U2, we’ve all heard of them. They are incredibly famous,
incredibly talented, and incredibly political. Lead singer, Bono has been
outspoken about his views from the start. The group has certainly drawn their
inspiration from events surrounding them and their homes. While protest music
during the time, the 1980s, was not uncommon, few protest songs of the age had
such a widespread impact.
“Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2 came into creation after the
January 30th 1972 massacre of 14 Catholic civilians and the wounding
of 14 others by British soldiers in Derry, Northern Ireland. The song speaks
out against the British Army as well as the Irish Republican Army as the
bloodshed was due to both sides. All lives claimed were innocent in the civil
rights movement and the massacre was a tragedy to say the least.
“Sunday Bloody Sunday,” begins with a steady war-drum-like
percussion overlain by a somber melody, which picks up pace as the vocals
begin. The event that inspired the song is immediately apparent with the lyrics
“I can’t believe the news today/ Oh I
can’t close my eyes/ And make it go away…” The horror at such arbitrary loss of
life is felt by its listeners as they are instantly captivated.The power of the song can be heard through the
instrumentation and remarkable lyrics but it can also be seen in U2’s
performances, perhaps best shown in the band’s 1983 Red Rocks date. “The sight
of Bono singing the anti-violence anthem…while waving a white flag through
crimson mist…became the defining image of U2’s warrior-rock spirit…(Cave)” The
feelings evoked by U2’s performances of “Sunday Bloody Sunday” were epitomized
when “…pro-IRA…people…threw money
onstage during the song. That’s when Bono started to announce before [they]
played it that ‘this is not a rebel song (Decurtis).’”
While admittedly the
song was based on this heartbreaking calamity, it is important to note that the
artists’ work should be viewed through a panoramic scope. There was no
intention of rebellion, just heartfelt commentary in music. The song has a
universal message, perhaps which makes it so popular, that violence is a result
of prejudice.
Works Cited
Cave,
Damien. "U2's Gamble at Red Rocks." Editorial. Rolling Stone
24 June 2004: 146. Academic Search. EBSCO. Web. 17 Nov. 2012.
DeCurtis,
Anthony. "U2 Look Back." Academic Search. EBSCO, 1 Dec. 1998.
Web. 18 Nov. 2012
Sunday
Bloody Sunday. 2008. Photograph. N.p.
