New Year's Day

AMG Review of New Year's Day

JT Griffith
All Music Guide

New Year's Day was the first single released from U2's War album. The cover art again features Peter Rowan, in a famous and harrowing photo. The song was inspired by Polish dissident and Solidarity union leader Lech Walesa and became one of the band's first breakthrough hits, though not as big as "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Bono claimed in concert that both songs were not "rebel songs," but it is unclear if anyone has ever believed him. The 12" vinyl version of this single contains the long version of "New Year's Day," the B-side "Treasure," and three live tracks. The live songs are "Fire," "I Threw a Brick," and "A Day Without Me." All three were recorded in Belgium on July 3, 1982. This version was released in the U.K., Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Japan. The collection of live tracks makes this a great release to track down. The New Year's Day single was released on CD. "New Year's Day" was voted number six in New Musical Express' Best Single poll and became U2's first Top Ten single in the U.K. It reached number 53 on the Billboard charts.