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I don't know what everyone else's definition of relevant is, but to me U2's music is relevant because it has a real meaning behind it. The band puts their whole heart and soul behind each song, and you can feel it when you hear the music and the lyrics. "Bullet the Blue Sky" is as relevant today as it was when it was first released because of the message it contains.
U2's message just makes sense. When I listen to their music, I get it and it inspires me. A light comes on and I want to change the world, and it is all fueled by the passion behind U2 and their music.
A lot of today's music seems to be so flat in meaning and sound. It's hard to find a song that not a "cookie cutter" version of a previously released song. There are a lot of "one hit wonder" bands out there that are forgettable, and I think we live in a world where artists are competing in a popularity contest and will release anything that will draw attention from young people. I call these bands teeny-bopper bands. (Green Day, My Chemical Romance, etc. not to mention any names...)
U2 has been criticized in the past for experimenting with their music, especially during the Achtung Baby to Pop era. I like the fact that U2 experiments, it shows that they are innovative and willing to stretch themselves in new directions while in the background holding onto their roots. Pop was a great album with some deep meaning. Had U2 not experimented with this one, we wouldn't have great song like "Please" or "Mofo," or even "Wake Up Dead Man!"
I like the fact that U2 spends a few years to release an album. I think this shows how much they care about what they release and what messages they are trying to portray in their music. Give me a U2 song that will help me feel and see some of the conflict that we face in the world today and will inspire me to make a change, over an all-about-adolescence-been-done-before-teeny-bopper-song any day! It is those songs that make us want to change the world that are relevant, and those are the songs that we get from U2. All of that other stuff is just kids' play. I look forward to their next album and look forward to hearing and seeing what these music geniuses come up with next.
-- Brandon Aycock
Relevance is a relative term -- depends on to whom you are speaking and what you are speaking about. If you speak in terms of a band that produces an album that is critically and commercially acclaimed, or a great album, then U2 is no longer relevant, and they haven't been since Pop. Anyone who thinks the last two albums were good has serious problems. There were some decent tunes, yes, and they translated well live, but "Wild Honey?" "A Man And A Woman?" C'mon. This stuff is sh*** at best.
-- Craig Stuart
Certainly music evolves, so in that sense U2 cannot keep up forever. And, the very fact that they are older leads some to view them as an "older person band" (I've heard this from some of my son's friends). Their music is not prominent on the radio as some other bands and they don't blend hip-hop with rock. But, their music is universally recognized. And I believe they will actually outlast the Beatles because of the depth of meaning in their lyrics. U2 will always be somewhat relevant because their music is exceptional but predominantly relevant because the themes of their great songs penetrate all cultures for all times. "One," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "Streets," "Pride," "Walk On," "Beautiful Day" -- such lyrics and meaningful themes will last well into the future.
-- Jeff Young
This isn't so much a comment as it is an illustration of how U2's music is still so relevant. To me much of it has to do with Bono's personality and how he expresses himself - he is a master of tapping into a universal connection with his ideas that transcend both physical and emotional boundaries.
The other day my 15-year-old son and I decided we'd arrange all of the U2 songs from all of the albums from Boy through to How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by track order. In other words -- we arranged and then listened to track one of album one, and then track one of album two, and so forth until we had listened to all the tracks in album sequence. It was great fun and an interesting exercise in seeing any patterns emerging and to actually hear the evolution of their music.
My son has the version of HTDAAB that ends with "Yahweh" and I had received the deluxe version for my birthday - the one with the book and extra track on it ("Fast Cars"). Anyway, I made the comment that it was quite profound that the first track of U2's first album was called "I Will Follow" and the last track of their last album was called "Yahweh."
"I will follow Yahweh," I said to my son -- "that sounds like Bono!"
Then he says to me, "But Dad, on your album the last song is Fast Cars!"
So I repeated, "I will follow Yahweh and Fast Cars!"
We look at each other and then he says to me, "Dad, that also sounds just like Bono!"
We both had a good laugh about that. It says a lot for the man and the music of U2 that a father and a son can have such a unified connection and fondness for him and the music.
-- Sean Wilson
Because:
1. U2's lyrics and the activities of its members often speak to or reference issues of faith, hope in the face of real life, and a relationship to Jesus Christ/God. These topics, though often ignored or rejected in most public venues in our hyper-secularized culture, are issues of core meaning for a majority of people in the Western world. In a virtual cultural desert of such content occurring within the context of great music and performances, the thirsty are moved to pursue what satisfies their thirst.
