1. October

The title track off their 1981 second album is my personal U2 favorite. Long before a time when everyone’s music selection ran deep due to the ability to download free music at the touch of a button, this was a song I cherished. I used to play this song every night on my way to sleep when I was young. The simple and poignant piano combined with softly sung lyrics still give me the same feeling of sweet sorrow to this day. There is something wonderfully youthful about this time in the U2 story that is unattainable in adulthood.

2. Running to Stand Still

1987’s The Joshua Tree saw the group explode into the mainstream market and contained many iconic tracks. However it is this track that was an instant personal favorite. I can thoroughly relate to the story of not knowing your place in the world and getting trapped by the pitfalls of life’s temptations and suffering the consequences. Bono gives the track the right amount of emotion to see it rank so high.

3. Lemon

This song used to get skipped on my CD player until I saw the ZooTV concert in Sydney in 1993. Lemon just blew the whole stadium apart with the lead singer giving a wonderful performance as his stage persona Macphisto. Some critics say Bono isn’t talented vocally relying mainly on heart, well on this track u2 show why they have been around for so long and without doubt deserves to be in any top U2 song list.

A video of U2 performing Lemon in Sydney:

4. Acrobat

When the album Achtung Baby was released in 1991, I rushed straight out after school and bought it. At first I was horrified by the new sound the band had produced and friends of mine at first called it the worst load of crap of all time. I now regard this as one of the best U2 albums ever. Acrobat, once again wasn’t one of the major singles off the record but after many listens it has become one of my favorites, carrying a strong inspirational message.

5. Angel of Harlem

In 1989 I went to see the Love Comes to Town Tour that included the amazing BB King. It was there I feel in love with live music and learned about the power of music and it’s ability to touch the soul. The lyrics to this are a beautiful homage to jazz singer Billie Holiday. This was recorded at the famous Sun Studios in Memphis and the history of the studio inspired  the band to great heights with the backing of a stellar horn section.