UAWIL #114: U2 - War
U2's 3rd album set them up for superstardom with big radio hits, earnest lyrics & deining their collaborative sound
It's hard to believe it's been 40 years since U2 released War in early 1983. Though U2 had been gaining ground on their first two albums Boy and October, it was War that set them on the path to superstardom. Buoyed by the big hits New Years Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2 had really found their footing with the help of producer Steve Lillywhite. The Edge was creating amazing melodies and textures through his guitar and piano, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. were honing themselves into a foundational and funky rhythm section while Bono was really finding his voice as a singer and songwriter.
Though singing about war, love, inequality and things you don't always hear about on pop/rock records, U2 came across as earnest and steadfast in their beliefs. Thanks to MTV, the boys broke out big in American and sold more than 6 million copies. The 100+ date tour saw them go from playing clubs to playing arenas and some huge festivals. Though U2 would go on to have even bigger selling records, we always look back to this one as the real start of the juggernaut that win the hearts of American and the world.
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