Scarlet
by U2

Album: October (1981)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This spartan song from U2's second album, October, is largely instrumental save for Bono singing the word "Rejoice." They couldn't use that title because there is a a different song on the album called "Rejoice".
  • This was Inspired by an album of Gregorian Chants that U2's manager, Paul McGuiness, gave to Bono.
  • "Scarlet" was going to be the title track of the album, until they decided to go with October.
  • The Edge played the piano on this track. Steve Lillywhite produced it.
  • U2 didn't play this at any of their concerts until 2010, when they put it on the setlist to their 360° tour.

Comments: 2

  • Steve from Torrance, CaBono, from the book "Touch the Flame": "A lot of people found the October album hard to accept at first. I mean, I used the word "rejoice" precisely because I knew that people have a mental block against it. It's a powerful word, it's lovely to say. It's implying more than "get up and dance, baby.""
  • Jeremy from Hopedale, MaThe only lyric in this song is "Rejoice".
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.