A Celebration

The Zoo Crew, spinning records at THE ZOO radio station, is currently playing “A Celebration” by U2, a track that never appeared on their October album but holds a unique place in the band’s history. Released in March 1982 as a non-album single to bridge the gap between October and War, this song is considered one of U2’s rarest singles, deleted within six months of its release. Its raw, post-punk energy and anthemic chorus have made it a fan favorite for some, with one Discogs commenter noting it as their best single, lamenting that it didn’t define an entire album’s sound. However, the band themselves have expressed mixed feelings about it, with comments suggesting they weren’t fond of the track, a sentiment reflected by its absence from U2 compilation albums until its CD debut in 1999 on a UK-only release and later on the 2008 deluxe edition of October.

The music video for “A Celebration,” directed by Meiert Avis, was filmed at Kilmainham Jail in Dublin in April 1982, capturing a young U2 at a pivotal moment. atu2.com highlights Bono’s recollection in Hot Press, where he humorously described wearing “ridiculous red pants” and sporting a “badger on my head,” suggesting the song’s visual style may have overshadowed its musical impact. The video features Bono dancing through the jail, interspersed with apocalyptic imagery like children riding horses and buildings being destroyed, reflecting the song’s defiant tone. Lyrically, it’s seen as one of U2’s early social protest songs, with lines like “I believe in the powers that be but they won’t overpower me” showcasing a mix of belief and rebellion. Despite its limited live run from February 1982 to November 1983, the song earned accolades, voted #2 in the Best Single category in the 1982 Hot Press Readers’ Poll.

The B-side, “Trash, Trampoline and the Party Girl” (commonly known as “Party Girl”), became a live staple for U2, far outlasting “A Celebration” in their setlists. According to u2songs.com, “Party Girl” was improvised in the studio under pressure to produce something quickly, as producer Steve Lillywhite recalled being rushed out of the studio. This track appeared on compilations like The Best of 1980-1990 & B-Sides and the U2 fan club release Medium, Rare & Remastered. Its live performances, including a notable 1983 Denver show on Under a Blood Red Sky, cemented its legacy. Fans on u2start.com have celebrated the song’s inclusion in a 2011 fan club vote for the U22 live album, though it didn’t make the final cut.

U2 formed in Dublin in 1976 when drummer Larry Mullen Jr., then 14, posted a note on the bulletin board at Mount Temple Comprehensive School seeking musicians for a band. Six teenagers responded, including Paul Hewson (Bono), David Evans (The Edge), and Adam Clayton, forming a group initially called Feedback, then The Hype, before settling on U2. As Britannica notes, the band was forged in the punk rock wave of the late 1970s, but quickly developed a distinctive sound with The Edge’s reverb-heavy guitar and Bono’s soaring, quasi-operatic vocals. Despite limited musical proficiency, their intense spirituality and focus on social issues like Northern Ireland’s civil strife set them apart. By 1980, they signed with Island Records and released their debut album, Boy, marking the start of their rise to global fame.

U2’s official website is www.u2.com, where fans can find news, tour dates, and discography details. Their Facebook page, with over 16 million likes, promotes projects like the V-U2 concert film at Sphere in Las Vegas. On Instagram, they share tour visuals and archival content, while their X account engages fans with updates and throwbacks. Fan communities thrive on sites like u2songs.com, one of the oldest U2 fan sites since 1995, and u2start.com, which offers bootlegs, photos, and forums. atu2.com provides in-depth articles and newsletters, and u2station.com, active since 1997, features news and tablature. Facebook groups like those linked on m.facebook.com foster fan discussions, connecting Zoo Freaks with the global U2 community.