Is Bono 'Embarrased' Of U2's Name And Songs? Rock Icon Says It Makes Him 'Cringe A Little Bit'

It seems like Bono is not a fan of most of their songs, his singing voice, and even their band name "U2".

During an appearance on the Awards Chatter podcast (as reported by The Times), the vocalist said that he shuts off the radio while the group's songs are being played.

This is because the Irish frontman does not want to hear his own singing voice on the radio whenever U2 songs are played.

The band name

The start of his self-loathing tirade came when he was asked about the origins of the band's name.

Bono explained that the band thought in their heads "it was like the spy plane" and that it sounded "futuristic".

However, the lead vocalist expressed that he does not like the name and "still don't really like the name" until now.

He also revealed that the band's first manager, Paul McGuinness, introduced the idea of the name to the band - saying "U2" is going to "look good on a T-shirt, a letter and a number".

The songs

In addition to hating the band name, Bono's tirades did not stop there. He has also publicly criticized the band's songs.

The U2 frontman recounted an instance wherein he was inside the car and heard one of their songs on the radio. Bono revealed that he turned "scarlet" as he was "just so embarrassed".

He has admitted that most vocal performances make him "cringe a little bit," but he claimed that the band's 2004 hit "Vertigo" is perhaps the one he is "proudest of".

As to why it was his most fond track, he explained that it was "the way it connects with the audience". Even though he feels "the band sounds incredible," the 61-year-old frontman admitted that his voice is now "strained."

He later conceded that he thinks that band "pushes out the boat on embarrassment quite a lot" as he believes that it is "the place to be as an artist" - being able to know right at the edge of your level of embarrassment".

Retracting his initial description for the band, Bono explained that "pushing the thresholds of artistry" is "an essential creative force" - saying "daring" is a better word than "embarrassment".