U2 in the 90s, How They SHOOK the Mainstream with these 5 songs | Pop Fix | Professor of Rock

The 1990s were full of experimentation and global domination for U2. From Achtung Baby to Zooropa to Pop, U2 ran the gauntlet. Enclosed are their top 5 songs from the era including Stay Faraway (So Close) and Mysterious Ways. The stories behind the songs and the evolution of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.
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#U2 #90s #Rock
Hey Music junkies, Professor of Rock Always here to celebrate the greatest artist and songs of all time. Make sure to subscribe so you always get your daily dose of rock pop and soul. Also check us out on patreon. A friend of mine shared an incident that happened recently that really troubled me. He recounted that he was teaching a martial arts class, and he asked his 27 year old instructor to put on some U2 music on a streaming playlist that played over the dojo’s sound system.
The 27 year old instructor was completely confused. He had no idea who or what “U2” was. My friend was utterly baffled that the younger instructor did not recognize the band name U2. It seems unfathomable to me, but there are younger generations that do not know the history, or the music, of one of the longest running bands of the Rock Era, and one of the top grossing tour bands of all time. Perhaps someone that is not familiar with U2 will watch this, and other U2 tribute pieces, and delve into their rich catalog.
Incredibly, U2 has managed to stay together as a core unit foursome with Bono, Clayton, Mullen Jr, and the Edge, since their formation in 1976- with the exception of the very early departures of Dirk Evans and Ivan McCormick. Not many bands can say that. In the 80s, U2 captivated audiences around the world with their riveting raw intensity, and their high-brow passion for social consciousness. Each of their 6 studio albums of the 80s were brilliant recordings that have not lost their gravity, or their luster.From the debut LP Boy in ’80, to perhaps their opus- Joshua Tree in ’87. An album that is one of the biggest of all time, selling over 25 million copies. My favorite album is The Unforgettable Fire but that’s a story for another day.
What drove U2 through most of the 90s was the quest for inspiration, and they found it in unusual places. The first of which was Berlin, just after the reunification of Germany, where the group began working on their first album release of the 90s Achtung Baby in ’91. U2 got caught up in the rapture of a new era of Europe and felt the need to transform their music to manifest the spirit of unity.
The early sessions for Achtung Baby were fraught with tension, because of a rare division in the band. Clayton and Mullen wanted more of the same U2 sound that their fans were accustomed to, while Bono & the Edge were fascinated by the industrial music scene in Europe, especially in Berlin. Bono envisioned a musical departure from the 80s. He described the metamorphosis as “four men chopping down the Joshua Tree.”

[@fabior3199]

Achtung Baby is such a masterpiece. Not a single bad song on that album. To me, Ultraviolet is probably not just the best song on the album but one of the best songs of all time. Perfectly placed, describing the desperation and void of a breakup. The lyrics, edges guitar... Simply amazing.

[@litgamer6205]

It was a good album but overrated, too commercial. Zooropa just has more depth and is more interesting. Whereas half the songs on Achtung baby are kind of repetitive and meh. I mean 'Stay" on it's own is better then anything on Achtung baby

[@clintpot8521]

Agreed! In some ways I think this album is better than Joshua Tree. Not many bands can boast two albums that are nearly perfect works of art.

[@chad7081]

Yeah absolutely love it about as much as the Joshua tree, just got it on vinyl. Underrated in my option

[@edgabrielocay3376]

Boring album...I fell asleep listening to it.

[@rip8564]

“Oh baby don’t you cryyyyy. Oh child wipe the tears from your eyes……. “ Sorry I had to. I just had to. I agree with you! A tremendous song and a masterpiece of an album. 😃

[@PrzemN]

I still remember feeling "betrayed" by achtung baby, as a long time U2 fan at that time. Different image, different songs. Now it is one of my favourite records of all time

[@russellthompson2507]

Couldn’t agree more,very disappointed at the time but now it’s classic. Visionary’s

[@KingofCrusher]

I had only heard Joshua Tree before Achtung, so at like 13 when it came out it instantly became one of the greatest things I'd ever heard. Still in my top 10 albums of all time. The Fly is probably one of my favorite songs ever written.

[@MrRadialdrift]

It was a sonic masterpiece

[@OVI-Wan-Kenobi-8]

I was huge U2 fan back in early 90s during my high school years, Achtung Baby and Zooropa are still my most favorite U2 albums, along with their early 80's albums from the post punk era. I still remember the band describing the Achtung Baby album as "the sound of four men chopping down the Joshua Tree".

[@michaelclarke9488]

Agreed! Achtung Baby was a definite departure. But it is an amazing album!

[@madhattersc4051]

A performance of “One” live is truly a religious experience. It is a moment I cannot ever forget. True magic.

[@wscottwalters74]

Haven’t seen many comments mention “So Cruel” ... shocking. Lyrical poetry of the most splendid kind.

[@fabiozingales6211]

Their real masterpiece 👌

[@robertacosta3134]

“She wears my love like a see-through dress Her lips say one thing Her movements something else Oh love, like a screaming flower Love, dying every hour, love” ... Damn

[@RM-jj2kq]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJPNm3iabNebfZY

[@guitartalk999]

That’s technically 80’s though, love the song though!

[@pakinggankoangkantamo4244]

I was waiting for You're "So Cruel" ... Love is a light bulb hangin' over my head

[@travisbunce7334]

The Edge's guitar work on The Fly is truly special.

