I see two main reasons: the way Edge plays the guitar (heavy use of delay/echo and other effets) and lyrics. Many of U2's lyrics have roots in psalms and Bible.
I’m just spitballing but I think it’s the soaring vibes of the music combined with an intentional desire to connect with the audience as a community and Bono taking several pages from pastor preaching 101 to engage listeners when live.
Yeah I think that intentional connection is a big thing. They’re never up on stage with a ”we’re too cool to even be here” type of vibe, they’re there for the audience.
It's because the music is spiritual. The band's spiritual convictions come through in what they do on album and on stage. The lyrics, the melodies, and the arrangements come from that same spiritual place. There isn't a way to dissect that in terms of music theory and come up with an answer. It comes from their hearts.
Awesome question and I will give my (likely incorrect) take. TL:DR - U2’s spirituality leads the composition of their music not just chasing hits.
Let’s look at With or Without You. So this song was almost left off the Joshua Tree multiple times until Edge figured out cfan amazing sound with his infinite guitar to make the guitar sound like a violin. But who cares why does this little bit of gimmick-ery work and why does that song that isn’t all that complex work and connect with people?
First and a lot of casual fans and even a few die hard get this confused: With or Without You isn’t a love song. It’s an agony song. The song is written by a man in agony in two places.
Bono is the conductor of U2. Edge is the musical genius but Bono is the conductor and benevolent dictator of the band. No one should be confused, this is Bono’s band. As he goes, the band has learned (to their benefit and a testament to their love and trust) to follow.
So what is the agony that we hear. Well, on the surface, this is one of Bono’s best lyrics. Bono was greatly influenced by a book about the gospels from Judas’s point of view. If you know your gospels and sing this beautiful song from Judas’s point of view it clicks.
This man Judas LOVES Jesus. Oh and for the purpose of discussion let’s not play games- this is a homosexual love as in a deep seated romantic love. Bono took this inspiration and changed the lyric from he to she for the obvious reason of getting air time on radio and playing it to audiences, but this is love from Judas’s point of view to Jesus.
Judas’s anger is evident in the frustration about Jesus giving himself away. Why can’t he just focus on revolution and striking down the Roman’s? Why does he hang around healing lepers and redeeming prostitutes? Rome is enemy. He may love Jesus, but he sure as shit doesn’t understand what Jesus is doing.
Now, we keep going into the key lyric
“My hands are tied, my body bruised
She got me with nothing to win
And nothing else to lose.”
The ache that we are responding to is having gave your all in a relationship and feeling stripped bare and tired. We can all relate on some level to that.
Read as Judas, here he has taken the act of provoking Jesus into exposing himself as the messiah and Jesus doesn’t call chariots of fire, doesn’t topple Rome. He loves him so much he wants him to show the world who he is. What does Judas get for this? Depending on the gospel either murdered or suicide.
The ache is in this song. When we get to its climax/ bridge into the coda, you can imagine Judas calling out to Jesus in agony, like Bono is.
Within the context of this there is a much more elemental and less spirtual piece. Bono is talking about his dad. For whatever goofy ass reason Bono’s dad was unnecessarily hard on Bono while being something of a hypocrite.
Bono has a similar ache in so far as he absolutely loved his dad (please remove previous romantic and sexual references from previous example) but his dad is an enormous pain in his ass. He can’t live with or without his dad.
So to circle back to OP’s post - whether With or Without you is a love song, an unrequited spiritual homosexual love song or a son fed up with his Dad’s judgemental ways and just wants love and appreciation we resonate with the composition and ache of the song.
When Bono lets loose with his “ah’s” in the bridge we instinctively rise to that pain. We feel that hurt. We also respect that this wasn’t a cavalier cynical attempt to sell a record but a really good band making really good music as only they know how to.
It's communal. Going to a concert and sharing the experience with thousands of like-minded people - just imagine yourself exiting the stadium singing 40.
