U2 - New Year's Day | Reaction

[@hasinurrahman4952]

U2 is the best band of the last 40 years and the biggest live band of the last 35 years.

[@PaPaWizdom]

Correction: "one of the best up until and including Joshua Tree.". Almost everything after that with Bono playing that obnoxious rock star persona was crap.

[@ScrafRaff]

This video is classic 80s. I'm not a mega U2 fan, but their performance at Red Rocks is pretty iconic and emblematic of how they sounded in the 80s.

[@nikkireviews]

I'll have to check that out. Red Rocks just looks like a beautiful spot to perform in too!

[@kilwrath]

Yeah, their Red Rocks show is epic! I love their early albums, they were such a raw new sound when they first started. They were ahead of their time.

[@landisix9709]

Yes their song Sunday Bloody Sunday live at the Red Rocks is so electric ⚡️ 🔥

[@kevinkeenan6078]

You most definently have to check out U2's Red Rock show in it's entirety. Then if you really wamt to make your head spin delve into their 90's album "Achtung Baby" especially the song "The Fly" ..what a radical reinvention!

[@davevail4138]

I live in Colorado and have been to many shows at Red Rocks. If you get a chance to go, you should.

[@PaulSink]

Yes more U2 always good!

[@haydenwittig8877]

U2 LIVE at RED ROCKS, COLORADO IN 1983 BEST CONCERT EVER ON KZbin.

[@86FxBdyCpe]

For Sure!

[@nikkireviews]

I will have to check that out! I hear a lot of good things about performances there in general. Looks beautiful! 🌄

[@Danala22]

The depth of U2’s music & lyrics is impressive (you are correct it seems they are loved or hated, tho a lot of hate is towards Bono who has always been an activist & very outspoken). You will get powerful songs & meaningful lyrics in almost every song. Same 4 band members since 1976. They still respect the hell out of each other. Their super power is on stage, their concerts are epic. Check out some of their Live performances! Thx for the U2 content!! It’s a deep catalog!!

[@nikkireviews]

Yeah, I didn't know how deep but I was looking into them a bit and there's so much I have to catch up on. 😅 I love meaningful and powerful songs though so I definitely want to go down the U2 rabbit hole a bit! 😁

[@davidransom4703]

So were told this is the golden age and gold is the reason for the wars we wage but i want to be with be with you night and day ...Nothing changes on New years day .

[@KevinBraun-h5w]

Great reaction! I’m a huge U2 fan, but not without perspective of why some don’t like them. I’m also a little bit of a musician, having been the lead singer in several cover bands and used to play solo acoustic shows years ago. Musically, they are an extremely unique band with very much their own sound. Edge is a one-of-a-kind guitarist. He builds soundscapes with his guitar that match the emotion of the song. He’s always said that ripping off big shredding guitar solos is showing off; notes should mean something. I personally LOVE that, but he gets some disdain for not shredding and playing complex solos. (He actually does once in a while live) Bono is very bold… he’s a huge personality and total showman. He’s also very politically active and committed to many social causes and philanthropy. Their songs are filled with meaningful lyrics and messages. Bono will often take a few minutes of a concert to talk about his views and charitable causes. He has said over and over that he knows he can be a complete pain in the ass. But he also states that they don’t deserve the life they’re given… they shouldn’t be looked up to more than teachers, firemen, etc… but if they are going to be, then use that celebrity as currency to make a positive impact in the world. He knows people hate him for it, but he’s OK with that as long as he’s working to make a difference. Sometimes it’s a bit much, but I respect him for taking the heat and continuing to try to “be useful” as he says. They are one of the best live bands you will ever see. If you do more U2 reactions, you should see live performances as a U2 show is a spiritual experience.

[@nikkireviews]

Hm well I guess it's just a different sound for him then which makes it interesting. I guess I do get more swept away with the shredding solos (I'm typically just impressed when people can play something that sounds good so fast 😅) but nothing wrong with slower, possibly more powerful notes to fill a song. Actually being able to feel the emotion is something I love just as much, if not more.

