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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

The lyrics were inspired by Bono's experience with Jubilee 2000, a benefit urging politicians to drop the Third World Debt.

This is about a man who loses his material things and feels better because he realizes the value of what he has.

U2 wrote this in stages. It changed drastically when Bono came up with the "Beautiful Day" lyric and the idea for the backing vocals.

This was featured in television coverage of the 2000 Olympics from Australia. It was used in a nightly video recap called "Images Of The Games." NBC made a donation to The Special Olympics in exchange for the rights to use it.

This was one of the first major releases made available for download. Fans could stream the song from U2.com before it was released.

A live performance was taped for British TV show Top Of The Pops on the rooftop of a hotel in Ireland that Bono and The Edge own. They also taped a performance of "Elevation" that day.

This evolved out of a punk rock song they were working on called "Always," which was used as the B-side to "Beautiful Day." "Always" was included on a 2002 album of U2 rarities called U2 7. The album was distributed through Target stores.

The video was first shown at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sep. 7, 2000.

In England, this went to #1 its first week. It beat out a duet by Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue which was expected to claim the top spot.

This was the first track and first single on All That You Can't Leave Behind. The album did much better than their previous one, Pop, released in 1997.

When this went to #1 in the UK, Bono told BBC Radio One: "This tastes very sweet. You think to yourself, you're a rock band, you don't need the pop charts, but you do need the pop charts. Singles are what makes rock sharp, and we've not been great at singles. I can't tell you how excited we feel, we've been around for a while and to hear this song on the radio, it feels very special." (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

This won 2000 Grammys for Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year, and Best Rock Performance By Duo Or Group. The album was released after the 2000 cutoff date and was not eligible for awards, but this was because it was released as a single before the date. The next year, U2 won 4 more Grammys.

When accepting the Grammy awards for this, The Edge wore a jersey with the number 3 as a tribute to Dale Earnhardt, a race car driver who died the weekend earlier in the Daytona 500.

U2 performed this at halftime of the 2002 Super Bowl after it won an online poll, beating out "Desire," "Pride" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Unlike the year before, when Aerosmith was joined by Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly, U2 had the halftime show to themselves.

Clips of this song are used as the theme music for The Premiership, a weekly TV show in the UK which shows that covers all the English Permier League football (soccer) games. (thanks, Andy - Halifax, England)

This song was played at the end of a Smallville episode entitled "Nicodemus," where Clark takes Lana up on the windmill and shows her the Metropolis horizon line. (thanks, Dawson - Draper, UT)

Kurt Nilsen from Norway won the 2003 World Idol competition singing this song. World Idol brought together winners for the Idol competitions in various countries to compete against each other. 2003 was the only year it took place, and Nilsen beat 10 other contestants, including Kelly Clarkson, who placed second. (thanks, Christer - Jessheim, Norway)

Comments:

This song is also used on Bandits,a cool movie,that give me notice too - don't throw the golds in our hands,to catch another to advant- khanif,pekalongan-indonesia

One of the greatest songs of all time. period.
- Dana, Coventry, RI

It's transcendental. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "Give me health and a day!"
- Rob, Los Angeles, CA

Isn't life all about a Beautiful Day!!! A new start, a new beginning. That's what Father God gave all of us in Jesus Christ. A new start : A Beautiful day, don't let it get away like the lyrics said! Jesus Christ is Alive....... Halleluja. Thxs Bono you also expierienced just that! I hear the message right through your music!!
- Francois, Bloemfontein, South Africa

This song is absolutely amazing! It keeps me optimistic!!!!! Go U2!!!!!!
- Dora, Doha, Qatar

This is my favorite song in the whole world. During the Vertigo Tour in Mexico (February 2006), U2 changed part of the lyrics: See the world in red and green Mexico city in a waking dream From Guadalajara to Monterrey Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco Bay A new world is in motion From the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean See Cancun with a leaf in her mouth… After the flood all the colours came out… I was in the Azteca Stadium and that was a very nice surprise.
- Jose, Guadalajara, Mexico

This makes me think as an optimist. It makes me "wake up" and helps me to stop worrying about the little things in life. I look around and see beauty everywhere.
- Summer, Nashville, TN

Very interesting interview with Springsteen in Time magazine from 1975, where he disparages writing about "a beautiful day" http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,913583-8,00.html. I wonder if Bono read this article?
- simonj, Melbourne, Australia

i love this song it is so beautiful and i 've heard nothing like it U2 is amazing and Bono seems like a wonderful ,caring person! This song always makes me happy and be thankful for what i have! peace
- emma, San Deigo, CA