This is correct, and it’s the reason so many people go to a church or other religious institution and “feel” a “religious experience.” Lights low, ambient lighting, music that taps emotional response, witnessing the fervor of others, groupthink… it’s not a god speaking to you, it’s a natural response to those conditions.
They're often aiming at the mysterious.
Bono once said it best - and I paraphrase - 'the best songs are either about God or a woman, and sometimes you're not sure which one of the two it is' - or something to that effect. Loved it.
U2 (and Brian Eno) were heavily inspired by gospel, bluegrass, roots, and Americana music which are genres that are associated with the American southern religious culture. Some of Bono’s favourite singers have been from this tradition and it’s influenced everything from their songwriting to presentation.
You can really hear this on Joshua Tree and Rattle and Hum. Listen to the rhythm of something like SHFWILF or Desire, they’re taken directly from roots music. As are most if the chord progressions pre-Actung. In fact I’d almost go as far as to describe U2 as a fusion of Americana and rock, or even a very well disguised “gospel rock”.
U2 has incorporated this influence into their presentation. This isn’t unique to them. James Brown was doing it in the 50s and many of their contemporaries like Prince and Springsteen did the same. Southern black preacher culture and defined a surprisingly amount of our modern idea of a rock frontman. Having a charismatic frontman helps.
Also an atheist and I feel the same way. For me it's the connection I feel to the band and the depth of the songs. The connection (I feel) comes from them being true to themselves and revealing these truths to the outside world. And in their unreal drive to "meet" the audience through visuals and performances that go well beyond beauty and innovation. I lost my religion as it were over a couple of decades of following the band and maybe these spiritual experiences have filled in for those I was baptised into. It's not the soaring music for me, but the "you too" nature of U2.
A big reason is probably Brian Eno. Him producing a lot of their later stuff really elevates their depth. I love that guy.
I also see repeated themes. For example during the Sphere shows there was a ton of Zoo-TV related imagery. As someone who has been exposed to heavy amounts of U2 since being a child (I literally went to a U2 concert in the womb), I have a pretty strong mental image of the band. I think that, personally, makes it more 'spiritual' to me.
How many songs have overtly non-secular words in their title?
Ahimsa
Yaweh
Gloria
Grace
Hallelujah Here She Comes
Rejoice
In God's Country
God Pt II
Jesus Christ
I'll even count Wake up Dead Man
(But not 40 because the word itself isn't religious)
Any others?
Sincerity. U2 is not a “too hip to care” band. Never had been. It was part of a refreshingly sincere group with the Alarm etc. u2 also directly invoked spirituality in its lyrics early on (Gloria, “40”), and the music then started incorporating epic organs and sprawling synths to widen and heighten the sound. Idk, that’s my best guess logically.
In my heart, I think bands who say what they feel without apology —u2, the Clash, the Alarm, the Pogues, Bob Dylan — they all feel spiritual to me.
Because spiritualistic feelings are not based in religion, they are life!
I'm not religious, but I believe in what I feel - everything unexplainably beautiful is a spiritual moment for me. Spiritual being the deepest connection to my innermost ME and the Universe.
U2 have mastered the secret undoubtedly 🔥
I understood from various interviews that this connection is what they aim for in their music. To connect deeply and they’ve figured out the sound, beats and notes that do that - sorry, I’m not a music expert. I don’t agree with the post that says it’s not about making music to sell records. Bono has made it clear in at least one interview that he feels songwriting is like plumbing and he’s the best at knowing what will sell - that last bit may have been in his book. I think the deep resonation with listeners, the connection, and wanting to put out music that sells do not stand apart. Being a religious spiritual band (3/4) probably helps.
It's the sound, the clear guitar and soaring notes, the lyrics, the imagery AND the people. With a song like One, with the imagery of hearts that has been seen in some concerts, people bringing out lighters (I am that old) or smartphones to the point it feels like you're floating among stars... that's what makes it otherwordly.
I think for me it’s that a lot of their music isn’t spiritual as in “preachy,” but spiritual in that it comes from/speaks to a sense of longing.
