Inspiration and Influence: The Musical Relationship Between U2 and A-ha
When Gorillaz released their hit song 'Feel Good Inc' in 2005, some U2 fans noticed similarities to U2's 1997 single 'Staring at the Sun'. However, most observers attributed the resemblance to innocent coincidence or subconscious reinterpretation. Damon Albarn, the mastermind behind Gorillaz, was given the benefit of the doubt in this situation.
Similarly, in 2000, U2's surprise hit 'Beautiful Day' drew comparisons to A-ha's 1985 single 'The Sun Always Shines on TV'. The opening portion of A-ha's song seemed to serve as a blueprint for the chorus of 'Beautiful Day', with similarities in melody and chord progression. Despite the similarities, A-ha's members did not seem to mind the homage, acknowledging that inspiration often flows between artists.
A-ha's songwriter and keyboardist Magne Furuholmen mentioned that their publisher had investigated the resemblance between the two songs, but the band itself did not express any concerns. Furuholmen admitted that A-ha had drawn inspiration from U2 in their early days, highlighting the cyclical nature of musical influence.
Morten Harket, A-ha's lead singer, also expressed his acceptance of the similarities between 'Beautiful Day' and 'The Sun Always Shines on TV'. He emphasized that such resemblances are natural in the music industry and do not diminish the quality of either song.
Bono, U2's frontman, has acknowledged the influence of A-ha's song on 'Beautiful Day' without implying any financial implications. During a U2 concert in Oslo, the band incorporated elements from 'The Sun Always Shines on TV' into their performance of 'Beautiful Day' as a nod to their Norwegian fans, demonstrating Bono's awareness of the connection between the two songs.