Bono said 1981 classic is his favourite song of all time

Bono’s Desert Island Pick: The Bob Dylan Ballad That Connects Him to the Eternal

If Bono, the renowned frontman of the multi-award-winning Irish band U2, were marooned on a desert island, he revealed he would bring along one specific track from 1981, a Bob Dylan masterpiece that profoundly “connects me to the eternal.” This choice, unveiled during his insightful 2022 appearance on BBC Radio 4’s “Desert Island Discs,” highlights a deeper, spiritual side to the iconic musician. The show includes the guest choosing their 8 favorite songs of all time.

The Spiritual Gem: Bob Dylan’s “Every Grain of Sand”

A Departure From Protest

During his 2022 appearance on “Desert Island Discs”, the U2 frontman, selected a Bob Dylan track—not one of his celebrated protest anthems shouted through loudspeakers at rallies—but a serene, spiritual ballad as his definitive favorite.

A Song of Reflection and Grace

“Every Grain of Sand,” released during Dylan’s controversial “born-again Christian” phase on the album “Shot of Love,” distinguishes itself significantly from the album’s prevailing fire-and-brimstone evangelism. Instead, it offers a contemplative reflection on mortality, shortcomings, and the quest for divine grace.

Inspiration From William Blake

During the 2022 “Desert Island Discs” episode, Bono recalled passing a Christopher Wren-designed church in Piccadilly, noticing a marker noting William Blake’s baptism there.

Bono immediately recognized the connection. Blake’s famous verse— “To see a world in a grain of sand…” — likely resonated with Dylan while composing the song. “This must have been, in Bob Dylan, the back of his mind,” Bono commented.

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Lasting Impact and Critical Acclaim

More Than Just a Song

Bono isn’t alone in appreciating the song’s significance. Dylan biographer Clinton Heylin has described it as “one of his most intensely personal songs, it also remains one of his most universal.” Dylan himself evidently valued the song, frequently incorporating it into his live performances during the 1980s and early 2000s.

Theological Influences

“Every Grain of Sand” evolved into a cherished cult classic, a concealed spiritual treasure within Bob Dylan’s vast discography. During its creation, Dylan reportedly immersed himself in the writings of theologian Hal Lindsey, contemplating notions of sin and redemption.

Enduring Legacy

Despite never achieving mainstream chart success, “Every Grain of Sand” has gradually gained prominence, consistently featuring in critical evaluations of Dylan’s best deep cuts. Rolling Stone included it in their list of his top 100 songs, and fans often share accounts of how the music offered solace during difficult times or provided guidance during moments of uncertainty.

“We’re on an island,” Bono remarked during the radio show. “And this song, this very song, it just anchors me to something bigger.”

Bono’s Other Desert Island Discs Selections

Across his eight chosen tracks, the U2 frontman highlighted glimpses into his musical history.

• Peter Frampton’s ‘Show Me the Way’ reminded Bono of his high school gym. He admitted: “We were crap,” recalling his early attempts at singing rock music. “A teenage boy turned this song into a prayer.”
• Emeli Sandé and The Fron Choir’s ‘Abide With Me’ showcased Bono’s affection for choirs: “I love the Anglican hymns, you know, I just do. And I love choral singing. […] And [Emily Santé] is a sacred talent.”
• Noel Gallagher’s ‘Dead in the Water’ might seem an unconventional choice for a desert island, but Bono clarified: “There’s some defiance in the song, and defiance is the essence of romance.”
• Inhaler’s ‘Ice Cream Sundae’, from his son Elijah’s band, also made the list. “They’re very good. My son happens to be the singer. This is, I think, the first song he wrote, and it’s got this mad opening line.”
• Angélique Kidjo’s ‘Agolo’ was selected for its unadulterated joy. “I think joy is one of the key elements of music that keeps me there. You know, it’s almost impossible to contrive. Happy, you can’t contrive. Melancholy is easy for artists. Even anger is kind of easy in a way. But joy, you can’t contrive.”
• Verdi’s ‘La Traviata – Prelude to Act 1’ struck a poignant personal note. Bono’s late father, Bob, cherished opera—especially Verdi. “This one used to bring my father to wherever he went,” Bono explained, noting the opera is about a love affair and, profoundly, about the relationship between a father and son.
• Simple Minds’ ‘Someone Somewhere in Summertime’ represented hope for Bono: “Very few people get to own a sound. And I think in U2, we’ve gotten to own certain colours of the spectrum that we own or certain feelings that I think are ours” he said. “Some of them are from Simple Minds. We learned from them.”