'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
Wishing you a Very Happy 60th Bono. Watching 'Go Home at Slane Castle to Celebrate with a Canadian of Magners. Keep Safe
Bonolino
10 May, 2020
Happy Birthday...
to the greatest Frontsinger who inspired me over the last 35 years!
bobone1975
10 May, 2020
the soundtrack of my life
I just want to thank you and the band because your music has been for over 30 years the soundtrack of my life and in many occasions you actually saved my life.
Moreover after falling in love with u2 I started to be curious about rock and roll and to love it, so thank you three times, my dear friend!
pernillem
10 May, 2020
Thank you!
I adore this and am so touched by your fan letters. What a sweet, kind, humble gesture.
I wish you the happiest of birthdays surrounded by the people you love most, Bono. Thank you for being the soundtrack to my whole life. I love you guys and can't wait to see you live again. So glad I flew from Copenhagen to Mumbai to see you in December <3
Fra1970
10 May, 2020
Fra1970
Happy Birthday my little hero .
Sing for as for others 60 years.!
❤
ornymartell
10 May, 2020
Buon compleanno Bono!
Buon compleanno Bono! Happy birthday! Thanks for giving us great music, great poetry and wisdom, and memorable gigs that now more then ever, in this lockdown, I hold dearly, as some of most amazing nights. Have a wonderful birthday today, from your Italian fan, on the other side of Killiney beach. Italia + Irlanda
Ornella
PaolaCor
10 May, 2020
Thank you and happy bday!
Thank you for giving us this present! We own you our lives!
Dipimpo
10 May, 2020
Grazie per le emozioni
Tanti auguri di buon compleanno
Dipimpo
10 May, 2020
Buon compleanno
rafa_escobarich
10 May, 2020
Happy Bday!!!
Thanks to built my life’s bso From Madrid Rafa
instantchip
10 May, 2020
Happy birthday & thank you!
Happiest of birthdays to you Bono!
Thanks for writing AT LEAST 60 songs that are THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE!
Much love,
Chip Brown
instantchip
10 May, 2020
New Bono project
Bono you should do a project doing vocals on collabs with these amazing artists.
Covers? maybe…but new original material would be best imho.
Of course some are deceased but their estates would likely grant permission to use unreleased recordings for such a project bc it’s you!
musicabona
10 May, 2020
Keep on singing your heart out!
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful letters and an amazing list of songs with us, Bono! I wish you a very happy 60th birthday, much luck, health and many more great years. Your songs have been part of my life since 1989 and since that time I have always been moved by their spectrum of sincere emotions, beauty and intensity. Especially under current circumstances I can feel much hope and positivity in U2´s music. Keep on making us smile with rock´n´roll full of electric energy, heart and soul we all love! Stay safe and healthy.
Greetings from Austria
hliitos
10 May, 2020
Hanna
Happy 60th birthday Bono! You have inspired so many people and made great music. Hope you have lovely birthday and stay safe!
Giuliaing
10 May, 2020
Happy Birthday Paul
Music can change the world! You’ve got 60 more reasons to shout it out loud! Your music changed my life over the last 35 years and it’s a treasure shielded in my heart.
I feel blessed U2 are part of my life, best friends in happiness, brothers in tough times...
Keep being that special guys! The world is better with you.
Happy Birthday Paul.
Giulia
tracmic
10 May, 2020
Happy Birthday Bono!
Thank you for the music and life lessons. The humanitarianism, empathy, and drive to create has helped shape the way I live. Wishing the happiest of 60 years and more to come.
BOOKE
10 May, 2020
mark
happy birthday and stay healthy bono ( family too! )
one fan of belgium
Bsnow65
10 May, 2020
Happiest of Birthdays!!!
A priest friend of mine, Fr. Sheerin, (Lobinstown) believed strongly in the celebratory year as opposed to just a day. He told me to find ways to prolong the celebrations because life is precious.
You too are precious ; ) Keep celebrating your life & thanks for sharing!!!!
Blessings!!!
Dawnleann4
10 May, 2020
Happiest 60th Birthday BONO!
EnJoy your day celebrating YOU on your 60th birth day as well as celebrate your daughters JoJo and being a Big Fan since BOY album all U2 songs have inspired so many fans around the world throughout the years and continue to Rock steady into the next decade's as music is good for your soul... as i grew up listening to 50's 60's 70's 80's 90's and today's world of songs, to be born 1960 in our generation its truly a blessing!
Dawnleann4
10 May, 2020
Happiest 60th Birthday BONO!
EnJoy your day celebrating YOU on your 60th birth day as well as celebrate your daughters JoJo and being a Big Fan since BOY album all U2 songs have inspired so many fans around the world throughout the years and continue to Rock steady into the next decade's as music is good for your soul... as i grew up listening to 50's 60's 70's 80's 90's and today's world of songs, to be born 1960 in our generation its truly a blessing!
pets3463
10 May, 2020
Happy birthday Bono
Thank you so much for this list Bono. Cannot wait to read your letter to Depeche Mode. I am a huge fan of U2 and DM. Would love to see an interview between you and Dave one day. Love and health to you, your family and everyone in U2.
Petra Svobodova
Czech
marcela_rodriguez
10 May, 2020
You saved my life
You saved my life with Walk On and a Room At The Heartbreak Hotel...Someday i will see you again here in Colombia..Hapý birthday dear Bono.....
JessLee
10 May, 2020
Music my run
Yiiiiippppeeee! What a great Mother's DAY gift. My run will rock. Happy Birthday, my lovely Bono!!!
marcela_rodriguez
10 May, 2020
You saved my life
With Walk on and A Room At The Heartbreak Hotel.....And i know you will come back to Colombia,,,,,HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BONO,.,,,LONG LIFE FOR YOU AND FOR U2
MJFPL
10 May, 2020
Happy Birthday
Happy birthday Bono, enjoy your special day. Thank you for the Music!
Camil93
10 May, 2020
From father to son...
Dear Bono!
Very happy birthday from older (since 1980) and younger (since 2009) fans - father and son - from Lodz, Poland. It's pleasure to have your special one person as idol. You and U2 are one of the most importants part of popculture ever. And personally you're soundtrack of our lifes. Without U2 music life would be really poorer and sadder.
We send wishes for the best for the next years and a lot of health
Thank You,
Kamil (son) and Adam (father)
dethi
10 May, 2020
Happy Birthday
Joyeux anniversaire.
Stay safe.
Sergey_Kotov
10 May, 2020
Happy 60th Mr. Bono!!!
Happy Birthday to the soul-mate of my soul and one of the last rock kings!
The voice, lyrics and music of my mood, regardless of whether I feel bad or good!
I wish you great health, inspiration, energy like that of Mick Jagger, release at least 5 more albums + roll back the same tour and become mayor of Dublin!
piozze
10 May, 2020
Have a great Birthday, Paul!
Hoping you could celebrate your Birthday, with all your darlings, I deserve you all the best and to see you, soon, as in the last 26 years of the U2’s tours.
A big, virtual, hug and let me know if you’d want my tiramisù cake and I send you a Glovo from Valencia...jejejjeje!
Ciao
MarcoTikkaMasalaPioselli