U2 – 40

Released in 1983, U2’s hit song 40 was originally intended to gain exposure during Germany’s Loreley Festival.  It water released as the final track on their album War.  U2’s lead singer, Bono, has this to say about its recording:

When we were making our third record, the War LP, we were being thrown out of the studio by the studio manager because we had overrun or something and we had one more song to do. We wrote this song in about ten minutes, we recorded it in about ten minutes, we mixed it in about ten minutes and we played it, then, for another ten minutes and that’s nothing to do with why it’s called ’40’.

— Bono, Concert April 29, 1987

Indeed, the name “40” comes from its source material: Psalm 40!  As of this writing, the song 40 played 410 times in concert according to U2 Gigs.  For a song originally intended for self-promotion, it has done exceptionally well!

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/5063311.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Though the lyrics are poetic in nature, it paints a picture of God’s salvation of mankind.  However, there are important elements in Psalm 40:1-3 that were stripped from this song, that is, our “new song” should be directed to God, and that we ought to trust in the Lord.

Score: 7/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

The entire song is based on Psalm 40:1-3; However, much of the context of directing our praise to God and trusting in Him are unused from this passage, weakening the strength of its usage.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-4: References Psalm 40:1-2.

[Chorus]

Lines 1 and 2: References Psalm 40:3. U2 does not include the second half of Psalm 40:3a, that is, “a song of praise to our God.”  This is important to the context of this passage: our praise should be directed towards God.  Without this line, he veils its meaning and there’s no call to direct our praise to Him.

Lines 3-6: Repurposes Psalm 13:1-2 as a cry for the Lord as to how long we must suffer for Christ?

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-3: References Psalm 40:2-3.  U2 does not include the second half of Psalm 40:3b, that is, ” and put their trust in the Lord.”  This is important to the context of this passage: our trust should be directed towards God.  Without this line, he veils its meaning and there’s no call to direct our trust in Him.

Score: 7/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

While the song itself has a salvific undertone, without any further context, an outsider would be confused as to discern its meaning.  It raises more questions than it gives answers.  What is this “pit” that is described?  What is this new song that I should sing?  What is it that many will see and fear?  The answers are not within the lyrics.

Score: 3/10

4. What does this song glorify?

Though the song has its basis in Psalm 40:1-3; however, some of the important lines were not included (see section 2, above).  Though thickly hidden, the glory still goes to God for saving him from the pit.

Score: 6/10

Closing Comments

I am a torn over this song.  One the one hand, its basis is from Psalm 40:1-3 and brings glory to God.  On the other hand, gone are important lines about trusting in God and directing our praise to Him.  This weakens the overall strength of its message and becomes ineffective towards outsiders.

I expect much controversy over my evaluation.  Please be gentle.

Final Score:  6/10

Artist Info

Track: 40 (listen to the song)

Artist: U2

Album: War

Genre: Rock, Post-punk

Release Year: 1983

Duration: 2:37

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.