The Hands That Built America
by U2

Album: The Best of 1990-2000 (2002)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Featured in the movie Gangs Of New York. It was nominated for Best Original Song at the 2003 Academy Awards, but lost to Eminem's "Lose Yourself" from the film 8 Mile. It did win the Golden Globe for the same category.
  • Bono and The Edge wrote this specifically for Gangs of New York. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bill - Johnstown, PA, for above 2

Comments: 2

  • Acrobat from Adelaide, AustraliaBono also sings a song in Gaelic that appears during Gangs of New york, it is a very haunting melody and I hit rewind several times to hear it.
  • Angela from Hagerstown, Mdew. Eminem. Horrible loss there.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.