Bloody Sunday” was a term given to an incident to an incident, which took place on 30th January 1972 in Derry, Northern Ireland where British Soldiers shot 28 unarmed civilians who were peacefully protesting against Operation Demetrius. Out of all the people who lost their life that day; Thirteen were killed outright, while another man lost his life four months later due to injuries. Many of the victims who were feeling the scene were shot at point blank range, while some who were helping the injured were shot. Other protesters were injured by rubber bullets or batons, and two were run down by army vehicles. This massacre is reported to have the highest number of people killed in a single shooting incident during the conflict
@@rhondamcbath6279 As Bono himself said "this song is not a rebel song" it's about the futility of the conflict and the indefensible acts committed by both sides, let's not pretend there were only atrocities carried out by British forces here.
The thing about U2 is that they are a thoroughly Irish band. You can tell, especially in the early music, how much they draw on traditional Irish folk music for their songs. That's why they have a very different sound than what you're used to.
This song refers to The Troubles a centuries long battle between the the Irish and British over control of Northern Ireland and Irish independence. Specifically this song is referring to the 1972 Bloody Sunday in Derry when British troops fired upon unarmed Irish protesters. Zombie also refers to the same conflict U2 is singing about both pleading for peace.
Zombie was about an IRA bombing in Warrington that killed two children. This bombing was much later than Bloody Sunday, 1993, and the song was released in 1994.
@@paulobrien9572 Oh, I see. I got caught up in the wording and my interpretation of "the same conflict". I'm with you now. You have not sullied the surname O'Brien. ;-)
I know there's been conflict between Britain and Éire in various forms for centuries, but I'd always thought "The Troubles" only covers circa the early 1970s til the Good Friday Agreement?
@@FightingTorque411 True but growing up in my family my grandmother from Ireland always referred to anything after the 1916 Easter uprising as the troubles
This is about the troubles that were going on in Northern Ireland. There's a much deeper meaning to this song. There was a lot of pain and a lot of death going on during the period.
It wasn't just Northern Ireland, it was a out the total British occupation of Ireland. The conflict resulted in the British annexation of Northern Ireland and the creation of a dual Irish state.
British Troops killed 13 Catholic peaceful protestors in Derry in Northern Ireland in 1972. Hence the song Sunday Bloody Sunday. 14 others were severely injured and 1 of the injured ultimately succumbed to his injuries
That awful day in Derry was brutally captured in the movie "Bloody Sunday," filmed in the you-are-there style of cinema verite. An amazing film, with U2's song over the closing credits.
that "different" sound is essentially an Irish jig within the groove under the melody that drives the song. They're not just a rock band - they are Irish, and sometimes captures their cultural sound in their music.
@@antoinettelopes yeah. You can tell because it’s got the violins and acoustic guitar in it. I would rather listen to the red rocks version personally.
Also Bloody Sunday January 22, 1905, a group of workers led by the radical priest Georgy Apollonovich Gapon marched to the tsar's Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to make their demands. Imperial forces opened fire on the demonstrators, killing and wounding hundreds.
@@jtoland2333 You really wanna go there asshole!?!? The crown has been kicked out of every country they've ever ventured into and britain will be a muslim country inside of a generation. Barbados being the last one to leave the extinct empire.
This was the first song I ever heard by them when it came out and I rushed right down and bought the record immediately. It was such a new sound for the time and it's just heartbreaking the way he sings about the tragedy in their own country.
Today is the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday which is yet another shameful moment for the British in the north of Ireland. A peaceful civil rights protest against internment without trial when soldiers opened fire on unarmed men, women and children. It left 13 dead, some shot in the back as they tried to escape, and at least 15 more critically injured. I'm British - English in fact - and 10 years old when this terrible tragedy occurred. The image of Fr Daly waving a blood soaked white handkerchief as the dead and injured were removed to safety was etched on my 10 year old brain and has remained there to this day. Rest eternal to all who were murdered.
I think Brad was right that this was the first song on the album. Its funny though, I saw U2 in concert around 1988 and this was the last song they played. Bono kept singing the line "how long must we sing this song" as the instruments quit playing. So then it was just Bono and everyone in the audience singing with him. Then Bono left the stage and we all kept singing. I remember on the walk all the way to my car you could still hear the lyrics coming from everywhere as people were leaving and still singing that one line. One of the coolest things I've ever experienced.
Are you sure it was "Sunday bloody Sunday" they ended their set with and not "40?" Because "40" DOES end with the phrase "How long to sing this song" and the audience keeping on singing it as the band left the stage. I'm pretty sure it must be "40"
@@RastaSaiyaman You’re correct. I saw them for the first time in 1984, and ‘40’ was the song they usually closed their concerts to at that point in time. The lyrics come from ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ - they just transposed them as a refrain at the end of ‘40’ which usually led the way for the audience to join in. Great concert - my friends and I were about ten feet from the front of the stage. Good times.
