"The lyrics are a nonpartisan condemnation of the historic bloodshed in Ireland - politics is not something you want to discuss in Ireland. Bono's lyrics in the song are more about interpersonal struggles than about the actual Bloody Sunday events." Larry Mullen's drums were recorded in a staircase of their Dublin recording studio U2 has played several times at Croke Park, the site of the 1920 Bloody Sunday in Dublin. They first performed there in 1985 on the Unforgettable Fire tour.

The Red Rocks video of this song is iconic.

Just for fun there's a great live video of this shot at Red Rocks. It's from an album called "Under A Blood Red Sky." Very early in their career, they look like infants. It's a long powerful performance.

Bloody Sunday, was a massacre on 30 January 1972 when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march in the Bogside area of Derry,Northern Ireland. Fourteen people died: thirteen were killed outright, while the death of another man four months later was attributed to his injuries This tragic event inspired the song

U2 "UNFORGETTABLE FIRE" is my favvvvorite song by them ever!! 🔥🔥🔥

there is a live performance of this at Red Rocks back in 1983 that you should check out. They are very special live

There was a TV documentary here in Canada sometime in the late 1980s or early 1990s about a program that sent 10 Protestant kids and 10 Catholic kids from Northern Ireland as a way to begin to break the cycle of violence in Northern Ireland that had been going on most of 1900s, but especially starting in the 1960s. There were bombings, shooting, riots deaths, kids growing up already prepared to join the fighting in the streets. These 20 kids were in Canada for about a month, during which time they went from pure hate, wanting to actually kill the other 10, to laughing together from being in a peaceful country like Canada. Bloody Sunday incident was a big trigger moment in Northern Ireland, thousands died on the streets, young and old for decades. Many of the lyrics are true, but as said before they aren't describing the actual Bloody Sunday incident itself, but rather his choice not to carry on the hate. Normally in Northern Ireland such declarations were held in contempt, but U2 was such a big band they were allowed to say it.

The very first paragraph of the Wikipedia entry you were referencing has the background info you are wanting to know -- and links to the inciting incident called Bloody Sunday that happened in Derry in 1972.

If you want to see a live version, check out 'Sunday Bloody Sunday (Live From Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado, USA / 1983'.

1984, I was about 15, watching a live at Red Rocks version of this on MTV, and my mom comes in and watches it with me. When it was over, she proclaimed, "This band, and those Talking Heads guys, are the only bands worth bothering about these days. Better than that damn Van Halen you listen to." My mom had pretty good taste in music. ☺ The Red Rocks performance is highly recommended.

Great reaction. I’ve been a fan for 37 years. This is an important breakthrough song for them. They have influenced tons of bands that came after from Metallica to Muse to Radiohead to the Killers, the list goes on. Lots of people will recommend you watch the Red Rocks live version, but IMO, the best live filmed version is from the Rattle and Hum movie. I suggest you always react to U2 live. They are arguably the most groundbreaking live band in history. And the top selling live act of all time. I would suggest checking out Bullet The Blue Sky live from ZooTV Sydney 1993. The Edge’s solo is insane. And you will see how they changed live concerts forever after this tour.

We recommend you watch their live performance at Red Rocks, "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day". A great experience. Early U2 sound is my favorite.

For another take on the Northern Irish 'Troubles' there is The Cranberries "Zombie".

There are two Bloody Sundays in Irish history. The first was in 1920 when British troops fired into the crowd at a football match in Dublin in retaliation for the killing of British undercover agents. The second was on January 30, 1972, when British paratroopers killed 13 Irish citizens at a civil rights protest in Derry, Northern Ireland. The song is more about the second Bloody Sunday. Peace out.

It would be difficult to appreciate U2 without the context of their Irishness and the endless hostility going on there, not to mention the underlying Christianity behind their lyrics.

One of my favorite U2 songs is Pride (in the name of love), about Martin Luther King's assassination. Also some people may disagree but the Album Joshua Tree is their best, imho.

This is what the song is about. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Sunday_(1972)

U2 started in the Punk/NuWave era of music; of the late 70s, early 80s, but became one of the greatest Rock bands around. During the early MTV days; there wasn't a while lot of "music videos" yet, so promo videos of up and coming bands were the thing. NuWave bands like U2, Echo and the Bunnymen, Pat Benatar, Blondie, and B-52s were what was played most. As MTV grew; more and more record companies wanted their acts to be seen, so more music videos were made. U2 was the only bands to successfully make it out of the 80s scene, and go beyond.

