For me, absolutely! Like others have said, U2 were far more influential on pop culture as a whole in my High School years. Bomb came out my Senior year and it felt a bit like it probably felt for older people in 1987. U2 were everywhere, and I had a theology teacher who was a major fan(and Bono look alike) that I always discussed them with. HTDAAB was constantly on in my Mom and aunt's cars and I can remember liking Vertigo a lot more back then and Sometimes and COBL really grabbing me. For me personally, though, my college years were all U2, all the time. The obsession started for me when I saw my first show in October 2005, my freshman year of college. At the time, U2 were still relatively popular among my peers but they would soon fall behind RHCP, DMB and The Fray at my school. Plus, going to school in Burlington, VT, there was a hell of a lot of Floyd, Zeppelin, Dead and Phish. For me, all I remember is the constant rush I got from discovering U2's back catalog. Bullet, I Will Follow, Gloria, Wild Horses and One Tree Hill stood out in Fall 2005. Electric co, An Cat Dubh, Out of Control and especially Bad stood out in Spring 2006. I was literally mesmerized by the R&H version of Bad and never tired of watching it throughout April and May. My most sentimental college memories of U2 were in the Fall of 2006, discovering Zoo Tv and really getting into Slane 2001. I also remember discovering 11 O Clock Tick Tock and most of War in this time period. However, the fondest memories are reserved for my 1st experiences with Kite, Stay and The Unforgettable Fire title track that fall. What a thrill it was to have it all summed up so nicely when they played Kite, One Tree Hill and Bad on those Pacific Vertigo shows that fall! It all sent chills down my spine, and all of those songs instantly bring me back to those beautiful Vermont fall days when I discovered them. Spring 2007, sophomore year, brought more discoveries than I can count but notable for In God's Country, the original Mercy and A Sort of Homecoming. I also dug into Pop and Popmart and was surprised at how much I loved that, given how partial I had been toward 1980-1993 and then 2001-. Fall 2007 I didn't really discover much but I remember really digging Conspiracy of Hope, JT and especially Zoo TV tours where Sophomre yr had leaned toward War, Elevation, Lovetown and Vertigo. I just loved these guys, all eras, and didn't care if no one else at school did! Spring 2008 I discovered interference and U2 start, which was incredible, and March on brought an obsession with the JT remaster and the Vertigo tour. I also dug alot through AB and Pop era songs like Lady and Holy Joe and remember a special obsession with the live version of Last Night On Earth during this time. Fall 2008 was Lovetown and Zoo TV central for me and I remember the painful anticipation of NLOTH like it was last night. Spring 2009 was the album of course and my 2nd time seeing U2(Somerville) and 1st and only time meeting them. What an experience. I associate the end of college with my Dad getting sick and dying, so that's hard, but to say that U2 were there the whole 4 years through thick and thin would be an understatement! U2 were a major constant for my college years, I went in a somewhat knowledgable casual newbie fan intrigued to learn more and came out a die hard.
