For the most part, U2's singles are a poor representation of them. For one, they are a live band which very rarely releases live albums (which dumbfounds me to no ened). Also, some of their best songs (Until the End of the World, Kite, Gone, Zooropa, Heartland, Bad - just to name a few) were never released as singles, while some of their worst (ABOY, Elevation, Stuck in a Moment, Numb) have been.
I mean, there are plenty of good songs there, but I just think they generally have a much better catalogue than that list gives them credit for.
The fact that they have release a grand total of 1.5 live albums (UABRS and half of Rattle and Hum) not only dumbfounds me, but actually saddens me. The lack of availability of their live stuff to the more common fan is a crying shame.
For this reason, I never go by singles when analyzing a band.