"We see ourselves as just another Irish boy band," said Bono after U2 came away from the 43rd Annual GRAMMYs with three major awards.

"We see ourselves as just another Irish boy band," said a playful Bono Wednesday night after U2 came away from the 43rd Annual GRAMMYs with awards for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group all for "Beautiful Day" from the band's All That You Can't Leave Behind album.

The Award for Best Rock Duo or Group was presented to the band by Carson Daly from MTV.

The Award for Song Of The Year was presented by Shelby Lynn and Sheryl Crow.

The bands third Award - Record Of The Year - was presented by Joni Mitchell and Carlos Santana and co-producer of All That You Can't Leave Behind, Danny Lanois, joined U2 on stage to receive it.


Interviewed aftgerwards, Bono gestured to the rest of the band and said, "Actually it's hard to find four people this good-looking who are willing to write and record and perform together."

Bono grew a bit more serious in comparing his feelings this year to his attitude toward the band's seven previous wins.

"It's funny,' he told Chuck Crisafulli for Grammy.com, 'We've won a few of these before but I don't remember really wanting it the way we wanted it tonight. We really wanted a GRAMMY this time. But I also felt a little guilty at first because our song was up against Macy Gray's "I Try" and I think that's a beautiful song from an amazing singer."

Bono paused a few beats then almost winked at the press as he said, "I think I'm actually enjoying this humility. It's a very rare thing for me."

On the enduring career of the band, Bono admitted that U2 had probably defied both rock and roll actuarial tables and fan expectations. "There's a certain contour to bands' careers that people expect to see -- you do your best work early on and then you burn out. Maybe we're just lucky, but it doesn't feel like we've started burning out yet."

The Edge then leaned into Bono's mic and provided the succinct secret to the band's success. "The band that plays together, stays together."

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