American Soul
by U2

Album: Songs of Experience (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This track is an alternative version of "XXX.," U2's collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, which featured on the Compton MC's DAMN album. Bono repeats the "XXX" chorus early on in this song.
  • The song starts with a spoken word segment by Kendrick Lamar inspired by the Beatitudes, eight blessings recounted by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.

    Blessed are the bullies
    For one day they will have to stand up to themselves
    Blessed are the liars
    For the truth can be awkward


    U2 and Kendrick Lamar also teamed up for the Songs of Experience track "Get Out of Your Own Way," which again features some rhymes by the Compton MC inspired by the Beatitudes.
  • Bono's three verses are a more political take on his "XXX" chorus where he sings:

    It's not a place
    This country is to me a sound of drum and bass
    You close your eyes to look around


    In this track's second verse he sings:

    It's not a place
    This country is to me a thought
    That offers grace
    For every welcome that is sought
  • Speaking to Stereogum about U2's relationship with Kendrick Lamar, The Edge said: "It was really just that we were fans. We were just thinking about artists we really respect and like, and he was on the top of our list. We look for artists that we feel have a similar spirit."

    "There's a righteous anger that is hard to argue with," Bono added. "I asked him would he rap about where America is at, his reply was to rap about where America isn't at. Smart dude."
  • Directed by the Broken Fingaz crew, the video mixes performance footage of U2's pre-taped performance of the track on The Hudson River in New York City for the 60th annual Grammy Awards with animation - Lamar's cameo features in cartoon form.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.