This Means War
Gosh I love that title! You can do so much with it…
Anyway, in honor of the 25th anniversary of War, I’m going to ask a question about the album:
What is your favorite song from the album and why?
My own answer (and I realize I’m in the minority here):
The Refugee
Why?
As Larry once said…”It’s all about the drums.”
Baja said,
February 28, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
Sunday Bloody Sunday, because it was the very first U2 song I ever heard.
One listen and that was it, I was glued to the floor watching the tape player and LISTENING, just letting it all sink in. And ever since, their music has been a part of my life.
Silvrlvr said,
February 28, 2008 @ 8:18 pm
New Year’s Day. I actually heard it for the first time on New Year’s Day, driving to a family brunch, and I’ll never forget the experience. When I found out it was about Solidarity, that sealed the deal.
SisterMoon said,
February 28, 2008 @ 10:44 pm
“40.” It was the closer the first time I saw them in 1987, and it was such a beautiful experience. And I didn’t hear it in concert again until the final show in Dublin in 2005, and I just about cried. So now every time I hear it, it reminds me of those two special moments.
WELLDAFT said,
February 28, 2008 @ 11:57 pm
40 For me I have great memories of this song and the refrain “I will sing sing a new song” being sung over and over at Glasgow Barrowlands Nov 16th 1983
Chris said,
February 29, 2008 @ 5:13 am
I can never decide between New Years Day and 40. If i was choosing New Years Day my reason would be because of it’s cold feeling, and it’s also the first U2 song that sounds really complete.
If i was choosing 40, my reason would be because it’s such a beautiful song.
Sherry said,
February 29, 2008 @ 6:14 am
For me, it’s Drowning Man. The clear reference of Isaiah 40:31 (”but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” ) makes the song more of solemn prayer than just a ditty from a rock band. The atmospheric feel of the song feels like i’m floating in the air, being taken on a journey and being reassured that no matter what happens, trust that you’ll be given what you need to get you through. (Man, this is turning into a mini-Like A Song, isn’t it?)
Erika said,
February 29, 2008 @ 11:47 am
“Seconds.” It’s just a haunting song about the final few moments before an atomic bomb goes off. Beautifully done.
A close second, though, is “Surrender” because it’s just such a pretty song.
Naomi said,
February 29, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
“Like A Song” because its so raw and angry. It always helps to release my rage and fustration when i’m feeling upset or angry about something i’ve read in the paper or watched on the news (pretty much every other day).
I love “Two Hearts Beat As One” as well though, beacuse it gets that feeling of loving somebody but never being able to get your feelings across properly across perfectly (God, I know how that feels! Boys just make life so complicated *sigh*)
U2soul said,
February 29, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
New Year’s Day because it’s the first U2 song I ever heard and it made me want to find out more about this band.
tarbalien said,
February 29, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
Even though Sunday Bloody Sunday is my favorite song of all time, I am going to say New Year’s Day for one reason…
Even though it’s a simple one, BEST…BASS…LINE…EVER.
Cameron D. said,
February 29, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
Like all albums I go through favorite song phases … but my current is Like A Song. It’s just such a hard rocking song with great guitars and just pounding drums. It’s a great song just before Drowning Man, a creates quite a contrast.
A runner up would be Seconds, a song I hoped they would have played on the Vertigo tour because of the atomic bomb reference.
Andrea said,
February 29, 2008 @ 6:08 pm
I love all the tracks on War, and I’d be a pretty weird U2 fan if I didn’t think Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year’s Day weren’t two of the best rock songs of all time. But when I play the album now, it’s Seconds and The Refugee that I play over and over again. It would be thrilling if they added them to the setlist on the next tour! A girl can dream.
Watts4 said,
March 1, 2008 @ 9:58 am
NYD was the first U2 song I ever heard and it prompted me to buy War. The rest is history. But I’ll make my pick “Like a Song…”. Man, there is a lot going on in that tune, maybe Bono’s strongest belting ever. And Edge’s guitar is as full of angst as Bono’s voice. And the ending….Larry just pounding the drums. I love War! (I mean, the album, not so much the actual wars)
Keir said,
March 2, 2008 @ 1:28 am
War is actually one of my least favorite U2 albums. Seriously, it’s just never had much of an effect on me. Gun to my head, though, I’d probably pick New Year’s Day. Least strident, great Adam bass line, and NYD has aged the best of all the Wawr tracks.
Worst? Drowning Man, no contest.
Michael said,
March 3, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
Sunday Bloody Sunday, the beat of the music and the background context of the song is just so emotionally empowering….
Chip said,
March 5, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
This is easy: “Drowning Man.” The haunting music, biblical allusions, and emotion combined to make this the song that truly made me a U2 fan back in ‘89. (Well, really the whole War album made me a fan, but “Drowning Man” stood out most of all because it shook me to the core.) Either Bono or the Edge (I don’t remember which one) assessed the song accurately when he called it the band’s best song to date at that time.