U2 The Complete Lyrics Vol. 1 (1979 - 1988)

Details

Initially published: 2023-01-11
Author: U2

Description

On April 13, 2023 the 2023 and 2024 subscriber gifts for U2.com were announced to be a two part collection of lyrics. The first book, for the 2023 subscription year, was originally announced to cover the years 1978 – 1995, and then revised on April 19 to cover 1979 – 1988 instead.

Although planned for the 2023 subscription year, the gift was delayed, and was the first time that U2.com did not fulfill a gift prior to the end of the subscription year. The first copies of this book started appearing with subscribers on January 11, 2024. At the end of 2024, a number of subscribers were still reporting not having received the 2023 gift, and copies of this book were still being sent out.

Although gifts from U2.com are usually exclusive to subscribers in this case, copies were also made available to buy instore at U2’s Zoo Station pop-up in Las Vegas. These were first available on February 14, 2024 in store in Las Vegas. The copies sold in Las Vegas retailed for the same price as a subscription, and came with a promotional code for a free subscription to U2.com. This offer was stickered to the front of the book, although some initial sales were done prior to these stickers being applied. Other than the sticker, the books sold in Las Vegas, and those sent by the fan club were identical. The availability of the book in Las Vegas prior to many subscribers receiving the book caused some upset online.

The first volume covers the albums Boy through to Rattle and Hum with the lyrics being grouped via album. The B-sides for each album are also included after the tracks from that album (but only if the b-sides were U2 tracks, and not covers.) The first volume presents these lyrics over 96 pages.

A few items did miss inclusion in the book. The lyrics for “Like a Song” are missing from the section covering War and the b-sides for songs from The Unforgettable Fire are missing as well. There are no entries for “Boomerang I”, “Love Comes Tumbling”, or “The Three Sunrises” (although the latter two are listed on the back cover).

Accompanying the lyrics are a number of written pieces about the songs. The book opens with a foreword by Bono. Other written pieces throughout the book include

  • Boy – Steve Lillywhite
  • “A Day Without Me” – The Edge
  • “The Electric Co.” – The Edge
  • <em>October – Steve Lillywhite
  • “Gloria” – The Edge
  • “October” – The Edge
  • <em>War – Adam Clayton
  • “Sunday Bloody Sunday” – The Edge
  • “Seconds” – The Edge
  • <em>The Unforgettable Fire – Adam Clayton
  • “A Sort of Homecoming” – The Edge
  • “The Unforgettable Fire” – The Edge
  • “Pride (In the Name of Love)” – The Edge
  • <em>The Joshua Tree – Daniel Lanois
  • “Where the Streets Have No Name” – The Edge
  • “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” – The Edge
  • “Running to Stand Still” – The Edge
  • <em>Rattle and Hum – Jimmy Iovine
  • “Van Diemen’s Land” – The Edge
  • “Desire” – The Edge

The book is illustrated throughout with images from each era, images of the single covers, images of fan tattoos inspired by the art of each era, and images of Bono’s handwritten lyrics. A “deeper dive online” is presented in the book, explaining subscribers can see additional information about the songs written by Cait O’Riordan.

The book is in hardcover, and features images of all four members of U2 on the front cover taken from promotional images done around the time of the Boy album.