’I used to think they liked me’
’I used to think they liked me’
’I used to think they liked me’

'I used to think they liked me'

In New York for the book signing earlier in the week, Bono and Edge talked with John Norris of MTV. ...

29 Sep 2006
In New York for the book signing earlier in the week, Bono and Edge talked with John Norris of MTV. Catch our edited highlights.

MTV: You guys have done big events before, the Super Bowl, Live8, but there had to have been something special about last night.

Edge: Yeah. It really was. It was one of those moments where the heart and the soul of the whole occasion were just so amazing. And the reaction from the crowd who were there to see a football game really ... I mean they went nuts. It was because they got it, they knew what we were going to do and the spirit of the event, and it was amazing. It was really very moving.

MTV: Tell me about the decision in doing this particular song and the choice of working with Green Day.

Edge: We have a charity (Music Rising) that's trying to replace the instruments - first the professional music of the area but also we're moving on to churches and schools. They approached me about the re-opening of the Superdome and said, 'Could you put something together for the pre-game show ?' I thought about this song that was one of my favorite songs from growing up, (a song by) The Skids called 'The Saints Are Coming'. First of all (there was) the obvious connection with The Saints team... then when I was looking up the song lyrics I realized it was perfect on so many levels, almost as if it was written for this event.
We'd met with Green Day in LA around the time of the Grammy's and we were talking about trying to find something to do and I thought this is the perfect situation ... it's perfect for them. So I got in touch with Billy Joe and he listened to the song and was like 'this is great.' I was pretty sure that if we came up with a great thing to do together in the Superdome, that they would be up for it, and they were.

(Bono arrives)

MTV: It had to be something special last night....

Bono: It was kicking when we went off; those Green Day boys are something. You know there was something going on in that place that was more then a Super Bowl - it was a city fighting for its dignity and getting it back, demanding that their city rise up from the ashes, you (could) feel it in the room.... it was the people of New Orleans in their sort of sports cathedral going mad.

MTV: Now speaking of books, about a year and a half ago we were in a Boston book store and you were there talking. This ('U2 by U2') is something altogether different, this is pretty comprehensive.

Bono: Yeah I mean I didn't want to do either book , and (this) book, which is a series of conversations we've had together, I'm very glad that I've done it and it's over but this is the history of U2 - which is much more than any one members history. That what's peculiar about it - the whole seems to be a lot greater then the sum of the parts and though I think we are all very interesting people, on our own a lot less so.

MTV: Eighteen months of interviews that Neil did with you - how do you remember all these details and stories?

Edge: Well that was the fun actually, having to go back and dig out all the photographs and to rack your brains about all the stories about how things came together and Neil was very rigorous. It happened with me a couple times - I'd say something and he'd get back to me and say 'I think you're wrong, I talked to Larry and Adam and they say it was the Wednesday night.' So you had to, along the way, correct things you remembered incorrectly. But that was the great thing about the five memories ... and that's why I think it's more accurate (than) it would have been if it was one persons point of view.

Bono: As a band we're not very good at looking back, and we don't encourage it in each other. We're much more into the future and the present then we are into the past. (But) sometimes it's worth just realizing what it took to get you there - and especially for new bands it's going to be an important book as you realize one, just how bad we were and two, how chemistry overpowers all obstacles.

MTV: U2 fans (may) think they know everything they need to know about this band. Is there anything they can learn from this book?

Edge: Absolutely, (they) will definitely learn stuff. I learned stuff that I didn't know about the rest of the band. I used to think they liked me ... and stuff like that.

Bono: Personal hygiene turns out to play an important role in the success of any rock and roll band.....

MORE NEWS

ALL NEWS
Carnaval De Luz Indie Record Store Edition
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

Limited Edition Third Man Records Yellow Vinyl of New Album Arrives November 13 at Independent Record Stores

30 SEP 2026
Central Bank Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros presented the coin to Larry Mullen Jr.
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Central Bank of Ireland launches U2 commemorative coin marking 50 years since the band's formation.

28 SEP 2026
Fifty
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Live in Dublin fifty years on. Pat Carty was there for U2.com.

27 SEP 2026
'CARNAVAL DE LUZ' - New Album In November.
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The band's first studio album in nine years will be released on November 13th. Silencio, second track from...

24 SEP 2026
It’s Arrived (with a surprise)
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVES

The Days of Ash Propaganda Magazine & EP bundle is here… complete with a bonus Easter Lily edition...

17 SEP 2026
'2027 Persons of the Year'
HEARTS + MINDS

Band to be honoured by Musicares for 'five decades of musical achievement and humanitarian service'

10 SEP 2026
’Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah’
COMPILATIONS

Release of Pogues cover today, Friday, from stellar line up for '20th Century Paddy - The Songs Of...

28 AUG 2026
'Fireflies'
COLLABORATIONS

Out today!  Martin Garrix teams up with U2 on new track 'Fireflies', debuted live with Edge at Tomorrowland...

24 JUL 2026
'In a place called Mexico…'

Behind-the-scenes with band and crew on the shoot for 'Street of Dreams'.

17 JUL 2026
Street Of Dreams - The New Single is Here.
SINGLES

Listen to Street of Dreams, the first single from the band's upcoming studio album.

07 JUL 2026
’BALLROOM BOOM’
TV

'Ballroom Boom' screening at the Galway Film Fleadh this Thursday.

07 JUL 2026
What a wonder. They're calling it "The Obamalisk"
BONO

Bono and Edge performing City of Blinding Lights at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in...

22 JUN 2026
SHOWING 12 OF 4770 STORIES KEEP SCROLLING FOR MORE ↓

LATEST COMMENTS

THE NEW ALBUM
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The new album. Out 13 November 2026.

PRE-ORDER

SUBSCRIBE TO U2.COM

Special editorial and video, exclusive newsletters and events, 25% coupon for the shop and first access to ticket sales when the band tour.