U2 - Magnificent May 2026
It was a staple during the U2 360° Tour (2009–2011), which remains one of the highest-grossing concert tours in history.
During development, the song was known by the working title "French Disco" .
will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas provided additional keyboards for the track. 3. Performance & Legacy U2 - Magnificent
The song explores the idea of sacrifice made for one's art or medium. Lanois initially envisioned the setting as a small bedroom in 1950s New York, imagining the persona of jazz legend Charlie Parker. 2. Musical Contributions
The track was produced by the longtime U2 collaborative team of Brian Eno , Daniel Lanois , and Steve Lillywhite . It was a staple during the U2 360°
"Magnificent" is the second track and second single from U2's 2009 album, No Line on the Horizon . It is widely regarded as one of the band's most overt "hymns of praise," drawing heavy comparisons to their 1981 song "Gloria" for its spiritual and worshipful themes.
The track was born during recording sessions in Fez, Morocco . Co-producer Daniel Lanois noted that Bono came up with the euphoric melody, which the band treated like a "fanfare". No Line on the Horizon .
The song is a popular feature for collectors, appearing in various U2 vinyl collection sets .