These guys have like 50 awesome TRACKS.

Try "New Years Day" from this album :)

U2 was the most significant since the Beatles! brilliant!

generally this song is anout the troubles in Ireland and how it has torn families apart.but i particular it is about the bloody Sunda uprising and how it was brutally crushed by British soldiers in what can only be described as a massacre of protesters who had been asking for the same basic rights for decades if not centuries. but this was the event thst broke the damn so to speak. another good song about the troubles and its effect on the kids bof Ireland was zombie by the cranberries.

My favorite band. U2 are known for their *live* performances. They’re one of the last truly epic rock bands & an all-time Top 5 Live band. Hugely innovative, they basically invented & pioneered the B-stage as well as the massive integration of video/video screens at live rock concerts. Their sound has changed a lot over the decades: post-punk to alt rock to pop rock. You ought to react to U2’s LIVE videos.

Lots of '90s and 2000s bands ripped off the U2 "sound" or were influenced by Bono's vocals and lyrics. " Chris Martin of Coldplay just straight up admitted it and thanked The Edge for his guitar sound. LOL! Ditto for Kings of Leon lead singer Caleb Followill. In fact their big break was when Bono chose them to be an opening act for one of their tours. I'm not a Strokes fan but they've ripped off a lot of early U2 as well. Then you have bands like Muse, Keane, Arcade Fire, The Killers, The Fray - and the godawful Thirty Seconds To Mars.

U2 "WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME". (original video is great) you'll see why

You are correct, U2 had major influence on later bands, both in their political messages and their musicality. They're a very important band. The violence of the times between Northern and Southern Ireland was horrific. It was almost its own Vietnam; a terrible time to have to live through. I'd suggest listening to New Year's Day next, it ties in with the same themes and is a terrific recording and video. I think U2 are world treasures and would love to have you explore more of their very deep and incredible catalog. Suggestions: Pride (In the Name of Love), I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, With or Without You, Every Breaking Wave, Ultraviolet, Zoo Station, One, I can go on and on. More U2 please!

My Uncle John Hume, God rest him, was instrumental in the peace process here, he was there as was my father long before I was born, through John I've met the U2 lads, for whatever reason me and Edge have remained close, all the best from Derry 🇮🇪

Great song. Loved them since Boy came out...

watching their LIVE AT RED ROCKS '83 performance of this will explain why U2 is so beloved. they changed my life ❤ their albums WAR and THE UNFORGETTABLE FIRE are worthy of a sit-down-listen-all-the-way-through session.

This song is about the Troubles, which went for decades in Northern Ireland. It was partly a struggle between Catholics and Protestants. Also, there were people who wanted to become an independent country, and those who wanted to remain a colony of England.

Original video at red rocks is classic 👍🏻

This song was played on every party back in the mid 1980s, actually not the studio version but a live version taken from the live album "Under a Blood Red Sky" (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pL5dYJOcqeDde6c.html). Everybody seemed to have that record. It was standing just next to Springsteen's "Born in the USA" and Bryan Adams' "Reckless" (just to get an impression how popular it was).

The drum in this is nuts.

perfectly encapsulates the frustrations of a sunday. you got to mow the lawn, wash the car, read the newspapers, the kids are running around, and you just think "sunday bloody sunday".

Wipe your tears away. Song hits

Need to watch the live version of this song from Red Rocks in Colorado. They played in the fog, and it was memorizing!

I'd love for you to listen to more of their stuff. One of my favorite bands.

I suggest their song - New Years Day!

U2 definitely is a talented group and have many great albums, sure its political but it’s talking about putting an end to a war which is a great thing

There is quite good movie about events that inspired this song. It's titled, as you can guess "Bloody sunday" created in 2002 if you are interested in the event and a little of Irish modern history. It wasn't the only "bloody sunday" in Irish history, but thanks to this song I think this one became most famous, or should I rather say infamous.

The initial drum beats represent gunfire.

