City of Blinding Lights

Last updated

"... 'Oh you look so beautiful tonight.' It is such a naïve and innocent line. That's what this song is about, remembering those times ... It's not necessarily a curse, it's that part of us is missing. It's about recapturing a sense of wonder, being in a city and reminding yourself that you don't have to lose your soul to gain the world."

—Bono, on "City of Blinding Lights" [5]

The album version of the song runs for 5:47. It begins with a low note played on an electric guitar with heavy delay and distortion. The note is sustained for ten seconds as its harmonics gradually feed back. A pulsing rhythm guitar part with muted staccato chords by the Edge then begins underneath. After a further ten seconds it is joined by lower-register guitar drones played by the Edge, and a repetition of eight descending piano notes performed by the Edge and Bono. [10] Forty-five seconds into the song, halfway through the introduction, Clayton's bass and percussion by drummer Larry Mullen Jr. fade into the song with producer Jacknife Lee's synthesizers, which play part of the melody line. [10] The first verse begins at 1:20 and is accompanied by the bass, drums and rhythm guitar playing the chord progression A♭–E♭–D♭. [11] This alters to B–D♭ in the pre-chorus, with a short harmony vocal line leading to the E♭–D♭ chorus. [12]

After the second chorus, the lead guitar alternates with Bono's repeated "Time" into the B♭–A♭ bridge before returning to an extended chorus. [13] The vocals range from D♭3 in the verses to a peak of C5 in the chorus. [14] The Edge provides backing vocals in the second verse, the first three chorus lines, and the bridge lyric "Time won't leave me as I am / Time won't take the boy out of this man". [10] [15] There is no chorus after the third verse; instead, the track enters into a coda where, after restating the introductory piano theme, the guitar, bass, and drum parts come to a finish. The song concludes on a final reprise of the piano notes. [10] The radio edit, with a run-time of 4:11, is 1:36 shorter than the album version. The introduction is half the length and the bass and drums enter after only two repetitions of the piano notes. [1] The first two verses are kept intact but the bridge is shortened by seven seconds, removing two calls of "Time." The third verse is cut and the coda shortened by twenty seconds. [1]

The sound of "City of Blinding Lights" has been compared to U2's 1987 single "Where the Streets Have No Name", prompted by a similar style of guitar playing, as well as to the atmospheric tone of the band's 1984 album The Unforgettable Fire . [16] [17] The melding of guitar and piano in the introduction was likened by the Edmonton Journal to the Coldplay song "Clocks". [18] Rolling Stone described the song as "building into a bittersweet lament", while Uncut said it was "beautiful but slightly sinister", comparing the quality of the lyrics to the George Harrison song "The Inner Light". [19] [20]

"... what it felt like to arrive here in the United States, come over the bridge into Manhattan ... a[n] amazing, magical time in our lives when we didn't know how powerful it was not to know." --Bono on the theme of innocence Pont de Brooklyn de nuit - Octobre 2008.jpg
"... what it felt like to arrive here in the United States, come over the bridge into Manhattan ... a[n] amazing, magical time in our lives when we didn't know how powerful it was not to know." —Bono on the theme of innocence

The underlying theme of "City of Blinding Lights," reflected in the chorus, is lost innocence. [5] The theme was reinforced during an impromptu concert at Empire–Fulton Ferry State Park under the Brooklyn Bridge; Bono introduced the song by reminiscing about the first time the band arrived in New York City, calling it "a song about innocence and naïvete." [21] Bono developed the opening stanza from a memory of his first trip to London with his future wife, Alison Stewart, when they were teenagers. The experience of walking through Piccadilly Circus and along Wardour Street put him in mind of "discovering what a big city could offer you and what it could take away." [5] Although the first verse is set in London, the chorus is set in New York City. [5] The verse, "I've seen you walk unafraid / I've seen you in the clothes you've made / Can you see the beauty inside of me? / What happened to the beauty I had inside of me?" was written as an expression of love for Alison, with a reflection on their life together as they grow older. [7]

Like many other U2 songs, "City of Blinding Lights" can be interpreted in a religious manner. Author Cameron Conant related the opening verse to the doubt he felt about his convictions on politics, marriage, and faith as he aged, concluding that a person's confidence in their beliefs makes it seem as if they know more than they do. [22] Music critic Bill Friskics-Warren felt that the final line, "Blessings not just for the ones who kneel, luckily", was a way for Bono to berate himself for not praying enough, and was an attack on Christianity because "faith often perpetuates the misery and divisiveness that he decries." [23] Steve Stockman, a chaplain at Queen's University of Belfast, believed the song was a metaphor for growing up, [24] and that the final line meant that not just people of faith could be blessed. [25]

Release

The music video was shot at GM Place in Vancouver. Vancouver-gmplace3.jpg
The music video was shot at GM Place in Vancouver.

