Best of... the Noughties?

31 Dec 2009339

It's December 31st 2009, the end of a decade which saw the band release three studio albums.

The 'noughties' for U2 started with All That You Can't Leave Behind in 2000, then came How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb in 2004 and this year came No Line on The Horizon.





Was it a single release that became a global hit or an obscure album track that you think most people still haven't discovered?

Was it a track they've yet to play live or a song that no live show can now be complete without?

Was it something they wrote which doesn't feature on one of the three studio albums? (There's a handful of tracks like this... when you come to think of it.)

Your call. Tell us what was the ONE greatest piece of work the band created during the last decade... and in a couple of sentences tell us why.

Comments
339
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philwilson
Toss Up?
Some of the bands best work is on these three albums. I would narrow it down to Beautiful Day or Sometimes you Can't make it on you own. Even as I type this I know there are many other great songs that could be the winner on this list.
imjackeo
Best Song hits home
Everyones comments are so personal, hard to see how the music could be evaluated in a general mode. So my humble opinion would be... ATYCLB = Stuck In a Moment HTDAAB = Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own NLOH = Moment of Surrender Each song has profound personal relevance... glad I don't have to make a choice, other than to love them all. Thanks guys. Peace.
passenger13
Elevation Tour 2nd leg
The most emotional show I have ever been to was during this tour following 9/11. Flight 93 was headed to San Francisco and there were many Bay Area people who were effected by the tragic loss of life from that flight. When the names of those who died scrolled down on the backdrop of the stage, there were not too many dry eyes on the GA floor as the band played "Walk On". What a tribute to all of those who lost their lives in the events of that day.
Cam U2
Oh you look so beautiful!!
City of Blinding lights is my favourite of the last decade. The band shot the music video in Vancouver where I live, and ever since hearing it live in 05 and 09 and hopefully 2010, it is one my top played songs and should be as common as One or Streets at any show.
sumo-pop
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
The bridge kills me every time: "Can you hear me when I siniiinnnggg." Slays me every time.
kevfly82
Mercy, Beautiful Day, Moment
These 3 songs have the heart, soul and craft of U2 this Decade. And when I had the DISTINCT honor of meeting U2 in Chicago at the Metro on March 10, 2009 by winning tickets for the 'No Line' Promo Tour , I asked the Edge what they are doing with Mercy. He followed with, 'We're not sure how to use it but we really like it'. It's an outstanding song that the hardcore fans are very thankful to have heard so far. UNLEASH IT!!! :-) Thank you U2 for the soul over these past 10 years!
u22009
Walk On
Walk On was my favourite U2 song of the past decade. Lots of great stuff from 2000 to 2009 though, like Electrical Storm, Crazy Tonight, City Of Blinding Lights, Unknown Caller, Vertigo and Kite.
benjaminfc
Kite
....Why this wasnt a single i will never know, its a big, big song. and one a little under the radar which grabbed me was 'Jahweh' big vocals,
avm5254
MOMENT OF SURRENDER, ELECTRICAL STORM
Moment of Surrender is by far the best lyrics Bono has written this decade. It has the elements that make up a great U2 song. The lyrics are open to interpretation, and can mean different things to different people. The music sees the band explore new sonic territory with much grace, while still retaining that recognizable U2 sound. Moment of Surrender is definitely up there with the other great U2 songs, both widely known and unknown. Electrical Storm stirred up a mood that hadn't been present on All That You Can't Leave Behind and was a great surprise for U2 fans everywhere. As indicated by both the lyrics and the accompanying music video, Electrical Storm had a sort of urgency to it, and put simply, was a sexy song; something we haven't really seen from the boys since the 90's. U2 delved into this single release on about three occasions during the 360 tour, but let it go by the time they'd reached North America which is a shame and very unfortunate for all fans who didn't get to hear it live. If U2 spent more time perfecting this song in a live setting, it could easily become a crowd favorite.
Flavo
Window in the Skies
Great decade for U2, stronger than ever, you've really made the grade! Some personal favs 1. Window in the Skies 2. Unknown Caller 3. Magnificent 4. City of Blinding Lights 5. Walk On
CosmicAsthenia
ATYCLB
I think for me all of All That You Can't Leave Behind was the best thing this decade. It has such amazing songs on it that we all love and songs that maybe more people should discover, such as Grace and Peace on Earth. To me, when I think U2, I think ATYCLB. Thank you for writing what is literally the soundtrack to my everyday.
