'These are some of the songs that saved my life,' writes Bono, as he shares a special birthday playlist titled '60 Songs That Saved My Life'. 'The ones I couldn't have lived without… the ones that got me from there to here, zero to 60… through all the scrapes, all manner of nuisance, from the serious to the silly… and the joy, mostly joy.'
The four hour plus playlist stretches from the formative 45s of his teenage years to later collaborations with some of his heroes, as well as tracks by younger artists like Billie Eilish, the same age now, 18, as Bono when he wrote his first song.
Long before he was making music, he was a music fan and along with these 60 songs he's penning a series of letters to their creators and family members.
'I wanted to thank the artists and everyone who helped make them… They were doing the same for me… I am writing a fan letter to accompany each song to try and explain my fascination…'
Bono is sharing the first six letters today, with more coming in the week ahead.
Writing about ‘Miserere' to Alice, daughter of Luciano Pavarotti he says, 'I can hardly remember what it was about... other than forgiveness that is… and a toast to being alive.’
To Billie Eilish (and Finneas) he says, of ‘everything i wanted’, ‘I step inside your song and it’s a black beauty, achingly awesomely vulnerable and terrifying, fearliess and worrisome… but you are not worried by all that.’
Writing to Duncan, son of David Bowie, he recalls, 'When I heard your Dad's song LIFE ON MARS? on the radio in 1973, I was hiding under the covers of my bed in 10 Cedarwood Roadlistening to a pirate radio station called Radio Caroline. I wasn't thinking about the question mark in the title… I wasn't bothered about the dramatic inquiry “is there life on Mars?”… The song was answering a much more important question when I was 13… Is there intelligent life on earth? It was proof as far as I'm concerned.'
To the members of Kraftwerk, who lost Florian this week, Bono recounts how 'The Man Machine' stole his heart and mind as a teenager. 'I gave Ali a copy to romance her on her 17th birthday in 1978… NEON LIGHTS is a song that brought into being a future that has now become so familiar, it is easy to forget just how strange it was.'
'You wrote songs so you could be in them,' he writes to Nile Rodgers. 'And that light touch is never better than on this one', referring to Daft Punk's Get Lucky featuring Rodgers and Pharrell. 'You are a reason to believe in what's possible,' he writes to Pharrell, 'You are a reason to believe in THE IMPOSSIBLE.'
And to Shara Nelson and Massive Attack, he sends gratitude for Safe From Harm, 'Thanks for giving me permission to not fully let go of the rage behind all vulnerability… it can propel.'
Read each letter in full in our gallery above - we'll be adding to it over the next few days.
60 Songs That Saved My Life 1. Luciano Pavarotti, Bono & Zucchero - Miserere 2. Sex Pistols - Anarchy In the UK 3. Kanye West - Black Skinhead 4. Billie Eilish - everything i wanted 5. David Bowie - Life on Mars? 6. The Beatles - I Want to Hold your Hand 7. Ramones - Swallow My Pride 8. The Clash - Safe European Home 9. Public Enemy - Fight The Power 10. Patti Smith - People Have the Power 11. John Lennon - Mother 12. The Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday 13. Elton John - Daniel 14. Andrea Bocelli- Con Te Partiro 15. Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel 16. Johnny Cash - Hurt 17. This Mortal Coil - Song to the Siren 18. Kraftwerk - Neon Lights 19. The Fugees - Killing Me Softly With His Song 20. Prince - When Doves Cry 21. Daft Punk feat Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers - Get Lucky 22. Madonna - Ray of Light 23. JAY-Z feat Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind 24. Talking Heads - Love Goes to Building on Fire 25. Lou Reed - Satellite of Love 26. The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony 27. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart 28. New Order - True Faith 29. R.E.M. - Nightswimming 30. Adele - Chasing Pavements 31. Arcade Fire - Wake Up 32. Pixies - Monkey Gone to Heaven 33. Oasis - Live Forever 34. Iggy Pop - Lust for Life 35. Gavin Friday - Angel 36. Massive Attack - Safe From Harm 37. Kendrick Lamar feat U2 - XXX 38. Bob Marley & The Walers - Redemption Song 39. Echo and the Bunnymen - Rescue 40. Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit 41. Pearl Jam - Jeremy 42. Bob Dylan - Most of the Time 43. Beyoncé feat Kendrick Lamar - Freedom 44. Depeche Mode - Walking In My Shoes 45. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Into My Arms 46. Simon & Garfunkel - The Sounds of Silence 47. Coldplay - Clocks 48. INXS - Never Tear Us Apart 49. New Radicals - You Get What You Give 50. Angélique Kidjo - Agolo 51. Lady Gaga - Born This Way 52. Frank Sinatra & Bono - Under My Skin 53. David Bowie - Heroes 54. Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84) 55. Sinéad O'Connor - You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart 56. Van Morrison - A Sense of Wonder 57. Bruce Springsteen - There Goes My Miracle 58. Daniel Lanois - The Maker 59. Peter Frampton - Show Me The Way 60. Bee Gees - Immortality - Demo Version
Auguri di buon compleanno ad una persona molto speciale come Bono. Grazie per tutte le straordinarie canzoni che hai scritto. Spero di vederti ancora in tantissimi concerti.
CV33460
10 May, 2020
Joyeux anniversaire Bono
Merci pour ce partage !
Trop hâte de vous revoir en concert !
Nous étions un peu loin pour le concert du 09/09/2018 à Paris mais c’était un grand kiff et un grand privilège !
AMJ528
10 May, 2020
Zorionak (Happy birthday) from bask coun
We just want to thank you for making us fell happy with your music and art.
