U2’s album, Songs of Innocence, is definitely one of my favorites. This album is like wine, it gets better with age. All the songs have stories behind them, giving them more than just a great sound.

For example, Iris (Hold me close) is my personal favorite for a multitude of reasons. One, Bono wrote this song about his mother, Iris, who died when he was 14. He dedicated it to her because he felt he didn’t have very many memories of her and wanted to keep them all somewhere. In the song he says, “The ache in my heart is so much a part of who I am.” I interpreted that excerpt as his mom’s death has stayed with him and it contributes to who he is today.

Another great example of a story within a song is in Cedarwood road. That song is about where he grew up, specifically the street, Cedarwood road. In that song he says, “The hurt you hide, the joy you hold, the foolish pride that gets you out the door up on Cedarwood, Cedarwood road.” I translated that as Bono explaining the people he grew up with, their personalities and how everyone was different.

Songs of Innocence has a follow-up album that has yet to be released: Songs of Experience. This album will be to complete the journey that Songs of Innocence started. I look forward to the release and have high expectations, although I am certain U2 will go above and beyond as always.