U2 Wrote a New Song About Rosalía. Bono Was Nervous to Ask Her Permission to Release It: ‘I Look Like a Stalker’

U2 is set to release their sixteenth studio album, titled *Carnaval de Luz*, later this year, and it includes an intriguing track dedicated to renowned Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía. The song, named “The Mirror Maker (Rosalía),” reflects U2’s admiration for the artist and explores the themes of creativity and artistic inspiration.

In a recent interview with *Rolling Stone*, Bono, the frontman of U2, revealed his motivation behind writing the song. He noted the band typically writes about historical figures or societal issues, saying, “We normally just write songs about people in jail or dead people.” However, this time, the focus shifts to celebrating an extraordinary contemporary artist. “This is just celebrating somebody just because they’re an extraordinary artist,” Bono continued, highlighting their appreciation for Rosalía’s unique contributions to music.

Bono expressed his admiration for Rosalía, noting the connection the two artists have in terms of their recent works. The Irish musician found a thematic link between their albums, both inspired by the idea of light. Reflecting on this, he stated, “She’s arrived at the same point just before us, which is annoying and also really inspiring.” This connection added an additional layer of meaning to their creative output, showcasing the ways artists can inspire one another across genres and geographical boundaries.

The development of “The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)” was not without its challenges. According to Jacknife Lee, a long-time collaborator of the band, various iterations of the song were explored before reaching its final form. At one point during the songwriting process, members of U2 questioned the decision to write a song specifically about Rosalía, prompting Bono to clarify the importance of celebrating her artistry rather than merely being a fan. He stated that Rosalía’s “approach to art [is] with great courage and great self-effacing humor,” which he found particularly inspiring.

Interestingly, Bono didn’t initially seek Rosalía’s permission to use her name in the song; rather, he turned to a mutual friend, actress Penélope Cruz, for guidance. He recounted his conversation with Cruz, during which he expressed his apprehension about making contact with Rosalía. “I called Penélope: ‘What am I gonna do?’” he recalled, to which Cruz suggested that he simply reach out to her. Despite his reservations, Bono took the advice and managed to connect with the Spanish star.

Bono described Rosalía as encouraging throughout their exchanges, remarking that she has made him laugh and has been supportive of the song’s development. However, he admitted that the two have not had the opportunity to meet face to face, which he finds a bit daunting. “I sort of don’t think I could meet her now,” Bono confessed, indicating that he is still working up the courage to send her the final mix of the track.

Initially, U2 contemplated inviting Rosalía to contribute her own vocals to the song, particularly in a section where Bono was attempting to emulate her soprano style. However, as the collaboration progressed, they realised it was unnecessary for her to sing on a track dedicated to her. “Why would somebody sing on a song about them? Doesn’t make any sense,” Lee reflected. Ultimately, they decided Bono’s vocals were fitting for the song, allowing them to maintain the integrity of their artistic vision.

*Carnaval de Luz* is set to be released on Friday, 13th November. With its unique tribute to Rosalía, the album promises to be an exciting addition to U2’s illustrious discography. As the music scene eagerly anticipates the album’s unveiling, it will be interesting to see how the track dedicated to Rosalía resonates with fans, both familiar and new, and how it contributes to the broader narrative of U2’s continuing evolution as one of rock music’s most enduring bands.