U2 began to work with Steve Lillywhite on their first album in August 1980. The single, "A Day Without Me," was released in the same month and by October the group was ready for its first European shows. The Boy album was released in October, along with a third single, "I Will Follow."

During November 1980, U2 travelled to the United States to play their first shows there. Back in Dublin in January 1981, U2 collected nine firsts in the Hot Press Reader's Poll. One month later, at the final sold-out show of the British tour, 700 people had to be turned away from London's 3,000 capacity Lyceum Ballroom. U2 spent the next three months touring the United States.

In June 1981, the first single off their second album, Octoberwas released. "Fire" was recorded at Compass Point Studios during a break in the U.S. tour. October entered the U.K. album charts at No. 11 after one week of release, the second single from the album, Gloria, also made the U.K. chart. European and American tours followed, culminating in the 5,000 capacity show at Dublin's RDS in January 1982.

The release of War in March 1983 marked a turning point in the band's career: the single "New Year's Day" was a U.K. Top 10 hit and the album entered the U.K. charts at No.1 and went to the Top 10 in the United States.

Recorded at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado during their U.S. tour, Under a Blood Red Sky was U2's first live album. Upon its release in November 1983, it topped the chart in the U.K. and reached platinum status by January 1984. Rolling Stone magazine's writer's poll voted U2 "Band of the Year" for 1983.