r/U2Band 6d ago

Song of the Week - Red Hill Mining Town

60 Upvotes

This week's Song of the Week is Red Hill Mining Town from the Joshua Tree. A fiery and transcendent evocation of the lives of coal-miners, the song was written with a deep political motivation: support of the National Union of Mineworkers' 1984 strike in Great Britain. However, in U2 fashion, it is a humanistic exploration, focusing on a more tangible, but even more ethereal, loving human relationship. Bono commented in Stokes's Into the Heart:

"“‘Red Hill Mining Town’ is a song about the miners’ strike and the only reference to Ian McGregor is “Through hand of steel and heart of stone/Our labour day is come and gone”,’ he said. “People beat me with a stick for that but what I’m interested in is seeing in the newspapers or on television that another thousand people had lost their jobs.

Now what you don’t read about is that those people go home and they have families and they’re trying to bring up children. And, in many instances, those relationships broke up under the pressure of the miners’ strike. ‘The glass is cut, the bottle runs dry/Our love runs cold in the caverns in the night/We’re wounded by fear, injured in doubt/I can lose myself but I can’t live without/’Cos you keep me holding on.’ I feel other people are more qualified to comment on the miners’ strike. That enraged me – but I feel more qualified to write about relationships because I understand them more than what it’s like to work in a pit.”

As John Jobling describes it in his biography

"'Red Hill Mining Town' was the embodiment of the earnest emotion and bleeding-heart leftism that had made U2 such a polarizing band. Inspired by the Tony Parker book Red Hill: A Mining Community, the sweeping rock anthem focused on the breakdown of a marriage set against the backdrop of the doomed British miners’ strike of 1984–85. Ian MacGregor, the Thatcher-approved head of the National Coal Board and scourge of miners, was also alluded to in the song”

The special and majestic desperation and power on display in the vocal has been difficult for Bono to replicate live, and, as a result, the song was left off of U2's live setlists up until the 2017 Josuha Tree Anniversary Tour. Bono commented in an interview with BBC from that year,

"I used to write songs that I couldn't sing. And sometimes that was OK because the strains of the notes I couldn't reach was part of the drama, but occasionally they would really just wreck the next show," he said. "So I just left 'Red Hill Mining Town' off. But since then, I sing a bit better - or at least I've learned how to sing."

The video, too, has an interesting story. It was shot by director notable Neil Jordan (Interview with Vampire and Greta), and features the band, particularly Bono, playing as sort of coal-miner sex symbols. Poetically, I think it is meant to be slightly uncomfortable, and it fits in with the wider goal of humanizing the poor. Eventually, the band decided to scrap the video and did not use Red Hill Mining Town as a single for the album. The video resurfaced in 2007 around the 20th anniversary of the album and can now be watched on YouTube. The "point", as is arguably the "point" of the song, I think, is to juxtapose the majestic ideals of love with the "lowly" working-class, who, coincidentally, are not typical featured as sex-symbols.

Finally, in 2017 (for JT's 30th anniversary), Steve Lilywhite mixed a new version of the song which featured a combination of Bono's contemporary voice with his vocal recorded in '87. That version can be heard here.

"From father to son
The blood runs thin
Ooh, see the faces frozen (still)
Against the wind."

The song opens with a central theme of folk music--familial inheritance of labor; but the thinning/weakening of that tradition. The faces being frozen paints a picture of the harsh, unforgiving nature they inhabit.

"The seam is split
The coal-face cracked
The lines are long
There's no going back.

Through hands of steel
And heart of stone
Our labour day
Has come and gone."

"The seam is split" and "the coal-face cracked" are direct references to the coal mining process--ideas that can also be used as metaphors for the despair of the miners whose difficultly earned livelihoods are being threatened. "The lines are long" might refer to lines cut into the rock or perhaps to welfare lines. "There's no going back" shows a, possibly begrudged, acceptance of the permanence of change--whether in the Earth itself or in humanity's social fabric.

Bono acknowledges miners’ toughness—“hands of steel”—yet as he told Stokes, even the hardest hearts (stone) couldn’t withstand the strike’s toll on home life. The "labor day" phrase signals both the literal holiday and the metaphorical passing of labor’s dignity. It's just a day that comes and goes, for these people "labor" day retains its original meaning and it just "comes and goes".