"How long, to sing this song" is a verse from their song "40" which is the last song on the War album. U2 used to close their shows with this song it was customary to use that chant as the band members slowly left the stage.
Matthew H.....How long to sing this song, was from their oncore song ...40....off the same album as sunday bloody sunday......WAR..... released 1983...
@@jagwolf8079 also Bono' s vocals in Rattle and Hum were more mature and booming. I also like how they start the song quiet to really bring the mourning feeling to the forefront.
"this song is not a rebel song! this song is sunday bloody sunday!" one of the best intros bono ever made in their concert at the red rocks amphitheater
This is still early U2. Their early stuff was more in the realm of punk. Their sound shifted later with The Joshua Tree album towards what I generally hear called stadium rock.
As others have said, this is about Northern Ireland. If you haven't visited, it's very interesting. I was there about three years ago, still some division there once you start talking to people. You'll get an earful of opinions on either side. I'd call the city Londonderry and then be corrected, "no, it's Derry" and then other times i'd refer to it as Derry and be corrected again, "it's LONDONderry". You know the person's stance by how they refer to it in most cases. The 70's punk band Stiff Little Fingers are from Belfast, Northern Ireland and talked a lot about The Troubles in their early records.
It’s the very first song on their 3rd album WAR in 1983. About an infamous day in Northern Ireland history. NEW YEAR’S DAY is also from this album and you guys should hear it soon.
Please do new years day. It's still an early song. U2 are still good to this day and one of the very few pop rock bands that I've been listening to since the early 90s. I'll also recommend Lemon, who's gonna ride your wild horses, until the end of the world, unknown caller, magnificent, get out of your own way etc etc
I've always associated Bono's style as a sultry 'ooze' instead of medicated/sedated ... if you watch him sing and the way he moves, you'll see his way of phrasing words matches his physical movements.
@@effdonahue6595 Believe it or not I told one of my friends, who bumped into Bono in Dalkey village a couple af days later and told him he was being accused of oozing. I think he liked the idea better than being accused of schmoozing (which I had also accused him of, for the sake of poetry)
U2 main style is story telling. I have been to London Derry, and there were monuments all over the city to "Bloody Sunday". It is a city it seems ready to explode at any time. If you listen to the drum beat, it sounds like a British snare of a military beat.
You’re hearing U2 from 30 yrs ago when they were raw and less refined. The English have occupied Northern Ireland for many many decades now and this song talks about the Irish rebellion of I believe 1972 when British soldiers shot down Irish protesters in the street.
It's post-punk/new wave thats's why it sounds so upbeat, yet melancholy lol. They are a very political band as well. '80s alt rock sounds very modern, so Lex gets it.
Thank you for featuring this well known and thoughtful song that was an ode to many of the conflicts and "Troubles" known to have occurred in Northern Ireland. U2 is an amazing group whose longevity speaks volumes...Over four decades and they keep evolving with excellent music that remains relevant. Moreover, they are well known for their political commentary. It might be a good idea to do some research on the songs, singers, and groups that you feature. From the very first lyric..."I can't believe the news today" already set the stage for an extremely important message. Bono is an amazing artist. His singing is not medicated nor citrus. It is his passion coming through. His angst, if you will, shines throughout this song. From his STRONG and haunting voice to Adam's bass and Larry's drums and that screeching violin that provides a musical framework for this excellent song and anthem.
It is about a specific incident that happened in Ireland in 1972. Heartbreaking to read about, can’t imagine what it felt like to live through it. Update, just learned that there was more than one Bloody Sunday in Ireland. This song might be about all of them in general. So sad.
There was also the Bloody Sunday of 1920 where Dublin were to play Tipp in Croke Park a national sports stadium when British forces entered the ground and began shooting the supporters
@@karlmurphy2707 i remember seeing Bono interview years ago explaining that the song was about the Croke park Bloody Sunday. But at the time song was written, the British government, their press, and politicans referred to the Civil Rights marchers as terrorists. Any song that should sympathy towards the Derry Bloody Sunday would have been blacklisted by radio stations or banned completely. So who knows
Taking me back to the first time I heard this when I was in school in 1983.. I became a huge U2 fan.. They’re singing about peaceful protesters being attacked by British soldiers in Northern Ireland in 1972
As has been alluded to, it was an ‘incident’ where the British army killed a number of civilians on a Sunday. And they are also saying that they refuse to be radicalised by it.
You know you listened to the album War too many times, when this song ends and your brains automatically hears the start of the song "Seconds" with the drum and bass.
I love when someone who is a lot younger than me hears U2 and refers to Bono as kinda medicated! That was a first. Totally made my day! I also loved how intuitively the two of you put together that it was the album opener and had something to do with the cranberries Zombie. :) Fun to watch your take.
