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To mark his birthday, a special playlist from Bono... and words of gratitude. View the full article

Letters from a fan, for the ‘songs that saved my life’. View the full article

You came along with your blue eyes, And you knew how to work the cameras. Already, you had so much personality, So much presence, so much chemistry. You were the showman before the show had even started. Showman, you stole the show at the Live Aid. Soon, all the girls would want to dance with you, From a dream to a tear, all because of you. You came back from Ethiopia with a mission. You had to tell the world of your intention. You were not going to take any crap. It was you, after all, Irishman, who put Ireland on the map. Defending the less fortunate, always on the frontline. Speaking up so loud, you never got tired. Always, you took the blame. Always, you ran to the streets with no name. So many doors got slammed to your face. When it started, some thought you wouldn’t pass the test. You started with nothing; she even had to pay the rent. If the landlady had the key, it was the key to the genius in your head. I remember the long hair back in the 80s. The girls wanted to be picked on stage for the thrills. So many years have passed and I have been a fan for all this time. So many songs I have heard and still I am stuck on that rhyme. You have done so much for this world, my dear. Yet there is so much work that is unfinished. You are 60, and I remember when love came to town. And still we have never met, so why don’t you let me in the sound? My activist, you used to sing well, but now you sing even better. Just stay off that bicycle, you must live on forever. Don’t fade away, we need more elevation, And don’t forget my invitation to your radio station. So it’s your big day, Fly man. Have you figured out TikTok yet, or Zoom? Just like all of us, are you stuck at home? Will the good wishes be delivered by a drone? I wish you nothing but the very best: be happy, be healthy, be the one. Make us dream for a better world, make us dream out loud. Take good care of yourself, and stay away from that virus shit. Might as well write some songs, if there’s nothing on Netflix. Let’s meet up some day, my MacPhisto. In the meantime, here’s to you… Happy birthday, dear Bono.

'These are some of the songs that saved my life,' writes Bono, as he shares a special birthday playlist titled '60 Songs That Saved My Life'. 'The ones I couldn't have lived without… the ones that got me from there to here, zero to 60… through all the scrapes, all manner of nuisance, from the serious to the silly… and the joy, mostly joy.' The four hour plus playlist stretches from the formative 45s of his teenage years to later collaborations with some of his heroes, as well as tracks by younger artists like Billie Eilish, the same age now, 18, as Bono when he wrote his first song. Long before he was making music, he was a music fan and along with these 60 songs he's penning a series of letters to their creators and family members. 'I wanted to thank the artists and everyone who helped make them… They were doing the same for me… I am writing a fan letter to accompany each song to try and explain my fascination…' Bono is sharing the first six letters today (May 10), with more coming in the week ahead. You can check the songs on the News section What do you think about these songs? You may have some memories about them, as Bono does... share them with the community and let's follow Bono's words about the music that shaped him in the following days.

A playlist from Bono While in lockdown, Bono's been tuning in to some of the inspirational Irish musicians who've been the soundtrack to his life. Earlier today he told Ryan Tubridy on RTÉ Radio 1 what he’s been up to - ‘I’m reading… writing… I’m making lists…’ including his favourite Irish songs from over the years, telling Ryan “You can have it if you want… everything from the Fontaines, the great Shane McGowan… Van Morrison… Thin Lizzy…’. View the full article