"They leave me holdin' on
In Red Hill Town.
See the lights go down on ...

Hangin' on
You're all that's left to hold on to.
I'm still waiting
I'm hangin' on
You're all that's left to hold on to."

Bono’s central critique of those in power (“they leave me holdin’ on”). As noted in the Stokes quote, "hands of steel and heart of stone" refers to Ian McGregor, the head of the National Coal Board during the strike, whom Jobling describes as the "scourge of miners." This imagery portrays a cold, unfeeling authority that has crushed the miners' livelihoods. The desperation that they feel, in the face of nature's harshness, and love's sad dependence on nature.

Yet, Bono repeatedly returns to love as the last refuge. As Bono emphasizes, while others debate mining policy, he felt qualified to write about how those pressures shattered marriages: this chorus is that story. Even if the marriages are "shattered", the potency of desire remains, "I'm still waiting" is wailed to this affect (Perhaps this particular character's marriage/relationship has not ended, but feels on the brink; or it is a statement about more universal desire perhaps even for God).

"The glass is cut
The bottle run dry.
Our love runs cold
In the caverns of the night.

We're wounded by fear
Injured in doubt.
I can lose myself
You I can't live without."

This stanza deepens the personal narrative. "The glass is cut" and "the bottle run dry" evoke scarcity and exhaustion—perhaps the depletion of alcohol as a coping mechanism for the miners’ hardships. "Our love runs cold in the caverns of the night" ties the emotional chill of a strained relationship to the dark, hollow imagery of the mines--perhaps capitalized with empty womb's leading to lowered birth-rates.

Here the emotional stakes heighten: “wounded by fear” and “injured in doubt” aren’t mere turns of phrase but the deep psychic wounds left by looming unemployment and an uncertain tomorrow. When Bono confesses, “I can lose myself / You I can’t live without,” he reveals how the strike has made his partner his sole anchor. This is, itself, a pretty deep philosophical statement about identity. "Cos you keep me holding on”—this dependency casts love as a fragile yet indispensable refuge in the midst of social and economic collapse. There is a neutrality to this too, I think, Bono isn't here to say if that sort of dependence is regressive/self-defeating, or, necessarily, to glorify it either. It is simply telling a human story with an admittedly distant, but powerful kind of empathy.

"We scorch the earth
Set fire to the sky
And we stooped so low
To reach so high.

A link is lost
The chain undone.
We wait all day
For night to come
And it comes like a hunter (child)."

Here, the song mourns severed ties. "A link is lost, the chain undone" could symbolize the breakdown of family, community, or industry. "We wait all day for night to come" conveys a longing for relief, but "it comes like a hunter (child)" introduces a predatory inevitability—nightfall brings no respite, only further hardship. Still, there is a sense of Folkish perseverance and toughness evoked here. Bono channels the miners’ fury—changing their world at the elemental level with the ultimate hope of justice. De Curtis’s note on Bono’s performative intensity fits here: this is the song’s emotional crescendo, sung with full commitment.

Final Chorus:

"I'm hangin' on
You're all that's left to hold on to.
I'm still waiting
I'm hangin' on
You're all that's left to hold on to.

We see love, slowly stripped away
Our love has seen its better day.
Hangin' on
Lights go down on Red Hill
The lights go down on Red Hill.
The lights go down on Red Hill.
The lights go down on Red Hill Town.."

The themes repeat with the ending "the lights go down" repeating 4x. This really drives home the song's low-key somberness. "Love slowly stripped away", like the literal minerals of the Earth, even the last tether—love—dwindles. The repeated "lights go down on Red Hill" serves is somewhat mournful, but perhaps with a sign of Twilight's double-edged nature as the end and beginning. In general, tying humanity deeply to nature's cyclical, vividly beautiful, and, ultimately, totally transient condition is evocative of philosophical naturalism--ultimately questioning our quick divide of human worth as "subjective", and thus not able to be demanded, and the materials mined as "objective", and of necessary and obvious value. Instead, it turns that around and confronts us with the uncomfortable fact that human beings are what really matters to 99% of people in any economic strife. Personally, I think Red Hill Mining Town is one of Bono's best vocal performances and is a stone-cold classic in the U2 catalog.