Being an Irish immigrant, it still amazes me at how much people of The States don't appreciate the "Freedom of Speech" they have 😳!! I LOVE my new country and the Rights I now have ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ God truly has blessed America
How very true! So sad to see how fragile our democracy & Freedom is right now and that there is about 30% of our population that wants to tear it down. Very scary place for the beacon on the hill. I hope more people like ourselves will continue to appreciate and protect that freedom and diversity to continue to endure for everyone. Great song & band. I to like the live red rocks version better.
As a teenager I must've watched the live version of this song from their "Red Rocks" concert a thousand times. It was my personal anthem and gave me hope that people still cared about something that actually mattered. Early U2 had (IMO) a purpose and gravitas that was sorely missing from its time.
It's about Ireland in the 80's. All the bombings and massacres - The IRA trying to remove British rule of Northern Ireland. He has an accent and it is more prominent in their early recordings.
Bloody Sunday, or the Bogside Massacre, was a massacre on 30 January 1972 in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march against internment without trial.
I’m a huge U2 fan. I’m impressed Lex. You pieced that together very quickly. It was an incident and more of the same. The link to Zombie is correct. Brad: This is Track 1 from the War album. Well done.
When you're ready for more U2 check out "Where the Streets Have No Name", "In God's Country", "New Year's Day", "The Unforgettable Fire", "Desire", the live version of "Bullet the Blue Sky" from their from Rattle & Hum album, and too many more to list them all but here are some more: "One" (with or without Mary J. Blige, although she rocks the song hard), "Gloria", "Twilight", "Two Hearts Beat As One", "Surrender", "Red Light", "Mysterious Ways", "Until the End of the World". Also check out the video from the Red Rocks concert of the song "The Electric Co." Bono kicks off the song with a shout out to the white flag, but The Edge's guitar playing quickly takes over to drive home the message while Bono climbs all over the stage scaffolding.
Do yourself a favor and take the time to watch the Live Rattle and Hum version of this song.. really will help you understand exactly what passion in rock music means.
It’s about the 1972 incident where British troops killed unarmed civil rights protesters really a scar on Irish history ! It was a song to remind people that going the way of the IRA was not an answer!
Don't give up yet, try a few more U2... Check them out live also, it will give you a better sense of how good they are.... For example "October, bullet in the blue sky" live in paris
first time U2 played this live was 1980 in Maysfield leisure Centre in belfast , they had just released the album Boy , unfortunately i am old enough to say i was there
Lex is spot on, Zombie and this song are about the war in Northen Ireland (it was not a conflict) I spent in total 4 and a half years there as a British soldier, the war lasted over 30 years and was a troubled time for the population of Northern Ireland on both sides of the devide, it is a beutiful country with great people and has some great weather...........
Great to se you reacting to more U2. They are the best rock band period. I recommend checking out some of their live performances, such as Where the Streets Have No Name, Bullet the Blue Sky, Gloria, In God's Country. I'd say wait a bit before listening to Pride or anything they did in the 1990's!
Bloody Sunday is the Irish version of Kent State. Became a rallying point for the getting out from under British control of Northern Ireland, which has been a contentious occupation dating back to its inception 100 years ago in 1922, and even before that when Ireland was a Crown Province since the days of William of Orange in 1690. The warring factions have observed an uneasy peace since 1998, although the terms of Brexit are causing flare-ups to the present day.
U2 has many socially conscious songs. This song is about an actual event from 1972 where a group of unarmed civil rights protesters in Derry, Ireland were gunned down by British troops (Bloody Sunday). They also have a song about MLK Jr.'s assassination called, "In the Name of Love", which I love!!
Sunday Bloody Sunday is the first song off U2's "War" album. It has a marching drum beat for a reason. This song is about a specific incident that took place during the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland. Much the way that the Cranberry's song "Zombie" is about a specific incident during that time. Yep, you nailed it Lex. You should definitely react to some live U2 videos. The Red Rocks concert is great for their early years. U2 have been together for over 40 years.
Thanks guys! I think the drawn, tired delivery is to give the sense of absolute exhaustion from a 100 years battle. The image of broken bottles and bodies can't be unseen and the roar of unleashed gunfire can't be unheard. The tragedy set against the marching drums...
.... great lyrics about the dispute: "How long? How long must we sing this song??" (.....referring to Psalm 40) And the song "40" is also Psalm 40 referenced.
Lex is sooooooo clever... she's spot on with her instincts always... It is related to the same kind of stuff that was going on with The Troubles in Ireland... You should browse Bloody Sunday to get the full story....
One of their songs that I love to sing but always get teared up for is A Sort of Homecoming, from the Unforgettable Fire album -- it's about all the Irish who had to leave their country to save their lives from famine and tyranny
Guys, to understand U2's sound, understand they are VERY Irish. From Dublin and completely self taught. The guitarist and his brother built their own guitars and learned to play. Several bands and artists came about from the school clique they were apart of in the 70s.
