The Best U2 Songs Not Actually Written by U2

John Seaborn Gray October 14, 2009 2:30PM

[
          {
            "name": "Related Stories / Support Us Combo",
            "component": "11591218",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "4"
          },{
            "name": "Air - Billboard - Inline Content",
            "component": "11591214",
            "insertPoint": "2/3",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7"
          },{
            "name": "R1 - Beta - Mobile Only",
            "component": "12287027",
            "insertPoint": "8",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "8"
          },{
            "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size 2",
            "component": "11591215",
            "insertPoint": "12",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "12"
          },{
            "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size 2",
            "component": "11591215",
            "insertPoint": "4th",
            "startingPoint": "16",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "12"
          }
          
            ,{
              "name": "RevContent - In Article",
              "component": "12527128",
              "insertPoint": "3/5",
              "requiredCountToDisplay": "5"
            }
          
        ]

U2 is one of the biggest, most influential rock bands of all time. Their sound has changed over the years, yet remains unique. Thanks mostly to The Edge's signature guitar playing, they've invented entire chunks of pop-rock along the way, and you know what that means: they've been ripped off. But sometimes, that's okay. Rock and roll bands steal from one another all the time - some would argue U2 themselves have been guilty of this - and the results aren't always dreadful.

Here are some songs by bands who aren't U2 that nevertheless came out sounding like decent -or better - U2 songs. In case you're wondering why frequent U2 biters Coldplay didn't make the list, we think that should be obvious.

Remy Zero, "Save Me"

Sounds Most Like: "Until the End of the World"

Simple Minds, "See the Lights"

Sounds Most Like: "A Sort of Homecoming"

Keane, "Is It Any Wonder?"

Sounds Most Like: "Zoo Station"

Angels and Airwaves, "The Adventure"

Sounds Most Like: "Where the Streets Have No Name"

Echo and the Bunnymen, "The Back of Love"

Sounds Most Like: "In God's Country"

Endochine, "Music To Drive and Cry To"

Sounds Most Like: "Bad"

Ryan Adams, "So Alive"

Sounds Most Like: Everything on War

KEEP THE HOUSTON PRESS FREE... Since we started the Houston Press, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Houston, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.

Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1.

John Seaborn Gray

The Best U2 Songs Not Actually Written by U2

Endochine, "Music To Drive and Cry To"

Trending Music

[%title%]

The Best U2 Songs Not Actually Written by U2

Endochine, "Music To Drive and Cry To"

Trending Music

[%title%]

Latest Stories