So Achtung Baby came up on my iPod, followed 
by How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, and I was struck again by how unique U2 really is. Forget that they’ve been included in some Best Christian Band lists. The fact that these four guys have stayed together for over 30 years, released over 20 albums, maintained a unique musical voice and spiritual vision, and have far more than 10 great songs to choose from, is an astronomical accomplishment. So I set about whittling down my faves. The selection process was brutal, but here’s what I think are the 10 best U2 songs:
* * *
10.)Bullet the Blue Sky — Slide guitar and “a red orange glow”
9.) All I Want is You — A progressive electric love song
8.) Pride (In the Name of Love) — An ode to activism
7.) Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For — As close to a straight Gospel song as they get
6.) Bad — “If I could through myself / Set your spirit free / I’d lead your heart away / See you break, break away / Into the light”
5.) One — Widely considered to be the song that saved U2
4.) Sunday Bloody Sunday — “The real battle yet begun / To claim the victory Jesus won” Rat-tat-tat
3.) Mysterious Ways — Phat bass anchors this song about the Holy Spirit
2.) Where the Streets Have No Names — Is there a more memorable performance than this one at the 2002 Super Bowl
1.) With or Without You — “And you give yourself away”
* * *
Runners Up: Running to Stand Still, The Fly, Vertigo, 40, Elevation, Beautiful Day. Sure, the list is evolving. But how can you dispute these selections?
Best lines from any u2 song: “To touch is to heal, to hurt is to steal, if you want to kiss the sky gotta learn how to kneel” Genius!
I’m with you on the number one pick. It’s one of my all time favorites.
But I just don’t like Where the Streets have no Names. I know it was a huge hit and I’m in the minority on this one, but I think that song is just average. In fact, I would have left it off the album.
5. Sunday bloody sunday.
4. Beautiful Day.
3. Pride- In the name of love.
2. Mysterious Ways
1. With or without chew, I mean you.
I love Edge’s guitar style and Bono’s distinct voice.
Oh, man. I left out One.
Number 4 for me. The rest fall a notch.
Yeah, Kyle, that phrase from Mysterious Ways is fantastic, turning Hendrix on his head and all. And Dayle, I can see bumping Where the Streets Have No Names down some notches. But after its inclusion in the Super Bowl commemorating the victims of 911 (see YouTube link), the song became something of a cultural spike, nailing national sentiment and hope at a time when our country most needed it.
I really love Window in the skies. “Oh can’t you see what love has done?” “Love left a window in the skies, And to love I rhapsodize..”
Be still my heart.
You brought up one of my favorite subjects. U2.
I don’t think I could whittle. Depends on my mood, my place in life. With or without you taught me a lot about the Church.
They put on great shows. The Fly, Mephistopheles. Miss those days. Then again, it’s been fun to watch them mature musically without losing any of the passion. That’s impressive.
Heather, The Fly has some of my favorite U2 lines: “It’s no secret that a conscience can sometimes be a pest / It’s no secret ambition bites the nails of success / Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief / All kill their inspiration and sing about their grief.” And I agree that their tenure is one of the most remarkable, if not relevant, things about them.
Though I’ve always liked U2, I find I appreciate them more as I get older. I think that says something for the depth of Bono’s songwriting. There aren’t a lot of artists like that.
With or Without you is my number one too! Joshua Tree is my favorite album of all time.