With lyrics written about the Polish Solidarity movement, "New Year's Day" is driven by Adam Clayton's distinctive bassline and the Edge's piano and guitar playing.

The UK cover features a photograph of Peter Rowen, who grew up near the group's lead vocalist Bono in Ireland.

[4] The lyric had its origins in a love song from Bono to his wife,[5] but was subsequently reshaped and inspired by the Polish Solidarity movement.

[6] The bassline stemmed from bassist Adam Clayton trying to figure out the chords to the Visage song "Fade to Grey"[7] during a soundcheck.

[8] In 1983, Bono said of the song, "It would be stupid to start drawing up battle lines, but I think the fact that 'New Year's Day' made the Top Ten indicated a disillusionment among record buyers.

The biography states that Bono refused to wear any headgear despite the cold weather, and had a lot of trouble mouthing the lyrics.

This clip, published on YouTube, shows a transformation of Poland in the last 20 years, mixed with short scenes from today's Warsaw seen from a perspective of a 20-year-old woman.