U2 commentary on American Politics and Government Influence

Outside is America

U2 are no strangers to having a say on America, it's people and it's politics. In fact, making political commentary is almost second nature to Bono, if he's not singing about troubles in Ireland, he's trying to convince someone like George Bush Jnr to reduce the debt owed to America by third world countries. U2 toured America many times early in their career and appear to have fallen under it's spell - so it's surprise really that Bono has chosen to write about what he's seen and heard.

 Here's a selection of 10 U2 songs that feature some form of comment or celebration of the one of the world's most dynamic countries.

Angel of Harlem

A song about singer Billie Holiday, Bono was trying to throw the kitchen sink at this song, referencing all kinds of musical figures related to the city of New York - even a poular radio station was mentioned!

U2 appeared to be trying to 'get into' the blues on Rattle on Hum - this song was a clear step in that musical genre and the dropping in of names from artists that helped shape it were an attempt to give an air of authenticity. A less cynical reader might simply see the lyrics of Angel of Harlem as a celebration of the city.

The Saints Are Coming

While not written by U2 or Green Day (it was a cover of The Skids' song), The Saints Are Coming is a song both bands recorded together to deliver a blunt political message about the U.S. Government's response to Hurricane Katrina which many felt was negligent and that the Bush administration was "Stuck on Stupid".

The promotional video deliberately played on popular feelings of utter disbelief and dismay at the way the U.S. government had responded to the event.

Bullet the Blue Sky

Perhaps the archetype political song by U2 (arguably Sunday Bloody Sunday could take that role too) the lyrics describes the unintended consequences of US President Ronald Reagan's foreign policy decisions in South America. The song lyrics are a overt criticisms of the American policy of "stop communism at all costs". Such policy lead the Reagan Administration to provide financial and political support to the Salvadoran regime which required them to ignoring that regime's abuse of human rights. 

New York

Is it really any surprise that U2 ended up writing a song about New York? Bono has stated that the song is a tribute of sorts to both Frank Sinatra and Lou Reed.

The Play Boy Mansion

The Play Boy Mansion is possibly a symbol of all that is wrong with America - however Hugh Hefner is as popular as ever. The songs lyrics are perhaps a tounge-in-cheek run down of some American icons. Certainly Bono would not be deliberately suggesting the route to happiness is a visit to Hefner's pad. Or is he?

Elvis Ate America and Elvis Presley And America

Two for the money here - U2 have often sang about Elvis - and these songs were a celebration of the man and his legacy on music. The lyrics that 'Elvis would have been a sissy without Johnny Cash' was a great piece of commentary - the use of the line 'white nigger' was a brave move.... did Chuck D approve?

Zooropa

Many of the verse lyrics are borrowed from the slogans of American companies and corporations. These slogans include "Be all that you can be" from the United States Army), "Fly the friendly skies" from airline United Airlines), Colgate's "Ring of confidence (the lyric being "We've got that ring of confidence"), and Fairy's "Mild green Fairy liquid" (the line being "We're mild and green and squeaky clean").

This could be seen as a sharp, meta-commentary on the pervasive nature of American consumerism, where catchy slogans and jingles dominate the cultural landscape. 

While the song weaves in advertising phrases from Europe as well, it underscores a broader critique of the global spread of commercialism. U2 seems to be hinting at a deeper moral confusion, where the ethical compass of society is increasingly influenced, if not outright dictated, by the corporate dollar spent on advertising. 

It’s a world where brand loyalty takes precedence over genuine human connection, and where the bombardment of slick marketing campaigns blurs the line between needs and desires. 

Pride (In the Name of Love)

Pride (In the Name of Love) has transcended its origins to become an international anthem for peace, freedom, and human rights. Inspired by the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and '60s, the song channels the spirit of those who fought tirelessly for justice and equality. At its core, it’s a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose enduring legacy as a symbol of nonviolent resistance and a voice for the oppressed resonates throughout the track. 

With its soaring chorus and powerful, reverent lyrics, U2 honors King’s bravery and his unwavering belief in love as a force for change. Bono’s impassioned vocals echo the sacrifices made by King and countless others who marched, protested, and spoke out against systemic racism. 

The song’s call to action, its plea for unity in the face of division, has made Pride a timeless rallying cry, capturing the hearts of listeners across generations and reminding us of the ongoing fight for equal rights for all.

Seconds

While the lyrics are a loose story of a terrorist trying to arm a bomb and perhaps set it off, the context for the song is that it was written by Bono in the 80s, a time where the Cold War between the USSR and America had reached an all time freezing point in relations (save for the Cuban missile crisis!). The song evokes the fears that people had that this Cold War could potentially lead to nuclear war and the own kind of cold winter that would bring.

That's just a glimpse into the way U2 have used their music to comment on America. There's a certain duplicity in their approach—almost a love-hate relationship with the country. 

On one hand, they tour the U.S., basking in the energy of its people, absorbing the culture, and tapping into its vast audience. 

On the other, they aren't afraid to lash out at American leaders, institutions, or even the ubiquitous power of corporations like Coke. U2 wields sharp, sometimes scathing criticism, yet paradoxically, they benefit from the very system they challenge—taking ticket sales, sponsorship deals, and the commercial opportunities that come with the territory. 

It’s as if they are caught in the tension between being both part of and apart from the machine, using their platform to critique the very forces that sustain them. 

In that way, U2’s stance on America becomes a complex dance of engagement and rebellion, a commentary on the contradictions of global success in an age of corporate dominance.

Check out the lyrics to A Song for Someone from U2's Songs of Innocence.