Excellent reaction. I grew up in a tiny Irish Catholic town as one of the few Protestant families. Luckily, we were all tighter as families than our slightly differing faiths. There was way too much blood shed for really mind-boggling reasons in Northern Ireland... the people were becoming tired, and this song really shed light on that.

There's a definite sound to a lot of the early to mid 80s music, especially what came out of England. I was listening to it on the new wave and alternative station at the time...yall put bands in different boxes these days than we did back then lol But U2 never really fit into any of those boxes. I think they were my introduction to music that was heavily socially and politically driven. "Bullet The Blue Sky" is amazing! Anything off the Joshua Tree album is awesome, really.

My husband Gregory Wild was actually there. He was from Derry. Unfortunately he has just passed away . I live in Derry now and miss him every day. I hope we never have to sing this song again. I'm from Germany but never felt so at home and accepted as in Derry. 😢

Red Rocks is a fantastic venue, especially for this band and song. Live version is a must.

The song is about the event bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland I think but it could be the other bloody Sunday in the Republic but it seems to reference the troubles more so and it was an event where British soldiers fired on a crowd of Irish Catholics who were throwing stones 13 were killed and they were young and the British government only said that the soldiers fired arms first in 2010 (I'm from Ireland so I learn about it in school)

Pride ( in the name of love) is my favorite U2 some. When I saw them perform it live couldn't help but stand up on my chair.

Love the old U2 ... saw them in 1985 in Ottawa, Canada. only 9000 people filled the Civic Center. What a show !

Back in the day a friend pointed out that you could hear the Swedish phrase "svarta änglar i sanden" being sung by Bono in this song. Translated it means black angels in the sand. So that is what I hear instead of Sunday bloody Sunday.

One of my favorates

U2 were very influenced by punk. You got that right off! Most people say listen to Joshua Tree songs, but I'm gonna suggest songs from Achtung Baby. The are a band that to this day continues to reinvent themselves. Love is Blindness, The Fly, One are some from that album you should hear first, then you'll want to hear the whole thing. :D

"How long must we sing this song" can be read another way: how long are we gonna keep stoking centuries-old fires of violence, revenge and hatred through rebel songs? U2's War album is absolutely fantastic; and after dating an Irish "illegal" back in the 80's, I realized songs like The Refugee frickin' nail a raw spirit and essence I wouldn't have understood otherwise.

Early U2 is a MUST. Later U2 is great too. First 2 or 3 albums are incredible.

have you ever heard of the strokes?? you should check them out, if not, they're my favorite band ever and they're amazing!!! if you choose not to that's 100% fine, but if you do, i definitely recommend "last nite", "hard to explain", and "the adults are talking" !! ❤

U2 came to Detroit in 1981 to a bar called Harpo's . I paid $4 to get in and it was a two for one event so 2 beers was was another 2 bucks . I was sitting at a round table just 15 feet from the band and spent less than 10 dollars in Harpo's ( went broke in Greens Barbecue after hours club later on that night )

You can’t understand this song and early U2 without understanding the centuries-long battles between Ireland and England, Protestant and Catholic. There was a time when Northern Ireland was the most dangerous terrorist place in the world. And yes, the sound of U2 has greatest influenced many music genres. One of the best bands ever. The Unforgettable Fire is still one of my favorite albums.

8:48 you should've rewound a little after pausing so long. That part that played right after the pause sounds SO much better with the part leading up to it.

This most def. is about "Bloody Sunday" Jan. 30, 1972. Watch the official music video. It comes from the movie Bloody Sunday. I can't stand loyalist soldiers for this reason... well one of many.

I was born the day after Bloody Sunday, My father was there that day protesting and my mother was in hospital about to pop me out! Can tell you all about it and the background... feel free to reach out.

I bought this album when it was released back in 1983. It was so fresh and raw at that time. One of the best albums from the '80's IMHO.

My favourite album is U2 is achung baby

Phil Collins did several protest songs along these lines, one specifically about the 'Troubles' in Ireland. His are less aggressive, but a lot of bands were anti-war in their messages.

This is an ANTI- revolution song. an anti terror and anti violence song

You should have watched the live video at Red Rocks

My favorite song. Look up the 1988 "Rattle and Hum" live version. Bono had some choice words to add to the song that simply can't be overlooked, in my opinion.