This the postpunk side of the '80s, before U2 was fully mainstream. Darker than new wave, but there's a lot of crossover. The Chameleons are a good example.
@@moseygded4004 totally. I sent a video to a girl I was crushing on once and her response was "IDK if I like that." Broke my heart. First woman who liked em is now my wife :)
It was the opening track on their 1983 album "War" so you're right it's not at the end of the album. The ultimate "calm you down' album ending is the lullaby on the white album.
its the first song on the album, the last song is called 40 which is taken from the 40th psalm of the bible. its a slow song but great song. check it out.
Everyone should see the movie Belfast, the story of a little boy growing up in Belfast during The Troubles. Love the movie and the kid as absolutely adorable and amazing!
I remember I saw these guys when they were on the Unforgettable Fire tour such a great band live. I seem to like their older songs better than the stuff recently.
The song is about an ice cream truck that crashed into a school back in 2014. There were so many squirrels out in front of the school that got killed, thus coined the phrase, squirrel day bloody squirrel day. (Just checking to see if anyone actually reads the other comments.)
Lex has good instincts-not knowing what this song is about and then relating it to Zombie is pretty on point.
So many people under 50 years of age have no clue about the Catholic/Protestant conflicts in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Yooooooo.
Really intuitive, I agree
@@davidstephens6462 yep they need to teach it more in schools
Well said. 🖖
Bloody Sunday” was a term given to an incident to an incident, which took place on 30th January 1972 in Derry, Northern Ireland where British Soldiers shot 28 unarmed civilians who were peacefully protesting against Operation Demetrius. Out of all the people who lost their life that day; Thirteen were killed outright, while another man lost his life four months later due to injuries. Many of the victims who were feeling the scene were shot at point blank range, while some who were helping the injured were shot. Other protesters were injured by rubber bullets or batons, and two were run down by army vehicles.
This massacre is reported to have the highest number of people killed in a single shooting incident during the conflict
Exactly. Too terrible
Still the IRA got payback all of the innocents murdered, that will teach them.
Please show the videos or live version 🙏 MUCH LOVE 💘Brandi Modrak. I love the music 🎶I I just need to watch it. Brandi Modrak
Thanks for the background of this incredible song!!!! I had no clue really! How sad people lost their lives over just protesting!! RIP
@@rhondamcbath6279 As Bono himself said "this song is not a rebel song" it's about the futility of the conflict and the indefensible acts committed by both sides, let's not pretend there were only atrocities carried out by British forces here.
The thing about U2 is that they are a thoroughly Irish band. You can tell, especially in the early music, how much they draw on traditional Irish folk music for their songs. That's why they have a very different sound than what you're used to.
With one English and one basically Welsh member.
@@SvenTviking they were all raised in Ireland.
the early music from u2 was really great... but as newer as more bad the music gets...
"When fact is fiction and T.V. reality"
...Prescient lyrics
This song refers to The Troubles a centuries long battle between the the Irish and British over control of Northern Ireland and Irish independence. Specifically this song is referring to the 1972 Bloody Sunday in Derry when British troops fired upon unarmed Irish protesters. Zombie also refers to the same conflict U2 is singing about both pleading for peace.
Zombie was about an IRA bombing in Warrington that killed two children. This bombing was much later than Bloody Sunday, 1993, and the song was released in 1994.
@@douglasfrantzen3011 I was referring to the conflict in general not specific incidents
@@paulobrien9572 Oh, I see. I got caught up in the wording and my interpretation of "the same conflict". I'm with you now. You have not sullied the surname O'Brien. ;-)
I know there's been conflict between Britain and Éire in various forms for centuries, but I'd always thought "The Troubles" only covers circa the early 1970s til the Good Friday Agreement?
@@FightingTorque411 True but growing up in my family my grandmother from Ireland always referred to anything after the 1916 Easter uprising as the troubles
The snare is so up-front and in-your-face, it definitely feels martial. It gives a tense feel to the whole song, which perfectly fits the lyrics.
Funny you should say that, because, the snare drum that Larry Mullen used on this album was a military marching band drum.
Love the snare in this
This is about the troubles that were going on in Northern Ireland. There's a much deeper meaning to this song. There was a lot of pain and a lot of death going on during the period.
It wasn't just Northern Ireland, it was a out the total British occupation of Ireland. The conflict resulted in the British annexation of Northern Ireland and the creation of a dual Irish state.
@@sryther1970 Yes but the song is dealing with the troubles and that disgraceful, bloody Sunday in 72, specifically.