[@MikeJones-pf4wd]

Yes indeed some of his best guitar work besides "Bullet the blue sky" & "Where the streets have no name"

[@travisbunce7334]

@@MikeJones-pf4wd agree, I love Exit, The Electric Co, Bad & In God's Country also. A few different reasons with some of those, but all amazing Guitar Songs.

[@geekUSA101]

Seems like he borrowed that riff from another artist…

[@Earthshaker513]

The term "mind-bending" fits it very well, if you ask me.

[@cirenosnor5768]

@@geekUSA101 Stole what riff from where

[@adammartin7007]

Best description of Pop: "starts at a party and ends at a funeral"

[@ColorsBright]

I always say Pop is an album written about wanting hope in a very dark place.

[@adammartin7007]

@Gahan2Vox He did. It wasn't my intention to take credit for it. He always has a snappy one-liner like this for every new album.

[@curly_wyn]

Awful. So pretentious.

[@adammartin7007]

@@curly_wyn Nonsense. It's an accurate description of the album.

[@James-wj8eq]

In my opinion, Achtung Baby is their greatest album, every song a gem. Perfect answer for moving from the 80's to the 90's like no other 80's bands..

[@victorgasior]

I lived in Germany when this album came out. Almost 30 years later if I listen these songs I’m transported back to my late teens. That’s why I love music so much.

[@exerciserelax8719]

I'm the same way. All U2 songs are nostalgic but some of the ones that really take me back are "Stay" and "Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World". Those songs make me think of friends I hung out with at the time,

[@TheNinnyfee]

For me it was my early teens that come back to life. :)

[@renmusical]

Personally, U2 in the 90s is my favorite era in the band's history (Achtung and Zooropa are in my top five U2 albums). Although Joshua Tree and other 80s output are amazing, Achtung Baby is the album that cemented U2 as one of the greatest bands of all time. They took major risks changing their sound and image and it all paid off immensely with that album and the ZOOTV tour.

[@cirenosnor5768]

No mention of Pop?

[@renmusical]

@@cirenosnor5768 I love Pop as well, it just barely loses the 5th place spot to like Unforgettable Fire. Stuff like Please and Wake Up Dead Man is some of the band’s darkest material

[@PreferToBeAnonymous]

@@renmusicalPop is a great album! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@brendanfromireland]

Achtung Baby is a pretty perfect album. I enjoy all of the songs on it, never feel the need to skip any.

[@TheNinnyfee]

Me, too. After 30 years and countless repeated listenings that is quite an achievement. :)

[@trsidn]

hard to disagree, but I have to give Joshua Tree a slight edge.

[@jamesdavison2927]

Me TOO!!!! THATS WHY ITS MY FAVE , with TJT being number 2 for me

[@jamesdavison2927]

@@trsidn cant stand trip through your wire or it would be my number one

[@smithryansmith]

there are too many good songs on Achtung. Much more innovative than the safer Joshua tree.

[@davidwaggoner3157]

I am 43, and Achtung Baby is still my favorite album of all time. (with the Joshua Tree and The Unforgettable Fire in a close 2nd). Stay is a PERFECT SONG! So is One! (I love all of these songs! Thanks Professor!)

[@johnnyinnftmyers]

There should be a law against not knowing who U2 are.

[@mysticedge4]

Yes

[@strangebrew1746]

the lawyer would be have to be pro bono

[@thejoshpresle]

There should be a law against U2.

[@ericbgordon1575]

A more appropriate law would be that everyone has to take the history of rock music elective from my 1st semester of college. They would not only learn about the music of U2 but a host of other artists and bands they may not otherwise know about. Many of the students would come out of that course reeling, rolling and tumbling like the lead in *Blinded by the Light* when he first hears the music of Bruce Springsteen.

[@curly_wyn]

Fuck that. U2 becoming more and more hated or unknown is a good thing, because they’re a band that never should’ve existed. There’s no genuine life struggle in any of their songs. The members all come from very privileged upbringings and they’ve never experienced any big hardship in their lives.

[@SteveReadswithSeamus]

I would add The Passengers’ beautiful song Miss Sarajevo as an essential U2 track of the 90s

[@petetrippe8457]

Absolutely wonderful song.

[@seaoftranquility7228]

Couldn’t agree more.

[@TheNinnyfee]

Oh yes.

[@lukestocks4370]

U2 in the 90's was the sound track of my teen years. Every time I hear one or all of these albums I clearly remember it all. Australia loved U2

[@foxpurlee3733]

Achtung Baby is thirty years old but sounds fresher than anything on the pop charts today. If anything on today’s chart is still being played 10 years from now, it will be as an ironic joke.

[@hasinurrahman4119]

Until the End of the World song must be in any of U2's best of list

[@tomdeters735]

Check out the song "So Cruel" on Achtung Baby..its overlooked but it's so good

[@dennisflax]

picking 5 and only 5 is a harsh line to draw, there are always a couple on the cusp... So Cruel is definitely an overlooked beauty.

[@ndbaker74]

Always been my favorite off of Achtung Baby

[@adspur]

Great track and the album was just loaded.

[@hrossaman]

Bono is one of the most underrated lyricists... completely emotive, completely memorable

[@musicalchairs777]

This album, Ritual from Jane's, GNR's Use Your Illusion, Southern Harmony by Black Crowes, Temple of the Dog, Rage's debut, Tom Petty's Wildflowers, R.E.M.'s Monster, The Wallflowers and Bob Dylan's Time Out Of Mind summed up the nineties for me, and "Til the End of the World" forshadowed the ominous vibe of the decade perfectly. That outro guitar solo might be the Edge's finest moment.

