(Single from album, “War”)
I don't actually believe that this failed to chart - it's brilliant...
The opening track to the seminal album "War", exposes U2's original indie brilliance for what it is, breaking it up into each educated element; The Edge's versatile guitar playing, the classic rock drumming, a rather groovy baseline, and, of course, Bono's brilliant lyricism - this is the U2 I like; before they got annoying - or perhaps, more appropriately, before Bono went to America...
The track opens with a whiney, feedback noise; a kind of screaming sound. Then The Edge flies in from the wings with a great, very memorable riff. Bono comes on next with his rebellious, plea for help and simultaneous independence. The song begins to feel, musically and lyrically, like a window in time, representing a rallying of supporters for a cause - its harsh and abrasive, but it feels like it has reason and understanding, just like a real protest, especially as the bright, midriff dip sounds, approximately, 1:20 in.
The lyrics represent a similar plea for help; 'I can; close my eyes and make it go away', 'broken bottles under children's feet', 'I will heed the battle call' - these lines are themselves, a great, emotional statement and riotous in their delivery. The song is, obviously, a political stab at the killing of unarmed Irish citizens on Bloody Sunday in Derry, in 1972, occurring as one of the main events, highlighting the troubles in Northern Ireland, later involving the IRA.
The song is a stark comparison to U2's later work, especially tracks like "Where The Streets Have No Name" and "In God's Country" - this is U2 when they were an indie band, and the low production values and over whelming cheapness of the sound combined with the raw, rich emotion of the lyrics is perfect testimony to this.
It is worth considering whether or not U2 betrayed their roots, moving in to the bigger, bombastic stadium rock, roaring arena sound and atmosphere, becoming a symbol of modern rock, instead of staying as a neat little indie-rock band from Dublin. In the context of singles, one might feel cheated, but, as the evolution of U2 occurs, chronologically, it appears that there is a lot more of this 8-track-esque music before the slow transformation takes place - and lets face it, the band are hardly Radiohead; if you pay to see them, they will play this classic...
That it failed to chart - well, I'll say this - sometimes, that's just how itfor the better tracks...
★★★★★
Versions of "Sunday Bloody Sunday"
Album/Single Version - 4:38