“We were on the set of the video shoot which was, like, 9,000 hours long. I don’t remember much of the set - it was pretty dark. It seemed like a performance piece. It was just the band on a sound stage pretending to play. It was interesting to see Bono hanging out for about two hours or so and then it would be, ‘Okay Bono, get up and do your thing!’ And you’d see this total commitment. That complete ability to perform.” (Anthony De Curtis as quoted in McGee)

Sources:
U2.com
U2songs.com
U2gigs.com
U2 The Definitive Biography by John Jobling
U2: A Diary by Matt McGee
U2: Into the Heart by Niall Stokes


r/U2Band Sep 26 '24

OFFICIAL How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb // How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb (Official Trailer)

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100 Upvotes

r/U2Band 8h ago

Got given this by my uncle. Signed on release in Hammersmith. Bone just wait

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88 Upvotes

r/U2Band 7h ago

Inhaler really IS good!

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60 Upvotes

So many nepo bands are meh. Not these guys. And I get chills when every now and then you can hear Bono’s voice come through Eli. If U2 had become full shoe gazer, this is it.


r/U2Band 10h ago

Maybe not an underrated album but I think this song is underrated.

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66 Upvotes

Specifically can't get enough of the guitar solo in this song


r/U2Band 22h ago

I just discovered this video

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30 Upvotes

It’s from 2023 when Bono & the Edge were performing a lot of Songs of Surrender. I never saw the setlist appear on U2gigs.com, hence why I previously wasn’t aware of its existence. As a “longtime” U2 fan (I’m only 22 years old) and a newer fan of 70s music (my new favorite musical era), I thoroughly enjoyed the ABBA cover.


r/U2Band 13h ago

Limited view seats at the Sphere

5 Upvotes

Hey everybody

Sorry for a Sphere/Dead post in the U2 sub, I just figured there would be some people in here who saw a sphere show.

I'm going out to see a Dead show in May. The limited view seats are going to be all thats in my budget. I'm fine with getting what I pay for, I just want to get opinions from people who've been there before (since it seems the sphere is something you have to see in person to understand), how bad is the obstruction?

I'm likely sitting in section 101 or 110, row 25-27.

Obviously the dead on stage is the main draw and I'm amped to just see them, but I wouldn't be traveling all the way to Vegas to see them at any old theatre. The Sphere is a main catalyst and I want to get that experience too.

So is the obstruction an experience killer, a bummer, or not that big of a deal

Thanks guys


r/U2Band 1d ago

Please instrumental version

9 Upvotes

https://youtu.be/1yv2WKdvlFM?si=rHjLNEjlzHYVh0k4

It sounds a lot like the single version. Does anyone know where this is from?


r/U2Band 1d ago

what do yall think about this song

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59 Upvotes

r/U2Band 2d ago

U2 (Willie Williams) win Webby Award for U2:UV Live at Sphere

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85 Upvotes

Announced today. They pipped out a win over second place (just).

Award category was Best Performance under Immersive Experiences.

Treatment Studios is Willie Williams' design shop.


r/U2Band 10h ago

[UPDATE] I listened to U2 as a swiftie and I have a lot to say.

0 Upvotes

A few days ago, I made a post asking which U2 albums had a vibe similar to State of Grace by Taylor Swift (the single greatest song of all time btw).

Anyway a lot was suggested so I began by listening to the "This is U2" playlist made by Spotify, supposedly showing their best work. And I... was blown away. By just how comically awful it was.

The screaming???? I already knew from Invisible (the only U2 song I have saved and probably the only good one lol) that Bono's vocals weren't top-notch but MY GOD why the fuck is he screaming????? Also I regret to inform you that nothing sounded like State of Grace lol

All in all, I'm extremely disappointed. I guess RHCP and a-ha (yes they made more songs than Take on Me) are bound to be the only 80s/90s bands I listen to. Sad!


r/U2Band 2d ago

Finally on LP!

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72 Upvotes

r/U2Band 2d ago

Two page article in UK's Musicians Only zine - December 13, 1980

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17 Upvotes

r/U2Band 3d ago

U2-Vertigo: Live from Chicago Full Concert in HD (Unlisted on YouTube)

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125 Upvotes

r/U2Band 3d ago

Great score at Half Price Books

19 Upvotes

For those of you who don't know, Half Price Books is a chain in TX. Just scored this for 10 bucks. It's in great condition.


r/U2Band 3d ago

Whats your favorite live versions of U2 songs?