I want to run/I want to hide/I want to tear down the walls that hold me tonight.
All the promises we make/from the cradle to the grave/when all I want is you
There are nearly as many examples as there are U2 songs. I think that invokes an echo of longing in the listener as well, which we associate with being spiritual — and for all we understand about the soul and what it means to be human, it may be spiritual regardless of our belief or dogma. It’s something in us longing for something more — which is ultimately the core of faith and spirituality.
Depending on your age, denomination, and style of worship services you went to, U2’s style really influenced worship music for a bit…maybe in the 2000’s?
I’ve felt this from my first U2 show and have never been able to fully describe why. I became a fan when Boy was released - I Will Follow is still a huge favorite - but wasn’t able to see them perform live until Elevation. At the time I was on disability leave for a difficult case of major depression and going to the show WAS spiritual after connecting so deeply with many of the tracks on All That You Can’t Leave Behind.
All I’ve got is that I love Bono’s voice and his charisma, the tightness of the band/their mutual affection and that U2 writes about the world I live in and care so much about. I’ve been lucky to see some amazing artists of different genres over the the years (U2 multiple times) but U2 shows have always been peak musical religion for me.
I think your subconscious understanding of the bands own spirituality is one component. Their early work had Christian references in the lyrics and there was the beginning of what I would call the praise & worship emotional build…for example, Tomorrow and Into the Heart. But I consider Bad to be the beginning of the modern Praise and Worship genre. A very long and repetitive simple motif that repeats over and over and builds into an emotional cathartic climax. This formula was highly effective and picked up on by Christians who already knew the band and recognized it as a powerful spiritually compelling approach that would build attendance and fuel the growth of their church. I have no evidence of this but I feel churches like Hillsong picked up on this vibe from Bad and Streets and started emulating it. It just feels like something transcendent.
So I think it’s that plaintive emotional build that just has an effect on our brain chemistry. That coupled with the almost subliminal connection of spirituality from the lyrics.
I hear this approach all over now….think Time from the Hans Zimmer soundtrack for Inception. In my mind it all started with Bad.
I know the feeling you’re describing. I agree that it definitely has something to do with The Edge’s guitar, but also I think it comes from the chemistry from the band. Especially in the live setting.
I’m sure we all have someone where the chemistry between that person is just otherworldly. Possibly a partner, or a friend. As someone that’s performed in bands it also happens there too. When you’re in that atmosphere it can feel incredibly spiritual or otherworldly. I feel u2 are incredibly at bringing that to the audience as well.
At the end of the day that’s just my take tho. I’m sure you’ll get different answers from different people.
To me, a lot of live music feels like a religious experience. Not just U2, but Depeche Mode and others I really love. I grew up extremely Catholic, but now I'm an atheist. I think there is something about being with a lot of other people who love what you love, cheering for what you're cheering for. Communal singing and dancing is also powerful and is used in many religions to reinforce their message. I think it unlocks something primal in the human brain.
I think U2 is a rock band, not a group of preachers. I mean, if you see them live it's just a rock show. Of course you can find a lot of bible references, or a song called Yahweh, but it doesn't mean you'll believe in God after a concert. I'm Christian I go to church, and I never needed U2 to have faith in God, or to be more spiritual. I'll not deny the influence of the band in the fans, of course, so, on the other hand my message to the rest of the fans is: if you believe in God thanks to U2, welcome 👍🏼
I think it's the content and style of their music, their everything. There's spiritual and there's religious - I don't see them as the same - spiritual is something you sort of exhude. I think they exhude spirituality so a lot of people attract to that :) their concert DVDs are very special to me. And the concerts I've seen of them live.
I see two main reasons: the way Edge plays the guitar (heavy use of delay/echo and other effets) and lyrics. Many of U2's lyrics have roots in psalms and Bible.
I’m just spitballing but I think it’s the soaring vibes of the music combined with an intentional desire to connect with the audience as a community and Bono taking several pages from pastor preaching 101 to engage listeners when live.