We met you at the David Bowie exposition in Barcelona, before your concert there. During the show, You song a part of “-Heroes” sing and it was really nice.
Our better wishes for you, your family, and band.
utwothefly
10 May, 2020
Happy Birthday :D
Some great songs and artists listed there and a few songs I’ll have to have a listen to! . I’d probably pick 30 U2 songs in my 60! haha
Miriam Jonker
10 May, 2020
Happy birthday
Dear Bono,
Happy birthday and thank you for this inspiring list of diverse music. Keep on dreaming!
angeliqueguimaraescardoso
10 May, 2020
HB ❤️❤️❤️
Happy Birthday
angeliqueguimaraescardoso
10 May, 2020
What a gift ❤️
Dear Bono,
So much love , all the Words are not enough to explain all your love, humour, kindness ...
Thank you Gentleman to Share a little of your life in my Birthday too
Your fan
Angélique
AntoniettaFg
10 May, 2020
Buon compleanno Bono
Tantissimi auguri Bono❤❤
kjdskgjdlksg
10 May, 2020
#bono60
#bono60
hrlhlkhgkh
10 May, 2020
partygirl5
'Show Me The Way' That brings me back Bono.
Frampton Comes Alive! was my favourite album as a young teenager.
That is of course until you guys came along. I have great memories of the early gigs, but today is about you. Thank you for enriching my life. I'm sure you are feeling the love today as it's a special birthday, but that love is always there. You sounded in great form on 'Tubs' the other morning, gave us all a huge lift. Have a wonderful birthday and stay safe. Valerie
yumiko
10 May, 2020
Happy 60th Birthday!
Wishing you good health and happiness.
With love and gratitude.
annaghmore
10 May, 2020
Happy birthday !
happy Birthday !
May the peace of Christ be with you.
Helbig
10 May, 2020
HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY
Happy 60TH Birthday Bono.
I wish you all the very best.
I would love to see really love you so much. I'm in South Australia.
SORRE73
10 May, 2020
Auguri!
Buon Compleanno Bono
jamcnamara
10 May, 2020
How To Dismantle A Birthday Cake
Yours has been the voice of (un)reason coming from my speakers and earphones since I was 14 and first bought Achtung Baby. Now I’m 42 and you’ve turned 60 today. Where did the years go? Your music has brought much joy to my life down the years and I hope you manage to find some of that today. Happy Birthday!
Deanomc3
10 May, 2020
Happy birthday Bono! :)
Hope you have a great day with the family!
Thank you sir for everything you have given to me over the years - the life long friendships, the amazing experiences had travelling the world to be in the same “Church” as you guys on tour, the incredible songs which mean as much to me, as these songs do to you...and for your tireless campaigning for the right things!
The world is very lucky to have you!
Thank you, and cheers for your birthday
acrobat_73
10 May, 2020
This is not 40, it's 60
What a great selection of songs, I wish Paul good health and Bono eternal life.
Sandrobono12
10 May, 2020
BONO Happy Birthday
Our Light. Thank you for all❤.
Ciao
sesews
10 May, 2020
Susan Pizzullo Solt
My #1 song, "All I Want Is You", beautifully written.
bdober
10 May, 2020
Happy Birthday, Bono!
Thank you for sharing this list, and your beautiful words! I hope your birthday is filled with joy!
filmguy2
10 May, 2020
Birthday
Happy Birthday Paul
Wishing you health and happiness.
Thank you for the music that gets me through all of the calamity's we have experienced in our recent times from 911 to this pandemic. Cannot wait to get past this and move forward to another chance to see you and the guys perform live.
pride346
10 May, 2020
Special gift to the world
Happy 60th birthday Bono!! Enjoy your special day and many thanks for all of the magnificent music and joy that you and U2 have given us over the years. Keep rocking!!
JuanDaniel
10 May, 2020
Greetings from Argentina for 60 more!!!
Happy Birthday master of my life! I went to Ireland twice, couldn't meet you...I hope the third will be the great!! Daniel, from Córdoba, Argentina.
MONICABERT
10 May, 2020
Happy birthday Bono
Happy 60 birthday Bono! Growing up and getting old with you and U2 songs has been a great privilege. Lots of love from Monica, Christiano Federico and Marina
massotrv
10 May, 2020
happy Birthday
Thanks a lot, beautiful and various.
I wish it's not a good bye from Bono. I want to listen anothre playlist..
michke1
10 May, 2020
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday Mr. B, Happy Birthday Jordan, Happy Mother's day Ali
loredana1970
10 May, 2020
Happy Birthday!!!
Many best wishes for your 60th birthday !!!! I wish you all your wishes can come true !!!
Good life, lovely Paul !!!!
ohcarolita
10 May, 2020
Happy birthday, Bono!
Thanks for making the world a better place!
Much love!
Carol
loredana1970
10 May, 2020
Happy Birthday!!!
Many best wishes for your 60th birthday !!!! I wish you all your wishes can come true !!!
Good life, lovely Paul !!!!
Mnoranc
10 May, 2020
Mnoranc
Dear U2 members, Even though I never bought a U2 album as I wasn’t that into pop music growing up I still know sone of your songs by osmosis . I am a consultant working in Cork and I would like to thank you for the trouble you took to help secure, fund and deliver PPE. There were days early on when we were told we had only a ‘48 hour supply’ with no certainty as to date of next delivery. Wishing you and your families the best and ‘Happy Birthday Bono’
M
Ps I am now signed up officially to the fan club !