I’ve always seen Bono as having two distinct voices (not including falsetto) over time. “Young voice Bono” being his voice between 1980-83. During this period his voice on one hand sounds very boyish yet it is also a broader, fuller sound than his post 1990 voice. From ‘91 onward he has generally had that older, raspier sound that some describe as sexier. It has that road weary sound that seems to carry the weight of its years and travels on it. The difference between the two is dramatic - If someone was not all familiar with the band and heard “Drowning Man” followed by “One” or “Stay” I would argue that they would not even know it is the same singer. The years from around ‘84-90 were a transition between these two extremes. I think the song where you could first hear his older sounding voice was “Love Comes Tumbling” but on parts of JT as well as much of R&H he sounded a little more like ‘80-83 Bono.
Which voice do people prefer? Personally, I like his voice best on UF which is basically the very beginning of when his voice started to change. He still has the strength of early 80s voice but it is more mature sounding.
Which voice do people prefer? Personally, I like his voice best on UF which is basically the very beginning of when his voice started to change. He still has the strength of early 80s voice but it is more mature sounding.