Promotional singles were released in the United Kingdom and United States in April 2005. The UK release featured the "Paradise Soul" mix, Paul Epworth's "Phones P.D.A. in N.Y.C." mix, and the "Killahurtz Fly" mix of "All Because of You" on a 12-inch record, and the U.S. release contained the album version and the radio edit on a CD. [26] [27] "City of Blinding Lights" was released internationally as the fourth single from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb on 6 June 2005, following "Vertigo" in November 2004 and the joint release of "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" and "All Because of You" in February 2005. [6] [28] [29]

Three major versions of the single were released, including two CD singles and one DVD single. [2] Additionally, a mini CD single was released in Europe, and a separate CD single containing all four tracks from CD1 and CD2 was released in Japan. [30] [31] The "Hot Chip 2006" remix of the song was included on the 2010 compilation album Artificial Horizon . [32]

B-sides

The Killahurtz Fly mix of "All Because of You" was remixed by the team of Mick Park and Lea Kenny. The song features additional bass and guitars played by Darren Murray. [1] The live versions of "The Fly" and "Even Better Than the Real Thing" were recorded at the Stop Sellafield concert staged by Greenpeace at the G-Mex Centre in Manchester on 19 June 1992. [33] Videos of these performances would later be included as bonus tracks on the DVD release of Zoo TV: Live from Sydney . [34] The rendition of "Out of Control" was taken from a promotional concert, the band played at the Empire – Fulton Ferry State Park in Brooklyn, New York City on 22 November 2004; the live video of "City of Blinding Lights" on the DVD release was taken from the same concert. [21] [30] The music video for "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own", directed by Phil Joanou, was also included on the DVD. [21]

Music video

The visuals used on the Vertigo Tour were displayed in the music video. VertigoTour20050522 COBL.jpg
The visuals used on the Vertigo Tour were displayed in the music video.

The music video for "City of Blinding Lights" was shot at the General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia on 27 April 2005, and was directed by Alex Courtes and Martin Fougerol. The video included additional footage from the band's Vertigo Tour concert of 28 April 2005. [35] [36] Planning for the project began as soon as U2 became aware the arena was available (a result of the NHL lockout of 2004–2005). [37] Manager Paul McGuinness believed selecting Vancouver as the filming location made a lot of sense, saying, "[i]t's a world-renowned production centre. We knew we'd be able to get the crews and camera people and equipment here." [38] Members of the public were invited to be part of the video via radio and internet announcements. Word of the shoot leaked before the official announcement, which led to fans lining up outside for the entire day. [38] Between 3,000 and 5,000 people were allowed in for the filming. [35] [39] During the shoot, U2 performed "City of Blinding Lights" multiple times, followed by "Vertigo," "All Because of You" and "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own." [35]

The video shows the band playing the song on the Vertigo Tour concert stage. The live audio is kept to demonstrate the imperfections and emotion in the performance. [40] The lighting is kept low, drawing attention to the visuals on the LED curtains used throughout the tour and obscuring much of the band members' facial features in shadow. [39] Courtes and Fougerol explained: "we wanted to reflect the mood we've seen at the concerts, so we played with that lighting knowing that you are more blinded from a light if it was darker before". [39]

Live performances

The stage effects of the U2 360deg Tour reflect the LED curtain visuals from the Vertigo Tour. U2 (360tour, ArenA, 2009) --- Photo by Fruggo.jpg
The stage effects of the U2 360° Tour reflect the LED curtain visuals from the Vertigo Tour.

"City of Blinding Lights" was performed on every night of the Vertigo Tour, opening 86 of the 131 concerts and a public dress rehearsal immediately before its launch. [41] [42] Performances frequently began with confetti falling from the ceiling, serving as a bridge to engage the audience. [43] [44] The song made extensive use of the stage's LED curtains for its visual effects; Wired noted that "they do a fine imitation of Shinjuku on speed, and the lighting design for 'City of Blinding Lights' takes advantage of that ... the visual effect manages to be far more that[ sic ] the sum of its parts." [43] The Vancouver Sun described the result as "akin to a busy street at night through a misted windshield", later saying it provided "a theme for the night – the sparse, elegant stage was constantly bathed in vivid colours". [45] [46] During the Vertigo Tour, the piano introduction was played by Adam Clayton on a keyboard. [15] Sound engineer Joe O'Herlihy believed Clayton's bass in the live setting to be "the driving implement that pushes the sound along". [47]

"City of Blinding Lights" was played on every night of the U2 360° Tour, in each case appearing approximately halfway through the set. [48] The lighting effects used on the U2 360° Tour video screen emulate the LED curtain visuals of the Vertigo Tour and were described as "psychedelic" by Edna Gundersen of USA Today . [49] It is one of a handful of songs to utilize the fully descended video screen.

