The Simpsons: 10 Greatest Rock Star Moments
6. U2 (S9 E22 “Trash Of The Titans”)
When Homer has a disagreement with the local garbage men, he decides to run for Sanitation Commissioner. In order to gain publicity and much needed votes, Homer, pretending to be a potato salesman, sneaks into U2’s concert at Springfield Stadium, interrupting them during “In the Name of Love”.
While Bono preaches the importance of proper waste management, The Edge and Larry Mullen leave the stage, resulting in Adam Clayton calling them "w****rs". The use of the vulgarism was controversial in the UK, but not in the US, where viewers weren't as familiar with the term.
Later, in a musical montage showcasing Homer’s garbage disposal ideas, U2 help perform “The Garbage Man” (a parody of “The Candy Man”), singing, “They'll mop up when you're overflowing / And tell you when your a*** is showing”. With no prior knowledge of the job role, Homer inevitably ends up overspending, and causes the town to become overrun with waste, forcing them to relocate Springfield five miles down the road.
It seems fitting that U2, who have lent their voices to numerous social causes over the years, would feature prominently in a Simpsons episode with a message.