[@TheJayrb1971]

Here’s my U2 five for from the 90’s Professor 5 - Even better than the real thing 4 - Staring at the sun 3 - Stay ( far away so close) 2 - One 1 - Who’s gonna ride your wild horses I can’t believe that one never made your list!!!!

[@k.c.huffman]

Love seeing people's lists b/c they are so personal. 5- Zooropa 4- One 3- Live version of Love is Blindness 2- Until the End of the World 1- Acrobat

[@ChristChickAutistic]

One of my favorite lyrics:"if you wanna kiss the sky/better learn how to kneel/ on your knees boy".

[@xendava7217]

U2 is without question one of the biggest bands in the history of the rock era. What I love about them is that thier musical greatness truly spans thier entire career. From the beginning till now they have made great and really relevant music. When kids start to dig into their catalog, they will quickly come to understand the true significance of this band.

[@curly_wyn]

No, they right to stay away from U-Poo. They suck.

[@chad7081]

This is valid, I’m 17 just really started getting into U2 over the past year. When I heard them first I hated the sound. But now they are my favorite band

[@rogerhoward7498]

I know they are an Irish Band, but a band that is very much connected to Bands coming from the Isles of the United Kingdom ( which in their borders also includes, Ireland , Scotland and Wales), U2 have ALWAYS Been the most innovative Band in Popular ( Modern) Music. They have ALWAYS been the Pop and Rock Group , who have Always been pushing for innovation of new ideas and concepts in popular music expression. Actually....I do believe that their expressions of innovative ideas, are just as important as David Bowie's ideas were. Something, I don't truly believe the band has been given enough credit for in popular music appreciation culture.

[@Earthshaker513]

For me, the best moment of the 90's for U2 was the ZooTV live in Sydney concert special. As much as I love the album version of "Zoo Station," the live version from that tour completely blows it out of the water. I still consider it one of the best, if not THE best opening number to a rock concert I've ever seen.

[@TheNinnyfee]

Achtung Baby made me a lifelong U2 fan. 30 years later it still is one of my favourite albums. They reinvented themselves after almost quitting in Berlin after the breakdown of the Berlin Wall. Amazing times. The album is monumental and I feel so grateful having grown up with their music to hold on to in the 90s when many went for raves and designer drugs. I remember hating "The Fly" at 13 and all of a sudden I loved it and never looked back. And I just loved "Mysterious Ways". And the PopMart tour was epic, I still have my shirt. :) My top 5 (very hard to choose): 1. Mysterious Ways 2. One 3. The Fly 4. Love is Blindness 5. Numb The rest are all honorable mentions. ♥️

[@xThisGameRx]

I'm afraid the 90's U2 will be criminal underrated from the music world. The trilogy of Achtung Baby, Zooropa and POP are unique and masterpieces in their own way and the ground-breaking tours of ZOO TV and POPMart has still never been matched and was one of a kind. My top 5 from the 90's with no order: The Fly UltraViolet (Light My Way) Gone Lemon Zoo Station

[@cirenosnor5768]

Seems Achtung Baby isn’t underrated and widely regarded as being a masterpiece where they also reinvented themselves. Then they played together as a band in the studio taking all they learned from Achtung, Zooropa and Pop to give us their next classic - All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Apparently they were jamming of sorts in a studio together and some rapper said to them they should do that (play together) for their next record

[@Wills_Duffy]

1: Until the end of the World 2; The Fly 3: Even Better Than The Real Thing 4: Acrobat 5: Gone

[@joeyg.6138]

Gone is so great

[@RM-jj2kq]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJPNm3iabNebfZY

[@Wills_Duffy]

@@joeyg.6138 ...so gr8, and live version is sublime.

[@MathieuLLF]

@@joeyg.6138 one of my favourite ever

[@MATTA74]

Even better than the real thing is a great lyrical song!

[@ColumbiaBeet]

My personal 90's Fiver - Until the End of the World - Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me - Staring at the Sun - Mysterious Ways - Stay (Far Away, So Close)

[@michaelmoraga2926]

💜 Ditto! + "Miss Sarajevo" ...

[@MgaTalunanKayo]

Stay is really underrated!

[@ObamaFromKenya]

@@MgaTalunanKayo agreed

[@ARTHURCBR]

Why is Acrobat never mentioned?, what a song.

[@ObamaFromKenya]

@@ARTHURCBR have they ever performed it live?

[@pmcgee78]

U2's tours in the 90s were huge, they had state of the art stages, especially the Zoo TV tour, music wise tho the change was good, i liked the Achtung Baby album

[@Zontar82]

even the Popmartu tour was awesome and big

[@stbu9709]

To be fair they still are!

[@TheNinnyfee]

The screen at the PopMart tour even broke some record if I remember correctly. They always put so much effort into their shows, the audience never feels ripped off. And every concert I went to was more than two hours. And even with the 360 degrees tour they set new screen/stage standards.

[@SaiAbitathaDUCIC]

@@TheNinnyfee every screen they used in concerts broke records, even the one at the Joshua Tree Tours 2017 and 2019.