2. U2 fans are so passionate, their word-of-mouth promotion of their favorite band spreads U2's popularity via their relationships, and this is much more powerful than media.
3. U2 openly acknowledge their weak points as well as their willingness for wise business pursuits; we know that we're not just being fed an image.
4. Bono's hip shoes.
5. U2 has always pursued new technologies and contexts to perform in. They have taken the risk of placing themselves in the middle of what is new or what is becoming pervasive in our culture (MTV, gigantic visuals, giant box stores, iPods, The Oprah Winfrey Show, 3D technology, etc.) and still do crazy things like playing live on a flatbed being driven through NYC. They ride the wave of technology and culture and repeatedly paddle out to catch the next wave, instead of wiping out by getting stuck in genre or period of style.
6. They ROCK.
7. The lasting friendships of U2 members give fans what other groups lack: a chance to witness and vicariously participate in a fellowship with a long history of stick - togetherness. We get an artificial feeling along these lines in the media via famous groups of "friends" in sitcoms, radio and TV talk shows, and even comic books and movie trilogies. With U2 it is the real deal, not a posed camaraderie, and we want to be a part of that.
8. The Edge's cool hats.
9. Regardless of their musical sophistication, listeners know that U2's music and performances are unique in style and passion.
10. U2 balance being earnestly meaningful and serving others with humor, sarcasm, and silliness. There is rarely too much of either.
11. We love to participate in something that we know is helping others.
12. Girls and ladies still think Larry is cute.
13. They ROCK.
-- Richard Burns
I'm not thinking that their music is that relevant anymore. They and their manager have made it very clear that we older fans are disposable; frankly I find it ironic. All I've really heard from them lately is how "they're the greatest band in the world" in spoken words with nothing musically to back it up. Their arrogance is astounding and I don't trust Bono's (gagging here -- that's the only time I've been able to call him "good") intentions regarding anything from the reasons they moved their publishing to his African dealings.... he's a big baby looking for pats on the head from those from whom they're difficult to receive. Psych 101 all the way. I could go on and on. Suffice it to say, they just don't feel good anymore. They're smarmy and feel like shams.
Ahh, beautiful catharsis.
Thanks for the opportunity to vent.
-- Erika
I feel U2's music is still relevant mainly due to its universal nature; this is what separates the "cliched" popular music from the "relevant" popular music. The message people find in music is more in the lyrics than image or the music itself, and this is where U2's universal nature lies. The various motifs, metaphors, allegories, and similes Bono (and the Edge) utilize in U2's lyrics are a means of conveying this. Whether the messages behind albums are of the waning of innocence in the face of experience (Boy), the emptiness of consumerism and its substitute as a spiritual/moral compass (Pop), personal dislocation in the face of political/social realignment (Zooropa), and so forth, this universality remains a constant.
What makes this universal nature relevant is the types of questions the lyrics are asking. These questions are universal in nature, almost timeless, the type of questions that the ancient Greek and Roman philosophers were asking, and the type that we continue to ask today: What is the meaning of life? Why is there cruelty and hate in the world? What is the nature of love? Is there a God, and if so what is His purpose? How do human relationships work? And so forth. These are questions that pull and tug at people's hearts, whispering in their ears at night, and swimming through their heads during a moment alone. They also act as a foundation of inquiry for people, this inquiry being expressed through art, be it music, painting, film, sculpture, a video piece on YouTube, etc.
Where the universality of the lyrics and its expression in art (the music and image) connect, is the live setting - the concert. A good example of these elements working together to bring the universal nature (and relevance) of U2's music out is their Super Bowl halftime performance. The psychological effects of the 9/11 attacks were still very raw for many Americans, and U2 was winding up (or had finished, I can't quite remember) the third leg of their Elevation Tour, a leg which was a very emotionally cathartic one for the audience and the band (if I'm remembering band soundbites and audience blog reactions to shows correctly).
All That You Can't Leave Behind, an album that sounds refreshing, almost "happy", but whose lyrical motifs and allegories tell a much darker story of suicide, mortality, midlife crises, and the finiteness of life, was the album U2 were promoting. Watching Bono wade through the twenty-something crowd singing the midlife crisis-tinged lyrics of "Beautiful Day" and seeing the audience's reaction to the performances of "MLK" and "Where the Streets Have No Name," with its touching tribute to some of the 9/11 fallen, is where the relevance of U2's music came in sharp focus to a worldwide audience.