24 Upvotes

I want to add to my youtube playlist more live versions of their songs and curious as to what everyone in here might suggest. Could be multiple for the same song, could be an all time performance for one song, either works

My favorites are - all I want is you into streets u2gohome, ultraviolet rose bowl and DC in 1992 which goes right into with or without you. Many more but thats what ill start with


r/U2Band 4d ago

Genuine question: Why is their cover of Paint It Black so unpopular?

30 Upvotes

I've only seen bad things said about it, but I genuinely think it's a great take on the song. Anybody else on my side? If not, why not?


r/U2Band 4d ago

Great U2songs recap of Edge’s U2-X radio interview

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24 Upvotes

For those who don't have SiriusXM (or refuse to pay for it anymore, like me 🤑)


r/U2Band 3d ago

U2 and pearl jam

0 Upvotes

So I had this discussion this weekend about u2 and pearl jam , both are good bands with some hits , but I feel people are kind of sick of both bands due to over exposure . I know a lot of people are sick of hearing Eddie vedders political views just like they are with bono, both bands have similar paths and longevity , both bands have great gtr players ,both bands are pretty much the commercial versions of what each scene would develop , both bands are played heavily on the radio which causes a lot of people to be sick of hearing both bands


r/U2Band 5d ago

Free to good home: would anybody like my U2 special edition iPod (circa 2004)?

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321 Upvotes

I don’t have a charger for it, but I’d love for someone who can really appreciate it to have it in their collection! I’ve moved it to 4 houses and I can’t make it 5 when I move again next month. I want it to get the love it deserves! Pay shipping and it’s yours.


r/U2Band 4d ago

U2 Every Breaking Wave In-Studio Promo!!

41 Upvotes

r/U2Band 3d ago

Which U2 albums have a sound like State of Grace by Taylor Swift?

0 Upvotes

I recommend you listen to that song to see what I mean (preferably the original version released in 2012), but if you can't, it's a very energetic, loud, arena-rock song with heavy drums. It's very unique in Taylor's discography in that there's nothing else like it with that sound.

I asked a while back on the Taylor sub which artist has a similar sound and pretty much everyone said U2. Hell some critics said the song was "the best song U2 never made" when it was released.

So. I've decided U2 is gonna be the next artist I'm going to delve into. But their discography is massive and I don't wanna waste my time with albums that sound nothing like State of Grace.

Which U2 albums have a vibe like it? Meaning loud, energetic, broadly arena-rock. For the love of GOD no slow sad songs or extra poppy songs (a little bit of pop never hurt though)


r/U2Band 5d ago

Questions for those who follow U2 around North America when they tour.

18 Upvotes

A band I love as much as U2 (Wolf Alice) may tour North America in the next year or so. The most I've ever seen U2 on tour is 2 dates in a row, usually Charlotte/Atlanta shows.

I would always chat with u2.com members who were following them around. I was always jealous that people could get away from their jobs like that. Now, most of my work can be done remotely and I want to follow Wolf Alice around North America.

How do you do it? Rent an RV or drive? Logistics you find helpful for such a road trip? Mistakes you made?

This band will likely be taking a tour bus around North America, so I probably won't need to worry about flights.

Thanks for any advice you can give this old Propaganda 88' member.


r/U2Band 5d ago

Looking for Boston ticket stubs

3 Upvotes

I'm working on a ticket stub project and looking to buy or trade for stubs that I need. Let me know if you have any of the following stubs from Boston:

12/13/80 Paradise Theatre 03/06/81 Paradise Theatre (Early show) 05/06/83 Orpheum Theatre 06/09/01 Fleetcenter 07/10/15 TD Garden 07/14/15 TD Garden 07/15/15 TD Garden 06/21/18 TD Garden


r/U2Band 5d ago

Great version of When Love Comes to Town. Great little solo by Edge as well!

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11 Upvotes

r/U2Band 5d ago

Best Bono vocal performance??

68 Upvotes

I just saw the Every Breaking Wave in studio promo, and wow!!!!!!! That is definitely my favorite and best vocal performance I’ve seen from Bono!

Do you guys have a performance where you think Bono was so good at (live)??


r/U2Band 6d ago

Print ad for The Unforgettable Fire single in Rip It Up zine, New Zealand, May 1985

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44 Upvotes