me a fan
Bout time! This song 🎵 is about Bono listening to his Mother. (Who passed away when he was 14) He wanted to follow her all the way. This way back in 1980. When Bono was 20 years old.
BABIES!! fIRST U2 song I ever heard
My second favorite song by U2. The early stuff was just raw and grating. I love it!
Ancient U2 song, from back when they were in high school! lol
Give credit where it's due. The Edge's guitar ability makes Curt Cobain look like Alex Lifeson but The Edge took that bit of talent and made himself an iconic sound that you know it's him when you hear it.
He copied Keith Levenes sound ,
Public Image Ltd guitarist 1978 .
@@mtbhelius never heard this before but gave them a listen and I don't disagree. Damn near tone for tone.
@@mtbhelius It's not about the sound only, any guitarist will sound like another that preceded him, it's the tunes that make he difference. And in this department he has the edge over Levenes, who is very talented of course.
I will follow - was part of the soundtrack of the movie The Last American Vigen .
Some have made the case given U2's prolific Christian imagery (October, 40, Drowning Man, Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, When Love Comes to Town, Sunday, Bloody Sunday, Desire, Pride (In The Name Of Love), etc.) throughout their discography that this song is about a conversion experience. A boy leaves the shelter and protection of his parents to become a man and chooses for himself what values he will base his life upon. "I was on the outside, when you (Christ) say, you say you needed me. I was looking at myself (looking at my life - introspectively). I was blind. I could not see (Amazing Grace reference #1). Jesus said to those who wanted to become his disciples , "Follow me." So, if Jesus, walks away (to lead his followers on mission), I will follow [Him]. The next verse is, " I was on the inside when they pulled the four walls down. I was looking through the window (observing but not really engaging in life). I was lost. I am found. (Amazing Grace reference #2). Bridge: "Your eyes, make a circle (represents completion, perfection, unity, purity, holiness, eternal life). I see you when I go in there." (in prayer, where the Lord meets us, through the Holy Spirit and reveals His will).
Every white guy on the planet danced like Bono in 83 🤣 Trust me, I was there dancing like that
In '83? Seems about right today as well :)
This was in 1980. Most of us just kind of bounced around (pogo-ing was still a thing). Despite being a huge U2 virtually from the beginning, I have to say that Bono's dancing always struck me as just a little bit 'girly.'
Wow U2 looks so young here - babies.
Back when U2 was awesome,
There's a version of this song on their Boston 2001 tour ..Bono plays guitar as well and it all looks so cool.
Okay 2:35 made my day.
I didn’t know U2 were ever that young.
JFC im old, I remember watching this on MTV
Love it. Still do although my favourite has always been Sunday bloody Sunday.
IMO... Boy was their best album. I will follow - Bono's mother died when he was four-teen... it's a song about unconditional love for your parents.
I love early U2. So raw and fun.
Drums kick ass, as always.
They are AMAZING in concert!!!
This video always gets me. Its like a bunch of 14 year-olds writing and singing hit songs. They're all so dang young! While I grew up with U2, I don't think I ever saw a current video of theirs until Pride. And by that point they really didn't look like kids any more.
The very first song The world received from this band, first album, first track, first video to MTV, and yes, it is about a boy trying to become a man but still tight to mother's care, nobody knew back then how big the boys from Dublin would become.
This was their first single. They were so young! Bono still had pimples.
First song that hooked me on U2. Who knew then how big they'd become.
Man, they were REAL young here! Actually, it's about Bono losing his Mom when he was 14. Don't think you did WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME, yet. Also, try The Smiths hit song HOW SOON IS NOW? or Chumbawamba's TUBTHUMPING or AMNESIA from their Tubthumper album.
U2 gets soooo much undeserved hate, they're such a unique and influential band
FINALLY!!! Someone reacts to it, this is one of the best U2 songs!
Also, do Gloria, 2 hearts beat as one, Out Of Control, the electric co., and new Year's Day (the full 5 min ver)
Some of their 1978-9 songs, like "The Fool" and "Stories For Boys" are good too.
I tend to think of this as a early early experimental garage band version of U2. I like it cause ya still do see the creativity of the drumming guitar and bass. Lyrics maybe not so much. Hope you 2 though are alright with regards to hurricane.
Proper U2! Enough said 😂
Dance moves are originaly from Siouxie Sioux
I read that Bono said this was about a mother’s undying love for her son. Bono said it is also about God. This is from U2’s first album and my opinion is their earlier music is their best. ✌️🎶💙
Once, by mistake, I didn't buy a U2 album. When I got home, I found I'd bought UB40. Being lazy, I didn't return it so now I listen to Red, Red Wine occasionally and still don't have any U2.
Hi Brad & Lex, I'm Irish and Bono said it's song of his unconditional love for his Mother who died in 1974
New song, New album, New Band, New Decade, I was a Fan from the beginning. 👍👍👍
Wow this brings back some great memories from high school. I love your reactions. Keep up the great work!
This was about his mother, and her death. Bono was very strongly effected by this death, and it has stayed with him until this day. His repetition of "if you walk away, I will follow" is a promise that he will remember her, that he will do his best to follow in her example so he can follow her into the arms of God.
U2 are very Christian in their writing and presentation. When I listen to their earliest work it really comes to the surface forcefully, and makes me want to shout; "Okay, 'Christian rock bands', THAT is how you write a REAL Christian Rock Song!!"
From their first album. Great live song. Some bands just need to be seen live to truly appreciate. U2 is definitely one of those. I've seen them 10 times. Maybe more. Lost track. They played Madison Square Garden which I think was the first concert there after 9/11. They played hit after hit and the most emotional show I've seen.
You guys should've done the LIVE AT RED ROCKS version of this song it is way more epic!
Saw U2 live 6times.Young U2 were rebels/Older U2 spiritual!✌🏻❤️
OLDER U2 CRAP ?
@@briancarr4607 how many bands can put out great music for 40 yrs?
1980 18 year old bono...great song especially live. And thats my recommendation to you both, watch some live stuff too. Their live stuff is nearly a religious experience.
The early production robs it a bit of it's power... but I love the glass bottle chiming noises. They were just babies here. Bono still working through his stage moves and The Edge not being as stoic as he later grew into.