[@00x0midnight0x00]

i was 16 when the fly came out and it was absolutely clear for me: this is the freakin coolest song, I‘ve ever heard. now, 30 years later, absolutely NOTHING changed this assessment. (special thumbs up for your mentioning of the #76 on the a3 for MW)

[@floling]

my #1: until the end of the world. perfect lyrics, groove and everything.

[@dashalpha]

I think that Mysterious Ways is what got me into U2 when I was a kid. I'm pretty sure I'd heard some of their Joshua Tree hits previously but after hearing Mysterious Ways which was like nothing else, then picking up the album and hearing the rest, I've been a lifelong U2 fan ever since. Achtung Baby is my favorite album of all time and one of the most cohesive albums I've ever heard, the entire album just flows from start to finish, a masterpiece of masterpieces...

[@MikeJones-pf4wd]

Acthung Baby is definitely their SGT. Pepper Lonely Heart Band. Bono cut his hair & put on his "FLY" shades & the Edge became a "Guitar God" with his unorthodox guitar style.

[@HarveyHirdHarmonics]

For me pretty much too. Although I wasn't a kid anymore, I was 16 when Achtung Baby came out. Didn't know U2 then. Was actually oblivious of pop music until the beginning of the 90s when a now famous radio station in my area started broadcasting and we got MTV in Germany. I didn't like "The Fly" but thought "Mysterious Ways" was pretty great. My views of "The Fly" then changed radically with one scene on MTV. In front of the entrance to a U2 concert they interviewed some fans and a group of girls sang the "Love, we shine like a burning star, we're falling from the sky" part. I thought "I know that lovely melody, where was that from again?" From then on I also loved "The Fly". Then "One" came out and MTV also played older songs from U2 and I couldn't escape becoming a fan.

[@leightnite3056]

So glad you mentioned Hold me Thrill Me...that song flat out Rocks!

[@marcussmith774]

I have been a huge U2 fan since I was born in '03. Achtung Baby is my favorite album ever released. Seen them 4 times, and they are the greatest live rock band of all time! My fiver: Gone (from Pop) Dirty Day (from Zooropa) The Fly (from Achtung Baby) Staring At The Sun (from Pop) Even Better Than The Real Thing (from Achtung Baby)

[@edalder2000]

I worked at Tower Records about 20 years ago. One of the label reps for Universal, Todd, had a great story about "Zooropa." It was originally supposed to be an EP. But, over the course of 60 days, "Zooropa" became a full album with accompanying big tour. Todd and his fellow label reps had to put all of their efforts into promoting "Zooropa" because U2 was the biggest band on the planet in 1993.

[@ChrisConnolly-Mr.C-Dives-In]

Tower Records was the best place to pick up music and to hang out.

[@michaelmoraga2926]

I go to Tower Records regularly here in Kobe, Japan (They have survived here, along with 7-11s), but it's nothing like the ones I knew back in the day in the San Francisco Bay Area. What a great place to listen to music and get turned on to something new. Hat tip to the former clerks. 💜 Zooropa!

[@creamydistortion]

Playboy Mansion & Wake Up Dead Man are very underrated 90's songs...

[@larshansen2340]

So is Please!

[@MathieuLLF]

Wake Up Dead Man is so good!

[@strangebrew1746]

agreed and the less said about Miami the better

[@creamydistortion]

@@strangebrew1746 You are correct. :-)

[@nianfiedler5291]

Wake Up Dead Man is perfection. The ending of a 90’s trilogy of masterpieces.

[@TheMister123]

I own exactly one U2 album: Zooropa. It's unlike anything else they ever did, and features the most up-front use of producer Brian Eno.

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

“Stay” is one of my favorite U2 songs. “Red lights, gray morning....You stumble out of a hole in the ground.” Saw this concert, was excellent and have the Zoo Concert on VHS. Adam, you picked some great tunes, not the major hits everyone knows.

[@michaelmoraga2926]

@ It's a great afterthought of an album that started as a EP... One of the U2 albums I return to most (along with "The Unforgettable Fire", along with "The Unforgettable Fire" and "No Line On The Horizon", but I clearly dig what Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois bring to their sound.

[@michaelmoraga2926]

"Stay" is one of my favorite songs. If you appreciate the visuals of Wim Wenders, then even more so. 'As an angel hits the ground...'

[@onitsed-]

Hey man Upload that material please

[@lisaknell1809]

I am so blessed to have been a U2 fan from the early days and have gotten to watch them grow. I’m proud of the fact that they’ve stayed together so long and are still making great music. I was also blessed to meet them in 1987. They are both kind and funny guys!

[@jetfromholland9638]

I can’t even imagine anyone at 27 not knowing U2! Where did that person live all of his life? In the dojo?

[@michaelrochester48]

His parents failed him. That is the only way to explain it.

[@TrebleForTheBass]

They grew up on crap talentless garbage like Selena Gomez and Imagine Dragons

[@kellitrevino650]

Ha ha!

[@grovestreetpartner4144]

@@TrebleForTheBass Selena and Imag Dragons are genX thing

[@TrebleForTheBass]

@@grovestreetpartner4144 doesn’t matter both generations listen to it and have the same lack of musical ear. The members of the band are millennials

[@KittyKittyBoomBoom]

'Numb' - 5:00-from their 1993 album Zooropa is my #1 pick ; featuring a music video directed by Kevin Godley ; its monotonous mantra of "don't" commands spoken by the Edge as various characters poked, prodded, and pushed at his face and person - is incredible and was truly innovative . (*and I agree on 'the unforgettable fire')

[@michaelmoraga2926]

Ditto... and ditto!

