Sunday Bloody Sunday

Media Review:

Review: Sunday Bloody Sunday [7"]

2 1/2 stars (out of 5)

By JT Griffith, All Music Guide

This single is U2's third from the band's 1983 album War. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" is arguably their most political song and has been used to align the band with many causes, from Irish independence to the anti-war movement in Sarajevo. It was during "Under a Blood Red Sky" that Bono declared this song to not be a "rebel song." That comment is strange because, though it does not advocate violence, it is one of the most famous and moving rebel songs ever written. U2 released five distinct versions of "New Year's Day," four of "Two Hearts," and now five more of "Sunday Bloody Sunday." It is not clear why the band of the label decided to authorize so many variations. U2 to this point had a spotty record for value; some releases had a lot of rare tracks. But many more had unessential remixes and insulting combinations of LP tracks and one extra song. The singles for "Sunday Bloody Sunday" are equally mixed. The 7" version has the title track and the good B-side "Endless Deep." It was released only in the Netherlands and Germany. The "Sunday Bloody Sunday" single was released on CD.

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