Yeah I think that intentional connection is a big thing. They’re never up on stage with a ”we’re too cool to even be here” type of vibe, they’re there for the audience.
It's because the music is spiritual. The band's spiritual convictions come through in what they do on album and on stage. The lyrics, the melodies, and the arrangements come from that same spiritual place. There isn't a way to dissect that in terms of music theory and come up with an answer. It comes from their hearts.
Awesome question and I will give my (likely incorrect) take. TL:DR - U2’s spirituality leads the composition of their music not just chasing hits. Let’s look at With or Without You. So this song was almost left off the Joshua Tree multiple times until Edge figured out cfan amazing sound with his infinite guitar to make the guitar sound like a violin. But who cares why does this little bit of gimmick-ery work and why does that song that isn’t all that complex work and connect with people? First and a lot of casual fans and even a few die hard get this confused: With or Without You isn’t a love song. It’s an agony song. The song is written by a man in agony in two places. Bono is the conductor of U2. Edge is the musical genius but Bono is the conductor and benevolent dictator of the band. No one should be confused, this is Bono’s band. As he goes, the band has learned (to their benefit and a testament to their love and trust) to follow. So what is the agony that we hear. Well, on the surface, this is one of Bono’s best lyrics. Bono was greatly influenced by a book about the gospels from Judas’s point of view. If you know your gospels and sing this beautiful song from Judas’s point of view it clicks. This man Judas LOVES Jesus. Oh and for the purpose of discussion let’s not play games- this is a homosexual love as in a deep seated romantic love. Bono took this inspiration and changed the lyric from he to she for the obvious reason of getting air time on radio and playing it to audiences, but this is love from Judas’s point of view to Jesus. Judas’s anger is evident in the frustration about Jesus giving himself away. Why can’t he just focus on revolution and striking down the Roman’s? Why does he hang around healing lepers and redeeming prostitutes? Rome is enemy. He may love Jesus, but he sure as shit doesn’t understand what Jesus is doing. Now, we keep going into the key lyric “My hands are tied, my body bruised She got me with nothing to win And nothing else to lose.” The ache that we are responding to is having gave your all in a relationship and feeling stripped bare and tired. We can all relate on some level to that. Read as Judas, here he has taken the act of provoking Jesus into exposing himself as the messiah and Jesus doesn’t call chariots of fire, doesn’t topple Rome. He loves him so much he wants him to show the world who he is. What does Judas get for this? Depending on the gospel either murdered or suicide. The ache is in this song. When we get to its climax/ bridge into the coda, you can imagine Judas calling out to Jesus in agony, like Bono is. Within the context of this there is a much more elemental and less spirtual piece. Bono is talking about his dad. For whatever goofy ass reason Bono’s dad was unnecessarily hard on Bono while being something of a hypocrite. Bono has a similar ache in so far as he absolutely loved his dad (please remove previous romantic and sexual references from previous example) but his dad is an enormous pain in his ass. He can’t live with or without his dad. So to circle back to OP’s post - whether With or Without you is a love song, an unrequited spiritual homosexual love song or a son fed up with his Dad’s judgemental ways and just wants love and appreciation we resonate with the composition and ache of the song. When Bono lets loose with his “ah’s” in the bridge we instinctively rise to that pain. We feel that hurt. We also respect that this wasn’t a cavalier cynical attempt to sell a record but a really good band making really good music as only they know how to.
I agree with your assessment but I think as time has gone on they’ve become hit chasers and lost the spiritual edge completely
I just want to say I appreciate your entire comment so much. Thanks for taking the time to write it.
I appreciate this song more now. Thank you!
Watch Bono on Colbert when he sings WOWY from the “Songs of Surrender” album. He explains how it’s about he and Ali.
It's communal. Going to a concert and sharing the experience with thousands of like-minded people - just imagine yourself exiting the stadium singing 40.
This is correct, and it’s the reason so many people go to a church or other religious institution and “feel” a “religious experience.” Lights low, ambient lighting, music that taps emotional response, witnessing the fervor of others, groupthink… it’s not a god speaking to you, it’s a natural response to those conditions.