[@pilouuuu]

Don't disagree

[@elyieflorez9890]

Hey Professor that's exactly how I felt about the Batman movie. The U2 song was the best part of the movie.

[@kootybear]

I was born in 77 and absolutely love the 80s, but there is something about the 90s that makes me just about tear up everytime i hear a 90s song. The 90s had so many different genres and bands/artists that there was something for everyone. Besides songs from Joshua Tree, my favorite song is Mysterious ways. Once I hear the opening riffs im in heaven.

[@michaelrochester48]

Am I the only guy who loved the U2 song “Numb”? It was hilarious that U2 would attempt a rap song but they actually pulled it off. And they had the edge do it instead of Bono which I thought was brilliant. But my all-time favorite song of theirs is “all because of you.”

[@SunDevil1984]

I love Numb

[@michaelmoraga2926]

A ballsy, humorous, inventive single and hit!

[@michaelmoraga2926]

@@briansherwood3595 Likewise... "Lemon" on headphones! 💜

[@curly_wyn]

The video for Numb is cringy as hell.

[@litgamer6205]

@@curly_wyn How is it cringy?? barely anything is happening Lol

[@roscoemuttley]

Auchtung Baby later in the evening with a couple of G&T's and a spliff....perfection

[@GenerationXChick]

I remembered going to see Rattle and Hum in the theater. Loved that album too. Re: the song ONE - I literally melt when I hear the Mary J. Blige / U2 version.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

It's a great version. She belts it out.

[@artpereira]

The whole PopMart setup was the most impressive staging I ever worked on

[@dawnchesbro4189]

We saw the tour opener in Las Vegas and the Glitterball lemon actually got stuck with them inside! They were supposed to ride in the mirrorball lemon as the opening of the first encore. We had to wait 15 minutes while they got the boys out! Such a great memory

[@mysticedge4]

You worked on popmart 😳

[@artpereira]

@@mysticedge4 yeah I did. Was gruelling. Local crew when they were on tour in my city. I wasn’t tour crew. Just to be clear

[@curly_wyn]

Yeah, it’s over-the-top and stupid.

[@artpereira]

@@curly_wyn Wonder why you think it was over-the-top and stupid? You don't believe that staging adds to the experience? DId you go to one of those shows? Really curious.

[@rogerhoward7498]

Thank you SIR! for this video. Your analysis of their song 'One' NOT just how important this song is to U2's discography, but also to the whole world, moved me to tears. You are an incredible music ( world- wide) cultural analyst and an even more incredible music journalist. I truly wish to be an incredible music journalist myself, and your videos and the incredible way you describe bands and songs in popular music, truly inspire me for my own music journalist career. Again! Thank You Sir! I truly tip my hat to you.

[@dcanmore]

I was the opposite, I never really got into U2 during the 80s, but when Achtung Baby was realised it blew me away, I loved the sound it felt like the future was here. This album brought in the new decade and the beginning of what that decade had to offer. For me the 90s was the perfect decade for music (closely followed by the 80s of course).

[@katherinehedrick9108]

I have absolutely adored U2 & Bono for years 😍.. Thank you for this amazing video! ❤🎶❤

[@v1sionary100]

Achtung Baby/Zooropa was one of the most creative and brilliant periods of any band in the 90s. So much credit has to go to Brian Eno for this as well.

[@eddyk6853]

Eno's influence is often overlooked but he has mostly been responsible for a change in direction of a number of artists like Bowie and Talking heads just to name a couple.

[@darinhaller6034]

U2 has been my favorite band since the War album. I typed this before watching your video but if I had to do a Top 5 U2 songs from the 90s it would be. One, So Cruel, Love Is Blindness, Until the End of the World & Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses.

[@Augfordpdoggie]

that would be my 5 as well

[@gmar7836]

My favorite band since 1983. When I was 16 I predicted they would be massively successful. No lie

[@milesian1]

@@gmar7836 Likewise. We're the same age, apparently, and although I had become a casual fan thanks to seeing the "Gloria" video countless times on MTV, "Under a Blood Red Sky" came along like a runaway freight train, carrying all the power and passion of the War album to their live shows. I knew right then that they would be unstoppable.

[@tdurb0]

U2 live are at their best,their tightest, when they find themselves all gathered around Larry’s drum kit, almost as if they’ve forgotten there’s 50,000 people watching. And seeing four great mates, just like it must’ve been in Larry’s house, way back when. And they’ve been the one constant in my life since the Boy album

[@toddbuckler1617]

Bono’s lyrics could paint with poetic imagery. Until The Of The World is one hell of a poetic song that helped me dealing with a hard break up at that time.

[@carybilstein9727]

Agree, Unforgettable Fire is my favorite too. Can't wait until you do a video on that album. Thank you Professor of Rock!

[@michaelfrazia4569]

U2 in the early 90s was on top of the rock world. There was this little window between the end of 80s rock/pop and 90s grunge/ hip hop....achtung baby and zooropa were monsters....u2 dominated that window in the music world

[@patriciamcdowell1338]

Love U2!! Thank you for this. Crazy when you think of the vast amount of music they have given us over the years..its truly amazing

[@nicolasmateounigarroortega3246]

for me - Zoo station -Zooropa -Dirty day -Lemon -Some days are better than others

[@alexribeiro4934]

So glad you1ve mentioned Dirty Day... What an atmosphere, those lyrics cut so hard... Love that song, the irony you can sense... It's one of the best portraits of early U2 90s

[@edalder2000]

My favorite album is "Achtung Baby." I was listening to a lot of Manchester stuff at the time. Happy Mondays, Super dancy New Order, James, The Charlatans, and Stone Roses. That's because I listened to WHFS a lot. So "Achtung" really hit the mark for me. "Until The End of The World" is my favorite U2 song.

