Why wasn't 'The Refugee' War's third single?

When hearing this thought it had third single written all over it.

Catchy & upbeat. It would have got air play.

It was the days when bands released 3/4 singles from albums. Jacko released 7 from Thriller in 83.

U2 were not a singles band, but the record company would want to cash in more after the success of War, NYD & Two Hearts. U2 were not big enough to refuse.

If the song made the top 20, that would have been fine. Two Hearts didn't make the top 10 

I've always loved this one. It gets a lot of criticism, mostly for its somewhat dated style, but it's catchy and fits in well with the rest of the album. It's a personal favorite.

Surrender could have been a single. More upbeat than NYD & Two Hearts.

It is over 5 mins so may have been edited.

The Refugee was under 4 minutes so most of the song would have been shown on TOTP.  Cutting off in the middle of Larry's drum solo would have upset me.

I've always loved this one. It gets a lot of criticism, mostly for its somewhat dated style, but it's catchy and fits in well with the rest of the album. It's a personal favorite.

Got an 'Adam & the Ants' vibe.

But good Ants songs were big hits in the early 80's.

Because it's one of the worst songs on the album, maybe the worst. 

Because it's one of the worst songs on the album, maybe the worst.

As some may already know, huge WAR fan here.

Never liked The Refugee. I barely tolerate it…

Quote from: Loyal Deserter on January 05, 2024, 08:21:31 PM

Because it's one of the worst songs on the album, maybe the worst.

As some may already know, huge WAR fan here.

Never liked The Refugee. I barely tolerate it…

I like most of it, but man the "Wa-WAAAAARRRRR, SHE IS A REFUGEE, I SEE HER FACE, SEE HERE STARING BAC AT ME" part is rouuuuuugh.

The Refugee reminds me of Vertigo. In that in first hearing it I thought I had heard the song somewhere else. But hadn't.

May have become a universal U2 song if released as a single. Even if not a top 10.

Could have been there biggest hit from War. Five Star's fifth single made the top 5. The first 4 didn't make the top 10! Sometimes a song just builds momentum.

UABRS was also released in 83. Both a video & album.  U2 had built up a reputation as an amazing live band.

Maybe a decision was made soon after War to release UABRS. This kept the record company happy & not demanding a third single.

The Refugee reminds me of Vertigo. In that in first hearing it I thought I had heard the song somewhere else. But hadn't.

May have become a universal U2 song if released as a single. Even if not a top 10.

Could have been there biggest hit from War. Five Star's fifth single made the top 5. The first 4 didn't make the top 10! Sometimes a song just builds momentum.

i heard somewhere that people thought the chorus of Vertigo sounds like knowing you and knowing me of ABBA.

The Refugee reminds me of Vertigo. In that in first hearing it I thought I had heard the song somewhere else. But hadn't.

May have become a universal U2 song if released as a single. Even if not a top 10.

Could have been there biggest hit from War. Five Star's fifth single made the top 5. The first 4 didn't make the top 10! Sometimes a song just builds momentum.

Strongly disagree.  Just don't think it's near good enough.

In my opinion clearly the worst song from War. It's just cheesy and annoying and War would be better without it. Far better choice of single would be either Surrender or Seconds.

I've always loved this one. It gets a lot of criticism, mostly for its somewhat dated style, but it's catchy and fits in well with the rest of the album. It's a personal favorite.

It's definitely the most "80's sounding" thing that U2 ever did. Enjoyable as kitsch, but it seems like they understood that it would not stand out as timeless, back when they were good at making decisions like that.

Quote from: Alphane on January 05, 2024, 04:39:28 PM

I've always loved this one. It gets a lot of criticism, mostly for its somewhat dated style, but it's catchy and fits in well with the rest of the album. It's a personal favorite.

Got an 'Adam & the Ants' vibe.

But good Ants songs were big hits in the early 80's.

But in the good part of their career, U2 were more concerned with NOT sounding like other people who were having hits.

In my opinion clearly the worst song from War. It's just cheesy and annoying and War would be better without it. Far better choice of single would be either Surrender or Seconds.

'Seconds' I like. Cool middle and short enough for 80's radio play.

The Refugee was louder and more in your face. Catchy 80's pop sounding but full of passion.

Less chance of it barely making the top 40 and then disappearing. Which lots of third singles did then.