U2 has been celebrating the 30th anniversary of their critically acclaimed album The Joshua Tree and recently stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live to promote their tour. But while describing the inspiration behind the classic record, the band felt it best to let the music do the talking, surprising the crowd with a worship-filled rendition of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”
Fans of U2 can point back to Rattle and Hum, the band’s sixth studio album and documentary, as the start of the gospel influence. That version of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” featured a full choir, similar to those planted in Jimmy Kimmel’s audience.
Bono proclaims, “Take you to church, Selah.” to cue in the guest singers. They sang, “He will lift you higher and higher / He will lift you up when you call / He will bring you shelter from the storm,” before Bono returned to the lyrics:
I believe in the Kingdom Come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
But yes, I’m still running
You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame
Oh my shame, you know I believe it
For some great perspective on the song itself, look no further than a recent episode of The Sweet Spot where Bruxy Cavey of The Meeting House explained why “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” was his favorite song.