Atomic City (U2 song)

Last updated
"Atomic City"
U2 Atomic City Cover Art.jpg
Single by U2
Released29 September 2023
Studio Sound City (Los Angeles)
Genre Rock
Length3:30
Label Island
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s) Bono
Producer(s)
U2 singles chronology
"Your Song Saved My Life"
(2021)		"Atomic City"
(2023)

"Atomic City" is a song by Irish rock band U2, released as a single on 29 September 2023 through Island Records. It was produced by Jacknife Lee and Steve Lillywhite, and was recorded at Sound City Studios. The song was written as a promotional tie-in to the band's U2:UV Achtung Baby Live concert residency at the Sphere in the Las Vegas Valley, and it was released the same day the residency began.

Contents

The band described the track as a musical homage to artists such as Blondie, Giorgio Moroder, and the Clash as well as post-punk music of the 1970s; Debbie Harry, Blondie's singer, and Moroder received credit as composers of the song due to its chorus sharing similarities with "Call Me". [1] Lyrically, the song makes references to Las Vegas, with the title taken from the city's nickname from the 1950s when it was a destination for nuclear tourism. [2] [3] It was U2's first new song since "Your Song Saved My Life" from the soundtrack of the animated musical Sing 2 in 2021.

Despite being absent from the residency in order to recuperate from surgery, drummer Larry Mullen Jr. performed on the track and was filmed for its music video, [4] which was shot in Las Vegas and directed by Ben Kutchins.

Release

"Atomic City" was released digitally on 29 September 2023, the same day their residency at the Sphere began. It was also released on limited-edition CD and 7-inch vinyl formats. [5]

Two electronic dance remixes of the song have been released. In December 2023, one by Mike WiLL Made-It was issued, [6] and in February 2024, one by David Guetta was released. [7]

For Record Store Day 2024, U2 will be releasing a vinyl pressing of "Atomic City", consisting of a live version of the song recorded at the Sphere and Mike WiLL Made-It's remix. [8]

Music video

The Plaza Hotel & Casino, where U2's video shoot for "Atomic City" culminated Plaza north tower vertical shot.jpg
The Plaza Hotel & Casino, where U2's video shoot for "Atomic City" culminated

The music video was directed by Ben Kutchins and shot in Las Vegas. U2 began filming it on 16 September 2023; with the band members set up on a moving flatbed truck, the shoot began at the 3rd Street Stage on Fremont Street and culminated at midnight at the Carousel Bar in front of the Plaza Hotel & Casino, where the group were met by a crowd that included 250 extras. In addition to several takes of "Atomic City", U2 performed "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", whose music video had been filmed on Fremont Street in 1987. Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. participated in the video shoot, despite his plans to be absent from the concert residency. [9]

Reception

Neil McCormick of The Telegraph said that "Atomic City" was "an enticing start" to the band's residency at the Sphere. McCormick added that "On superficial listen, this upbeat, anthemic rocker might come across as a fun but cliched homage to the bright lights of the gambling mecca", but judged that the lyrics had more depth upon further analysis. [10] Pat Carty of Hot Press said, "'Atomic City' despite its gorgeous middle eight isn't much of a song." [11] Steven Hyden of Uproxx said that the song "borrows liberally from Blondie's 'Call Me' and reads like an attempt to re-write two of the biggest (and worst) U2 hits of the last 25 years, 'Elevation' and 'Vertigo'". [12] Chris DeVille of Stereogum called "Atomic City" the band's latest single to "chas[e] the ghost of 'Vertigo'", describing it as "a hard-grooving, competent song that nonetheless has me feeling like I still haven't found what I'm looking for". [13] Spin called it "a straight-ahead rocker that would fit in on any of U2's post-2000s albums". [14] Charlotte Krol of NME said that with the song, U2 "returned to the post-punk of their heyday with a stirring guitar hook reminiscent of their 1983 hit 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' and a chorus that channels Blondie". [15] Relix said, "The high-octane feel on the song serves as the perfect precursor to the opening of Las Vegas' newest attraction, The Sphere". [16]