[@KevinBraun-h5w]

@ If you appreciate the big guitar solos, your next reaction to U2 should be Love is Blindness/I Can’t Help Falling In Love with You from the ZooTV Tour in Sydney, 1993. It’s Edge’s most iconic guitar solo. Their Achtung Baby album, released in 1991, was a massive success and a complete reinvention of their sound. But they almost didn’t make it to releasing it. The recording sessions were not going well and there was a period when the band thought maybe they were finished and would split up. In the midst of the recording struggles, Edge was going through a divorce. The band formed when they were 15 around their gang of high school friends. Bono and Edge had married two of the girls from that friend group, so everyone was close. When Edge and his wife split, it shook their whole friend group. That was certainly part of the dynamic that was elevating the strain in the recording studio. If the choice was their friendship or the band, U2 would have to go. Anyway, after they found their new direction and the album was coming together, they were working on Love is Blindness one night and their producer told Edge they needed a guitar solo for the song. Edge was having a particularly rough day, so he went into the guitar room and laid down a solo, putting all of his anguish and hurt over the divorce into it. When he came out, his producer looked at him and said “that wasn’t it, was it, Edge.” He agreed and went and recorded another solo, much simpler and shorter to fit the song. But, when they went on tour, Edge let loose with that solo at the end of the song, which they were using to close the show. It was his therapy and it’s one of the most moving guitar solos I’ve ever heard.

[@sumonjamal1653]

U2's newer hits include - 'Elevation' ... 'Beautiful day' ... 'Vertigo'... etc. But U2 has been around since 1980, when their debut album 'Boy' dropped... One of their early singles was 'I will follow'... ''New Year's Day"... was from their 3rd album 'War' in 1983 and it became a huge MTV hit, along w/ the single 'Sunday bloody Sunday'... 'Pride (In the name of love)' ... was a hit from U2's 4th album 'The unforgettable fire'. However, the big U2 album was 'The Joshua Tree'... released in 1987, it sold over 10 million copies in the USA... 25 million globally... w/ the hits - 'Where the streets have no name' ... 'With or without you' ... 'Bullet the blue sky'... "I still haven't found what I'm looking for"... With 'The Joshua Tree' a massive hit, U2 were on tour when they released the album (mixed w/ live tracks) 'Rattle and Hum'... in 1988 and scored the hits - 'Desire'... 'Angel of Harlem'... and it sold 5 million copies. The 90's ushered in U2's 'pop' phase - the album 'Achtung baby' in 1991 sold 8 million copies w/ a more electronic-based sound and hits like - 'Mysterious ways'... 'Even better than the real thing' ... 'One' ... 'The Fly'... Their massive 1992/'93 Zoo TV tour was a major event w/ a huge production and grossed over $151 Million in ticket sales... and U2 released 'Zooropa' - an album of songs inspired from the tour. U2 released the album 'Pop' in 1997... but it was a disaster. Tour dates were booked before the album was finished and the songs were not the best... the album had even more electronics and beats and did not sit well w/ U2 fans... it sold 1.5 million copies in the US and the Pop Mart tour in '97 faced huge losses w/ poor performances and lower ticket sales. U2 made the decision that the next album had to be great or it would be their last... ''All that you can't leave behind" was the album that rejuvenated their career in 2000, bringing U2 back to their classic sound and scrapped the excesses of the 90's.

[@Chris-kaiyabphotos]

What this person said. Welcome ti the rabbit hole.

[@nikkireviews]

Wow, there really is SO much U2 to unpack.. I feel like I will be going down the rabbit hole for quite awhile with this band lol. Thank you for all the information!!

[@massakastuono7870]

Now, that s A Song. U2 has been our teenage rebel idols.. my teenager times, high school in 1983-86.. Please react to the songs from Joshua Tree and Rattle &Hum albums. Live videos were the best also from those concerts. Thank you for this reaction. You just put a big smile on our faces. We are old school and love real songs like that much love ❤️

[@aarongrooms3558]

And achtung baby

[@nikkireviews]

Yes!! I definitely wanna check out some live stuff. 😊 Thank you for the suggestions and for being apart of this channel. I appreciate it!