There are of course other examples of similar situations occurring in U2's career (Live Aid, Conspiracy of Hope Tour, Live 8 etc.), but, for me the Super Bowl halftime performance takes the cake as the clearest example of U2's relevance.
This is why U2's music is relevant in a sea of cliché-ridden, psuedo-art popular music. The various allegories and themes strewn throughout their lyrics appeal and speak to the deepest (and sometimes darkest) confines of people's hearts and minds. More importantly for me, U2's music makes me care about the world and desire to engage in it, to change it for the better. It's why U2 is my favorite band, and I suspect it may be a reason why they are other people's favorite as well.
-- Chris Borman
So, you asked us why do we still find U2`s music relevant. Well, I woke up really early this morning, around 6 o'clock. I took my iPod, turned it on, and started listening (U2,of course). I started my day with their music, as I do sometimes, because I want to feel at least a bit calm before I nervously start to think about everything I have to do that day.
"City of Blinding Lights" -- Oh, you look so beautiful... Is there a better way to start a day? And then, for the very first time, I realized that not one of their songs has ever made me sad. Not one of their songs has ever made me feel alone, miserable, nervous or angry. So, why do I still find their music relevant? That's why. I don't want to talk about the masterpieces they made, we all know those, but the way they make me feel good about myself is something I value most about them. They have it, they have the quality it takes to stay the best.
To say their music will lose the importance it has now is the same as saying that Mozart will be forgotten. Quality lasts.
-- Anja Bajt
I believe U2 are still relevant in today's music because their music has no age boundary like most music does. They write and sing about real subject matter that everyone experiences or has experienced to some degree in each of our personal lives. People of all ages can relate to the music and not have to even think about it. It comes at you when you least expect it and makes you think. Thinking is good, especially for the younger generation who carry a heavy load on their shoulders in this crazy world we live in. U2 has an effect on the youth of today and that is a good thing -- I am really glad the youth are listening.
Unlike other music that you grow out of or tired of, U2 has definitely withstood the hands of time and will continue to do so. They are truly amazing, indescribable.
-- Maria Diorio
I think U2 are still relevant because they have distance to themselves and what they are doing. They want to discover new things, new sounds, new feelings and they do it in a harmless way which seems to attract both new and old fans.
They still want to do an extraordinary album (maybe they already have?), and the feeling of wanting to be the best band walking the streets makes them extraordinary in my eyes.
-- Eric Gustafsson
Simply put, I don't think U2 is relevant in today's music world. But that's why I love them.
-- Vyassa Baratham
What makes U2 relevant today, in such a youth-oriented culture (a shrinking demographic, in many Western countries anyway), is this... SUBSTANCE!! Their music is about more than the casual hook-up, the parties, the clothes you wear. I work in retail listening to teen-oriented music all day long, and while there ARE talented young performers out there, even their best songs are so cliched and assembly-line that it's sad. Lovely voices are being drowned out in a repetitious sea of computerized drum loops and brainless lyrics that only make things worse. You CAN "shake your booty" to great music and still be left with a song that says something creative and makes you think. Yes, Bono and the Edge especially may be grandfathers in the next decade (as I may be a grandma - gulp!!!), but experience and mileage doesn't mean you can't party like it's 1999, rock the house, raise the roof, and still say something true and real.
-- Lisa Andrus
When a band writes songs and performs them straight from their heart they are always relevant no matter what age you are. That is what U2 does best and also why they have been around and popular as long as they have, and why I believe that they will continue on for many more years.
-- Elsha Stockseth
U2's music is timeless. It could be sung any place, anytime on Earth and mean something to someone because U2's songs speak a universal language that comes from deep down in the souls of the World.
For me, their music articulates what I sometimes can only feel. And yes, it happens that suddenly I can "feel" every word of a song that I've heard hundreds of times before. Almost as if it knew I'd eventually show up.
I believe the same can be said for the multitude of people struggling to survive or understand, and make sense of what they are experiencing or witnessing today. U2's music is not trivial, trendy or disposable. As long as humanity exists on Earth, U2's music will be relevant - and loved.
-- LMD
(c) @U2/individual contributors above, 2008.