British Troops killed 13 Catholic peaceful protestors in Derry in Northern Ireland in 1972. Hence the song Sunday Bloody Sunday. 14 others were severely injured and 1 of the injured ultimately succumbed to his injuries
That awful day in Derry was brutally captured in the movie "Bloody Sunday," filmed in the you-are-there style of cinema verite. An amazing film, with U2's song over the closing credits.
that "different" sound is essentially an Irish jig within the groove under the melody that drives the song. They're not just a rock band - they are Irish, and sometimes captures their cultural sound in their music.
The live version from Red Rocks is a much more high energy version than the studio version and my absolute favorite version.
Is this the studio version? It sounds weird to me.
@@antoinettelopes yeah. You can tell because it’s got the violins and acoustic guitar in it. I would rather listen to the red rocks version personally.
Agreed. "Under a Blood Red Sky"
word
They are picking the wrong videos to their song choices, they need to ask people before they do their reaction videos!
U2 one of the biggest rock bands to ever exist. Their catalog of songs are mind blowing.
Also Bloody Sunday January 22, 1905, a group of workers led by the radical priest Georgy Apollonovich Gapon marched to the tsar's Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to make their demands. Imperial forces opened fire on the demonstrators, killing and wounding hundreds.
One of the most important songs ever written. More people today need to hear the message and warnings of this song. More relevant than ever.
Never doubt the FIRE in an Irish Man's heart... Classic U2!
Fire or whiskey?
@@pulsarlights2825 Yes!!!
@@pulsarlights2825
If it wasn't for Whiskey,
the Irish would Rule the World...☘
.
@@trevordoolan5011 If it weren't for the Crown.
@@jtoland2333 You really wanna go there asshole!?!? The crown has been kicked out of every country they've ever ventured into and britain will be a muslim country inside of a generation. Barbados being the last one to leave the extinct empire.
This was the first song I ever heard by them when it came out and I rushed right down and bought the record immediately. It was such a new sound for the time and it's just heartbreaking the way he sings about the tragedy in their own country.
Today is the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday which is yet another shameful moment for the British in the north of Ireland. A peaceful civil rights protest against internment without trial when soldiers opened fire on unarmed men, women and children. It left 13 dead, some shot in the back as they tried to escape, and at least 15 more critically injured.
I'm British - English in fact - and 10 years old when this terrible tragedy occurred. The image of Fr Daly waving a blood soaked white handkerchief as the dead and injured were removed to safety was etched on my 10 year old brain and has remained there to this day.
Rest eternal to all who were murdered.
I think Brad was right that this was the first song on the album. Its funny though, I saw U2 in concert around 1988 and this was the last song they played. Bono kept singing the line "how long must we sing this song" as the instruments quit playing. So then it was just Bono and everyone in the audience singing with him. Then Bono left the stage and we all kept singing. I remember on the walk all the way to my car you could still hear the lyrics coming from everywhere as people were leaving and still singing that one line. One of the coolest things I've ever experienced.
Are you sure it was "Sunday bloody Sunday" they ended their set with and not "40?" Because "40" DOES end with the phrase "How long to sing this song" and the audience keeping on singing it as the band left the stage.
I'm pretty sure it must be "40"
@@RastaSaiyaman You’re correct. I saw them for the first time in 1984, and ‘40’ was the song they usually closed their concerts to at that point in time. The lyrics come from ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ - they just transposed them as a refrain at the end of ‘40’ which usually led the way for the audience to join in.
Great concert - my friends and I were about ten feet from the front of the stage. Good times.
"How long, to sing this song" is a verse from their song "40" which is the last song on the War album. U2 used to close their shows with this song it was customary to use that chant as the band members slowly left the stage.
Matthew H.....How long to sing this song, was from their oncore song ...40....off the same album as sunday bloody sunday......WAR..... released 1983...
U2 was a great band. '80s alternative rock post-punk. Something new back then.
The War album was my favorite sound U2 had. It was nice 'n raw. Every song rocks.
Agreed. Their later albums might sound more polished but War is absolutely solid and more visceral.
War and Boy.
If you both want to see a better version check out the live version from "Under A Blood Red Sky" live from Red Rocks! Love you guys. Peace
Agreed!!
I prefer the R&H version... that "fuck the revolution!" takes it to another level imho
@@jagwolf8079 yes, excellent, agree... They both really fantastic 👍
@@jagwolf8079 also Bono' s vocals in Rattle and Hum were more mature and booming. I also like how they start the song quiet to really bring the mourning feeling to the forefront.
Great analysis Brad, this song is actually the first track in the War album.. one of their best. I’m glad you guys are reacting to this awesome music!
The song Seconds is a favorite of mine.
Great analysis? He didn't have a clue what it was about.
"this song is not a rebel song! this song is sunday bloody sunday!" one of the best intros bono ever made in their concert at the red rocks amphitheater
The drum intro is my favourite intro ever. Top four for me from U2. Love your discussion.