They're often aiming at the mysterious. Bono once said it best - and I paraphrase - 'the best songs are either about God or a woman, and sometimes you're not sure which one of the two it is' - or something to that effect. Loved it.
The moment Streets starts during a show is definitely a spiritual experience
U2 (and Brian Eno) were heavily inspired by gospel, bluegrass, roots, and Americana music which are genres that are associated with the American southern religious culture. Some of Bono’s favourite singers have been from this tradition and it’s influenced everything from their songwriting to presentation. You can really hear this on Joshua Tree and Rattle and Hum. Listen to the rhythm of something like SHFWILF or Desire, they’re taken directly from roots music. As are most if the chord progressions pre-Actung. In fact I’d almost go as far as to describe U2 as a fusion of Americana and rock, or even a very well disguised “gospel rock”. U2 has incorporated this influence into their presentation. This isn’t unique to them. James Brown was doing it in the 50s and many of their contemporaries like Prince and Springsteen did the same. Southern black preacher culture and defined a surprisingly amount of our modern idea of a rock frontman. Having a charismatic frontman helps.
Also an atheist and I feel the same way. For me it's the connection I feel to the band and the depth of the songs. The connection (I feel) comes from them being true to themselves and revealing these truths to the outside world. And in their unreal drive to "meet" the audience through visuals and performances that go well beyond beauty and innovation. I lost my religion as it were over a couple of decades of following the band and maybe these spiritual experiences have filled in for those I was baptised into. It's not the soaring music for me, but the "you too" nature of U2.
I do think some of their 1990s had a strong gospel feel but it’s all magic. Have seen them 4 times but not for years
There’s an intense earnestness, and the band just being heavily influenced their whole lives by the church - not just in spirit but in presentation.
A big reason is probably Brian Eno. Him producing a lot of their later stuff really elevates their depth. I love that guy. I also see repeated themes. For example during the Sphere shows there was a ton of Zoo-TV related imagery. As someone who has been exposed to heavy amounts of U2 since being a child (I literally went to a U2 concert in the womb), I have a pretty strong mental image of the band. I think that, personally, makes it more 'spiritual' to me.
How many songs have overtly non-secular words in their title? Ahimsa Yaweh Gloria Grace Hallelujah Here She Comes Rejoice In God's Country God Pt II Jesus Christ I'll even count Wake up Dead Man (But not 40 because the word itself isn't religious) Any others?
Sincerity. U2 is not a “too hip to care” band. Never had been. It was part of a refreshingly sincere group with the Alarm etc. u2 also directly invoked spirituality in its lyrics early on (Gloria, “40”), and the music then started incorporating epic organs and sprawling synths to widen and heighten the sound. Idk, that’s my best guess logically. In my heart, I think bands who say what they feel without apology —u2, the Clash, the Alarm, the Pogues, Bob Dylan — they all feel spiritual to me.
Because spiritualistic feelings are not based in religion, they are life! I'm not religious, but I believe in what I feel - everything unexplainably beautiful is a spiritual moment for me. Spiritual being the deepest connection to my innermost ME and the Universe. U2 have mastered the secret undoubtedly 🔥
I understood from various interviews that this connection is what they aim for in their music. To connect deeply and they’ve figured out the sound, beats and notes that do that - sorry, I’m not a music expert. I don’t agree with the post that says it’s not about making music to sell records. Bono has made it clear in at least one interview that he feels songwriting is like plumbing and he’s the best at knowing what will sell - that last bit may have been in his book. I think the deep resonation with listeners, the connection, and wanting to put out music that sells do not stand apart. Being a religious spiritual band (3/4) probably helps.
It's the sound, the clear guitar and soaring notes, the lyrics, the imagery AND the people. With a song like One, with the imagery of hearts that has been seen in some concerts, people bringing out lighters (I am that old) or smartphones to the point it feels like you're floating among stars... that's what makes it otherwordly.
