Red Flag Day
by U2

Album: Songs of Experience (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Both this song and "Summer of Love" reference the Syrian conflict which fueled Europe's devastating refugee crisis. Bono told Mojo the two tracks "have a similar theme about people running for their lives on the same Mediterranean that we're running through the shallows."
  • U2 had been aiming to get Songs Of Experience out by the end of 2016, but then Brexit and the American elections threw a completely different light on everything, giving previously rejected tracks a new importance. The Edge told The Sun regarding this urgent tune: "It was originally in the pile of songs that didn't make the record but, at beginning of this year, we made it a priority because there was something very powerful in it."
  • Both this song and "Summer of Love" were inspired in part by Bono and Edge's holiday homes in the Bay of Eze area of the South of France. Bono explained to Q magazine: "Just knowing where you're having your vacation that on the same sea people are fighting for their lives, attaching themselves to bits of wood and rubber tyres."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Don Felder

Don FelderSongwriter Interviews

Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.