The stage presentation during the Innocence + Experience and Experience + Innocence Tours featured fluorescent tubes and cityscapes. City of Blinding Lights on Experience and Innocence Tour in Newark 6-29-2018.jpg
The stage presentation during the Innocence + Experience and Experience + Innocence Tours featured fluorescent tubes and cityscapes.

With the exception of two shows early in the tour, the song was played at every date of the 2015 Innocence + Experience Tour, typically opening the encore. The lighting effects utilised the numerous fluorescent tubes set around the stage, while the video screen showed cityscapes at night superimposed with the band members performances. The song reappeared in a regular slot closing out the main set of that tour's companion, the 2018 Experience + Innocence Tour, with a similar visual presentation. One reviewer called the presentation a "veritable explosion of light effects". [50] The main set finale role held special importance due to the fact that all of the songs from The Joshua Tree , including "Where the Streets Have No Name", were removed from the Experience + Innocence Tour, having just been played in sequence during the intervening Joshua Tree Tour 2017. [51] Clayton said, "I think ending [the main set] on 'City of Blinding Lights,' lyrically it has an interesting through line which relates to innocence, in a way. I mean, there is a reading of that ... in terms of saying goodbye to certain parts of yourself, that just connects [to the overall innocence and experience theme] in a way. And it's a lovely, contemporary, modern piece of music. We think that will take on some of the emotional weight of 'Streets'." [51]

Live performances of the song appear on the DVDs Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago and U2 360° at the Rose Bowl , the bonus disc of U218 Singles , and on the 2005 U2.com subscriber's release U2.COMmunication . [15] [52] [53] [54] The U2.COMmunication version is an audio rip of the performance from Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago. [54]

Critical reception

"... Here was the original sadness and pounding melancholy of old U2, shot through with the same desperate craving. The band sounded twenty-five years old but at the same time reborn."

—Michka Assayas, on "City of Blinding Lights" [55]

Reception to "City of Blinding Lights" was positive. Reviewing the album, Allmusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine said the song had "huge melodic and sonic hooks" and labelled it one of "the ingredients that make How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb a very good U2 record." [56] Entertainment Weekly felt the song demonstrated the band's ability to "make pop-chart lust work for them." [57] Pitchfork Media reviewer Amanda Petrusich thought it was one of the album's highlights, calling it "an earnest and galactic fight song, and the sort of track that's best enjoyed in cars and airplanes, simply because it encites [ sic ] so much giddy movement." [58]

PopMatters opined, "U2 sounds updated ... the bombast stays in check and Bono's questions sound earnest without being overzealous," though felt it "lack[s] the musical and lyrical guts of 'Pride (In the Name of Love)' or 'Sunday Bloody Sunday.'" [16] Rating the song three stars out of five, Uncut reviewer Stephen Dalton wrote it was "indebted to the sky-punching peaks, grand vistas and monochrome emotions of the band's 1980s albums", deeming it a "heart-stirring anthem." [59] Peter Murphy called it "the album's masterpiece" in his review for Hot Press , describing the opening as "little short of celestial." [60] At the 48th Grammy Awards in 2006, "City of Blinding Lights" won the award for the Best Rock Song. [61] In a 2010 survey conducted by fan site atU2.com, 1080 of 4814 participants (22.43%) labelled it their favourite song on the album, ranking it first on the list. [62] Previous fan surveys in 2005, [63] 2006, [64] and 2007 [65] had also ranked the song the most favoured from the album.

