not too fast please, it is for lower intermediate learners
The song Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2 was released in 1983.
It is one of the band’s most political songs and probably U2’s most famous song in the world. In the song, the singer adopts the point of view of a witness of The Troubles and particularly of the terrible events of January 30th 1972 in Derry in Northern Ireland.
That day, a peaceful demonstration was organised by Catholic protesters to denounce the discrimination they were victims of in Northern Ireland. The protesters were unarmed and peaceful but the British troops shot and killed 13 Catholic civil rights protesters.
This song is about The Troubles but it denounces violent wars and conflict in general. During an interview, Bono said : « this is not a rebel son. It is a song against violence. The message is that people die because of stupid political conflicts everywhere in the world and that’s not acceptable anymore. »
Bono also said about the song « We are not taking side in the Catholics and Protestants conflict, we are not accusing anyone. What we are saying is that this conflict -The Troubles- kills people, destroys families and that it needs to stop. » Unfortunately, the song did not have any real impact on the conflict in Northern Ireland. However, it raised awareness about the violence of this event and the absurdity of war.
