Ahimsa
by U2

Album: Single release only (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Ahimsa" is the Sanskrit word for the absence of desire to indulge in any sort of violence. This meditative peace anthem was released by U2 on November 22, 2019 ahead of playing their first ever show in India.
  • The song is a collaboration with Indian musician and composer AR Rahman, who is best known to Western audiences for 2009's "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)," which won him an Academy Award for best original song.
  • Rahman explained the track's call for peace in an interview with Rolling Stone.

    "The concept of 'ahimsa' or non-violence - it's Indian, it's South Asian, it's Buddhist... and sometimes we have to remind people about love, about ahimsa," he said. "It takes a lot of courage to be nonviolent. It takes a lot of power. It's not a weakness, it's more power than showing might; it's going beyond that, believing in something else which is not present... something that's only in your spirit."
  • U2 played "Ahimsa" live for the first time during their December 15, 2019 gig at Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium in India. The Irish rockers were joined on stage for the performance by A.R. Rahman, his daughters, Khatija and Raheema, and singer-songwriter Rianjali Bhowmick.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.