One U2 Classic. A No. 1 Hit. Nearly 40 Years Later — Celtic Thunder Gave It A Whole New Feeling. “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” first became a massive hit for U2 in 1987, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Decades later, Celtic Thunder took the beloved classic and reshaped it with their signature harmonies and unmistakable Irish character. Instead of simply copying the original, the group brings a different energy to the song, allowing the powerful melody and emotional lyrics to shine through in a richer, more vocal-driven arrangement. One legendary song. Two very different musical identities. And a Celtic Thunder performance that shows just how timeless U2’s music can be.

by

Celtic Thunder Gives U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” a Celtic Touch

Celtic Thunder: It's Entertainment (Video 2010) - IMDb

Celtic Thunder brings a distinctly Irish character to one of U2’s most recognizable songs with its rendition of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

The group recorded the song for its 2010 album It’s Entertainment, where it appears alongside other well-known pop and rock favorites. The recording was produced by Phil Coulter, with the songwriting credits going to U2 members Bono, Adam Clayton, David “The Edge” Evans and Larry Mullen Jr.

Originally released by U2 in 1987, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” became the band’s second No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later became one of its most frequently performed songs.

Celtic Thunder Stunning Rendition of U2's Classic 'Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For'

A Familiar Song With a Different Feel

Celtic Thunder’s version gives the U2 classic a fresh setting without losing the emotional character of the original.

Known for combining traditional Celtic influences with contemporary songs, the group approaches the track through its signature vocal style. Rich harmonies and the interplay between individual singers give the performance a character that feels different from U2’s rock-oriented recording.

The choice also fits naturally within Celtic Thunder’s broader repertoire. It’s Entertainment was built around familiar songs from different eras, including “Desperado,” “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Every Breath You Take,” “The Sound of Silence” and “The Boys Are Back in Town.”

That musical variety is part of what makes the rendition work. Rather than treating the song simply as a rock cover, Celtic Thunder places it alongside the group’s own blend of polished ensemble singing and Celtic performance traditions.

Bringing U2’s Classic Into the Celtic Thunder World

Celtic Thunder: It's Entertainment! | KPBS Public Media

The original song has always carried a strong sense of searching and longing. Its lyrics describe a journey through physical and spiritual experiences while repeatedly returning to the feeling expressed in its title. U2’s official site lists the song as part of The Joshua Tree, released in 1987.

Celtic Thunder’s interpretation allows those themes to come through in a more vocal-driven setting. The arrangement gives the singers room to emphasize the melody and harmonies, creating a performance that feels expansive without relying solely on the scale of a rock production.

The result is a version that connects two distinctly Irish musical identities: U2’s influential rock sound and Celtic Thunder’s ensemble approach to Irish and international repertoire.

A Song That Continues to Travel

“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” has proved remarkably adaptable over the years. U2’s original became a major international hit, while the song has also been covered by numerous artists. U2 itself notes that it is the band’s most-covered song after “With or Without You.”

Celtic Thunder’s recording is another example of how the song can move beyond its original musical setting while retaining its central emotional appeal.

For fans of U2, it offers a different way to hear a familiar classic. For Celtic Thunder listeners, it showcases the group’s ability to move comfortably between traditional material and internationally recognized pop and rock songs.

The recording remains a strong example of what Celtic Thunder does best: taking a well-known song, reshaping it around the voices of its performers and giving it a distinctly Celtic identity without losing sight of the original.