In the early 1980s, "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland were still raging. For over 60 years Ireland had been divided into two separate political entities. The Irish Free State, later becoming the Republic of Ireland, consisted of the 26 counties and the majority of the island. Six northeastern counties made up Northern Ireland which remained a part of the United Kingdom. Hence the official name of the UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Most Roman Catholics, North and South in Ireland desired the UK to give up its control of the 6 northeastern counties and allow the entire island to be united under the government of the Republic of Ireland. However, in the late 20th century, Protestants (the descendants of Scottish and English planters first given land in Ireland under James I) still made up a majority of the population of Northern Ireland and wished to remain British. Over time, the tension between the two communities in the north bubbled up into outright hostilities, climaxing in atrocities committed by both sides against one another (and sometimes even against each other). The British army was called in to "keep the peace", but as is typical with occupying forces, at times the "shit hit the fan". In January of 1972, British soldiers shot 26 unarmed peaceful nationalist protesters in Derry, killing 14. It is this incident that informs the narrative of U2's classic song, Sunday Bloody Sunday, released on the War album in 1983.
"The Troubles" in Northern Ireland formed the basis for much of the themes on War, but the idea of human conflict in all of its various permutations is explored on this record. From the Polish Solidarity struggle in New Year's Day, to the threat of global nuclear holocaust in Seconds, to the immigrant fleeing political violence in The Refugee, to the interpersonal struggles that dating and married couples experience in songs like Two Hearts Beat as One and Surrender, the album takes us down the human path of most resistance. Bono jokes that it was on his honeymoon that many of the ideas for War came to him!
Thematically, this album is tightly wound together, both lyrically and musically. After a brilliant debut record and then a bit of a misstep on their second effort, U2 rebounded fantastically with War. And with this output, they began to explore some new musical textures, adding violin to Sunday Bloody Sunday and horns to Red Light. The album ends with a Davidic prayer taken directly from Psalm 40 and simply titled, 40. It is with this album and the subsequent tour that U2 grew from cult status to one of the biggest bands in the world.
U2, War - Released February 28, 1983
Album Charts - #16 Ireland, #1 UK, #12, US
Worldwide Sales to Date - 11 Million
Singles - New Year's Day, #2 Ireland, #10 UK, #53 US. Sunday Bloody Sunday, #7 US Main Rock Chart. Two Hearts Beat as One, #2 Ireland, #18 UK. Surrender #27 US Main Rock Chart.
Standout Songs - Sunday Bloody Sunday, Seconds, New Year's Day, Drowning Man, Two Hearts Beat as One, 40.
Weakest Track - Red Light
Hidden Gem - Drowning Man
If Boy is possibly one of the most underrated debut records of all time, War is probably one of the most underrated rock albums of all time. - Shay
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