ARTIST SPOTLIGHT = U2 (4 songs)

This band formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1976. The group’s early sound was post-punk but grew to incorporate many genres.

#1
Early 1980s success came in the form of songs like 1981’s “Fire”, 1983’s “New Year’s Day” & 1984’s “Pride”. This song, the debut release from their 1987 album ‘The Joshua Tree’, hit the airwaves 03/21/1987 & became their 1st huge international hit. The single claimed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 3 weeks; it also claimed #1 in Canada & Ireland, while reaching the Top 10 in 9 other countries: Belgium (#3), Finland (#5), France (#10), Germany (#7), Netherlands (#2), New Zealand (#5), Spain (#5), Switzerland (#10) & England (#4).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmSdTa9kaiQ

#2
The follow-up to their 1st huge international hit, this song was released May 1987 as the 2nd single from their 1987 album ‘The Joshua Tree’. It became their 2nd straight chart topper on the Billboard Hot 100, while notching at #16 on the Adult Contemporary chart; elsewhere, it reached the Top 10 on 7 other charts, including #1 in Ireland. The 3rd release from the album, “Where The Streets Have No Name”, peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_ISAntOom0

#3
This song, the debut release of their 1988 album ‘Rattle & Hum’, hit the airwaves 09/26/1988 & peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It claimed #1 in Australia (their 1st chart topper there), Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain & England. The follow-up single, “Angel Of Harlem”, peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

#4
Released as the 2nd single from their album ‘Achtung Baby’, this song debuted 11/25/1991 & reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Elsewhere, it reached the Top 10 in Australia (#3), Ireland (#1) & New Zealand (#3). Later familiar tunes from this band include 1992’s “One”, 1997’s “Discotheque” & 2000’s “Beautiful Day”.