Sunday Bloody Sunday " is a song by Irish rock band U2 . It is the opening track from their 1983 album '' War '' and was released as the album 's third single on 21 March 1983 in Germany and the Netherlands . " Sunday Bloody Sunday " is noted for its militaristic drumbeat , harsh guitar , and melodic harmonies . One of U2 's most overtly political songs , its lyrics describe the horror felt by an observer of the Troubles in Northern Ireland , mainly focusing on the 1972 Bloody Sunday incident in Derry where British troops shot and killed unarmed civil rights protesters . Along with " New Year 's Day , " the song helped U2 reach a wider listening audience . It was generally well received by critics on the album 's release
Bloody Sunday
Bloody Sunday (1972)
Sunday Bloody Sunday