[@timharper3390]

Thank you for reminding me of James. Time to cue-up immediately. Cheers-

[@RBS_]

....BAM! ...I used to LOVE the Happy Mondays' Farley / Heller mix of "Stinkin' Thinkin'...haven' heard that 'cracker, since '92! >pullinoutmyCDsinglesNOW

[@kellitrevino650]

James... love still to this day.

[@Chandra_Moon13]

And The London Suede😍😍😍 I remember falling in love with the Manchester sound at 9 watching Post Modern MTV and 120 Minutes.

[@chewey3rd]

U2 are legendary. Achtung Baby was stuck in the cd player in my car for months back in early 92'. Love that album!

[@israelalvarez4884]

The 90's were awesome for 80's legends such as Depeche Mode, REM, Madonna and U2 Also you forgott to mention the passengers soundtrack wich has miss Sarajevo and your blue room two of my favourites

[@TimothySmiths]

agreed on the passengers soundtrack,those are two very good songs.

[@Damacles9]

Yeah, but I guess the Professor doesn't consider that album as purely a "U2" album since they share credits with at least Pavarotti, Eno, and Lanois. "Your Blue Room", "Miss Sarajevo", "Beach Sequence", "A Different Kind of Blue", and "Elvis Ate America" are all U2 gems.

[@israelalvarez4884]

@@Damacles9 Agreed is not a U2 album, but the professor mentioned the Batman Forever song, but not the ones in the passengers soundtrack

[@TrebleForTheBass]

Millennials who don’t know who U2 is but think Imagine Dragons are “rock and roll” need to be thrown in prison

[@Luvie1980]

😂 😂 😂

[@lunarmodule6419]

Lol

[@28vasko]

I’m a millennial and U2 is my favorite band of all time!

[@lunarmodule6419]

@@28vasko No prison for you bro! Lol

[@TrebleForTheBass]

@@28vasko unfortunately the other 99.9% of your demographic isn’t as intelligent musically as you :(

[@RichardDicksondlyrch68]

I'd put Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses in there.

[@mamatay7]

One of my favorite songs of all time!

[@moochercat]

You can put just about any song from Achtung Baby on the list. It's easily one of their best albums, if not the best.

[@johnIZaUWL]

I F’ing find that song kinda boring if not mediocre honestly... glad they didn’t perform it live lol

[@TheAgwon79]

Check out the kindergarten version. Almost a totally different song, so much so that it could stand alone as such.

[@hrossaman]

The bridge is out of this world

[@user-eh2id5wi2z]

They remain unparalleled, unequalled in 90's exceptionalism, innovation, etc...

[@MattCermak23]

In this history of rock music, no biggest band of one decade has ever completely reinvented to then trailblaze through the next decade. Great video as always, Professor! My 90’s U2 Fiver: 1. Ultra Violet (Light My Way) 2. Zooropa 3. Love is Blindness 4. Lemon 5. MOFO

[@paulv1973]

Funny I was listening to U2's "Song for Someone" this morning

[@neugey]

I adore Achtung Baby. The rest of U2's catalog is hit and miss for me. 5 - Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses 4 - Acrobat 3 - One 2 - Ultraviolet 1 - The Fly

[@Grandizer8989]

Ultraviolet is very underrated

[@Grandizer8989]

@Taylor Holloway there’s been a few good songs since Achtung Baby, and Zooropa wasn’t bad, but there hasn’t been an awesome guitar heavy sound in years. I’d still go to see them live though.

[@PedroVieira-jv2ef]

Some post-AB greats Stay Lemon Gone Staring at the Sun Please Wake Up Dead Man Beautiful Day Elevation Walk On Kite Vertigo City of Blinding Lights Original of the Species Magnificent Moment of Surrender Every Breaking Wave Song For Someone Cedarwood Road The Little Things That Give You Away

[@Grandizer8989]

@@PedroVieira-jv2ef Iris and Dirty Days too

[@starbrite526]

The Sweetest Thing and Staring at The Sun were my favorite singles from U2 with Mysterious Ways recently growing back on me again.

[@mkdy218]

Back in 91 I had moved to a new part of the UK. Old life gone forever. New empty house in a strange area with a few bits of furniture and a boom box with Achtung Baby as company. 30 years on its still Ultraviolet that transcends. My guilty pleasure. Great vid man , super respect.

[@timjohnson8820]

Ultraviolet Acrobat Love Is Blindness UNtil the End of the world THe Fly

[@RM-jj2kq]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJPNm3iabNebfZY

[@dearmercy]

all masterpiece! ♥️

[@aaronrawnsley6726]

Have to agree, but Ultraviolet for me is one of my very favorites of all time!

[@dondonzo9337]

Excellent picks

[@hheerth]

I think this is exactly what I would pick in that same order

[@jesse6327]

I love 'The Unforgettable Fire' too! So many superb songs on it.

