For fans of the iconic U2 frontman Bono, his top five song choices might come as quite the revelation, considering the celebrated singer-songwriter’s illustrious career.
Delving into his preferences around the time of their sophomore album launch, ‘October’ in 1981, he disclosed an intriguing mix, including a well-loved Yuletide anthem and a shout-out to an overlooked Irish punk group.
Bono’s diverse musical likes were catalogued in what was amusingly titled the “Portrait of the Artist as a Consumer” slot, tipping the hat to James Joyce’s famed novel, ‘Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man’.
This feature, shared to Reddit, revealed not only the music that informed the creator of classics like ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’, ‘Red Hill Mining Town’, and ‘With or Without You’, but also some of his treasured records.
Back in ’81, the U2 lead revealed a quintet of cherished tunes, encompassing offerings by John Lennon and Alice Cooper among others.
Bono’s selection highlighted ‘Happy Xmas (War is Over)’ by Lennon and Yoko Ono – branded by him as “my first single”, followed by ‘Hello Hurray’ from Alice Cooper as his “second single”.
Moreover, Bono named melodies such as Frank Sinatra’s velvety ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’, ‘Faithful Departed’ by the Radiators From Space, and Stiff Little Fingers’ fierce ‘Alternative Ulster’.
The renowned U2 star often lauded this latter song in later interviews, particularly when probed about another hit from The Undertones, hailing from Derry.
The Undertones’ hit ‘Teenage Kicks’ and Stiff Little Fingers’ ‘Alternative Ulster’ ignited a fierce competition in the charts when they dropped in the same week. Bono reflected in 2007: “My soundtrack was more Alternative Ulster by Stiff Little Fingers.”
Bono’s eclectic taste further includes Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle’, alongside tracks like Wah! Heat’s ‘Better Scream’ and Virgin Prunes’ ‘In the Grey Light. ‘
He didn’t stop with just music; the U2 lead also shared his penchant for iconic theme songs from films like Midnight Express and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Speculation is rife among fans regarding why Bono selected these particular tunes for his playlist, hinting it might be snapshots of his current musical mood rather than an all-time best list.
Curiosity piqued among followers, with one querying, “Interesting, didn’t U2 meet Bruce just that month?” Another remarked, “Gave the Prunes a boost too. Seems he was answering his current favourites or what was top of mind. Surprised to not see any Ramones on his list.”
A different enthusiast expressed surprise at David Bowie’s absence: “For me, I thought Bowie would’ve made his list. (Major influence, featured on the ‘songs that saved my life’ playlist).”
The article notes that Bono doesn’t shy away from indulging in his love for cinema either, naming five filmic gems that have marked his life, including a Michael Caine classic and a comedy hailed as one of cinema’s finest.
Bono’s revered film selection states: “The Tin Drum, If, Alfie, Lord of the Flies, The Graduate, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”