Chart performance

"City of Blinding Lights" reached number two in the Canadian and Danish singles charts and peaked at number eight in Ireland. [66] [67] [68] It charted in the Top 75 in the United Kingdom for nine weeks, peaking at number two and ranking number 113 on the year-end charts. [69] [70] [71] In Spain, the song spent two weeks at number one on the Spanish Singles Chart, and remained there for a total of 16 weeks. [72] In the Netherlands, the song peaked at number three, and spent 15 weeks on the chart. [73] In Australia, the song peaked at number 31 on the Australian Singles Chart, and spent two weeks on the chart. [74] In the United States it cracked the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart at number 40. [66] Over 331,000 digital copies of the track have been sold as of June 2010. [75]

Legacy

Barack Obama often used "City of Blinding Lights" as a lead-in for campaign events. ObamaAbingtonPA.JPG
Barack Obama often used "City of Blinding Lights" as a lead-in for campaign events.

The song featured in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada during the scene where Andy arrives in Paris. [76] Director David Frankel first used the song in a montage of pre-production scenes he shot on location in the city; the song fit the images so well that he decided to include it in the film. [76] The film's use of the song was parodied in the 2009 The Simpsons episode "The Devil Wears Nada"; "City of Blinding Lights" is played briefly as Homer and Carl arrive in Paris. [77] The song was featured in "I Love You Too," a 2005 episode of the HBO series Entourage . In the sequence, U2 performs the song at a concert and Bono wishes a happy birthday to Johnny Chase. [78] American sports network ESPN used "City of Blinding Lights" in their 2006 FIFA World Cup television commercials; the piece, titled "Anthem," featured narration about the sport by Bono, which was set against a montage of children playing football across the globe and video of the band in concert. [79] [80] [81] ESPN used the track for a second time in January 2010 in commercials for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, causing weekly online sales of the track to double from the month prior. [75] In 2008, NASA used "City of Blinding Lights" for the fourth wake up call of STS-126. The song was played for Mission Specialist Shane Kimbrough. [82] The song was used again on 3 March 2011 for the eighth wake up call of STS-133; it was played for all of the crew members. [83]

The track was used by Barack Obama as the entrance theme for his presidential candidacy announcement in Springfield, Illinois, on 10 February 2007, [84] [85] and it was played before his acceptance speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. [86] Obama frequently used it as the lead-in as he took the stage for campaign events during the 2008 U.S. presidential election, [87] [88] a spectacle that even convinced one student to vote for him, [89] and played it on primary night rallies with supporters. [86] In August 2008, Obama listed "City of Blinding Lights" as one of his ten favourite songs. [90] In his dissertation, music student Jacob Charron speculated that the music used by Obama on the campaign trail was selected because it would not upset the older voters and would be recognizable to the younger voters. [91] The song was also valuable for its global image, ringing guitar line, and suggestions of awakening. [85] [88] [92]

U2 performed the song, along with "Pride (In the Name of Love)," to upwards of 400,000 people on 18 January 2009 at the We Are One concert at the Lincoln Memorial to celebrate the upcoming inauguration of Obama. [93] [94] Introducing "City of Blinding Lights," which the band were asked to play, [92] Bono spoke directly to Obama, saying, "What a thrill for four Irish boys from the northside of Dublin to honour you, sir, the next President of the United States, Barack Obama, for choosing this song to be part of the soundtrack of your campaign, and more besides." [87] [94] Bono modified the first verse to reference the surroundings, singing "America, let your road rise / Under Lincoln's unblinking eyes" in place of "Neon hearts, dayglo eyes / A city lit by fireflies," gave a shout-out to vice presidential inauguree Joe Biden at the end of the verse, and changed a part of the chorus to proclaim "America's getting ready to leave the ground." [87] [94]

Formats and track listings

All music is composed by U2

"City of Blinding Lights"
Cobl.jpg
Single by U2
from the album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
B-side
  • "All Because of You" (Killahurtz Fly mix) [1] [2]
  • "The Fly" (Live at Stop Sellafield)
  • "Even Better Than the Real Thing" (Live at Stop Sellafield)
Released6 June 2005 (2005-06-06)
Studio Hanover Quay Studios (Dublin)
Genre Rock
Length
  • 5:47 (album)
  • 4:11 (single)
Label
Composer(s) U2
Lyricist(s) Bono
Producer(s)
U2 singles chronology
"All Because of You"
(2005)		"City of Blinding Lights"
(2005)		"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
(2005)
Music video
"City of Blinding Lights" on YouTube
CD 1 [1] [2]
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."City of Blinding Lights" (Radio edit)Bono4:11
2."All Because of You" (Killahurtz Fly mix)Bono5:40
Total length:9:51
CD 2 [2] [33]
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."City of Blinding Lights" (Radio edit)Bono4:11
2."The Fly" (Live at Stop Sellafield, Sellafield, Cumbria, England, 1992)U24:38
3."Even Better Than the Real Thing" (Live at Stop Sellafield, Sellafield, Cumbria, England, 1992)U23:50
Total length:12:39
Mini-CD [30]
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."City of Blinding Lights" (Radio edit)Bono4:11
2."Out of Control" (Live at the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan, New York City, New York, 22 November 2004)U25:05
Total length:9:16
Japan CD [31]
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."City of Blinding Lights" (Radio edit)Bono4:11
2."The Fly" (Live at Stop Sellafield, Sellafield, Cumbria, England, 1992)U24:38
3."Even Better Than the Real Thing" (Live at Stop Sellafield, Sellafield, Cumbria, England, 1992)U23:50
4."All Because of You" (Killahurtz Fly mix)Bono5:40
Total length:18:19
DVD [21]
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."City of Blinding Lights" (Live at the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan, New York City, New York, 22 November 2004 – Video)Bono6:53
2."Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" (Video)Bono4:40
3."City of Blinding Lights" (Audio only)Bono5:46
Total length:17:23