Ultimate Classic Rock ranked "Atomic City" the 28th-best rock song of 2023. [17] Exclaim! listed the single's cover image as the worst of the year, writing: "The single was released to promote the band's Las Vegas residency at the $2.3 billion Sphere, so the fact that the cover artwork looks this cheap feels like an insult. That Larry Mullen Jr. is wearing a punk T-shirt feels almost like he's daring us to call out their capitalist excess, so here goes: this stinks." [18]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Atomic City" garnered 1.1 million official streams and 3,329 copies sold in its first week, according to Luminate. It debuted at number one on Billboard 's Alternative Digital Song Sales chart, U2's first time atop the chart since its inception in 2011. [19] [20]

"Atomic City" also appeared on other Billboard charts to set or extend several records for U2. On the Alternative Airplay chart, the song peaked at number 15, [21] extending the group's record for songs on the chart to 43; this made U2 just the third act to appear on the Alternative Airplay chart in every decade since its inception in 1988, alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers and Depeche Mode. [20] The song also peaked at number 35 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, [21] extending U2's record of songs on the chart to 51; this made U2 the seventh act to appear on the chart in every decade since its inception in 1981. [20]

"Atomic City" reached number one on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart, the band's 14th song to do so, surpassing Coldplay for the most ever. [21] It was also U2's 27th song to reach the top ten of the chart, setting a new record, [22] and it was their 32nd song overall to appear on the chart, the second-most ever. [20] On the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, the song debuted at number five, U2's highest peak on the chart since its inception in 2009; the song accrued 3.7 million impressions from radio audiences during the week of 29 September to 5 October, according to Luminate. [20]

Live performances

Live performances of the song during the band's residency at the Sphere featured a digital recreation of the Las Vegas skyline on screen. U2 performing at Sphere in Las Vegas on Oct 18 2023 by Jeff Hollett (15).jpg
Live performances of the song during the band's residency at the Sphere featured a digital recreation of the Las Vegas skyline on screen.

U2 performed "Atomic City" during their 2023–2024 U2:UV Achtung Baby residency at the Sphere. For performances, a computer-generated recreation of the Las Vegas skyline at night was displayed on the venue's interior LED screen. Progressively, the buildings were deconstructed in a reverse time-lapse, until only the empty desert remained. [23] [24] The idea for the visuals came from Bono, who wanted the LED screen to depict the exterior surroundings of the Sphere and create the illusion that the building had disappeared. [25] [26] [27] The visual effects studio Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) created the sequence, [25] using a team of 20 artists over four months. [28]

A performance of "Atomic City" at the Sphere by U2 was included in the telecast of the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on 4 February 2024, in what was billed as the first-ever televised performance from the venue. After the performance, the band participated in an award presentation, announcing that the winner for Best Pop Vocal Album was Taylor Swift for Midnights . [29]

Personnel

U2

Additional personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Atomic City"
Chart (2023–2024)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [30] 64
Japan Hot Overseas ( Billboard Japan ) [31] 11
Netherlands (Single Tip) [32] 30
Netherlands (Tipparade) [33] 20
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [34] 33
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100) [35] 82
UK Singles Downloads (OCC) [36] 10
UK Singles Sales (OCC) [37] 11
US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard ) [38] 19
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [39] 38

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U2</span> Irish rock band

U2 are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1976. The group consists of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.. Initially rooted in post-punk, U2's musical style has evolved throughout their career, yet has maintained an anthemic quality built on Bono's expressive vocals and the Edge's chiming, effects-based guitar sounds. Bono's lyrics, often embellished with spiritual imagery, focus on personal and sociopolitical themes. Popular for their live performances, the group have staged several elaborate tours over their career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Mullen Jr.</span> Irish rock musician, drummer of U2

Laurence Joseph Mullen Jr. is an Irish musician, best known as the drummer and co-founder of the rock band U2. A member of the band since its inception, he has recorded 15 studio albums with U2. Mullen's distinctive, almost military drumming style developed from his playing martial beats in childhood marching bands.

