Before closing out their Las Vegas residency, U2 surprised fans during their U2:UV Achtung Baby show at Sphere in Las Vegas. The Irish rock legends performed their rendition of Darlene Love’s holiday classic, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” marking the first time in 36 years they played the song live.
The performance began with The Edge strumming an acoustic guitar, and as Bono sang the iconic opening lines, the crowd erupted in cheers. U2 slowed down the cover, maintaining the 1987 version’s somber quality. The stage lit in red, with screens turned off, creating a festive atmosphere for the holiday serenade. The band’s rendition of the song was initially released for the 1987 charity compilation album “A Very Special Christmas.
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This live rendition comes after U2’s Las Vegas residency, which began in late September, concluded its shows for the year. The residency, initially scheduled for 2023, was extended into 2024 with 11 new dates starting on January 26 and running through February 18.
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Darlene Love herself revealed that U2’s version is her favorite, praising the unique approach. Love shared her connection with U2, mentioning how they wanted her to do all the background parts for the song. The cover has become iconic and stands out from other renditions by artists like Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé.
Watch the surprise performance and catch the holiday spirit with U2’s rendition of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”