Bono and Politics

Many are familiar with the Irish band U2, known for their catchy hits and revolutionary guitar work. Despite their Irish heritage, many U2 songs carry deeper political meanings regarding America.
A number of their songs provide commentary on the American Dream. These tracks include “In God’s Country”, a song which condemns the complacency taking place in America. America is represented in the song as the image of Lady Liberty. The song tells the story of “God’s Country” which was built for dreamers but seems to have forgotten its roots and now ceases to provide the American Dream. While lead singer Bono says the song isn’t necessarily responding to a singular event or cause, it is likely that the song is addressing the fact that many social movements and political passion in general was declining after the 1960’s in the US.
Many U2 songs provide commentary on specific events, individuals or political movements in America. The song “Angel of Harlem” was written about Billie Holiday, famous jazz singer and figure of the Harlem Renaissance. “Pride”, a song featured on the album “Rattle and Hum”, directly references Martin Luther King Jr. Bono sings in direct reference to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.,

“Early morning, April four
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride”.

While “Pride” and “Angel of Harlem” seem to be glorifying American heroes and cultural movements, Bono’s music condemns American politics at times. An example of this can be seen in the song “Bullet the Blue Sky”, a song which exposes the poor living conditions and harsh consequences of US intervention in Central America, especially in Nicaragua. Bono discusses the political implications of Reagan’s policy and the disruption it caused in the lives of the native people. He sings,

“Where the sky is ripped open and the rain pours
Through a gaping wound, pelting the women and children
Pelting the women and children
Run, run in to the arms of America”.

Clearly, Bono and the rest of U2 were not afraid to address serious political messages in a way that is accessible and entertaining for their audience. While some of their most bold political songs discuss religion (“Until the End of the World”) and political conflict in Ireland (“Sunday Bloody Sunday”), Bono used his music to express his passion for American politics.

Sources:
U2 albums “Rattle and Hum”, “The Joshua Tree”, “The Unforgettable Fire”, “Achtung Baby”, “War”