U2 and greenday got together for the Super bowl after Hurricane Katrina and U2 sand Beautiful Day along with greenday singing The Saints are Coming.
- emma, San Deigo, CA

This song really makes me think about how life is beautiful, and even when it's been a really bad day, there's still oppurtunities and hope.
- Dani, Fuquay Varina, NC

Materialism can be shot full of holes, tossed in a ditch, and left to rot for all I care. Actually, that would be nice... *goes off to murder tycoons*
- Matthew, Milford, MA

this song is about coming out of a period of chaos and depression, and realizing the beauty all around in nature. the crucial line is the one which references the story of Noah. The tie-in with Noah is symbolic - the flood is the period of depression but "see the bird with the leaf in her mouth, after the flood all the colors came out." The song captures that moment, like the rainbow after the flood, when one sees the world in a totally different light. Amazing song!
- A.C., Auckland, New Zealand

I like this song alot. It is a very happy song. I feel good every time I hear it.
- danleichty, rochester, MN

I believe they used this song in the WWE when they did lil segments on different wrestlers' lives each week on Raw and Smackdown. One of the wrestlers was Triple H
- Wesley, Oklahoma City, OK

I'm not a huge fan of U2, but this song always makes me stop and think. I always seem to hear it on the radio when I'm driving, and no matter what kind of day it is... rainy, snowy, gloomy or sunny, it makes me reflect on how it really is a beautiful day. Even when things aren't what we want them to be, each day is special. I can be a pretty cynical person at times, but this song brings out the optimist in me.
- Amy, Fond du Lac, WI

I have lost several aunts and uncles over the past 5 years, as well as a cousin recently. Each time, the funeral was held on a bright sunny day. Standing in the cemetary as we prepare to depart, to say goodbye to that person's physical presence for the last time, I have been reminded of this song, how 'it's a beautiful day, don't let it get away.' Each time I hear it, also, I am reminded of these special people and how they impacted me, and how I should really take advantage of each day, as it is a beautiful day.
- Joe, Grove City, OH

One of U2's greastest ever!
- Sean, Lake Charles, LA

My friend & her husband played this song at their wedding (???) I love U2 but this is NOT a wedding song.
- Kelly, Middle Village, NY

I really like this song too, Sanctus Real does a really good cover of this, a little heavier, and faster, you should check it out ;)
- Joel, Nottawa, Canada

Materialism sucks!!! Rock on U2!
- Rick, humboldt, IA

Go Victor!
- Johnny, Los Angeles, CA

U2 is the most talented bunch of guys in the history of music. Their lyrics and music are always just so amazing. God gave these dudes a gift, and that's why they're my favorite band. This song is no exception. My favorite parts are when he's describing things ("See the world in green and blue") and near the end ("What you don't have, you don't need it now").
- Grace, Fairfax Station, VA

My favourite song ever Try climbin a mountain with this on repeat :)
- Declan, Liverpool, England

I was a U2 gig in Dublin rcently and this song absouloutley rocked
- Ger, Camross, Ireland

This is actually one of my fav songs the other being queen-hammer to fall, the link being that both songs are actualy about the end of the world not seeing the beauty of life it about the beauty after all life is gone.
- Gary, bangor, Other

This song has convinced me to get rid of my material things, and I am starting little by little to enjoy life more and more.
- Victor, Vienna, VA

I forgot the year, but WWE used this song for different wrestlers who talked about their lives and struggles
- Wesley, Midwest City, OK

During the Grammy's, Bono mentioned in a very brief interview that the lines starting with, "See the world in green and blue" were all descriptions of images that were visible from outer space. "See China right in front of you / See the canyons broken by cloud" etc. Hence, signifying - feeling down, so step back and see the bigger picture? Something like that....
- Aziz Valika, Chicago, IL

Those particular lyrics, at least, are a reference to the Flood...I'm not sure the whole song is, though.
- Billy, Pittsburgh, PA

I think that this song is a referance to Noah and the Great Flood. The lyrics - "See the bird with the leaf in her mouth, after the flood all the colors came out". It was definately a Beautiful Day
- Zach, Horn Lake, MS

Inspired by a friend of Bono who survived cancer and realized the beauty of life and the need to enjoy every minute of it.
- RAJA, Austin, TX

Love it. Absolutely love it!
- Ashley, St. Paul, MN