<i>Achtung Baby</i> 1991 studio album by U2

Achtung Baby is the seventh studio album by Irish rock band U2. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 18 November 1991 on Island Records. After criticism of their 1988 release Rattle and Hum, U2 shifted their direction to incorporate influences from alternative rock, industrial music, and electronic dance music into their sound. Thematically, Achtung Baby is darker, more introspective, and at times more flippant than their previous work. The album and the subsequent multimedia-intensive Zoo TV Tour were central to the group's 1990s reinvention, by which they abandoned their earnest public image for a more lighthearted and self-deprecating one.

Alternative Airplay is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It ranks the 40 most-played songs on alternative and modern rock radio stations. Introduced as Modern Rock Tracks, the chart served as a companion to the Mainstream Rock chart, and its creation was prompted by the explosion of alternative music on American radio in the late 1980s. During the first several years of the chart, it regularly featured music that did not receive commercial radio airplay anywhere but on a few modern rock and college rock radio stations. This included many electronic and post-punk artists. Gradually, as alternative rock became more mainstream, alternative and mainstream rock radio stations began playing many of the same songs. By the late 2000s, the genres became more fully differentiated with only limited crossover. The Alternative Airplay chart features more alternative rock, indie pop, and pop punk artists while the Mainstream Rock chart leans towards more guitar-tinged blues rock, hard rock, and heavy metal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U2 discography</span>

The discography of the Irish rock band U2 consists of 15 studio albums, one live album, three compilation albums, 84 singles, and nine extended plays (EPs). The band formed at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in 1976 as teenagers. In 1979, the group issued their first release, the EP U2-3, which sold well in Ireland. The following year, the group signed to Island Records and released their debut album, Boy. It reached number 52 in the UK and number 63 in the US. They followed it up with the release of October (1981) and War (1983). War was a commercial success, becoming the band's first number-one album in the UK while reaching number 12 in the US. The album yielded the singles "Two Hearts Beat As One", "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day", the latter two have since become among the band's most popular songs. On the subsequent War Tour, the group recorded the live album Under a Blood Red Sky and concert film U2 Live at Red Rocks, both of which sold well and helped establish them globally as a live act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One (U2 song)</span> 1992 single by U2

"One" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the third track from their seventh album, Achtung Baby (1991), and it was released as the record's third single on 24 February 1992. During the album's recording sessions at Hansa Studios in Berlin, conflict arose between the band members over the direction of U2's sound and the quality of their material. Tensions almost prompted the band to break up until they achieved a breakthrough with the improvisation of "One"; the song was written after the band members were inspired by a chord progression that guitarist the Edge was playing in the studio. The lyrics, written by lead singer Bono, were inspired by the band members' fractured relationships and the German reunification. Although the lyrics ostensibly describe "disunity", they have been interpreted in other ways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful Day</span> 2000 single by U2

"Beautiful Day" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the first track on their tenth studio album, All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000), and was released as the album's lead single on 9 October 2000. The song was a commercial success, helping launch the album to multi-platinum status, and is one of U2's biggest hits to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Even Better Than the Real Thing</span> 1992 single by U2

"Even Better Than the Real Thing" is a song by Irish rock band U2, and is the second track on their seventh album, Achtung Baby (1992). It was released as the album's fourth single on 8 June 1992, and it reached number three in Ireland and Canada while becoming a top-ten hit in Austria, New Zealand, and Sweden. A remixed version of the song released the same year peaked at number eight in the United Kingdom and number 10 in Ireland. In 1997, readers of Mojo named the song the 71st-best track of the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vertigo (U2 song)</span> 2004 single by U2

"Vertigo" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the opening track on their eleventh studio album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004). It was released to radio as the album's lead single on 8 November 2004, and upon release, it received extensive airplay. The song was an international success, bolstered by its usage in a television advertisement featuring the band for Apple's iPod digital music player. The song lent its name to the band's 2005–2006 Vertigo Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Staring at the Sun (U2 song)</span> 1997 single by U2

"Staring at the Sun" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the fifth track on their 1997 album, Pop, and was released by Island Records as the album's second single on 14 April 1997. The song peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, number one in Canada and Iceland and number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the US, it topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and Adult Alternative Songs charts. It also reached the top 10 in Finland, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses</span> 1992 single by U2

"Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the fifth track on their 1991 album Achtung Baby, and was released as its fifth and final single in November 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mysterious Ways (song)</span> 1991 single by U2