[@rdub9767]

So awesome to see you and other young KZbin reactors liking & appreciating the music from an era I was growing up in.

[@raulvillasenor9360]

U2 fan #1 all My life and forever......and My new #1 The Warning.....🤟😎🖤⚡♨️🇲🇽 This song is from album War 1983

[@nikkireviews]

Oh wow, a U2 and The Warning fan, how fun! 😁

[@Nihilisticbreather02]

the 80's was one of the best decades with the most greatest creation of musical abundance and richness of so many different styles, how can you say you don't like much the music of the 80's?¿?¿?...you just gotta move more the fingers to discover the thousands of high quality bands like U2 that came out around that time

[@nikkireviews]

Well, I guess I should have specified. I never really dug too much into the 80's on my own.. but from what I've heard on the radio most of my life it was a lot of pop/synth kind music and I just don't like that too much. All those songs kinda sound the same to me. But I do like say.. Bon Jovi, Poison, Aerosmith.. someone pointed out Metallica started in the 80's and they're my favorite haha. So I guess I shouldn't say I don't like 80's as a whole.. Just the more poppy stuff I guess. Like you said, it just means I have some more listening to do! 🤔😁

[@Nihilisticbreather02]

@@nikkireviews yeah the cheesy 80's too commercial pop stuff is not good, but beyond that there were lots of albums in heavy/ speed/ thrash/ doom/ death/ gothic metal even black metal, punk, progressive rock, funk rock, death rock, goth rock, post punk, new wave, cold wave, dark wave, ethereal wave, shoegaze, industrial, electro, the beginnings of techno music and so many avantgarde, jazz/ flamenco/ tango fusion, experimental underground bands..... and I forget other styles but believe me, it was magical in comparison to the majority of nowadays music groups. Look how revolutionized the music was back then: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH-oYmuPqqmdpac

[@lucacampitelli7615]

This is an anthem already. U2 has so many iconics songs through the years. Each album is amazing! I recommend you the songs "One" and "Bad"

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you so much - I will add them to my list! 😊

[@DarrellW_UK]

I first saw them in 1987 on their Joshua Tree tour, in 1988 they were awarded a grammy for that album and have won many awards ever since! They came from Ireland and the lineup hasn’t changed since 1976, they’re still touring I just hope I can afford tickets to see them in 2025! They’re a great post punk band and have never lost their way with their music. There are so many good songs to follow on with, I’ll just leave some of the younger fans to advise!

[@marty6945]

I'm not talking about synthesizer music but about the top of rock, I like your reactions, good luck, be happy, I wish you many children( if you want them), etc.😁 and happy New Year, from Martin from Prague - heart of Europe, Czech Republic😊😊👍👍❤❤

[@nikkireviews]

I will definitely have to check out more 80's rock! And thank you so much for watching, you're very kind Martin! And from Prague? Wow! 💫

[@jarrodbinthenc6810]

Hi Nikki 👋 I've always loved the sound of this song. I never knew any meaning behind it. Great reaction 👍

[@nikkireviews]

Yeah, I wouldn't have guessed from the lyrics alone! Thank you for watching! 😊

[@ruidos38]

Excellent 👌👌👌 U2 many memories in my brain.. I wait for Footsteps Pearl Jam or Jeff Buckley live Glastonbury Happy new year for you all you family...🎉🎉🎉

[@nikkireviews]

Awesome, thank you! And happy new year to you too!! 🎉

[@davidbradley3254]

This was when U2 was great

[@dundundata7603]

They've been great for decades!

[@davidbradley3254]

80s U2 for me. Boy October War The Unforgettable Fire Joshua Tree.

[@Bekka_Noyb]

my fave song by U2! dbl ♥ Really? I ♥ lotsa 80s music!

[@nikkireviews]

Maybe I just need to listen to more. I think I was specifically thinking about more...synth music from the 80's. The overplayed radio, grocery store music that I hear over and over again. That's just immediately where my mind goes when I hear 80's. However, I was reminded that Metallica was started in the 80's and other people have mentioned other bands that I DO enjoy. Bon Jovi, Aerosmith.. Journey. I guess my mind just goes to the stuff that I associate with 80's.. Whatever pop stuff I heard on the radio probably and just instinctively associate that with the 80's. Guess I gotta re-train my brain!