This is still early U2. Their early stuff was more in the realm of punk. Their sound shifted later with The Joshua Tree album towards what I generally hear called stadium rock.
very good Lex , linking this with Zombie , both relate to troubles in Ireland , Gold Star
As others have said, this is about Northern Ireland. If you haven't visited, it's very interesting. I was there about three years ago, still some division there once you start talking to people. You'll get an earful of opinions on either side. I'd call the city Londonderry and then be corrected, "no, it's Derry" and then other times i'd refer to it as Derry and be corrected again, "it's LONDONderry". You know the person's stance by how they refer to it in most cases.
The 70's punk band Stiff Little Fingers are from Belfast, Northern Ireland and talked a lot about The Troubles in their early records.
You can even call it "Derry Londonderry"...
.
@@trevordoolan5011 People have started calling it "slash", as in Derry slash Londonderry
One of the most iconic drum intros ever.
It’s the very first song on their 3rd album WAR in 1983. About an infamous day in Northern Ireland history. NEW YEAR’S DAY is also from this album and you guys should hear it soon.
Please do new years day. It's still an early song. U2 are still good to this day and one of the very few pop rock bands that I've been listening to since the early 90s. I'll also recommend Lemon, who's gonna ride your wild horses, until the end of the world, unknown caller, magnificent, get out of your own way etc etc
My fave song of theirs, but they definitely have to do the video one with piano pounding and all the other things going on!!
That was the first U2 song I ever heard…..last week. And now I’ve gone down a while U2 rabbit hole 🐇 🕳
@@MusingByMaria that's excellent. So much to hear. Enjoy!
I've always associated Bono's style as a sultry 'ooze' instead of medicated/sedated ... if you watch him sing and the way he moves, you'll see his way of phrasing words matches his physical movements.
I wonder if Bono knows he looks like he's oozing. I'm gonna tell him......
He was sooo sexy back then......
...... Sorry, what were you saying?
@@mikekelly5869 Bonoozing! 😆
@@effdonahue6595 Believe it or not I told one of my friends, who bumped into Bono in Dalkey village a couple af days later and told him he was being accused of oozing. I think he liked the idea better than being accused of schmoozing (which I had also accused him of, for the sake of poetry)
Hands down one of the greatest songs ever written!
U2 main style is story telling. I have been to London Derry, and there were monuments all over the city to "Bloody Sunday". It is a city it seems ready to explode at any time. If you listen to the drum beat, it sounds like a British snare of a military beat.
You’re hearing U2 from 30 yrs ago when they were raw and less refined. The English have occupied Northern Ireland for many many decades now and this song talks about the Irish rebellion of I believe 1972 when British soldiers shot down Irish protesters in the street.
It's post-punk/new wave thats's why it sounds so upbeat, yet melancholy lol. They are a very political band as well.
'80s alt rock sounds very modern, so Lex gets it.
Every guitarist: Ima step on this pedal for this part
Edge: This is the part where I turn one of my pedals off
U2 is a blast to listen to. So versatile with their songs (=they have so different type of sounds)
Thank you for featuring this well known and thoughtful song that was an ode to many of the conflicts and "Troubles" known to have occurred in Northern Ireland. U2 is an amazing group whose longevity speaks volumes...Over four decades and they keep evolving with excellent music that remains relevant. Moreover, they are well known for their political commentary. It might be a good idea to do some research on the songs, singers, and groups that you feature. From the very first lyric..."I can't believe the news today" already set the stage for an extremely important message. Bono is an amazing artist. His singing is not medicated nor citrus. It is his passion coming through. His angst, if you will, shines throughout this song. From his STRONG and haunting voice to Adam's bass and Larry's drums and that screeching violin that provides a musical framework for this excellent song and anthem.
It is about a specific incident that happened in Ireland in 1972. Heartbreaking to read about, can’t imagine what it felt like to live through it.
Update, just learned that there was more than one Bloody Sunday in Ireland. This song might be about all of them in general. So sad.
This was about the 1972 Sunday protests, not the 1917 Easter uprising
There was also the Bloody Sunday of 1920 where Dublin were to play Tipp in Croke Park a national sports stadium when British forces entered the ground and began shooting the supporters
@@karlmurphy2707 i remember seeing Bono interview years ago explaining that the song was about the Croke park Bloody Sunday. But at the time song was written, the British government, their press, and politicans referred to the Civil Rights marchers as terrorists. Any song that should sympathy towards the Derry Bloody Sunday would have been blacklisted by radio stations or banned completely. So who knows
Bono Vox is an Irish tenor who sings rock ‘n’ roll. That style of singing gives his phrasing that smoothness that you call “medicated”.
Taking me back to the first time I heard this when I was in school in 1983.. I became a huge U2 fan.. They’re singing about peaceful protesters being attacked by British soldiers in Northern Ireland in 1972
As has been alluded to, it was an ‘incident’ where the British army killed a number of civilians on a Sunday. And they are also saying that they refuse to be radicalised by it.