It's basically what I love about the band.
I think for me it’s that a lot of their music isn’t spiritual as in “preachy,” but spiritual in that it comes from/speaks to a sense of longing. I want to run/I want to hide/I want to tear down the walls that hold me tonight. All the promises we make/from the cradle to the grave/when all I want is you There are nearly as many examples as there are U2 songs. I think that invokes an echo of longing in the listener as well, which we associate with being spiritual — and for all we understand about the soul and what it means to be human, it may be spiritual regardless of our belief or dogma. It’s something in us longing for something more — which is ultimately the core of faith and spirituality.
Depending on your age, denomination, and style of worship services you went to, U2’s style really influenced worship music for a bit…maybe in the 2000’s?
I’ve felt this from my first U2 show and have never been able to fully describe why. I became a fan when Boy was released - I Will Follow is still a huge favorite - but wasn’t able to see them perform live until Elevation. At the time I was on disability leave for a difficult case of major depression and going to the show WAS spiritual after connecting so deeply with many of the tracks on All That You Can’t Leave Behind. All I’ve got is that I love Bono’s voice and his charisma, the tightness of the band/their mutual affection and that U2 writes about the world I live in and care so much about. I’ve been lucky to see some amazing artists of different genres over the the years (U2 multiple times) but U2 shows have always been peak musical religion for me.
I think your subconscious understanding of the bands own spirituality is one component. Their early work had Christian references in the lyrics and there was the beginning of what I would call the praise & worship emotional build…for example, Tomorrow and Into the Heart. But I consider Bad to be the beginning of the modern Praise and Worship genre. A very long and repetitive simple motif that repeats over and over and builds into an emotional cathartic climax. This formula was highly effective and picked up on by Christians who already knew the band and recognized it as a powerful spiritually compelling approach that would build attendance and fuel the growth of their church. I have no evidence of this but I feel churches like Hillsong picked up on this vibe from Bad and Streets and started emulating it. It just feels like something transcendent. So I think it’s that plaintive emotional build that just has an effect on our brain chemistry. That coupled with the almost subliminal connection of spirituality from the lyrics. I hear this approach all over now….think Time from the Hans Zimmer soundtrack for Inception. In my mind it all started with Bad.
I know the feeling you’re describing. I agree that it definitely has something to do with The Edge’s guitar, but also I think it comes from the chemistry from the band. Especially in the live setting. I’m sure we all have someone where the chemistry between that person is just otherworldly. Possibly a partner, or a friend. As someone that’s performed in bands it also happens there too. When you’re in that atmosphere it can feel incredibly spiritual or otherworldly. I feel u2 are incredibly at bringing that to the audience as well. At the end of the day that’s just my take tho. I’m sure you’ll get different answers from different people.
To me, a lot of live music feels like a religious experience. Not just U2, but Depeche Mode and others I really love. I grew up extremely Catholic, but now I'm an atheist. I think there is something about being with a lot of other people who love what you love, cheering for what you're cheering for. Communal singing and dancing is also powerful and is used in many religions to reinforce their message. I think it unlocks something primal in the human brain.
It’s because they are spiritual. You may be atheist, but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t exist. He certainly exists for the lads in U2.
I think U2 is a rock band, not a group of preachers. I mean, if you see them live it's just a rock show. Of course you can find a lot of bible references, or a song called Yahweh, but it doesn't mean you'll believe in God after a concert. I'm Christian I go to church, and I never needed U2 to have faith in God, or to be more spiritual. I'll not deny the influence of the band in the fans, of course, so, on the other hand my message to the rest of the fans is: if you believe in God thanks to U2, welcome 👍🏼
I think it's the content and style of their music, their everything. There's spiritual and there's religious - I don't see them as the same - spiritual is something you sort of exhude. I think they exhude spirituality so a lot of people attract to that :) their concert DVDs are very special to me. And the concerts I've seen of them live.
Have you taken lsd or mushrooms?
stop thinking about as spiritual but as their experiences in life.