u/Beneficial_Monk00

I don't know if it's the same for anyone else, but I know no other major U2 fans.

Sure, I know one or two people who might own a couple of the big albums and have seen a live show, but I don't know anyone with the same level of U2 fandom that I have.

I long for someone to geek out with over a pint.

I'd love to talk about old b-sides, the fact that Rejoice is their great lost early single, Edge's guitar sound on Deep in the Heart, the best 90s remix, the comparative merits of Mercy/Luckiest Man, different versions of Slow Dancing, the Hong Kong demos, Heartland, the Zoo TV tour, Little Things, best show closers etc etc.

As it is, my ever-suffering wife bears the brunt. When U2 puts out new music, I spout lyrical to her; she puts on a brave face and tries to look interested for five minutes maximum. But ultimately, she can't stand U2 ("the music is okay but Bono does my head in") and that's the case for most people I know. There was no one to talk to when the EPs came out.

It's always been the same. I got into the band aged 7 in 1984. No one in my class at school even knew who they were at that stage. When the Joshua Tree hit, I was 10 and most of my classmates were into Kylie and Bros.

And I know that Zoo TV is retrospectively deemed U2's cool era, but let me tell you that there was nothing cool about liking U2 aged 15 in the Midlands in 1992. Nothing.

That's why I'm glad this sub-reddit exists. I joined Reddit so I could geek out with people over my favourite band.

I don't always agree with people on here, and they probably don't always agree with me, but it's nice to be able to have an outlet and a virtual pint with like-minded people.

Cheers. 🍻

For some reason, I love to see it when a band member who has quit and rejoined a band, is playing on a song that was written after they'd originally left.

Examples:

Curt Smith left Fears For Fears, and Roland Orbital had a hit with Break It Down Again. Smith rejoined, and they regularly play that song. Happiness ensues.

Graham Coxon quit Blur, and Blur's next single was Out Of Time. He gave it his own feel when he rejoined the band.

Bonus points if the song is actually about that band member leaving - for example, the Spice Girls wrote Goodbye about Geri Halliwell leaving. But she sang it with them on their reunion tour.

I find the whole thing rather wholesome.

Anyone got any suggestions and Youtube links?