Personnel

Charts

See also

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.

<i>How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb</i> 2004 studio album by U2

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is the eleventh studio album by Irish rock band U2. It was released on 22 November 2004 in the United Kingdom by Island Records and a day later in the United States by Interscope Records. Much like their previous album All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000), the record exhibits a more mainstream rock sound after the band experimented with alternative rock and dance music in the 1990s. It was produced by Steve Lillywhite, with additional production from Chris Thomas, Jacknife Lee, Nellee Hooper, Flood, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, and Carl Glanville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where the Streets Have No Name</span> 1987 single by U2

"Where the Streets Have No Name" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the opening track from their 1987 album The Joshua Tree and was released as the album's third single in August 1987. The song's hook is a repeating guitar arpeggio using a delay effect, played during the song's introduction and again at the end. Lead vocalist Bono wrote the lyrics in response to the notion that it is possible to identify a person's religion and income based on the street on which they lived, particularly in Belfast. During the band's difficulties recording the song, producer Brian Eno considered erasing the song's tapes to have them start from scratch.

<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">Vertigo Tour</span> 2005–06 concert tour by U2

The Vertigo Tour was a worldwide concert tour by the Irish rock band U2. Staged in support of the group's 2004 album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, the tour visited arenas and stadiums between March 2005 and December 2006. The Vertigo Tour consisted of five legs that alternated between indoor arena shows in North America and outdoor stadium shows internationally. Much like the previous Elevation Tour, the indoor portion of the Vertigo Tour featured a stripped-down, intimate stage design. Protruding from the main stage was an ellipse-shaped catwalk that encapsulated a small number of fans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own</span> 2005 single by U2

"Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the third track on their eleventh studio album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004), and was released as the album's second single worldwide except in North America on 7 February 2005. Originally titled "Tough", the song is lyrically about the relationship between the band's lead vocalist Bono and his father Bob Hewson, who died of cancer in 2001.

<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">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, two weeks after the album. 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">Pride (In the Name of Love)</span> 1984 single by U2

"Pride (In the Name of Love)" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the second track on the band's 1984 album, The Unforgettable Fire, and was released as its lead single in September 1984. The song was produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. Written about the American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., "Pride" received mixed critical reviews at the time, but it was a major commercial success for U2 and has since become one of their most popular songs, as well as being re-evaluated positively by many as one of the greatest songs of all time. It appeared on the band's compilation albums The Best of 1980–1990 and U218 Singles and was reworked and re-recorded for Songs of Surrender (2023).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Original of the Species</span> 2004 promotional single by U2

"Original of the Species" is a song by rock band U2 and the tenth track from their 2004 album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

<i>Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago</i> 2005 concert video by U2

Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago is a concert film by Irish rock band U2. It was filmed from 9–10 May 2005 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, during the band's Vertigo Tour. The film was released on DVD later that year on 14 November through Island Records in most parts of the world, and on 15 November through Interscope Records in the United States. The DVD was released as a one-disc standard edition and a deluxe edition with a second disc featuring bonus material and a documentary. It was the first of three concert films from the tour.

"Zoo Station" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the opening track from their 1991 album Achtung Baby, a record on which the group reinvented themselves musically by incorporating influences from alternative rock, industrial, and electronic dance music. As the album's opening track, "Zoo Station" introduces the band's new sound, delivering industrial-influenced percussion and several layers of distorted guitars and vocals. Similarly, the lyrics suggest the group's new intents and anticipations. The introduction, featuring an "explosion" of percussion and a descending glissando for a guitar hook, was meant to make the listener think the album was mistakenly not U2's latest record or that their music player was broken.

