Despite a wealth of homegrown material to draw from (which was on other occasions during U2’s long career), “New Year’s Day” was actually about Lech Walesa and the Polish solidarity movement.

The first single from their third album, “War,” NYD was the Irish band’s first international hit and launchpad to super-stardom.

A certified rock classic, it is often played at this time of year for obvious reasons.

However, it was themes of understanding amidst global unrest – not holiday frivolity – that underpinned the album, and not least the song: Under a blood-red sky/ A crowd has gathered – black and white/ Arms entwined – the chosen few.

And despite being released in 1983, Bono’s words still sadly ring true today: “Nothing changes on New Year’s Day.”

Yet, his plaintiff cry, “We can be one,” is as inspiring now as it was then, and is perhaps the perfect message for the first day of 2021.

Here is the song performed at Slane Castle in Ireland in 2001.

Lyrics

“New Year’s Day”

All is quiet on New Year’s Day
A world in white gets under way
I want to be with you, be with you night and day
Nothing changes on New Year’s Day
On New Year’s day
I will be with you again
I will be with you again

Under a blood-red sky
A crowd has gathered – black and white
Arms entwined – the chosen few
The newspaper says, says it’s true, it’s true
We can break through
Though torn in two we can be one
I – I will begin again
I – I will begin again

Oh, maybe the time is right
Oh, maybe tonight
I will be with you again
I will be with you again

And so we are told this is the golden age
And gold is the reason for the wars we wage
Though I want to be with you, be with you night and day
Nothing changes on New Year’s Day
On New Year’s Day