[@lukeconverse6632]

Wired and the song the unforgettable fire are so underrated

[@kimchi2911]

I'm 17. Obviously, I was never there to witness U2 at their prime. However, when I first found U2 3 years ago in an attempt to listen to more 'modern' songs (I am a classically trained violinist and thus I used to listen to classical music a lot), I was in absolute awe at their music. I loved the message they are spreading and the amount of passion and dedication in their music really made me fall in love. They may not be top 1 on my Spotify, but they are always in top 5.

[@John-tn7nm]

I remember trying to get tickets for U2's concert at Yankee Stadium for Saturday 8/29/92. It sold out so fast, the band added the next day. And I got tickets for that show. Before going to that concert, I didn't have any of U2 music. I only listened to them whenever on the radio and on VH1 & MTV. They are so amazing LIVE! When U2 performed Rattle and Hum, Bono said: "I took my Rattle and Hum to Yankee Stadium", the fans in the stadium burst out in cheering! When I got my next paycheck, I went to a CD music store and brought every U2 CD they had and listened to every single song on every CD. They are still one of my favorite bands of all time!

[@gab9099]

U2’s transformation started with Night and Day for the Red Hot+Blue AIDS benefit album

[@austintrousdale2397]

💯

[@michaelmoraga2926]

That song is like a bridge from "The Unforgettable Fire" to "So Cruel" to "Miss Sarajevo"... and a hauntingly beautiful performance.

[@deshunsmith2580]

That is so true 100%

[@Brian_Boru]

Spot on. The song and its accompanying video was a big clue that U2 was about to change things up in a big way. Night and Day kicked it all off, followed by The Fly as the first single from AB. Exciting times.

[@pitchforker3304]

That's the truth! My friends and I grew up listening to U2 and were blown away by that song..

[@MgaTalunanKayo]

What's great about 'Mysterious Ways' is that it gave birth to 'One'.

[@mnky75]

I absolutely loved the Achtung Baby/ZooTV/Zooropa era.

[@betsyevers4363]

U2. Is one of my most favorite bands! I can’t behave and stay in the 90s to list my favorites. The songs, bad, mothers of the disappeared In God’s Country, Van Deimans Land, Desire, All I want, is you?, With or Without You, oh my goodness there’s just so many. I thank and credit this Band. For being one of the best soundtracks, a kid could grow up with! What an incredible group of people and musicians!

[@davidmerlin6787]

The fly is some of the heaviest rock music I ever heard

[@positivelybobby]

Good call, Adam! U2 is always a winner.

[@mrdave4714]

Achtung Baby is U2's masterpiece! Track after track of brilliance...

[@dawnchesbro4189]

There's a b-side to the passengers Miss Sarajevo single that's a live orchestral recording "Pavarotti and Friends" concert of Bono, Edge, Brian Eno, and Pavarotti. To this day, over 20 years later, it still makes me verklempt. It makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Hands down my absolute favorite recording of One, and it's so unknown to most U2 fans! Please, if you haven't already, listen to that song.

[@damon6852]

Hey Professor, that’s a good idea, how about doing a special on Daniel Lanois...

[@RolandDeschain1]

Definitely. And I loved what he did on the RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 soundtrack.

[@michaelrochester48]

Isn’t he Bob Dylan’s favorite producer?

[@jameswesleykarl]

@@michaelrochester48 he also clashed well with u2's magic on joshua tree, unforgettable fire and achtung baby and Peter Gabriels magic on So, Secret World and Melt... Also a LOT of others!! Listen to his songs The Maker and Falling At Your Feet

[@RM-jj2kq]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJPNm3iabNebfZY

[@UrsUK67]

There are so many great U2 songs from the 90s. Would specifically call out: AB - Love is Blindness Zooropa - Lemon POP - Please

[@ObamaFromKenya]

Stay is the best song from Zooropa

[@brianscott9525]

Achtung Baby was my favorite U2 album. Almost every song phenomenal.

[@28vasko]

Thanks for this video! U2 is my all time favorite band! Can’t wait to see more videos on them

[@christianhelwig]

my U2 5'er off the top of my head: - Ultra violet - Whose gonna ride your wild horses - Discoteque - Zooropa - Numb I still hold the "Sweetest Thing" b-side for Joshua Tree is the superior version.

[@WobblinGoblin1]

Yes, the original version from the '80s is better.

[@finnbellFCB]

Ultraviolet is one of my favorite songs not only from U2 but from the whole decade

[@christianhelwig]

@@finnbellFCB Definitely makes a 90s mix

[@TheActionslaxx]

Perfecto remix of “Even Better Than The Real Thing” is a corker

[@RBS_]

....THIS IS IT!! ...When U2 entered the Clubs, HARD! ...Thanks, I was hoping SOMEONE would mention that EPIC Mix!

[@hrossaman]

The Unforgettable Fire is my favorite too!!! I love hearing that. Elvis Presley And America is my favorite track....so mystical

[@SomeGuyNamedRobb]

You could throw a rock and hit a great U2 song in any decade! thanks for this great compilation! Love your in depth videos and interviews! Keep it coming!

[@XAMS]

The Achtung Baby album alone could have been the top 5. Until the End of the World, Even Better Than The Real Thing, So Cruel, Ultraviolet (Light My Way), Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Acrobat...all amazing songs.