"Miracle Drug" is a song by Irish rock band U2, and is the second track on their 2004 album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. The song's lyrics were written by lead vocalist Bono about a former schoolmate Christopher Nolan, who was paralysed from birth but through a medical breakthrough learned to communicate via a pointer attached to his forehead and eventually wrote several books.

"Yahweh" is a song by rock band U2 and the eleventh track on their 2004 album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. It was mainly recorded in one take, and was performed live by the band during the Vertigo Tour. The song received mixed reviews from critics.

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

<i>Artificial Horizon</i> (album) 2010 remix album by U2

Artificial Horizon is a compilation album of remixed tracks by rock band U2. It was released exclusively to subscribing members of U2.com, replacing Medium, Rare & Remastered. The remix CD is of a similar vein to the band's 1995 release Melon: Remixes for Propaganda, which was also released exclusively to fans. A triple-vinyl edition was released to the general public until 14 May 2010; this version included an MP3 for the Snow Patrol remix of the song "Unknown Caller".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Tree Hill (song)</span> 1988 single by U2

"One Tree Hill" is a song by Irish rock band U2 and the ninth track on their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. In March 1988, it was released as the fourth single from the album in New Zealand and Australia, while "In God's Country" was released as the fourth single in North America. "One Tree Hill" charted at number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was the country's second-most-successful hit of 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay (Faraway, So Close!)</span> 1993 single by U2

"Stay " is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the fifth track on their eighth album, Zooropa (1993), and it was released as the album's third single on 22 November 1993 by Island Records. The song reached number one in Ireland and reached the top 10 in Australia, Iceland, the United Kingdom, and several other countries. The accompanying music video, directed by Wim Wenders, was shot in Berlin, Germany. The earliest incarnation of the song developed during sessions for the group's 1991 album Achtung Baby. It was written for and inspired by Frank Sinatra and bore his surname as the original working title. An alternative recording was used in the 1993 film Faraway, So Close!, also by Wim Wenders.

