U2 releases tribute song dedicated to Renee Good, the deceased Minn agitator who attacked ICE agent with her SUV

U2 has released its first substantial collection of new material since 2017’s Songs of Experience. The six-track EP, Days of Ash, dropped unexpectedly on Ash Wednesday.

The opening track, “American Obituary,” is a tribute to slain Minneapolis resident Renee Good, who was killed after obstructing an ICE operation and driving at a federal agent with her SUV. The song highlights domestic unrest and takes issue with civilian deaths, echoing themes found in recent releases from stars such as Bruce Springsteen. The EP also touches on international concerns, honoring individuals killed in Iran and Gaza and drawing inspiration from figures in Israel and Ukraine.
 

"These EP tracks couldn’t wait; these songs were impatient to be out in the world. They are songs of defiance and dismay, of lamentation. Songs of celebration will follow, we’re working on those now… because for all the awfulness we see normalized daily on our small screens, there’s nothing normal about these mad and maddening times and we need to stand up to them before we can go back to having faith in the future. And each other," Bono said.

Guest appearances on the EP include Ed Sheeran on the closing track “Yours Eternally,” providing both vocals and writing, as well as Ukrainian rock musician Taras Topolia, known for performing on the frontlines of the war.

While Days of Ash marks U2’s first major project in years, other artists have also responded musically to events surrounding Good’s death. Bruce Springsteen recently released “Streets of Minneapolis,” a protest song commemorating both Good and Alex Pretti, who died after confronting law enforcement in Minneapolis. Springsteen’s track, like U2’s, addresses tensions between civilians and authorities and has drawn attention for its political message.

The lyrics of the new U2 track are as follows: 

Renee Good born to die free
American mother of three
Seventh day January
A bullet for each child, you see
The color of her eye
930 Minneapolis 
To desecrate domestic bliss
Three bullets blast, three babies kissed
Renee the domestic terrorist???
What you can’t kill can't die
America will rise 
Against the people of the lie 
I love you more 
Than hate loves war 
I love you more 
Than hate loves war 
(War, war)