172: ACHTUNG BABY | U2

This was always my favorite cut off the album. So moving.

Here is a drunk text from my buddy Joel: “I may be an atheist. Don’t wanna be. Sucks being an atheist. But listening to these Irish Catholic fuckers U2 off Achtung Baby brings me close to God (or goodness).

Achtung Baby is a landmark album by the Irish rock band U2, released in 1991. It marked a radical departure from their previous sound and image, as they experimented with alternative rock, industrial music, and electronic dance music. The album also reflected the band’s personal and political struggles, as they faced creative differences, marital problems, and the collapse of communism in Europe. Achtung Baby is widely regarded as one of U2’s best and most influential albums, as well as one of the greatest albums of all time.

The album was recorded in Berlin and Dublin, with producers Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, and Steve Lillywhite. The band initially struggled to find inspiration in Berlin, where they hoped to capture the spirit of German reunification. They almost broke up during the sessions, but they managed to overcome their conflicts and create new songs. One of the breakthrough moments was the writing of “One”, a ballad about love and unity that became one of their most popular songs. Other songs on the album explored themes such as sexuality, betrayal, faith, and media manipulation.

The album’s title and cover art were designed to challenge the expectations of the fans and the public. Achtung Baby is a German phrase that means “attention, baby” or “watch out, baby”. It was chosen as a joke and a contrast to the seriousness of their previous work. The cover art featured multiple images of the band members in various costumes and poses, inspired by the collage technique of the pop artist David Hockney. The images represented the band’s new personas and their desire to reinvent themselves.

The album was a commercial and critical success, debuting at number one on several charts around the world. It sold over 18 million copies worldwide and won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The album spawned five hit singles: “The Fly”, “Mysterious Ways”, “One”, “Even Better Than the Real Thing”, and “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses”. The album also inspired the Zoo TV Tour, a multimedia extravaganza that featured multiple video screens, satellite broadcasts, prank calls, and alter egos. The tour was one of the most innovative and ambitious tours in rock history.