You know you listened to the album War too many times, when this song ends and your brains automatically hears the start of the song "Seconds" with the drum and bass.
I love when someone who is a lot younger than me hears U2 and refers to Bono as kinda medicated! That was a first. Totally made my day! I also loved how intuitively the two of you put together that it was the album opener and had something to do with the cranberries Zombie. :) Fun to watch your take.
Being an Irish immigrant, it still amazes me at how much people of The States don't appreciate the "Freedom of Speech" they have 😳!!
I LOVE my new country and the Rights I now have ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
God truly has blessed America
💥👍🇺🇲👍💥
How very true! So sad to see how fragile our democracy & Freedom is right now and that there is about 30% of our population that wants to tear it down. Very scary place for the beacon on the hill. I hope more people like ourselves will continue to appreciate and protect that freedom and diversity to continue to endure for everyone. Great song & band. I to like the live red rocks version better.
everything is labeled as hate speech, a conspiracy or misleading in order to censor everything they do not like
‘I still haven’t found what I’m looking for’ is a beautiful gospel song
Love, love, love U2...all their music makes me get up & dance!!!
It might be about the conflict between Northern Ireland & Britain. The Brits shot innocent/unarmed civilians on a Sunday.
As a teenager I must've watched the live version of this song from their "Red Rocks" concert a thousand times. It was my personal anthem and gave me hope that people still cared about something that actually mattered. Early U2 had (IMO) a purpose and gravitas that was sorely missing from its time.
Song was written about the troubles in Ireland.
It's about Ireland in the 80's. All the bombings and massacres - The IRA trying to remove British rule of Northern Ireland. He has an accent and it is more prominent in their early recordings.
Ireland in the 70s, January 1972 to be exact...
Bloody Sunday, or the Bogside Massacre, was a massacre on 30 January 1972 in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march against internment without trial.
You really need to see the version of this live from Red Rocks, that was the track that got me into U2 in 1984.
Me too!
Absolutely impossible not to fall in love with this U2.
"There’s been a lot of talk about this next song
Maybe, maybe too much talk
This song is not a rebel song
This song is Sunday Bloody Sunday"
The funny thing is, U2 was still relatively unknown in the states. So there was really no talk, maybe no talk at all about this next song.
@@mr.e8432 only the cool cats knew about them then ✌️
I’m a huge U2 fan. I’m impressed Lex. You pieced that together very quickly. It was an incident and more of the same. The link to Zombie is correct.
Brad: This is Track 1 from the War album. Well done.
When you're ready for more U2 check out "Where the Streets Have No Name", "In God's Country", "New Year's Day", "The Unforgettable Fire", "Desire", the live version of "Bullet the Blue Sky" from their from Rattle & Hum album, and too many more to list them all but here are some more: "One" (with or without Mary J. Blige, although she rocks the song hard), "Gloria", "Twilight", "Two Hearts Beat As One", "Surrender", "Red Light", "Mysterious Ways", "Until the End of the World". Also check out the video from the Red Rocks concert of the song "The Electric Co." Bono kicks off the song with a shout out to the white flag, but The Edge's guitar playing quickly takes over to drive home the message while Bono climbs all over the stage scaffolding.
I can't believe you didn't mention Pride.
Yes, I agree, try any of these live versions
I’ll pass thanks all the same,St Bono does my head in.
@@jmcc2275 Well thanks for letting us all know.
They '80s feel and upbeat style of the song these 2 are explaining Is post punk, new wave. Early U2 albums.
I think thats what they meant.
Do yourself a favor and take the time to watch the Live Rattle and Hum version of this song.. really will help you understand exactly what passion in rock music means.
That "different" is the traditional Irish music they are weaving in.
I found a cassette of this album on a C-5 flying from Saudi Arabia to Germany.
It’s about the 1972 incident where British troops killed unarmed civil rights protesters really a scar on Irish history ! It was a song to remind people that going the way of the IRA was not an answer!
Don't give up yet, try a few more U2... Check them out live also, it will give you a better sense of how good they are.... For example "October, bullet in the blue sky" live in paris
first time U2 played this live was 1980 in Maysfield leisure Centre in belfast , they had just released the album Boy , unfortunately i am old enough to say i was there
I saw U2 in a little 50 seat theater probably back in 84 not knowing who they were or what they would become. One of my favorite bands.
1984? They were pretty big by then.
Lex is spot on, Zombie and this song are about the war in Northen Ireland (it was not a conflict) I spent in total 4 and a half years there as a British soldier, the war lasted over 30 years and was a troubled time for the population of Northern Ireland on both sides of the devide, it is a beutiful country with great people and has some great weather...........
This song was about the massacre that occurred in Derry Northern Ireland
This song is an anthem.
You should reacted the live version.
