U2 Songs Ranked

U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin, formed in 1976. The group consists of Bono (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), the Edge (lead guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums and percussion). Initially rooted in post-punk, U2’s musical style has evolved throughout their career, yet has maintained an anthemic quality built on Bono’s expressive vocals and the Edge’s effects-based guitar textures. Their lyrics, often embellished with spiritual imagery, focus on personal and sociopolitical themes. Popular for their live performances, the group have staged several ambitious and elaborate tours over their career. Here are all of U2’s songs ranked.

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20. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me (Batman Forever, 1995)

“Something to headbang to that throws a sprinkle of disturbing material in there. I like this song a lot and agree that it is at the top lists. Great song with a great riff by the Edge!

19. Gloria (October, 1981)

“This guitar work…melody…AWESOME! It’s a classic. Really really good! It represents U2’s sounds perfectly. The song is perfect, even though it can be boring with the time. The chords are awesome, bass line amazing.”

18. Kite (All That You Can’t Leave Behind, 2000)

“”This song is about letting go of somebody you don’t wanna let go of.. Could be a lover, could be a father, could be a friend, could be a child, this is Kite.” Bono is legendary! Definitely, one of U2’s most under-rated song! The emotion behind this song is just overwhelming.”

17. City of Blinding Lights (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, 2004)

“Just hear the song and you’ll feel like in the middle of shining light. Great rhymes, melodies, and Bono’s voice, so uncomparable with any other songs! Oh, you look so beautiful tonight! Every time that I listen to it, I feel that the city is alive and it’s really beautiful. It really brings out the beauty of a city at night.”

See more: U2 Albums Ranked

16. Even Better Than the Real Thing (Achtung Baby,1991)

“This is the best song from U2 in my opinion because it epitomizes everything… Beat, lyrics, crazy Edge guitar work, great bass line and they play with the dynamics. Just perfect.”

15. Elevation (All That You Can’t Leave Behind, 2000)

“One of U2’s heavier songs and a very, very catchy one, my personal favorite. Great song, awesome beat…you cannot help but dance when Elevation is on! An epic, epic song with clever lyrics and awesome melody”

14. Walk On (All That You Can’t Leave Behind, 2000)

“This is one of u2’s most moving and powerful songs. The message, the passion. It all just works. Bono’s lyrics and vocals are amazing, the guitar riff is simple yet stands out as one of their best riffs made, and this song is killer live. Not only is this one of their best songs, but it is THE best closer they have.”

13. All I Want is You (Rattle and Hum, 1988)

“This song is quintessential U2. It’s such and simple, moving, effortless love ballad with sweeping orchestral arrangements that make you want to not only sing along with move your hole body to the wave of emotion coming at you. Powerful song.”

12. Bad (The Unforgettable Fire, 1984)

“Definitely their best song live. It seems like they can drag the song out forever and it just keeps coming at you, it doesn’t fade away at all, if you’ll pardon the pun. So many different versions as well. A very emotional song obviously for Bono losing his friend on his 21st Birthday to a heroin overdose, and I think that raw emotion comes out in the live performances.”

11. I Will Follow (Boy, 1980)

“Best of the bunch and that is saying something. This song is one of my all time favorites from any group. It’s a step up from the others. Can listen to it a million times and never grows old. Just the best thing they ever did and stands the yes if time.”

10. Mysterious Ways (Achtung Baby, 1991)

“Still a sonically current song. Edge’s guitar effects really stand out, and Bono’s portrayal of putting women on a pedestal is an interesting theme. The chorus can literally send such powerful emotions down one’s spine!”

9. Vertigo (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, 2004)

“Ultimate song for me at least! Awesome music, excellent vocals! Can listen to this song over and over again! I think this song is all about just screaming jumping up and down and being in a better place they call that place vertigo.”

8. New Year’s Day (War, 1983)

“Some songs you like the first time you hear them but then they get old. Some songs you don’t like at first but they grow on you. Then there are the rare gems like this song…great the first time and still great a million plays later. Great guitar, great vocals, great keyboard to add a melodic feel, great bass and drums for an incredible foundation. It does not get any better than this song.”

See more: The Corrs Albums Ranked

7. Pride (In the Name of Love) (The Unforgettable Fire, 1984)

“This song is out standing! It is the best song on the unforgettable fire! The drumming is the best by larry mullen jr and the guitar is just awesome by the Edge and the vocals are sweet and adam is good.”

6. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (The Joshua Tree, 1987)

” I can listen to this song for hours, because it feels as if the song never really ends. It’s about finding your destiny, about love, about religion, about who you are, about hope, about whatever you want. Everyone can relate to this song, I think.”

5. Where the Streets Have No Name (The Joshua Tree, 1987)

“Literally the greatest song ever written. If you don’t believe me, you haven’t stood in that room surrounded by thousands of people in the absolute euphoria of that guitar line while Bono cries his soul out in song.”

4. Sunday Bloody Sunday (War, 1983)

“Drum starts, edge enters n den BONO tearing apart his heart n soul just to spread across all the fraternity across as he can. If someone can come up with a supernatural stuff like this, it can only be this great Irish band, the gem of 80’s, a gift to the rock genre.”

3. Beautiful Day (All That You Can’t Leave Behind, 2000)

“It was a Beautiful Day when this song was released. You can’t help but be happy when listening to it, it’s such a sweet song. Everything in this song just works, But this was a hard choice, because they have so many AMAZING SONGS.”

2. One (Achtung Baby, 1991)

“You act like you never had love, and you want me to go without.” This is such a profound line, and it may not even be the best line in this song. Good vocals, good guitar, rhythmic beat and great lyrics.”

1. With or Without You (The Joshua Tree, 1987)

“A timeless expressive song that anybody who has loved unconditionally can understand and take under his or her wing as a song that defined that and interpreted his or her tumultuous time of being in love.”