U2's The Unforgettable Fire is one of their finest songs. It was released in 1984 as part of the album that carries the same name. The mid-eighties was a time when the band was still struggling to find their niche, their place in the world. They were still pre-Joshua Tree.
Back in 1984 after the moderate success of their previous three albums, U2 submerged into some experimentation to find greater depths in their music. They rented a castle and recorded The Unforgettable Fire in that majestic and inspiring (sonically and visually) setting.
The title track is soulful to say the least. Part of its being so is its inspiration. The band derived inspiration for the song from an art exhibit of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in Japan during one of their previous tours. The harrowing images from the catastrophic destruction inflicted by those weapons are the impetus that drive the emotional engine of the song.
Instead of the hard metallic punk rock with contrasting instrument sounds for which their music was characterized with on the first three albums, The Unforgettable Fire is coherent and rich with an almost symphonic mix. The rhythmic guitar sound which serves as the intro to the song reverberates with a hypnotic effect that fits perfectly into the song's richness in terms of musicality and meaning. It then breaks into a melodious outpouring of the lyrics with the a powerful and emotional delivery typical of Bono's vocal renditions. The harmonic flow of drums and strings complement the soulful melody of the vocals with a symphonic artistry that is atypical of a punk rock band; the music serves as the perfect backdrop for Bono's inspirational lyric.
As for the meaning, the lyrics are open for varied interpretations as it is crafted like an audible abstract image from the impressionist school. Ironically to its title, the first word out of Bono's mouth is "ice". Throughout the song there is a strong motif of coldness, loneliness, and being deserted.
Though this song is a deviation from which the band was popularly known for at the time it emerged as a commercial success - at least in the UK. It also became one of the most played singles during their tours for the album.
Hearing the song is a kind of experience. U2's journey through sonic experimentation and emotionally charged landscapes can be traced back to songs like this released on their 4th release - their final departure from 80's punk rock.
U2's "The Unforgettable Fire" is undoubtedly one of the band's most important releases.
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