[@EddieEnglander]

My older brother loved U2. All the early albums. I loved it when they released Rattle and Hum. Documentary and album and then pivoted to Achtung Baby. Best right turn ever.

[@adenauerlemos7926]

I was a teenager in the 80s and yes, the options for great bands were huge. U2 was at its peak with lyrics that always had a political edge.

[@On33Hill]

.....I remember that Bono in some interview said he wondered why Duran Duran shot the video for Rio on a sailboat in the heat while they did it there in the cold freezing... I don't know exactly what Bono meant with this question but I knew that it was precisely for this kind of "artistic" choices that they could become my favorite band..... And maybe because when you are a certain way nothing is more important than what you really want....

[@nikkireviews]

Yep, I agree. If you have a vision, you gotta do what you have to do to get it done!

[@pflynn581]

The darker side of the eighties has some real gems.Especially early 80s New Wave.

[@nikkireviews]

I will have to look into more of that. 🤔

[@WineSippingCowboy]

Written by U2. This is an early hit. U2 made an impromptu concert in my hometown San Francisco 🌉. I wanted to play hookey to see them. But, my parents said No. 😖 U2 was on the rise from 1981 to 1987. They peaked again in the 1990s and 2000s.

[@nikkireviews]

Darn, that would have been a great reason to miss school! 😅 I honestly didn't know they went back so far, into the 80s. I guess they were more..mainstream? Maybe? In the 2000s..which is probably when I first noticed them. 😬

[@WineSippingCowboy]

@nikkireviews The free concert was in the 1980s. My father got to see them because he worked in downtown. But, he was not the fan! 😖 I am! 🤯

[@the_proteus_void]

I personally love pre-1987 U2. That's when they were at their most political and the songs had an edge to them (no pun intended). Too many great songs in this time period, but if I were to pick one it would be "Bad" from 'The Unforgettable Fire'. Live if possible. Thanks for a thoughtful reaction 🎉❤

[@nikkireviews]

I will be sure to check those out over time! Thank you for watching!! 😊💛

[@laurawatters914]

NIKKI, THERE IS A VIDEO ON KZbin, IT'S U2 AND PEARL JAM I THINK IT'S IN HAWAII AND THEIR SINGING "KEEP ON ROCKIN IN THE FREE WORLD" 2006 I THINK, IT'S REALLY GOOD IF INTERESTED. OF COURSE EDDIE VEDDER SANG AT KENNEDY CENTER HONORS FOR U2, HE PERFORMED "ONE" AND "ELEVATION". HAPPY NEW YEAR NIKKI AND EVERYONE 🎉🎉🎉!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS AWESOME VIDEO!

[@nikkireviews]

😱 YOU KNOW IF PEARL JAM IS INVOLVED I *MUST* CHECK IT OUT! 😅 THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME ABOUT THAT!! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO! 😁🎉

[@alistairmcdougall9625]

Their Live Aid performance of Bad is legendary, but its 11 minutes long, but its a must watch, Mysterious Ways is another great track❤

[@nikkireviews]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've done longer songs/videos so it would be doable. 😂

[@alistairmcdougall9625]

@nikkireviews Even if you don't post the 1985 Live Aid performance of Bad on your channel,you've got to watch it You would have never seen anything like it before. Enjoy

[@pazwretzky4673]

haven't heard U2 in a while, they've had a ton of hits, Until the End of the World, All I Want is You, Unforgettable Fire, The Fly, Pride (In the Name of Love), Bullet the Blue Sky, these are just a few random picks from various stages in their discography, the first song in the list being my personal favorite, anyway Nikki, I hope you have a wonderful time seeing in the New Year, and all the best ahead for 2025, see you then 🙂

[@leannmiller7153]

Personal favorite of mine as well! ❤️‍🔥

[@landisix9709]

“ Though torn in two… ….We can be one”

[@MotoNomad350]

U2 is a deep rabbit hole, I love them. Bono can be fairly accused of coming off a bit self important in interviews and public appearances but that doesn’t have to detract from the music.

