Top Ten Songs by U2

U2 is one of the most successful, biggest selling, most honored, and most beloved bands to ever hit the big time.  Growing up in Dublin, Ireland, Bono (Paul Hewson), The Edge (Dave Evans), Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr., first hit the radio, in America, with 1980's Boy.  The first single - I Will Follow - (a song about Bono's mother) gave us a taste of what to come in the next three decades.  From their rise through the 80's, to their experimental days of the 90's, to the rebirth of rock in the 2000's, U2 keep proving that they are here to stay.  With that in mind, here are my picks for the top ten songs by U2.  (In parenthesis I will list the album from which the song originally appeared.)

#10) October  (October).  This was their second album.  It may stand as the most underrated and least known album of their whole catalog.  The simplicity of the title song is pure magic.  It is a very different song from what you expect from U2.  The way the piano intro lulls you into a level of instant comfort is remarkable.  Bono doesn't over sing the song, like many lesser musicians would, he just does it beautifully.   For any casual U2 fan, October is a must hear.  One of the most touching songs they have yet to record.

#9)I Will Follow  (Boy).  I briefly touched on this song in my introduction but it deserves inclusion on the list.  Not only is it their first hit song, not only is it dedicated to Bono's mother, but it has one of the best and most catchy guitar riffs of the 1980's.  This song is about as close to punk as U2 have ever gotten.  It is a simple, three chords, guitar driven song that just works.  It sounds as fresh today as it did when it was released over 26 years ago.