"Mysterious Ways" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the eighth track from their 1991 album, Achtung Baby, and was released as the album's second single on 2 December 1991. The song began as an improvisation called "Sick Puppy", with the band liking only the bass part that bassist Adam Clayton composed. The band struggled to build a song from it, with vocalist Bono and producer Daniel Lanois arguing intensely during one songwriting session. The song's breakthrough came after guitarist the Edge began experimenting with the Korg A3 effects unit. "Mysterious Ways" features a danceable beat, funky guitar hook, and conga-laden percussion, as well as mystical lyrics by Bono about romance and women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fly (U2 song)</span> 1991 single by U2

"The Fly" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the seventh track from their 1991 album, Achtung Baby, and it was released as the album's first single on 21 October 1991 by Island Records. "The Fly" introduced a more abrasive-sounding U2, as the song featured danceable hip-hop beats, industrial textures, distorted vocals, and an elaborate guitar solo. Lead vocalist Bono described the song as "the sound of four men chopping down The Joshua Tree", due to its departure from the sound that had traditionally characterised the band in the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Love Comes to Town</span> 1989 single by U2 with B.B. King

"When Love Comes to Town" is a song by Irish rock band U2 featuring blues guitarist B.B. King. It is the twelfth track from U2's 1988 album, Rattle and Hum, and was released in 1989 as the record's third single. The song was recorded at the historic Sun Studio in Memphis. "When Love Comes to Town" reached number one in the Irish Singles Chart, number six in the UK Singles Chart, number ten in the Dutch Top 40, and number two in the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

"Until the End of the World" is a song by rock band U2 and the fourth track from their 1991 album Achtung Baby. The song began as a guitar riff composed by lead vocalist Bono from a demo, which the band revisited with success after talking with German filmmaker Wim Wenders about providing music for his film Until the End of the World. The song's lyrics describe a fictional conversation between Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot. The first verse discusses the Last Supper; the second is about Judas identifying Jesus with a kiss on the cheek in the Garden of Gethsemane; and the final is about Judas' suicide after being overwhelmed with guilt and sadness.

"Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World" is a song by Irish rock band U2, and the ninth track on their 1991 album, Achtung Baby. It is a tongue-in-cheek song about stumbling home drunk after a night out on the town. It is dedicated to the Flaming Colossus nightclub in Los Angeles. The album version includes keyboard playing by producer Brian Eno. The line "a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle" is a quotation from Irina Dunn.

This is a timeline of the history of rock band U2:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concert residency</span> Run of an artists shows at one location

A concert residency is a series of concerts, similar to a concert tour, but only performed at one location. Pollstar Awards defined residency as a run of 10 or more shows at a single venue. With exceptions, virtual venues are included. An artist who performs on a concert residency is called a resident performer. Concert residencies have been the staple of the Las Vegas Strip for decades, pioneered by singer-pianist Liberace in the 1940s and Frank Sinatra with the Rat Pack in the 1950s.

U2:UV <i>Achtung Baby</i> Live at Sphere 2023–2024 concert residency by U2

U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere was a concert residency by the Irish rock band U2 at the Sphere in Paradise, Nevada, in the Las Vegas Valley. Consisting of 40 concerts from 29 September 2023 to 2 March 2024, the residency inaugurated the Sphere with performances focused on the group's 1991 album Achtung Baby. The shows leveraged the venue's immersive video and sound capabilities, which include a 160,000-square-foot (15,000 m2) LED screen with a 16K resolution that wraps around the interior, and speakers with beamforming and wave field synthesis technologies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bram van den Berg</span> Dutch drummer

Bram van den Berg is a Dutch rock musician who is the drummer of the band Krezip. He served as the live drummer of Irish rock band U2 during their Las Vegas concert residency U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere from 2023 to 2024, filling in for Larry Mullen Jr., who was recovering from surgery.

