Moment of Surrender
by U2

Album: No Line on the Horizon (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This 7-minute-long spiritual ballad about an epiphany at an ATM machine has been billed as this album's "One."
  • Producer Brian Eno told The Observer Music Monthly February 2009. "Apart from some editing and the addition of the short cello piece that introduces it, the song appears on the album exactly as it was the first and only time we played it."
  • Daniel Lanois, who produced the No Line On The Horizon album with Brian Eno, contributed the pedal steel guitar to this track.
  • Co-producer Daniel Lanois told The National Post about the writing of this song: "That was an ensemble composition. It had that great Eno/Mullen thing from the go. A kind of rolling hand drum. And the original sketch had me in charge of the chorus. Bono would point to me: 'Ok, Lanois, you sing the chorus' (sings the chorus' hook out loud). It's very much a Canadian sound there, a tribute to The Band. We call it the 'Simcoe sound.'"
  • This topped Rolling Stone's Best Songs of 2009 poll. In a double whammy for the Irish rockers, No Line On The Horizon also scored the magazine's Best Album of 2009 honor.

Comments: 3

  • Pete from Whistler, BcHaunting but joyful, it was beautiful to hear as the last encore at the live show. from a lifelong fan since the album Boy.

    Apparently, critically acclaimed as well.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_Surrender#Reception
  • Grayson from Cleveland, OhBeautiful Song, on yet another great U2 album.
  • Rob from Sydney, AustraliaI love this song. Surrender is the path to true freedom.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.