U2’s song "New Year’s Day” has become a classic rolled out at this time of year simply because of its name but many don’t realize the meaning behind the lyrics.

The 1983 song was released as the lead single from the album "War.” It was U2’s first international hit and changed their career forever. The song hit the United Kingdom charts at number ten and was their first song to be featured on the United States Billboard Hot 100. Rolling Stone magazine also featured it among their "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

Although it’s one of their most well known tunes, many fans don’t realize that the song is actually about the Polish Solidarity movement.

And you could be forgiven, given that it’s called "New Year’s Day” and it was released in January 1983.

The lyrics in fact refer to the persecuted leader of the Polish Solidarity movement, Lech Walesa. Coincidentally, after the song was released Poland announced that they would abolish martial law.

In 1980 the Solidarity movement in Poland, under the leadership of future Nobel Peace Prize winner and president Lech Walesa, challenged the oppressive rule of the Polish government. In December 1981, the Solidarity movement was outlawed and Walesa and its other leaders were arrested and put in jail.

It’s believed that "New Year’s Day” initially started out as a love song, dedicated to Bono’s high-school sweetheart, Ali, whom he had recently married, but this changed.