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 City of Blinding Lights (CD). U2. United Kingdom: Island Records. 2005. CID890.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 "City of Blinding Lights". U2.com. Live Nation. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  3. ↑ Deevoy, Adrian (November 2004). "It Could be about God...". Blender .
  4. ↑ Stokes (2005), p. 172
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 McCormick (2006), p. 324
  6. 1 2 3 "City of Blinding Lights". U2.com. Live Nation. Archived from the original on 5 December 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  7. 1 2 Stokes (2005), p. 173
  8. ↑ Powers, Ann. "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Blender . Archived from the original on 21 November 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  9. ↑ Guitar Recorded Version (2005), pp. 33, 37–38
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (CD). U2. Island Records. 2004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Guitar Recorded Version (2005), pp. 35–36
  12. ↑ Guitar Recorded Version (2005), pp. 35–39
  13. ↑ Guitar Recorded Version (2005), pp. 42–44
  14. ↑ Guitar Recorded Version (2005), pp. 35, 38–39
  15. 1 2 3 U2, Hamish Hamilton (Director) (2005). Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago (DVD). Island Records.
  16. 1 2 Cober-Lake, Justin (23 November 2004). "U2: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". PopMatters . Archived from the original on 28 December 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  17. ↑ "Special report: U2 album playback, London". Music Week . 13 October 2004. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  18. ↑ Sperounes, Sandra (17 November 2004). "U2 doesn't bomb: Streaming audio allows sneak-peek at icons' explosive new album". Edmonton Journal . The euphoric piano and guitar intro on City of Blinding Lights references (and rivals) Coldplay's Clocks
  19. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (9 December 2004). "'Bomb' Hits Big". Rolling Stone . No. 963. p. 172. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  20. ↑ "The Big Bang". Uncut . October 2004.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 U2 (2005). City of Blinding Lights (DVD single). New York City: Island Records.
  22. ↑ Conant (2005), p. 149
  23. ↑ Friskics-Warren (2005), pp. 166–167
  24. ↑ Stockman (2005), p. 223
  25. ↑ Stockman (2005), p. 219
  26. ↑ City of Blinding Lights (Promotional CD back cover). U2. United Kingdom: Island Records. 2005. 12IS890DJ.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ↑ City of Blinding Lights (Promotional CD back cover). U2. United States: Interscope Records. 2005. INTR-11421-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ↑ "U2 Get to "Werk"". NME . 7 September 2004. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
  29. ↑ "The record we wanted to make". U2.com. Live Nation. 24 December 2004. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
  30. 1 2 3 City of Blinding Lights (3" CD). U2. Germany: Island Records. 2005. 987 193 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  31. 1 2 City of Blinding Lights (CD). U2. Japan: Island Records. 2005. UICI-5020.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  32. ↑ Artificial Horizon (CD). U2. Canada: Island Records. 2010. U2.COM5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  33. 1 2 City of Blinding Lights (CD). U2. United Kingdom: Island Records. 2005. CIDX890.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. ↑ U2, David Mallett (Director) (2006). Zoo TV: Live from Sydney (DVD). Island Records.
  35. 1 2 3 "U2 perform for fans at video shoot". RTÉ. 29 April 2005. Archived from the original on 15 March 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  36. ↑ Corobotiuc, Scott (6 May 2005). "U2 put on powerful two-night stand". North Shore News. p. 35.
  37. ↑ Derdeyn, Stuart (28 April 2005). "Hockey-less GM Place made it perfect setting for video". The Province . Vancouver. p. A9.
  38. 1 2 Mackie, John (28 April 2005). "U2 shows its star power". Vancouver Sun . p. B6.
  39. 1 2 3 McGee, Matt (26 July 2005). "Directing U2: From Vertigo to Vancouver with Alex and Martin". atU2.com. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  40. ↑ Cogan (2008), p. 28
  41. ↑ "Vertigo Tour". U2.com. Live Nation. Archived from the original on 10 February 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  42. ↑ Cohen, Jonathon (6 January 2007). "From Joshua Trees to Palm Trees". Billboard . Vol. 119, no. 1. pp. 16–17. ISSN   0006-2510.
  43. 1 2 Gibson, William (August 2005). "U2's City of Blinding Lights". Wired . Archived from the original on 29 October 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  44. ↑ Moss, Corey (29 March 2005). "U2 Celebrate, Encourage Unity During Vertigo Tour Kickoff". VH1. Archived from the original on 14 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  45. ↑ Murphy, Kevin (2 April 2005). "Vertigo proves U2 still matters: Band offers show that is both nostalgic and fresh". Vancouver Sun. p. D16. The mesmerizing effect was akin to a busy street at night through a misted windshield.
  46. ↑ Mackie, John (29 April 2005). "U2 returns to glorious old form in Vancouver concert". Vancouver Sun. p. D8.
  47. ↑ Farinella, David John (1 June 2005). "U2's Vertigo Tour: Bringing the studio sound to huge venues". Mix . Archived from the original on 6 September 2008.
  48. ↑ "U2 360° Tour". U2.com. Live Nation. Archived from the original on 10 February 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  49. ↑ Gundersen, Edna (13 September 2009). "U2 never lets the massive 360 Tour props dwarf the music". USA Today . Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
  50. ↑ Miller, Jay (23 June 2018). "U2′s 'Experience and Innocence Tour' a marvel of sight and sound". The Patriot Ledger . Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  51. 1 2 Rodman, Sarah (20 June 2018). "Checking in with U2's Adam Clayton and the Edge on the band's Experience + Innocence trek". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  52. ↑ U2, Tom Krueger (Director) (2010). U2 360° at the Rose Bowl (DVD). Mercury Records.
  53. ↑ U2, Hamish Hamilton (Director) (2005). Vertigo 05: Live from Milan (DVD). Mercury Records.
  54. 1 2 U2.COMmunication (CD). U2. Island Records. 2005.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  55. ↑ Assayas (2005), pp. 279–280
  56. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb: Review". Allmusic . Archived from the original on 21 November 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  57. ↑ Browne, David (26 November 2004). "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  58. ↑ Petrusich, Amanda (21 November 2004). "Pitchfork album reviews: U2: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 29 November 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  59. ↑ Dalton, Stephen (April 2009). "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". The Ultimate Music Guide. No. U2. Uncut. pp. 110–111.
