The Story Of How The Edge Found The Delay Tone For “Bad” While Stuck In A Snowstorm In New York

April 1, 2025

One chilly evening in December 1986, The Edge, the talented guitarist from the band U2, found himself caught in a surprising snowstorm in New York City. The city, usually bustling with life, was blanketed in white, and the roads were choked with snow. The band had just wrapped up a series of shows, and he was eager to get back to the warmth of his hotel, where he could retreat into the comfort of music. Instead, he was stranded, trapped in a cab that seemed to inch forward at a snail’s pace. Little did he know that this frustrating situation would spark one of his most iconic musical ideas.

As the cab crawled through the storm, The Edge sat in the backseat, staring out at the swirling snowflakes. The muffled sounds of the city were hardly audible through the cacophony of the storm. He pulled out his guitar, which he always carried with him, hoping to distract himself from the unsettling chaos outside. Strumming softly, he began to play some of the chords he had been working on for a new song. It was then that he felt the sudden surge of inspiration, ignited by the isolation of the moment and the eerie beauty of the snowstorm. As he experimented with different sounds, he imagined how they might weave together to form something extraordinary.

The storm outside roared louder, but within the cab, The Edge found a serene escape. He worked tirelessly, layering sounds in his mind until he hit upon a unique delay effect, a tone that was unlike anything he had created before. It was both haunting and beautiful, capturing the deep emotions he wished to express in his music. He hurriedly scribbled notes on the back of an envelope, documenting every fleeting idea. The tone felt like a lifeline, a beacon of hope amidst the swirling uncertainty of life and the world around him.

Once the storm cleared and The Edge finally reached his hotel, he rushed to his room, excitement pulsing through him. He immediately headed to the studio with newfound energy. The delay tone he discovered in that trapped moment would become the defining sound of U2’s song “Bad,” a track that spoke powerfully about addiction and the struggles of life. When the band performed “Bad,” the crowd would sway and connect with the raw emotion, a testament to the way music could unite people through shared experiences of pain and hope.

That winter night taught The Edge a valuable lesson about resilience and the power of creativity. Instead of succumbing to frustration and despair, he had turned an ordinary, difficult situation into an extraordinary moment of artistic breakthrough. The song “Bad” would not only elevate U2’s music to new heights but also serve as a reminder that inspiration can be found even in the most challenging circumstances.

Looking back on that snowstorm, The Edge would often smile at how one unexpected moment changed the course of his career. It was a vivid reminder that the beauty of music lies in its ability to emerge from life’s chaos, transforming struggle into something uplifting. Through his journey, he inspired countless fans, showing them that resilience in the face of adversity could lead to profound creativity and emotional connection.