30 Legendary U2 Trivia Questions and Answers
1Who posted the bulletin board ad that led to the formation of U2?
2What was U2 originally called?
3Where did The Edge get his nickname?
4In which song does Bono sing: "On a bed of nails she makes me wait"?
5Where did Bono get his nickname?
6Which opening act on The Joshua Tree tour was actually U2 dressed as hillbillies?
7What was U2's first platinum record?
8In what city did U2 play their first American concert in 1980?
9Which U2 album was also made into a full-length documentary movie of the same name?
10Which song did U2 perform as a duet with Luciano Pavarotti?
11On the cover of the "Pop" album, which band member's face is set on a red square?
12Which city is named in U2's 1993 song "Stay (Faraway, So Close)"?
13To which movie did U2 contribute the song "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me"?
14What was the first U2 album not recorded entirely at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin?
15Which member started U2 by posting a notice seeking musicians?
16About how much did the PopMart tour by U2 cost every day around the world?
17In the movie "Rattle and Hum," who says, "Music can get so boring and so predictable"?
18Who did U2 write the song "Love Rescue Me" with?
19Which song did U2 write in response to the Bloody Sunday massacre in Northern Ireland?
20Which song from Achtung Baby was almost left off the album but became one of U2's biggest hits?
21Which U2 album featured a photo of a young boy on the cover?
22What was U2's first #1 album in the United States?
23Which U2 tour featured a massive lemon-shaped disco ball?
24Which U2 music video was filmed on a rooftop in Los Angeles, causing traffic disruptions?
25Which U2 album was released for free on iTunes in 2014, sparking controversy?
26What year was U2 inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
27Which U2 song was used as the official theme for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign?
28Which U2 song features the lyric: "Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief"?
29Which U2 album was produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois and marked a major shift in their sound?
30Which U2 song holds the record for the longest-charting single on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart?
Answer Key
- 1. Larry Mullen Jr.In 1976, 14-year-old Larry Mullen Jr. posted a notice on his school's bulletin board seeking musicians to form a band, which eventually became U2.
- 2. FeedbackThe band initially named themselves "Feedback" before later changing to "The Hype" and finally settling on "U2".
- 3. From his sharp facial features and analytical mindThe nickname "The Edge" was inspired by his sharp facial features and his tendency to observe situations from the edge.
- 4. "With or Without You"These lyrics come from U2's hit song "With or Without You" from the album The Joshua Tree.
- 5. From a hearing aid shop in DublinBono’s nickname is derived from "Bono Vox," a Latin phrase meaning "good voice," which was also the name of a hearing aid shop in Dublin.
- 6. The Dalton BrothersU2 performed as their own opening act under the pseudonym "The Dalton Brothers," adopting hillbilly personas during The Joshua Tree tour.
- 7. "The Unforgettable Fire"Released in 1984, The Unforgettable Fire became U2’s first album to achieve platinum status.
- 8. New YorkU2's first American show took place at The Ritz in New York City on December 6, 1980.
- 9. "Rattle and Hum"Rattle and Hum is both a U2 album and a documentary film that captures the band's experiences during The Joshua Tree tour.
- 10. "Miss Sarajevo"The song "Miss Sarajevo" features vocals by Bono and the renowned Luciano Pavarotti.
- 11. The EdgeThe Edge’s face appears in a red square on the cover of U2’s Pop album.
- 12. BerlinThe song "Stay (Faraway, So Close)" references Berlin among other cities.
- 13. Batman ForeverU2's song "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" is featured on the Batman Forever soundtrack.
- 14. "The Unforgettable Fire"Parts of The Unforgettable Fire were recorded at Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland.
- 15. Larry Mullen Jr.Larry Mullen Jr. initiated the formation of U2 by posting a notice at Mount Temple Comprehensive School.
- 16. $250,000The PopMart tour incurred daily expenses of approximately $250,000.
- 17. The EdgeIn Rattle and Hum, The Edge remarks, "Music can get so boring and so predictable."
- 18. Bob DylanThe song "Love Rescue Me" was co-written by Bob Dylan and U2.
- 19. "Sunday Bloody Sunday"The song "Sunday Bloody Sunday" was inspired by the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972 in Northern Ireland.
- 20. "One"The song "One" was nearly cut from Achtung Baby but ended up becoming one of U2’s most famous tracks.
- 21. BoyU2's debut album, Boy, features a photo of a young boy, Peter Rowen, on the cover.
- 22. "The Joshua Tree"Released in 1987, The Joshua Tree was U2’s first album to reach #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
- 23. PopMart TourThe PopMart Tour was known for its giant lemon-shaped disco ball, which was part of the elaborate stage design.
- 24. "Where the Streets Have No Name"The music video for "Where the Streets Have No Name" was filmed on a rooftop in Los Angeles, drawing a massive crowd and disrupting traffic.
- 25. Songs of InnocenceIn 2014, U2 released Songs of Innocence for free on iTunes, which led to backlash from users who didn’t consent to the download.
- 26. 2005U2 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
- 27. "City of Blinding Lights"The song "City of Blinding Lights" became associated with Barack Obama’s campaign, as it was frequently used at rallies.
- 28. "The Fly"These lyrics appear in the song "The Fly", from the album Achtung Baby.
- 29. "The Unforgettable Fire"Produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, The Unforgettable Fire marked a major sonic shift for U2.
- 30. "Mysterious Ways"Released in 1991 on Achtung Baby, "Mysterious Ways" spent 29 weeks on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, the longest-charting U2 single in that category.