Great to se you reacting to more U2. They are the best rock band period. I recommend checking out some of their live performances, such as Where the Streets Have No Name, Bullet the Blue Sky, Gloria, In God's Country. I'd say wait a bit before listening to Pride or anything they did in the 1990's!
Bloody Sunday is the Irish version of Kent State. Became a rallying point for the getting out from under British control of Northern Ireland, which has been a contentious occupation dating back to its inception 100 years ago in 1922, and even before that when Ireland was a Crown Province since the days of William of Orange in 1690. The warring factions have observed an uneasy peace since 1998, although the terms of Brexit are causing flare-ups to the present day.
U2 has many socially conscious songs. This song is about an actual event from 1972 where a group of unarmed civil rights protesters in Derry, Ireland were gunned down by British troops (Bloody Sunday). They also have a song about MLK Jr.'s assassination called, "In the Name of Love", which I love!!
Sunday Bloody Sunday is the first song off U2's "War" album. It has a marching drum beat for a reason. This song is about a specific incident that took place during the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland. Much the way that the Cranberry's song "Zombie" is about a specific incident during that time. Yep, you nailed it Lex.
You should definitely react to some live U2 videos. The Red Rocks concert is great for their early years. U2 have been together for over 40 years.
There is a a movie about it (well two) Bloody Sunday. Its horrifying-the death of innocent people and the conduct of the soldiers
You must do their live AID performance of "BAD"!! It was basically the moment that put U2 on the map back in the 80's. 🤘😄
Thanks guys!
I think the drawn, tired delivery is to give the sense of absolute exhaustion from a 100 years battle. The image of broken bottles and bodies can't be unseen and the roar of unleashed gunfire can't be unheard.
The tragedy set against the marching drums...
The 80's had all styles of music. It was a very diverse scene..
You should listen to the first couple of albums. That was when they were young, poor and angry.
Best live band ever. Period.
I love how u just enjoy the sound of the song (not necessarily a bad thing) before you no about the meaning, that's why i love music
such a deep song about such tragic circumstances .
Love this reaction! ones of my fav songs of al time, i love how he’s analyzing the lyrics and she’s just jamming out to it ☺️
.... great lyrics about the dispute:
"How long?
How long must we sing this song??"
(.....referring to Psalm 40)
And the song "40" is also
Psalm 40 referenced.
Lex is sooooooo clever... she's spot on with her instincts always... It is related to the same kind of stuff that was going on with The Troubles in Ireland... You should browse Bloody Sunday to get the full story....
One of their songs that I love to sing but always get teared up for is A Sort of Homecoming, from the Unforgettable Fire album -- it's about all the Irish who had to leave their country to save their lives from famine and tyranny
To be Irish is to know that one day the world will break your heart.
That's just people from Mayo talking on the way home from Croke Park....again. The rest of us are optimists 😄
@@mikekelly5869 ha. Yeah. The quote is Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Guys, to understand U2's sound, understand they are VERY Irish. From Dublin and completely self taught. The guitarist and his brother built their own guitars and learned to play. Several bands and artists came about from the school clique they were apart of in the 70s.
U2 have been around for decades. It's good you don't have a grasp on them, or else that would mean they have never changed up their style.
Brad's hunch on point this time: it was opener of the album War from 1983 - times when U2 was a celtic band.
Please try any of these:
Bad
One
Running to Stand Still
Until the End of the World
This was a summer song , vibing with friends getting high drunk military days partying hard ...80s is free feeling invincible
Best album beside Unforgettable fire . .
This the postpunk side of the '80s, before U2 was fully mainstream. Darker than new wave, but there's a lot of crossover. The Chameleons are a good example.
Nobody will ever react to Chamrleons. Which is a shame
@@moseygded4004 totally. I sent a video to a girl I was crushing on once and her response was "IDK if I like that." Broke my heart. First woman who liked em is now my wife :)
Listen to Pride, in the name of love by U2. That will probably go over your head too even though some of it refers to a famous person from America
Yes. U2 are from Ireland. Top marks.
Both Zombie and Sunday Bloody Sunday are about I.R.A. bombings.
It was the opening track on their 1983 album "War" so you're right it's not at the end of the album. The ultimate "calm you down' album ending is the lullaby on the white album.
its the first song on the album, the last song is called 40 which is taken from the 40th psalm of the bible. its a slow song but great song. check it out.
Everyone should see the movie Belfast, the story of a little boy growing up in Belfast during The Troubles. Love the movie and the kid as absolutely adorable and amazing!
I remember I saw these guys when they were on the Unforgettable Fire tour such a great band live. I seem to like their older songs better than the stuff recently.
The song is about an ice cream truck that crashed into a school back in 2014. There were so many squirrels out in front of the school that got killed, thus coined the phrase, squirrel day bloody squirrel day. (Just checking to see if anyone actually reads the other comments.)