In case you’ve been living in a cave for the past few years, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is without doubt one of the best-known songs in U2’s repertoire. Above all, it is a vibrant reference to two terrible episodes in Irish history: the 1920 Bloody Sunday in Dublin, and the 1972 Bloody Sunday in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In each of these episodes, British troops deliberately fired on an unarmed crowd, resulting in the deaths of 14 people on each occasion.
Bloody Sunday depicted on a facade
The year is 1983. The band U2 surfs on the success and decides to release its third studio album “War”. Among his singles is “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, a tribute song intended to “let people know what happened in Ireland”.
Although it refers to ancient events, it was an immediate success and has since become one of the Irish rock band’s best-known hits.
Bono’s band are no strangers to taking political stands, and this is not the first time they have done so. The group seems to enjoy taking on sensitive subjects, and putting them on public display. And their aim is clear: to denounce, pay tribute to and raise awareness among their fans of events that are often passed over in silence.
With Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2 decided in 1983 to dig up an old file and remind international opinion of the consequences of the Northern Irish conflict.
To achieve this, the lyrics are powerful, humanistic and call for indignation. The rhythm is set by a guitar riff born of The Edge’s creativity. The song takes on a machine-gun feel, transporting us into the horror and violence of Bloody Sunday. The whole is counterbalanced by an effective violin tune, always on the edge.
As for the lyrics, they denounce the violence and wounds of an Ireland torn apart by a hopeless struggle… Bono condemns the call to arms, the murders and the irreparable acts committed by both sides.
The song ends on a much more religious note (let’s not forget that U2 is a deeply Catholic Irish band). Musicians call for unity and peace… In the name of Christ’s love.
3.44/5 (25 votes)
