What did U2 fans think in 2006?

In November, 2006, @U2 conducted its second annual U2 Fan Survey in an attempt to learn what U2 fans online think about a variety of topics and questions related to U2 and U2 fandom.

We asked more than 100 questions in 8 categories, and accepted survey replies via the QuestionPro web site. The survey was open for the entire month of November.

This year we received 5,020 completed surveys -- a 22% increase over the 4,106 completed surveys from 2005. In both cases, we believe this is a high enough number to claim that these survey results are an accurate statistical portrayal of U2's online fan community. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Survey Results

Listed below is the full set of questions asked in the U2 Fan Survey. You can click any question to see its results -- the results will open in a pop-up window.

Section A: About You

1. How old are you?
2. Male or female?
3. What country are you from?
4. How often do you listen to U2?
5. If you're married: Does your spouse like U2? (Skip this question if you're not married.)
6. If you live at home with Mom and/or Dad: Do your parents like U2? (Skip this question if you don't live at home with Mom and/or Dad.)
7. If you have kids: Do your kids like U2? (Skip this question if you don't have kids.)
8. Aside from U2, which of these artists is your favorite?

Section B: U2 Fandom

1. When did you become a U2 fan?
2. Were you ever a member of Propaganda, the official U2 fan club?
3. Are you currently a paying member of U2.com?
4. If YES, do you plan to renew your U2.com membership? (Skip this question if you're not a paying U2.com member.)
5. Have you ever tried to convert someone into a U2 fan?
6. Have you ever gone to see a U2 tribute band play?
7. Have you ever traveled to Ireland because of U2 and/or the U2 connection?
8. Have you ever had a dream in which at least one member of U2 appeared?
9. Have you ever had a U2 band member sign something for you?
10. Do you have a collection of any U2 memorabilia or merchandise? (i.e. - something more than common albums and singles)
11. Do you own any U2 bootlegs?
12. If YES, how many? (Skip this question if you don't own any U2 bootlegs.)
13. Do you own a U2 iPod?
14. Has U2 inspired you to join an organization or become active in some cause or campaign?

Section C: U2 & The Web

1. When did you discover the U2 online fan community?
2. How many U2-related mailing lists do you read?
3. Are you now or have you ever been a member of WIRE? (i.e. - U2-list, the original)
4. How many U2-related Forums / Message Boards are you registered on?
5. How often do you post a message on a U2-related mailing list or Forum / Message Board?
6. Have you ever blogged about U2 on your own blog?
7. Have you ever made a U2-related web page? (i.e. - non-blog)
8. Have you ever downloaded a U2 album or song(s) from an album without paying for it?
9. On a typical day, about how much time do you spend visiting U2-related web sites or blogs?

Section D: The Band

1. Who is your favorite band member?
2. Which band members have you met? (check all that apply)
3. Who is the best musician in U2?
4. Which band member would win on the TV show SURVIVOR?
5. Which band member would win on the TV quiz game JEOPARDY?
6. Which band member's personality seems closest to yours?
7. What is U2's worst fashion mistake?
8. U2's best decade?
9. How much longer will U2 be together and making new music?

Section E: The Albums

1. Do you own all 14 U2 albums?
2. What's your favorite U2 album?
3. Should Passengers: Original Soundtracks I be considered a U2 album?
4. What's your least favorite U2 album?
5. What is the most underrated U2 album?
6. What's your favorite U2 album cover?
7. Which album producer(s) has been the best for U2?
8. Which album has the best overall lyrics?
9. Which album has produced the best collection of music videos?
10. Re-recording the Pop album would be a...

Section F: The Songs

1. What's your favorite song from BOY?
2. What's your favorite song from OCTOBER?
3. What's your favorite song from WAR?
4. What's your favorite song from UNDER A BLOOD RED SKY?
5. What's your favorite song from THE UNFORGETTABLE FIRE?
6. What's your favorite song from THE JOSHUA TREE?
7. What's your favorite song from RATTLE AND HUM?
8. What's your favorite song from ACHTUNG BABY?
9. What's your favorite song from ZOOROPA?
10. What's your favorite song from PASSENGERS: ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKS?
11. What's your favorite song from POP?
12. What's your favorite song from ALL THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND?
13. What's your favorite song from HOW TO DISMANTLE AN ATOMIC BOMB?
14. What is your favorite B-side or non-album track?
15. What is your favorite U2 soundtrack song?
16. What's your favorite U2 song about the Troubles?
17. What is U2's best instrumental song?
18. What's the best cover song U2 has done?
19. What is U2's best collaboration with another artist?
20. What is Edge's best performance on lead vocals?
21. What is Bono's best solo song?
22. What's the best version of "Sunday Bloody Sunday"?
23. What's the best version of "Bad"?
24. What's the best version of "Where the Streets Have No Name"?
25. What's the best version of "Walk On"?
26. How do you feel about remixes of U2 songs?
27. What is your favorite U2 music video?

Section G: Tours

1. How many U2 concerts have you seen live? (i.e. - not on TV, etc.)
2. When did you see your first U2 concert in person?
3. What's the farthest you've traveled to see U2 live in concert?
4. What's the most you've ever spent on a U2 concert ticket? (in U.S. dollars)
5. What do you think of U2's concert ticket prices?
6. Which of these statements most closely describes how you feel?
7. What's your favorite U2 tour?
8. Where would you prefer to see a U2 concert?
9. If you could go back to see one of these U2 concerts / performances, which would you choose?
10. At a concert, which would you prefer to do?
11. What old song should U2 play live for the first time?
12. If U2 decides it's time to drop one of their live "warhorse" songs, and they ask you for a suggestion, what song would you suggest they drop?
13. What is U2's best live song?
14. What's your favorite concert video?
15. Which do you prefer? (Please skip if you haven't seen both answers below live.)

Section H: Final Thoughts

1. Which statement most closely matches your opinion?
2. What do you think of Bono's extracurricular activities?
3. What do you think of U2's spiritual tendencies?
4. Did U2 sell out with the Vertigo / iPod commercial and the U2 iPod?
5. What do you think of U2's decision to move control of the band's publishing royalties out of Ireland to avoid paying new Irish taxes?
6. You see Bono and his family eating a quiet dinner alone. Do you interrupt them?
7. Which of these would you most want to do?
8. Who is your favorite U2 "associate"?
9. What's your favorite U2-related book?
10. What has been U2's defining moment?
11. It's U2's last concert. What song should they play last?
12. If Bono leaves, should the other three continue as U2?
13. If Edge leaves, should the other three continue as U2?
14. If Adam leaves, should the other three continue as U2?
15. If Larry leaves, should the other three continue as U2?
16. If any member of U2 DOES leave, and the other three find a replacement and put out another U2 album, would you buy it?

Discussion

You're invited to read Matt McGee's survey commentary and join the survey results discussion in the @U2 Forum.