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U2 has influenced and done a lot for music over the past 28 years. But I don't know what's funnier how you all are arguing over who U2 influenced or was influenced by or the fact that they said their 3rd album was made in 1883...LOL!!

Like U2 better than Radiohead.Because of them and other bands we have the sounds that we have today with bands such as COLDPLAY and RADIOHEAD!How can you compare an iconic 28 year old band with someone else then tell me that they stole music sounds from who knows who?It is the same as saying that Paul McCartney stole some of his music from another singer or some of the similar sound or some insipiration.

i can see U2 being an influence to these bands but u2 'pretenders'? I'm sure all of the said bands tried to find their own osund and frankly I think Radiohead has surpassed u2 in their overall quality of music.

"I only wish Bono took a hint from Michael Hutchence and snuffed it already.
Pretentious a=h0le with a messiah complex"

Is there any need to bring the late, great Michael Hutchence into this? Radiohead, Gods???? Puhleeze....

ALL THE BANDS AFTER THE 90S ARE BASED IN SOME GREAT BAND EITHER U2, THE BEATLES OR DEPECHE MODE, SO IM NOT SURPRISED OR EVEN MAD ABOUT, THIS MEAN THEY ARE GREAT AND EVERYONE WANTS TO BE GREAT.
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Well, it doesn't matter, because in all reality, U2 is garbage and Bono is an idiot.

I just vomited at the idea that Radiohead ripped off U2.

U2 has never done anything NEARLY as edgy as Radiohead. Not even close.

U2 is a pretentious band that hasnt had a quality record in ten years and still 28 years later really really wishes they could be as cool as the clash.

Radiohead U2. Thom Yorke is the winner.

in response to cateringbyvictor, Sing a Mean Tune Kid has one of the greatest funk guitar riffs in a song. Early Chicago and Terry Kath is where its at. King Crimson are in my top 5 for sure though. The only band on here I really connect with at all is Radiohead, because all of their music is layered with otherworldly instrumentation and Thom Yorke is a fantastic lyricist. And I think the fact that a band, like U2, has lasted so long and are still making tons of money, makes them much less musically talented than incredibly greedy. As history has shown, the best bands go out with a bang. I think South Park did U2 and Bono best.

Since Coldplay has admitted that they want to be the next U2, it's not a shock to see them listed as a U2 clone.

And before I come off as a U2 basher, I believe in their prime, circa the early 1980s, they were perfect and capable of many different styles. U2 of the mid-nineties and beyond have brought nothing new to the table. And being mentioned in the same breath as Zeppelin or the Stones? Maybe the same fart. Musically, Rory Gallagher and Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy are the best two things to come out of Ireland.

As to the Killers, I agree completely. I saw the Killers in Houston about a year ago and about half way during the show (which was very good by the way) I told my wife that they remind me of U2.

wkalish1982:

I agree that U2 haven't made a quality record in 20 years and wish they were half as cool as the Clash.

Of course, Radiohead have never made a quality record, and wish they were half as cool as U2...

And Is "edgy" supposed to mean "good"?

"Radiohead U2. Thom Yorke is the winner."

I think you meant "whiner".

are you kidding me beyer? OK Computer alone murders the best possible U2 compilation you could ever put together. The instumentation is better the vocal performance is better the entire thing is just a superior experience. Radiohead continues to do things that very few bands have had the gaul to attempt. Meanwhile U2 peddles garbage like Stuck In A Moment...

The Killers: Pop Glam Rock

Radiohead: was Anthem Rock but now Art Rock

Coldplay: safe mainstream Pop Rock

U2: Pop Rock with an edge (no pun intended)

The Killers = their main difference with U2 was that they entered the scene on such a world stage with "Somebody..." and "Mr. B" but they never took themselves too seriously as the music was always put first. They immediately gave credit to Bowie and U2 etc. for their musical influences. U2 wasn't really pressured to reveal their musical influences after the release of their first three albums (although they referenced Joy Division, Blondie, Television, Ramones and Patty Smith to name a few). It wasn't until after Bono leaped off the stage at Live Aid and even after Joshua Tree that the world started to pay attention more to U2.

Radiohead = very serious about their music and very daring when it comes to creating new sounds, they constantly try to out do their previous work

Coldplay = very safe with their mainstream sound, not as daring as most rock bands as far as creating new sounds but reach a broad audience by being safe with their Pop Rock sound

U2 = try to walk the fine line between "bold and daring" with new sounds (The Edge) and safe with mainstream pop themes (Bono), over time they've proven they can maintain this balance ie. "Out Of Control" on Boy has just as much rock and roll energy as "Vertigo" on Atomic Bomb.

A short list of U2's "Popular Songs" from their studio alubms:

Boy: I Will Follow, Out of Control
October: Gloria
War: Sunday, New Year's Day
Unforgettable: Pride, Bad, A Sort Of Homecoming
Joshua: Streets, Haven't Found, With Or Without You
Rattle: Helter, Desire, Angel Of Harlem, When Love Comes to Town, All I Want
Achtung: The Fly, Mysterious Ways, One, Even Better, Until The End
Zooropa: Lemon, Numb, Stay (Far Away, So Close)
Pop: Discotheque, Please, Staring At The Sun
Behind: Elevation, Beautiful Day, Walk On
Atomic Bomb: Vertigo, City Of Blinding Lights

32 popular songs in ~28 years (not including soundtrack work and other single releases)...think about that.

It's strange to put Radiohead in there because they're more art rock. I could understand if you said Radiohead was like Pink Floyd or R.E.M. And All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000) definitely borrower some production ideas from The Bends (1995).

If I hear anyone bashing U2; Just watchOUT..An angry Ethiopian here

now now kids, let us all get along......U2 is hot, Radiohead is hot, and Coldplay is hot.....I like them all, regardless of their intentions or roots, after all it beats the crap that passed for rock in the 70s and r&b in the 80s....holla!

Somebody needs to tell the intern that wrote the article that makes it sound like RADIOHEAD copies U2 in anyway this little fact.....

When Radiohead released "OK COMPUTER" there were certain members of a big band at the time who stated that RADIOHEAD was the best band in music.!!!!!!!

The certain members who gave that title to RADIOHEAD was none other than.........U2

U2 were great and relevant in music until the album "POP"
They are nothing but a greatest hits band from that point on.