Elvis Costello (one of my major early influences) on U2 (a nearly life-long influence):

“[ … ] when you watch U2 on a [ large ] stage they build something much bigger than themselves. All U2’s songs are about love in one way or another. That’s a very courageous thing to do. They let go of themselves and when they do a song like One the feeling is unbelievable. I saw seven U2 shows last year and I could not see them enough. Their shows were the only shows I’ve ever seen that work in an arena. Everything else is bullshit or a trip to the circus.”