U2: Rock 'n' Roll to Change the World

Tempo: A Rowman & Littlefield Music Series on Rock, Pop, and Culture

by Timothy D. Neufeld

U2’s significant career far exceeds that of most average successful rock bands, with a prolific output of thirteen well-received studio albums and a sometimes relentless touring schedule. The band is famous for uniquely drawing together music, art, faith, and activism, all within a lucrative career that has given each of these elements an unusual degree of social and cultural resonance. Broad-minded musically and intellectually, U2’soutput is thematically rich, addressing a slew of topics, from questions of faith to anxieties about commercialism to outright political statements.

With one of the largest fan bases in the history of rock music, U2 and their work require contextualization and exploration. In U2: Rock ’n’ Roll to Change the World, Timothy D. Neufeld takes up this challenge. Neufeld explores U2’s move from the youthful idealism of a band barely able to play instruments through its many phases of artistic expression and cultural engagement to its employment of faith and activism as a foundation for its success. This book outlines how U2 reshaped the very musical and even political culture that had originally shaped it, demonstrating through close readings of its musical work the dynamic interplay of artistic expression and social engagement.

Genres: Music, Biography

238 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2017

Reviews

[Kare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book expanded what I knew about U2 and made my existing knowledge cohesive. I appreciate the historical references of what was going on in the world throughout the band's career. I like the author's closing comments that U2 changed the world and the world changed U2.

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of the book gives a timeline showing cultural events and U2’s career. The first chapter looks at Dublin at the time the members of U2 were coming of age. It was a culture of poverty, the Troubles, unemployment, crime, drug addiction, and poor housing.

The second chapter explains how the group came together and the music that they sought to create. They wanted to develop a musical style different from any other available at that time. It was this period that covers the albums Boy, October, and War.

The third chapter covers Under a Blood Red Sky, The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree, and Rattle and Hum. U2 paid attention to global issues, openly spoke about American politics. Even though the audiences were getting larger, there was still a feeling of connection in the concerts.

The fourth chapter reflects the 90’s and U2s desire to reinvent themselves again. This period covers Achtung Baby, Zooropa, and Pop.

Chapter five covers All That You Can’t Leave Behind and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. It also showed the rifts occurring between band members due to Bono’s commitment to the band when his extracurricular activities interrupted productivity and delayed album releases.

Chapter six—New Horizons—covers No Line on the Horizon and the 360 Tour. The problem-ridden Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark is covered. Songs of Innocence is U2’s look back at their early years.

“Faith and Art” (chapter seven) is a discussion of how the faith of the band members influences their art. “Social Engagement” (chapter eight) looks at the ways U2 attempts to use their fame to make a difference in the world.

[Daniel Currie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this 3.5 stars if they had that rating.

I read the entire thing on my Kindle.

I am of two minds on this book. If you didn't know anything about U2, this would be an excellent way to learn the basics about them. It does an excellent job of going thru their entire career and it is laid out in a pretty easy to follow and understand format. It's not too long, not too short, just about right.

But.... for someone like myself who knows a lot about the band already there isn't a lot to hang my hat on. If you don't know anything about them, why do you want to know a good deal? If you know a good deal, why do you want to read this book?

So altho he does a good job of doing what he set out to do, I'm not sure who this is going to appeal to.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting - especially about their early lives, and the other Lypton Villagers. And I'll never listen to Show Me The Way the same again. I especially like how the author gives close-to equal time to all the members. Yeah, Bono dominates, because "Bono". But of all the books I've read about the group, this was the most equal.

[T.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading. The insight into the band helped me better understand some of the things I heard growing up. Where I don't agree completely with every belief that has guided their art, I found their approach to faith as refreshing. I've hear U2 but never heard the depths of their music.

[Leslie Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book interesting but would have appreciated a little more depth. Could have shaved off about 20% of the book by eliminating repeated material.

[Steve P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview of U2's cultural impact through about 2010 or so... somewhat repetitive. Clearly was a bunch of lectures then compiled into a book.

[Keaton Bolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book U2: Rock n' Roll to Change the World was a great read. It followed the band on their forty plus year career and look at how their music has affected culture and inspired change. By taking an in-depth look at the band members, the book was able to really capture what it was like for them as a whole to rise to fame. The book brought up themes of religion and activism, things that U2 strives to work into it's music. They highlight the injustices in the world and try to get people to stand up for what is right and help solve major world problems. One thing that was really powerful from the book was the author's ability to describe the band's live performances. His descriptions were able to make me feel as if I was in the audience, experiencing the show as I could hear the songs playing in my head. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the band or is looking for a great non-fiction read. It's a really great biography about a band that has been relevant for over forty years. You should pick it up because it's fun to read and talks about how a band and their music was able to affect real change in social and political systems around the world.