[@nikkireviews]

Hmm interesting. 🤔 I definitely wanna learn more. ☺️

[@davidransom4703]

the haunting piano and them riding in the snow bearing the flag of truce

[@nikkireviews]

Beautiful 🎵📽

[@ciaradonnelly4627]

Pride by U2 a good shout...

[@matthewstroud4294]

East At Easter (live in Verona) by Simple Minds would be a good one for 1980's quality.

[@nikkireviews]

I will add it to my list - thank you! 😁

[@albertrosenflower3011]

awesome song. i love this song and their Berlin-Album "Achtung Baby" (1991). Maybe you could review the lead single from that album, "The Fly", sometime too. 1999 and later they became a bit boring I think. Thanks for your nice reaction-video!

[@nikkireviews]

Thanks so much for watching. I'll definitely add The Fly to my list! 😊

[@meganclick6002]

Nice reaction. I appreciate your willingness to research the songs you react to. You are right about u2 being loved and disliked. I am a lover, but I accept that Bono comes on too strong for some. If you liked the danceable rhythm of New Year's Day, you might enjoy Mysterious Ways, which is an early 90s-era hit of theirs.

[@nikkireviews]

Thanks so much. ☺️ I will add Mysterious Ways to my list!

[@johnsrensen3366]

Been a fan since 1982❤

[@nikkireviews]

Oh wow, awesome!

[@swampfizz]

I'm getting that Dr. Zhivago vibe...hahahaha

[@PaulSink]

One of U2's more well known songs recently remastered . U2 - Where The Streets Have No Name (Live From Chicago, 2005 / Remastered 2024) . Another classic U2 U2 - With Or Without You (U2 At The BBC) . i'M not sure if you like Black and White videos but this one is kind of neat IMO U2 - Bad .

[@maxx-vx8gy]

watch them live

[@nikkireviews]

I will have to do that 😁

[@maxx-vx8gy]

@nikkireviews find a live version of any song and it will be worth it. If you charge then I will be there. I will follow. Ob wait, that is a u2 song also, but I will follow U

[@jsgaminghub9402]

The footage that you saw is actual footage of World War II in the Eastern Front between Soviet Union and Germany. Millions of lives were lost there including the civilian population.

[@Judy-904M]

Give a listen to 'Street with no name'. Great stuff

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you, I will add it to my list!

[@jarrodbinthenc6810]

Nikki check out U2-Where the streets have no name (Official music video) Is excellent 👍 Happy new year

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you, I will add it to my list! And happy new year to you too! 🎉

[@86FxBdyCpe]

Having grown up in the 70's and 80s, this to me is when U2 was worth being a part of. U2 to me means Boy to Joshua Tree. After that, It really wasn't the same and I lost interest. For me NYD, SBS and IWF will always be top 3.

[@nikkireviews]

I will have to Google them, thanks for sharing! 😁

[@georgecarlinismytribe]

Music these days steers well clear of politics. It's all chewing gum for the earworms.

[@dougdoug9268]

Stay faraway so close berlin 1993

[@justinkeenan1598]

Should check out their song "one"

[@SDRIFTERAbdlmounaim]

how old are you ?

[@nikkireviews]

I'm 36

[@bobbyb2725]

If you didn’t know this song, tough to claim not liking 80s music - since you obviously haven’t heard much

[@nikkireviews]

That's true! I guess I should have specified that I tend to not like more 80s synth pop? Or maybe anything synth? 🤔 I guess I do like a lot of rock though now that I've thought about it. Definitely more U2 to come. ☺️

[@juanluna6785]

The live version from under a blood red sky( Red Rocks) every sound in that record/concert sounds better than the studio versions Gloria Sunday bloody Sunday New years day The electric co. Party 40

[@dundundata7603]

Sunday Bloody Sunday from the same album.

[@marty6945]

Nikki, did I hear you right that you don't like the eighties?😮 In the period from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, the best rock music ever was created.😊

[@nikkireviews]

Haha well I guess I should have specified, I'm not a fan of what I guess would be considered 80's synth music. 🤔 I do like some rock from then, Bon Jovi, Journey, Poison..someone reminded me, Metallica! 😅 Maybe I'm just more familiar with 80's synth wave pop and that's the problem!

