City Of Blinding Lights
by U2

Album: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (2004)
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Songfacts®:

  • U2 wrote this while touring after the September 11 terrorist attacks on America. The band played in New York a few days later and Bono remembered seeing a bunch of blinding lights after they performed "Where The Streets Have No Name." The line "Oh you look so beautiful tonight" its about Bono looking at all the people. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Fernando - Mexico City, Mexico
  • The video for this song was shot in Vancouver, Canada while U2 was kicking off the first leg of their Vertigo tour. It's not actual concert footage from one of the tour dates, but rather an impromptu chance for fans to join in as extras in a U2 video as concert goers. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Danielle - Toronto, Canada
  • This won U2 a Grammy in the Best Rock Song category. How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb won a Grammy for Best Rock Album. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • "The first verse is in London and the chorus is in New York," Bono explains in the book U2 by U2. "The thing I had in mind was my first trip to London with [wife] Ali when we were teenagers, on the ferry and the train, walking into Piccadilly Circus and up Wardour Street and just discovering what a big city could offer you and what it could take away. And then, of course, New York, the scene in Madison Square Garden during the Elevation tour, where the lights came on and eighteen thousand New Yorkers were in tears, jumping up and down, and I shouted out to them, 'Oh, you look so beautiful tonight.' It is such a naive and innocent line. That's what this song is about, remembering those times. I miss you when you're not around. It's not necessarily a curse, it's that part of us that is missing. It's about recapturing a sense of wonder, being in a city, and reminding yourself that you don't have to lose your soul to gain the world."
  • Bono: "The song ends with the line 'blessings are not just for the ones who kneel, luckily.' I thank God on a daily basis for endless amounts of grace and covering the cracks that I would have fallen through."

Comments: 17

  • Jim from Long Beach, CaThis is the last great U2 disc, I dont know what happened to No Line on The Horizon, I guess every one is entitled to a bomb..Great band and gotta love Bono...
  • Dan from Atlanta, GaU2 performed this song to close an episode of Entourage. The boys went to see the band in concert at The Staples Center in LA. At the end of the song Bono gives a Happy Birthday to Kevin Dillon's character,

    "Hey Johnny Drama! Feliz Cumpleanos!"

    The band then breaks into Vertigo and the episode goes to the closing credits. I, of course, thoroughly enjpoyed it.
  • Matthew from Milford, MaOh, you look so beautiful tonight,

    In the cityyyyyyyy of blinding lights!
  • Melissa from Newtown, Pasuch a pretty song!
  • Peter from Staten Island, NyFavorite song on the album. This song is beautiful in everyway you look at. Great chorus, makes you want to go faster in the car when driving
  • Maksim from Murmansk, EuropeThis song has been used as a soundtrack for "Devil wears Prada" for the scenes of glamorous Paris & the Valentino's new collection ramp walk.
  • John from Boston, MaBest of You is alright, but this one is better. This is my personal favorite off of "Atomic Bomb". Just a beautiful, soaring song.
  • Joshua from Twin Cities, MnThis song appears in an ESPN spot promoting their coverage of the 2006 World Cup soccer tournament. The spot also features a spoken voice-over by Bono.
  • Alex from Madrid, SpainGrammy for best rock song...Best of you from Foo Fighters is much much better song than this one.
    I must say I´m a U2 fan.
  • Clarissa from Dallas, TxU2 made an excellent choice opening their concerts with City of blinding lights. It just sounds awesome that way. I love it
  • Matthew Doroshow from Philadelphia, PaI saw them open with this song three times on the most recent tour- amazing lighting- and a song that is truly even better live then on the cd.
  • Dan from Lee, NhThis was great opening song for U2 on their Vertigo tour.
  • Ellen from Wm, NjAfter reading an interview with Bono, he said that on the Elevation Tour after 9/11 in New York, it was a very emotional experience for them when it opened up. And Bono said that as he was looking at the people in the bright lights of the stage, he just screamed out "oh you look so beautiful tonight"
    And with that, City of Blinding Lights was formed.
  • Danielle from Toronto, CanadaAs an avid U2 fan, I must say that I personally think HTDAAB is one of their best albums yet. I was at one of their concert dates for the Vertigo tour and it was amazing, they opened with ?City of Blinding Lights? No band performs live like these guys!
  • Rick from Humboldt, Iabest song on htdaab! by far. what an incredible album!
  • Leon from Waterbury, CtFantastic video. I agree with Lawrence; the lighting is great.
  • Lawrence from Singapore, SingaporeNice video, I love the lighting.
see more comments

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