  60. ↑ Murphy, Peter (4 November 2004). "Review: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" . Hot Press . Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  61. ↑ "List of Grammy winners". CNN. 9 February 2006. Archived from the original on 25 November 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  62. ↑ "2010 fan survey. F10: What's your favorite song from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb?". atU2.com. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  63. ↑ "2005 fan survey. F10: What's your favorite song from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb?". atU2.com. 5 January 2006. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  64. ↑ "2006 fan survey. F10: What's your favorite song from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb?". atU2.com. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  65. ↑ "2007 fan survey. F10: What's your favorite song from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb?". atU2.com. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  66. 1 2 3 "U2: Charts and Awards". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 21 November 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  67. 1 2 "U2 – City of Blinding Lights". Tracklisten. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  68. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – City of Blinding Lights". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  69. ↑ "EveryHit.com search results: U2". EveryHit. Archived from the original on 2 July 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2009. Note: U2 must be searched manually.
  70. ↑ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2005" (PDF). ChartsPlus. January 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
  71. ↑ "U2 – City of Blinding Lights". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  72. 1 2 "U2 – City of Blinding Lights" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  73. 1 2 "U2 – City of Blinding Lights" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  74. 1 2 "U2 – City of Blinding Lights". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  75. 1 2 Donahue, Ann (9 June 2010). "How U2 Paired With ESPN and Soweto Gospel Choir for World Cup". Billboard. Archived from the original on 25 June 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  76. 1 2 David Frankel (Director) (2006). The Devil Wears Prada (Director's commentary) (Film). 20th Century Fox.
  77. ↑ Nancy Kruse (Director) (15 November 2009). "The Devil Wears Nada". The Simpsons . Season 21. Episode 5. Fox.
  78. ↑ "I Love You Too". Entourage. Season 2. Episode 9. 31 July 2005. HBO.
  79. ↑ Sandomir, Richard (7 June 2006). "U2 is giving a voice to ESPN's coverage". The New York Times .
  80. ↑ Sampey, Kathleen (16 May 2006). "U2's (World) Cup runneth over for ESPN". Adweek .
  81. ↑ "View World Cup Ads: Anthem". ESPN Soccernet. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
  82. ↑ Fries, Colin (7 June 2010). "STS-126: November 14–30, 2008" (PDF). Chronology of Wake Up Calls. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. p. 69. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  83. ↑ "STS-133 MCC Status Report #14". National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 3 March 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  84. ↑ "Barack Obama's Presidential Announcement". Barack Obama's YouTube channel. 10 December 2007. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  85. 1 2 Halperin (2007), pp. 323–324
  86. 1 2 Wolffe (2009), p. 223
  87. 1 2 3 Bellantoni, Christina (19 January 2009). "U2 serenades Obama, gives Biden shout-out". HuffPost . Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  88. 1 2 Talev, Margaret (31 October 2008). "Soul of the Obama campaign is in the soundtrack". McClatchy Newspapers. Archived from the original on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  89. ↑ Heydt, Scarlett (29 October 2008). "Music at campaign rallies: effective or defective?". State Press . Tempe, Arizona. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  90. ↑ "Music picks from Obama, McCain". All Songs Considered . 12 August 2008. National Public Radio. Archived from the original on 21 April 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  91. ↑ Charron, Jacob (April 2009), 'Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours': How music and musicians propelled Barack Obama to the Presidency in 2008 (PDF), Williamsburg, Virginia: The College of William & Mary, p. 22, archived from the original (PDF) on 24 February 2010, retrieved 23 February 2010
  92. 1 2 Catlin, Roger (18 January 2009). "Obama's Lincoln Memorial Concert". Hartford Courant . Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  93. ↑ Hendrix, Steve; Mummolo, Jonathan (18 January 2009). "Jamming on the Mall for Obama". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  94. 1 2 3 We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial . HBO. 18 January 2009.
  95. ↑ "U2 – City of Blinding Lights" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  96. ↑ "U2 – City of Blinding Lights" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  97. ↑ "U2 – City of Blinding Lights" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  98. ↑ "RR Canada Rock Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1618. 5 August 2005. p. 63. Retrieved 11 October 2019– via World Radio History.
  99. ↑ "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 117, no. 26. 25 June 2005. p. 61. Retrieved 8 April 2020– via World Radio History.
  100. ↑ "U2 – City of Blinding Lights" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  101. ↑ "U2 – City of Blinding Lights" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  102. ↑ "U2 – City of Blinding Lights". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  103. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – U2" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  104. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  105. ↑ "U2 – City of Blinding Lights". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  106. ↑ "U2 – City of Blinding Lights". Swiss Singles Chart.
  107. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  108. ↑ "U2 Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  109. ↑ "U2 Chart History (Triple A)". Billboard .
  110. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2005". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  111. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2005" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  112. ↑ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2005" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  113. ↑ "2005 The Year in Charts: Top Triple-A Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor . Vol. 13, no. 50. 16 December 2005. p. 57.

Bibliography

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.