Easy U2 Songs

[Brian_C]

As returning guitarist, I haven’t played for about 3 years, thou I played for 4-5 years prior to that, I thought I’d put together a list of the easier U2 songs I’ve been playing of late.

I think some people get too hung up on Edge’s sound, although very original and distinctive, most of them can be played with a little distortion/overdrive and of course delay (normally set to 2 or 3 repests at 400-450ms).
Once you can play the things then fine tune the tone/sound.

Anyway, here’s some of the easier songs I’ve found, other people please feel free to add your own easy U2 songs here.

1. I will Follow (just two strings E and B, you can add the G string when you’re better)
E----0--0--0--0--0--0--0---- Verse-> E-0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0-0---
B---10-10-10-10—12-12-12---- B-3—3-3-3--5-5-5-5-5---
G----9--9--9--9--9--9--9--- G-2-2-2-2--4-4-4-4-4---

2. Bad (just remember to mute the A and D strings and play with delay – 1 repeat at about 450ms)
e------------0- ---------------
B-------------- --------10-----
G-------------- X 2 -9-9-7--------- X 2
D--12-12-10---- -0-0-0---------
A--0---0--0---- ---------------

3. City of Blinding Lights – this is now my favorite song, along with ‘Streets, to play.
Jjust add 2-3 repeats in the delay and a little distortion/overdrive

4. All I want is You.
chords A and D – you can add F# when you’re a little better – solo sounds great with delay and distortion.
When playing the chords don’t be afraid to mute a couple of strings or play a string open instead of fretted or a beat. It all helps add nice texture and feel to the sound.

5. In God’s Country
D and Am, Chorus Em, G and D then C, G and D) – play with delay and a little distortion

6. Bullet the Blue Sky – Rattle n’ Hum version (the solo sounds great and is pretty easy – just crank it up. Once you mute the strings played at the 7th fret straight after you play it in the Verse it’s easy.

7. Staring at the Sun (Am, C, G, D)

8. Vertigo – I don’t play this with any delay just a load of distortion/overdrive.
Once you can play bar chords that’s all you need, I just bar two fingers. Even if you’re not comfortable with bar chords I think practicing this song will help build the strength in your hand. My hand began to ache at first, took a rest and kept practicing it. It sounds class when the distortion is cranked.

 

[Ronnie269]

I think Bad sounds better playing the high e on the 12fret instead of open,

e-----------[12]- ------------------
B-------------- --------------10-----
G-------------- X 2 ---9-9-7--------- X 2
D--12-12-10--------- -0-0-0---------
A--0---0--0---- ---------------------

and also im pretty sure the chords to Staring at the Sun are....

am , g , f , em ,

Beautiful Day is also a v easy starting song imo

its mostly just, a , b , d , g , d , a

 

[Brian_C]

I think Bad sounds better playing the high e on the 12fret instead of open,

e-----------[12]- ------------------
B-------------- --------------10-----
G-------------- X 2 ---9-9-7--------- X 2
D--12-12-10--------- -0-0-0---------
A--0---0--0---- ---------------------

Yip you're spot on with that.

 

[Earl-Of-IMDb]

I found 'Gloria' to be very easy, i learned this in less than 2 min..

E---------10-12--------10-12-----12-10--14-12-10-9-10-12---------10
B-10-12--------10-12---------10----------------------------------10-12---

E---------10-12-------10-12----12-10----9---------10-9--------
B-10-12--------10-12-------10---------------10-12-------10-12

 

[Galeongirl]

you need to put a ^after the e14 and e9 then it's great yea!

Edge seems to have a huge affection with the 10th and 12th fret, almost as much as Adam with the 5th and 7th fets!

 

[GibsonGirl]

I think Bad sounds better playing the high e on the 12fret instead of open,

e-----------[12]- ------------------
B-------------- --------------10-----
G-------------- X 2 ---9-9-7--------- X 2
D--12-12-10--------- -0-0-0---------
A--0---0--0---- ---------------------

Shouldn't the first bit look like this?

e|-------------12-| 
B|----------------|  
G|----------------| 
D|-12-12-12-11----|  
A|-0--0--0--0-----|  
E|----------------|

Anyway...all U2 songs are easy. Getting the right tone and the right delay setup are the hard bits.