For anyone who was there, 1987 was a great year in music - perhaps the last truly great year ever. In addition to debut albums by the likes of Jane's Addiction and Guns 'n' Roses, U2 released "The Joshua Tree" and completed their transformation from up-and-coming Irish band (for lack of a better term) to international superstars.
A few years prior, you could mention bands like Echo & The Bunnymen and Simple Minds in the same breath as U2. All three were part of the "new wave" of overseas bands leading the charge into America.
Once the video for "With Or Without You" hit MTV airwaves, though, U2 would leave their brethren in the dust. Island Records put everything they had behind the record, and justifiably so - unlike today, where labels think sinking millions into a promo campaign can turn a turd into a gold or platinum record. The result was the band's first #1 album. And the cover of Time magazine. And the year's hottest tour.
Considering the complete lack of substance found in today's hitmakers, its quite astounding to recall that U2 was building upon their already considerable success with an album that was easily their most esoteric, most politically challenging work. To see a sold-out stadium of fans lose their minds to a song like "Mothers Of The Disappeared"? Incredible.
Where The Streets Have No Name
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
With Or Without You
Bullet The Blue Sky
Running To Stand Still
Spanish Eyes
In God's Country
Trip Through Your Wires
One Tree Hill
Exit
Mothers Of The Disappeared
Sweetest Thing
2 comments:
Mothers Of The Disappeared comes up as Sweetest Thing, and Sweetest Thing comes up with an error message.
But what you have here is great, thanks!
thanks for letting me know...links are fixed now.
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