Throughout their illustrious Hall of Fame career,U2 have created a catalog full of hits, including over the past 25 years. After being one of thebands that helped define 1980s rock, they continued perfecting their sound as the years went on. Even after taking some big gambles, they remained on par withthe biggest touring acts of this century.
One reason for this is that they have stayed authentic to themselves. Unlike somebands that have had to change their sound,U2 have been able to recreate their magic many times over. When you look at their hits over the past 25 years, there are many that fit a similar format to their earlier tunes, but it’s a strategy that works.
All the successes over the years have allowed them to continue showing why they are one of the best. They truly are a band thatputs everything they have into their work. They craft genuine stories, some of which are breathtaking. There is so much history when it comes to U2, and they continue to deliver like the legends they are.
10Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of
Album: All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000)
U2’s albumAll That you’re able to’t Leave Behind, released in 2000, may be best known for the tune “Beautiful Day,” but the record is full of hits. One of these is “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” which is the second track. This song features powerful lyrics,creating a relatable piece that has great emotional depth.
It led to the band being nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Eventually, it led to the band being nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals,which they ultimately won. Additionally, its legacy was enhanced by its appearance on theBillboardHot 100 and its first-place finish on their Adult Alternative Songs chart, adding another layer to its legacy.
9In A Little While
Of all the songs that U2 have created, “In a Little While” has one of the most emotional stories attached to it. Lead singer Bono has explained thatthis is the last song that Joey Ramone of the Ramones heard before he died. They then dedicated this tune to him on tour, turning it into a gospel song of sorts.
Truly, this is a very powerful track, which is why, even though it wasn’t released as a single, it still made its way to radio. In fact, it reached number one on theBillboardAdult Alternative Songs chart, furthering its legacy. Now, with the story attached to it,this is one tune that should be mentioned in U2’s illustrious history.
8Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Album: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (2004)
When it comes to creating songs worthy of award nominations, U2 is one of the best at it. In 2004, they had another hit song, “Sometimes you may’t Make It On Your Own,” which came from their 11th studio album,How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. The song was released as the second single andgarnered significant attention.
While it didn’t climb theBillboardHot 100 as much as the band hoped, it did make a substantial impact on the Adult Alternative Songs chart, ranking number one. At the 48th annual Grammy Awards,the tune won multiple awards that night. These were for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Song of the Year.
7Original Of The Species
One of the great aspects of U2 is their willingness to allow full transparency in their creative process. With their song “Original of the Species,” Bono reflected on the track, noting thatthe inspiration for this particular songwriting came from John Lennon. Of course, Lennon was part of the Beatles, with many musical contributions outside the band as well.
The song delivers a strong message about individuality, making the emotion impossible not to feel. The melody was praised, as was Bono’s vocal performance,with many believing he achieved a Beatles-esque quality. Additionally, the song’s promotion marked one of the first times they worked with Apple, initiating a well-documented partnership between the band and the company.
6I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
Album: No Line On The Horizon (2009)
After creating a hit, some musicians distance themselves from it, trying to show a different side of them. For U2, nine years after they released “Beautiful Day,” they didn’t shy away from it. Instead,they stated which song onNo Line on the Horizonreminded them of it, which was “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight.”
This tune would receive a lot of promotion, as it was one of three songs released as a single. Additionally, the band created two music videos for it. One of them featured a live performance, but the other is what many will fondly remember. This was a special release in their catalog as it was done in an animated style.
5Get On Your Boots
Their lead single from their 2009 album was “Get on Your Boots.” This was yet another tune thathad critics drawing comparisons between the band and other major legends. This time, names such as Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello were mentioned when comparing this song to great hits of the past, showcasing a generational appeal.
The band performed this track on one of the biggest stages in musicwhen they appeared at the 51st annual Grammy Awards. Quickly, listeners caught on to the hype surrounding the tune. It received extensive airplay, cracking the Top 40 of theBillboardHot 100 and reaching the number one spot on the Adult Alternative Songs chart.
4The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
Album: Songs Of Innocence (2014)
In 2014, the band attempted one of the most infamous promotions when their album,Songs of Innocence, was released for free on all iTunes accounts. Ahead of this, the band performed at an Apple launch event in September of that year.This is where they unveiled one of their new hits, “The Miracle (of Joey Ramone).”
Of course, the title refers to the late Joey Ramone, with whom the band shares a special connection. They continued with the Apple trend with this song whenthey used their platform to also premiere the music video. This became another chart-topper for them as it reached number one on the Adult Alternative Songs chart.
3Get Out Of Your Own Way
Album: Songs Of Experience (2017)
When U2 released their 14th studio album,Songs of Experience, in 2017, another tune would be compared to “Beautiful Day.” This was now 17 years removed from the original song, butits greatness is a timeless measuring stick. This song was called “Get Out of Your Own Way,” the fourth track on the record.
It became a driving force that made this release one of the band’s best of the last 25 years. This tune was once again a powerful message from them representing self-growth and empowerment, encouraging listeners to stand up to any hurdles. The song even featuresan appearance by one of the biggest superstars in music, Kendrick Lamar.
2Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way
U2 is capable of many things.One of them is creating dance hits, something they have done at various points throughout their career. In 2017, they released “Love Is Bigger Than Anything in Its Way,” which became their fourth number one single on the Dance Club Songs chart. This was the first time they had achieved this since 2001.
This song represents the true power of loveand how the emotion can overcome anything. The video does well in providing equal representation, helping the band’s message connect with various groups. Another interesting feature of the song is that it includes Andrew Taggart from The Chainsmokers on the keyboard.
1Out Of Control (Songs Of Surrender)
Album: Songs Of Surrender (2023)
For their 2023 release,Songs of Surrender, U2 did something interesting by releasing an album full of re-recordings and reinterpretations. One of the standout tracks was “Out of Control,” a song that originally came from their debut album. For this, they used an acoustic arrangementto create an updated version of the tune.
This showcased the band’s ability to continue evolving even after decades of success.
This showcased the band’s ability to continue evolving even after decades of success. Their Hall of Fame career hasn’t hindered their creativity or their vision of what else they can do. After everything they have accomplished, this song and all the ones included inthis release were a perfect way to highlight the band’s overall brilliance.