GangsterQ
Moment of Surrender, New York, Yahweh, a
Yeah, I dont like Beautiful Day or Vertigo as much... Vertigo would be better if you kept Native Son, but Moment if Surrender, New York, Yahweh, and In a Little While are the golden songs of the 2000s
smiller1794
Everything!
Well maybe not everything but I enjoyed everything the band had to offer. "The Saints are Coming" and "Moment of Surrender" along with "Vertigo" and "Walk On" are all just awesome!! Can't wait for the next decade of music!!
campli
Art
"Crumbs From Your Table" for obvious reasons especially if you are a "ONE" member! "Where you live should not decide whether you live or whether you die"
Tyra_Ray
Moment of surrender
Its a BEAUTIFUL song. I cry everytime I see the video I took of it. Some others that are close up there... Love,Peace or Else When I look at the world Original of the Species In a little while Magnificent and WINTER. If all these songs were played at the concert in June, my life would be COMPLETE.
rut_jc
Best song!
Original of the Species... goosebumps! However, WALK ON is my favourite. So meaningfull :D
stevie.Phisto.stein
Another thing......
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE BRING THE 360 TOUR DOWNUNDER (Australia and NZ) SO I CAN HEAR ALL THESE GREAT SONGS LIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE COME TO NZ AND MAKE MY DREAM COME TRUE!!!!!!
stevie.Phisto.stein
Impossible to Choose
For me there are 5 songs that have made a huge impact on me (well all U2 songs do). 1. Sometimes you can't make it on your own 2. Electrical Storm 3. Magnificent 4. White as Snow 5. Breathe And then Beautiful Day, Walk on and City of Blinding Lights just missed out on the cut :D
PaulJames
Beautiful Day
So hard to pick one song from the last 10 years...but I would have to say "Beautiful Day". While that might sound a little cliche, that song still sounds as new and fresh to me every time I play it. And, no matter how I'm feeling, Beautiful Day can always put a smile on my face. Of course all three albums of this decade were brilliant.
StevenDay
Sometimes You Can't make it on your own
This song is sometimes ignored on the album and not appreciated for it's meeting. It means so much to me because my dad died when I was 14 and sometimes I feel that I never showed him my appreciation for his actions and what he did for me. Some days I still call for him for help or to talk to, and realize that I am on my own.
Sprud
Crazy Studio Version
I love the studio/CD version and would LOVE to hear it live in 2010! I've been a U2 fan since '85 and can't wait to see what the next decade brings - keep on rockin' Bone, Edge, Adam and Larry!
badboy25
MOMENT OF SURRENDER
Not only the best song of the decade but quite possibly the best U2 song ever.
virgopolaris
NEW YORK
This song was ahead of it's time, part of the best album ever.
bostongirl
Vertigo, Get on Your Boots, and City of
there're all soo good its almost impossible to decide but i have to say that vertigo was the song that i really first fell in love with i love it made me want to be a rockstar so thats really a song that inspires me
hanoi68
Magnificent
Its a tough choice, but I think this one just sums up U2 in one song. Just incredible
skywarn
Yahweh
Choosing the best song from the past decade has been very tough. "Yahweh", however, is probably the best. It is so full of hope and inspiration, and is deeply moving each time I hear it. When I saw the Vertigo show in Pittsburgh I was very happy that it was in the set list. I could feel God's blessing on everyone who was there that night, and that song only made that feeling stronger.
f.byrne
when i look at the world
absolute tune also, there 2001 version of the fly imense!!!!!!
Macmanf14
Window in the Skies anyone? NLOTH BEST
Window in the Skies from U218 singles is such a beast song, but Sometimes you cant make it on your own and New York are great too. No Line on the Horizon made me fall in love with U2 all over again, for it is so original. What stands out about U2 is they always have been and always be the most Original Band. CANT WAIT FOR 360 2010
electricardoso
Three Songs - One Decade
Electrical Storm, Beautiful Day and Unknown Caller. Three fantastic songs I would like U2 to play in 2nd October when I attend to the Coimbra show. Electrical Storm is the rainy dawn, Beautiful Day is the midday sun which rises in your soul to take you out of a problem world and finally Unknown Caller is the beginning of a long night after an excellent day.
steelheadjasone
Tough one...
They have written some of the bands best material during this decade. Walk On, Elevation, Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own, Moment of Surrender, In a Little While, plus I'm a sucker for Yahweh... great songs. However, to limit it to one single tune I think you have to give it up for Beautiful Day. This song refocused the world's attention back on the band. It is truly brilliant from a song writing standpoint and in my opinion is one of the greatest all time songs of the decade.
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