People give U2 so much grief (a lot of it deserved) but there was a time they were very punk rock, rebellious and even banned.

One of the best lyrical artists out there. You can't miss with their music. It's usually political in nature but very good.

I think you got a lot from others on the events that inspired this song. It is worth noting that the band is composed of both Protestant and Catholic members, highly unusual for the time. I actually got introduced to U2 by a friend who was into a lot of British isles punk and post punk well before their first release in America, she had an import of their first album. I am afraid my reaction at the time was, "meh, they are okay, but I don't think they will last." Yeah, I eat my words. With a few years after their release into America, I was a major fan. Love the reaction, and love that you are actually going to the effort to find out something about the band/song before reacting.

This song is inspired by the troubles in Northern Ireland. This conflict started when a peaceful march of cailic were murdered by British Arrmy

This song is so full of feeling and meaning, which are too often antithetical in music. U2 deserve so much credit for this song. I think they deserve a Nobel Prize, honestly.

As a Christian rock band playing in the early 80's, we were MASSIVELY affected by this!

Considering this is what they were doing in 83, I still can't understand when fans say that the band should stay away from politics now XD

Are you familiar with the group "Smile empty soul"? Very alternative, unique, with very heavy emotional lyrics and heavy rock combined. Their songs "Silhouettes" and "Nowhere kids" by them would be a good place to start.

I love that you did your research before asking people what it's all about.. (Y)

You really should watch one of the live performances of this song.

Great song from their best album war love you

I was in the last few months of my senior year in high school when this album was released. Being drawn more towards guitar oriented bands than the synth bands, I quickly became a fan. I've seen them 19 times and like most comments are saying, U2 is a great live band. The Electric Co from Dortmund Germany 1984 is definitely one to check out. The band and the audience are on a high energy alert status, lol...

You should do Human League - Keep Feeling Fascination

Powerful song. Just glad that war is done. After how many centuries????

Great reaction, You want to really see and hear this song in a way that will blow your mind. Search or the Live Rattle and Hum version... you will see what passion is on stage.. it will move you.

The conflict for Ireland's freedom is centuries old! They have peace now...😓 finally.

U2 did not shy away from politics. There are several, like Neil Young, who expressed their views clearly and without apology. That does not please everyone. You've already reviewed 'Zombie' by The Cranberries. By the '90s people were fed up and forced the violence to stop. Politics is ugly but beats killing people.

Best album after actung baby

for me (as an Alledged) grown up ANYTHING before *cough cough* Joshua Tree U2 were Really good/great ... then the sellout but as a younster growing up late 60's all 70's 80's etc i enjoyed u2

Could be war protest or civil rights. Civil rights have been a drumbeat for decades, yet we seem to make little progress. Politicians seem to have a way of becoming distracted when it comes to civil rights, as if treating everyone fairly will take something away from them. As has been said, rights aren't pie, everyone having theirs doesn't take away from yours.

Sound like you were a fan of Green Day as a kid, based on your focus on post punk sound of early U2 and who it may have inspired.

I really like your content - but on several occasions the answer you seek is right there in your open Wikipedia page. In this case the first paragraph, sentence number four.

Hey SalvoG .. appears you found info u wanted under the songfacts link. Cool. Can u answer why I don't get notifications from ur channel here? I am subbed & have tapped the bell. Please let me know how to fix this. This is the 2nd time I've asked. Hopefully u will c this comment this time. TIA

You should have listened to the live version from red rocks

Not decades, centuries.

Seconds is a great U2 song.

I think that the different actors in the sectarian civil war that was going on in N. Ireland at the time wanted U2 to pick a side. This is them saying that they're not going to pick a side.

As a hardline Protestant, the mick's can keep their 'free' ireland with ir's gay prime minister and their immigrants too.

How about Bloody Bloody Sunday? The first Bloody can be the British expletive.

I am sure some one has told you what Sunday Bloody Sunday was about historically. It makes better sense thar way.

How long....

Nobody wants too comment… because it’s still too raw and too political a subject… even too this day …. Sad day in history 😢😢😢😢

old u2 songs are great, but since the late 90th they produce only crap...

Back when U2 was great. Sellouts.

I respect the politics, and intellect of U2 but the music is tedious. The drums are cool conceptually. But musically they are so rudimentary it quickly becomes boring.