References

  1. ↑ Starkey, Arun (29 September 2023). "U2 release new single 'Atomic City'". Far Out . Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  2. ↑ Minsker, Evan (29 September 2023). "U2 Share New Song "Atomic City" Ahead of Las Vegas Concerts: Listen". Pitchfork . Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  3. ↑ McCormick, Neil (29 September 2023). "U2's Atomic City: a sinfully good mash-up of glam rock and stadium belter" . Telegraph.co.uk . Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  4. ↑ Taysom, Joe (29 September 2023). "U2 reveal 'Atomic City' video "took its toll" on Larry Mullen Jr". Far Out . Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "U2 tease video for new single 'Atomic City'". Hot Press . 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "U2 releases 'Atomic City' remix from Mike WiLL Made-It". WDRV . 13 December 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  7. ↑ Wilkes, Emma (5 February 2024). "U2 share David Guetta remix of 'Atomic City'". NME . Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  8. ↑ "Record Store Day 2024: Special releases from Sinéad O'Connor, Thin Lizzy, The Cranberries, U2, Dolores O'Riordan and FIZZ on the way". Hot Press . 16 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  9. ↑ Katsilometes, John (16 September 2023). "U2 premiers new single in surprise downtown Las Vegas show". Las Vegas Review-Journal . Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  10. ↑ McCormick, Neil (29 September 2023). "U2's Atomic City: a sinfully good mash-up of glam rock and stadium belter". The Telegraph . Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  11. ↑ Carty, Pat (12 December 2023). "Ready For The Deal: U2 Inside The Sphere". Hot Press . Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  12. ↑ Hyden, Steven (3 October 2023). "28 Thoughts On Seeing U2 At Las Vegas' Sphere". Uproxx . Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  13. ↑ DeVille, Chris (29 September 2023). "U2 – 'Atomic City'". Stereogum . Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  14. ↑ "U2 Releases New Song 'Atomic City' Ahead Of Las Vegas Residency". Spin . 29 September 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  15. ↑ Krol, Charlotte (29 September 2023). "U2 release anthemic new single 'Atomic City'". NME . Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  16. ↑ "Watch: U2 Drop 'Atomic City' Before Christening The Sphere". Relix . 29 September 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  17. ↑ Rapp, Allison (29 November 2023). "Top 30 Rock Songs of 2023". Ultimate Classic Rock . Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  18. ↑ Hudson, Alex; Bell, Kaelen; LaPierre, Megan (14 December 2023). "Exclaim!'s 25 Worst Album Covers of 2023". Exclaim! . Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  19. ↑ McIntyre, Hugh (11 October 2023). "U2 Hits No. 1 On A Billboard Chart They've Never Ruled Before". Forbes . Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 Rutherford, Kevin (12 October 2023). "U2 Extends Alternative, Mainstream Rock Airplay Records With 'Atomic City'" . Billboard . Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  21. 1 2 3 Rutherford, Kevin (10 November 2023). "U2 Retakes Sole Possession of Adult Alternative Airplay No. 1s Record Thanks to 'Atomic City'" . Billboard . Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  22. ↑ Rutherford, Kevin (19 October 2023). "U2 Retakes Sole Possession of Adult Alternative Airplay Top 10 Record" . Billboard . Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  23. ↑ Pizzello, Stephen (20 October 2023). "Supersized Performance — U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere". American Cinematographer . Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  24. ↑ Levy, Steven (6 October 2023). "The Las Vegas Sphere Makes Virtual Reality a Full-Body Experience". Wired . Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  25. 1 2 Lampert-Greaux, Ellen (12 October 2023). "Q&A With Willie Williams, U2 Visual Guru". Live Design . Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  26. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (30 September 2023). "U2 Opens Las Vegas Sphere With a Dazzling Musical and Visual Odyssey Before 18,000 Fans". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  27. ↑ Mason, Anthony; Novak, Analisa (28 September 2023). "U2 opening new Las Vegas residency at cutting-edge venue Sphere". CBS News . Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  28. ↑ "U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere". Industrial Light & Magic . Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  29. ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly (4 February 2024). "U2 Rocks 'Atomic City' in History-Making Grammys Performance From Las Vegas Sphere". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  30. ↑ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association . Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  31. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of October 18, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  32. ↑ "Dutch Single Tip 07/10/2023". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  33. ↑ "Tipparade-lijst van week 42, 2023" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  34. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  35. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20241 into search. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  36. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  37. ↑ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  38. ↑ "U2 Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  39. ↑ "U2 Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.