[@billybillybob-thoughtpants9958]

I've met a few people from the music industry over the years, late bar chatting when the subject gets around to tours and everyone of them bring up Zoo TV & everyone of them say the same, the single best show they'd ever seen, and How the F#+K did they do that with the technology they had then, the sound and vision just extraordinary

[@Will21st]

Zoo Tv is the best Live Show I have ever seen, way ahead of it’s time

[@dawnchesbro4189]

Unfortunately, my friends and I didn't really become OBSESSED, as high school kids do, with U2 until 1993, a year after zootv tour came to our city..... so sad we never got a chance to experience that tour at the height of our fanaticism. We've all gone as a group layer to seven U2 tours since then.

[@alross2042]

Zooropa has one of the best intro's ever have followed this band for 40+years every album every change of style was perfect for the time never a dull song this band keeps you thinking what is next this is what progress is about

[@greengrugach1984]

I got into U2 through 'Hold me thrill me kiss me kill me', I was into Nirvana, the Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Aphex Twin, Massive Attack, Portishead etc and ngl Pop blew me away, I didn't know they did music like that as a kid, then I went back and got Zooropa, Achtung Baby, Passengers and I fell in love with their brave experimental music for such a big rock band, U2 in the 90's were the best band on earth, I often wonder what music we would have gotten had they continued to experiment rather than go into safe mode, there have been flashes of their brilliance but not enough from 2000 onwards.

[@RBS_]

....Oh, Prof., ya gonna get me STARTED! ...I was SOOOO tired of "80's" U2, by 1989; I LOVED "Desire" (#3 Pop, Fall, 1988), but, felt they didn't have anything to say anymore, by the grandiose sound / image they had, by then....But, Fall, 1991, "The Fly" dropped...WHAT-IS-THIS!?? (looong cont.) ...rejuvenated. RENEWED. leading the charge, with FULL THROTTLE! ...They did what a 'Rock' Band is supposed to do in a new decade; immerse, create, & set a TEMPLATE to what a 'new' sound can do for Ones' creativity.....AND, can we talk about Bono's 'The Fly' SUNGLASSES!?? ...after He debuted those in the "Fly" video, E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E had them!! ...He became a Fashion Icon, also, by leading a new 'look' for the 90's, TOO!! ...AND, lets go to THE CLUBS: U2 did NOT play, when they wanted Dance Club cred; "Mysterious Ways", "Even Better Than The Real Thing" "Discotheque", and, the CLASSIC David Morales / Perfecto Mixes of "Lemon" were HUGE Dance Club Hits (the prior 2, reaching #1 Club Play), broke the wall down of 'classic Rock' Artists allowing their compositions getting the Remix treatment; Eric Clapton, Garbage, Sheryl Crow, Macca, Elton John, New Order, Sting, etc,. ALL had gotten Club Hits in the 90's due TO U2, 'catching up with the times'..... OH! ...and another thing- U2 being aware of the AIDS crisis, by donating proceeds of the single "One" (and, the singles artwork, being done by an openly Gay Man with AIDS), helped break down ANOTHER barrier- Homophobia in the Rock community, which was never discussed but KNOWN to be there (the 'Disco Sucks' movement was tell-tale proof)...U2, K.D. Lang, Melissa Etheridge, Elton John, George Michael, Seal, Madonna, etc, acknowledged Homosexuality in ROCK (and, some actually voiced their OWN sexual preference) in the 90's, and STILL had careers that flourished...but U2 was ROCK, and garnered a stronger fan base, BECAUSE of that... ....all, because, of a little, "Action, BABY!!" ...ha-HAA!! Thanks Prof. I LUV this post....I TOLD ya, you were gonna get me started!! ...ha-HAAAA!!

[@keithmoritz239]

My non single fiver because I’ve listened to these albums so much... Ultraviolet Acrobat Dirty Day Miss Sarajevo Mofo Great episode, love the show!!

[@philippemarois5828]

Really enjoy this video! Love the five pics!

[@RobertRBest]

Thank you. I was 20 when Achtung Baby debuted. It blew my mind and I ranted to all kinds of people about how brilliant it was and how the band of obnoxious earnest-ness was now exploring satire and subversion. To this day it remains their best era.

[@2ZZGE100]

Achtung Baby is the best U2 album ever. That is not my opinion. It was a poll result of tens of thousands of U2 fans voting 'Achtung Baby' as the best U2 album. The whole album flows like no other and the depth, layers, breadth and innovation in this album is stunning even 30 years after it was released. One, Love is blindness, Ultraviolet, Fly, Acrobat, So Cruel, Until the End and list goes on. Not a single weak song on this album.

[@gvn2fly96]

How can you talk about the ZOO TV tour without mentioning the Fly???? The Mirror Ball man and Macphisto were encore characters. The Fly was the true personality split from the JT morality.

[@adipura100]

11:57 ????

[@gvn2fly96]

@@adipura100 not the song, the alter ego!

[@dawnchesbro4189]

@@gvn2fly96 I mean, the fly is even on the video thumbnail, sans glasses. I loved that persona of bono's

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

Mysterious ways and more from that album and tour. So deep and ahead of its time. Ok, I'll say it. I was in a band opening for them for over a month and the tech all of it was far ahead of its times. Sonic wise and the depth is hitting me harder today!!!!!!

[@patman1505]

Thanks professor, I am a big U2 fan, the 90's challenged me as a listener, Zooropa is the first U2 album I returned the day I bought it I wasn't ready to board that bus at the time. Today "Stay" today is one of my favorite songs it is bare and reflective of the disaffected society of the mid 90's. One is genius.