Bono “The Moral Crusader” From the “The Joshua Tree” Album – Massive Success – Bono seemingly – Still Haven’t Found What He Is Looking For – There is sad irony here – arguably the fame and quality of that album was never repeated. Was that the real problem all along. Did the years of frustration turn him into what he is now being referred to as the billionaire “CHAMPAGNE SOCIALIST”.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Searching Google for comment on best U2 Albums: This is what comes up.

The Joshua Tree – album(1987) is widely regarded as U2’s masterpiece and peak achievement. I feel Bono and U2 were brilliant songwriters during this era. Many fans, critics, and polls absolutely agree it’s without a doubt their best album. However, a vocal minority pushes Achtung Baby (1991) as a close contender for its bold reinvention.

Here’s why The Joshua Tree holds that top spot for so many. This applies in recent rankings and legacy discussions as of 2026.

• Critical acclaim and legacy — It won Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance in 1988. It topped charts in over 20 countries (U2’s first US #1). It became one of the fastest-selling albums ever at the time. Furthermore, it’s sold over 25 million copies worldwide, certified diamond in the US, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (2014), and preserved in the US National Recording Registry for its cultural significance. Wikipedia and outlets like Rolling Stone, NME, and PopMatters call it one of the greatest albums ever. They praise its cinematic soundscapes, themes of longing/loss/hope, spiritual depth, and perfect fusion of post-punk, gospel, blues, and arena rock.
  

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I have seen this in reference to Irish people and Bono

“Irish attitudes toward Bono are famously ambivalent or negative despite U2’s global success”.

I certainly am not one of those people. I feel Bono and U2 were brilliant songwriters / performers huge inspiration to Irish people all over the world. They were ambassadors for Ireland. But something changes all on the way.

I loved early years U2 Music. I really think on their early years Irish people were very proud of U2 and their drive for reaching global success. Some stand out songs.

“With or Without You”
“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”.

But I feel – The Joshua Tree – album(1987) was so successful that this may well have been a psychological negative as the years progressed in the life in U2. This album was hailed as masterpiece and as hard as U2 tried to get an album back to its level of brilliance they failed. Some critics may disagree, this is just my opinion. So in response Bono frustrations began to appear thought getting involved into political rhetoric and blaming other people.

None more so than us Irish people, we were always a soft touch when Bono was feeling insecure.

Bono loves to have a crack at the Irish people and historic Ireland probably to make himself feel more important. His attempt to inflict U2’s music on Apple listeners a few years back was really pathetic, with some serious backlash.

What is so confusing for the outside world looking on is, his own heavily secured, luxurious lifestyle, seems to total contradict what he is actually writing about.

A reference must be made here: The perceived gap between his high-profile advocacy for open borders, refugee rights, and anti-deportation causes (like the recent “American Obituary” track slamming ICE) and his own heavily secured, luxurious lifestyle are miles apart and make no sense.

I am only stating a fact here, what is he actually trying to say to the world? It all sounds totally hypocritical.

If I’m not mistake, Bono lives in a large period property (extended over the years to around 8,500+ sq ft) an affluent seaside suburb south of Dublin. It’s a gated estate with prominent iron gates. The property is surrounded by high walls, greenery, and reportedly extensive security measures like CCTV.

This setup is classic for high-net-worth celebrities: privacy, safety from intruders, and control over who enters. There is no public record I can find of Bono ever opening those gates to house migrants, refugees, or anyone fleeing hardship. I could stand to be corrected.

Bono preaches compassion and open policies from behind walls/gates. However, he’d likely call security/police on any unauthorized entry to his own property.

He has been labelled a “CHAMPAGNE SOCIALIST” Social Media.

The comeback no one wants

It is getting more and more embarrassing for Irish people to be witnessing the sad decline of U2, notwithstanding the sentiment he said he was engaged in on the recent EP. But was it really sentiment or just a chance for exposure, a publicity stunt? Has there ever been real sentiment or it s all about Bono trying to be the so called altruistic just trying to keep himself in the global spotlight?

It’s a pity Bono can’t see that retirement is probably the best thing for him now. It would certainly be a relief for Irish people in particular. We wouldn’t have be putting up with his rhetoric and insulting innuendo towards us.

There is talk of U2 bringing out another album. Is there anywhere we can hide from this?

The real truth here is that Ireland and the Irish people have moved way beyond Bono. The out-of-touch gated billionaire is still living on fame from a bygone era.