[@marty6945]

@@nikkireviews recommendations for you - recommendations for you - Talk Talk - The Color of Spring (1986) Disintegration (The Cure album) Boys and Girls (Bryan Ferry album) 1985 The Wall Pink Floyd 1979, and many others: Simple Minds, Simply Red, Peter Gabriel, INXS, Ozzy Osbourne, Marillion, The Police, The Eagles, The Pretenders, ELO, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Faith No More, Eurythmics, David Bowie , Sade Adu, Genesis, Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, The Smiths, etc., etc.😊

[@evanhume3706]

If you don't like music from the 80ies you don't know much about music from the 80ies

[@nikkireviews]

That's probably true. I think my mind goes to 80's synth sounds..and I never cared for that. But someone reminded me that Metallica came out of the 80's..and I do like other rock music from that time period..just not a lot of the pop/sythie stuff.

[@evanhume3706]

@@nikkireviews Kate Bush is amazing with large catalogue Try the Lion & Cobra album from Sinead O'Connor. The Cult Fire woman & She sells Sanctuary

[@nikkireviews]

@@evanhume3706 I will have to listen to some of that. Thank you! 😊

[@evanhume3706]

@@nikkireviews I will swing by to check it out!♥

[@ruidos38]

Mojo pin Jeff Buckley 😅😅

[@PaulSink]

Not a fan of the 80s you say? So you don't care for Journey or Foreigner, Bon Jovi.Lots of great music from the 80s IMO!

[@nikkireviews]

Well I DO like Bon Jovi and some Journey (I don't know a *lot*). I guess maybe I think of more...synth pop? Like um..A-ha, Tears For Fears and Wham. Which I don't know a TON by those either but the ones I do just repeat on some radio stations. Specifically when I'm grocery shopping. 😂 I wasn't sure where U2 fit into that, but 80's rock, I definitely like some of!

[@PaulSink]

@@nikkireviews I will have to send in some ideas for 80s rock for you to listen to along with some more U2 .And your favorite band you talk about also started in the 80s Metallica!

[@nikkireviews]

@@PaulSink That is true.. 👀

[@PaPaWizdom]

Its easy: If u liked this you should like most of their 80s material. Lots from Gloria to Unforgettable Fire to Pride in the Name of Love to Streets Have No Name, etc. Their 90s stuff was crap. They changed, deliberately.

[@nikkireviews]

Really? I think the 90's is only when I first heard of them really.. maybe they were just more mainstream then? I'm not sure.. clearly I have a lot of catching up to do! 😅But thank you for the suggestions! 🎵

[@arthurgonzales3327]

You don't like music from the 80s ? lol, 😕

[@nikkireviews]

Haha well, I should have been more specific I suppose. 🤔 I feel like growing up I heard a lot of 80's synth music. Like Ah-Ha..Wham..ect. and I never liked that so I always think if anything was more popular, it might have that sound. But I always liked bands like Bon Jovi, Journey, Aerosmith, etc. So I guess I shouldn't get hesitant when I hear "80s". Also, someone reminded me Metallica is from the 80s and they're my favorite!

[@FunEcar]

Hey Nikki, very cool that you’re diggin into the 80’s library. As one said, I’m not the biggest U2 fan, though I have seen them twice. New Years Day is an epic song and I am glad you liked it. U2’s earlier stuff is awesome, before they became POP stars. You should check out Sunday, Bloody Sunday, I Will Follow and my personal favorite, Bad (live from the US Festival). Other bands you should listen to from the 80s, The Smiths, The Pretenders, R.E.M., The Cure & DePeche Mode. Believe me, I love metal and a big fan of The Warning, but those bands are iconic in the rock scene of the 80s.

[@nikkireviews]

@@FunEcar I honestly don't know much from any of the bands you listed off. 😅 But thank you so much for the suggestions - I will be sure to check them out!

[@SASTORM]

Album version is longer thus better