"How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" - U2

20th Anniversary Collection

Track Listing (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)

Track Listing (How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb)

Boxed Set Contents (Remixes and Live from Chicago):

Track Listing Notes:

The track timings above reflect the vinyl version of Vertigo: Live from Chicago 2005 release included in the 8-disc vinyl box set. The version in the CD box is split across two discs instead of six sides, so has less fades in and out. The CD version has a fade out at the end of “Bullet the Blue Sky” and fades back in at the start of “Running to Stand Still”.

Background Information

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was initially released on November 22, 2024 in most of the world, and exactly 20 years later U2 are releasing a set of 20th anniversary editions celebrating the 20th anniversary release of the album and the Live from Chicago 2005 release that followed. Also included is a series of remixes of songs from the album, including a number of never before released remixes, and also a 10-track disc of demos, containing many unheard of songs.

The announcement of the album took place on September 26, 2024, hinted at on September 25 by the start of a countdown on U2.com. Also on the 25th when playing tracks from the album on Spotify, a video showing the September 26 date was show. The announcement of the album was at 12 noon, Eastern, after a series of leaks. Immediately available were two lyric videos for demos on the album, “Picture Of You (X+W)” and “Country Mile”. Both songs are also available on streaming platforms. The lyric videos can be viewed on YouTube.

A number of formats will be released including:

  • A 5-CD deluxe box set
  • A 8-disc vinyl box set
  • A single disc CD containing the main album
  • A 2-disc vinyl version of the main album in black vinyl
  • A 2-disc vinyl version of the main album in red and black vinyl
  • A cassette version of the main album
  • A digital release including the demo disc and the main album

Additionally a week after the release of the main album, the demos disc, How to Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb will be released as a standalone vinyl in red and black vinyl for the RSD Black Friday event. The demo album will also be released to digital services by itself on this day. We have a separate discography entry for this specific release.

The contents of the deluxe sets?

  • How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (the album, single disc on CD / double disc on vinyl)
  • How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb (10-track demo album, single disc on CD / single disc on vinyl)
  • Vertigo: Live from Chicago 2005 (2-disc on CD / 3-disc on vinyl)
  • B-Sides and Remixes (1-disc on CD / 2-disc on vinyl)
  • The box sets will be packaged with a book of Anton Corbijn photography

The live show in the box, appears to be exclusive to the two boxed set formats. Vertigo 05: Live from Chicago was released in 2005 and celebrates it’s own 20th anniversary next year. This is the first time it has been released in audio format. The audio is remastered and newly edited for this release.

Standalone versions of the album on CD, vinyl and cassette, as well as copies included in the deluxe set will contain the bonus track “Fast Cars”.

The gem of this collection is sure to be the 10-track demo disc in the deluxe sets, which includes a number of tracks released here for the first time. With the announcement more is known about these tracks. Some titles are familar, “I Don’t Wanna See You Smile” is a version of “Smile” that previously appeared on “The Complete U2“ and “Are You Gonna Wait Forever?” was a B-side to the original “Vertigo” single. “Picture of You (X+W)” is an alternate version of “Xanax and Wine”, which eventually became “Fast Cars”. The Edge’s “Theme from The Batman” will be included as well, the instrumental piece was the title track for the cartoon, The Batman in 2004. And “All Because of You 2” ends the disc previously available on “The Complete U2“ and Medium, Rare and Remastered.

Other titles are new songs for the band including “Evidence of Life”, “Luckiest Man In the World”, “Treason”, “Country Mile”, and “Happiness”. Although we do have some notes about “Treason“, a song that Bono developed with Dr. Dre and Dave Stewart in 2002, and further developed in studio with U2. Dr. Dre doesn’t appear on this version, but Dave Stewart does, co-producing with Jacknife Lee and adding guitar. Dr. Dre’s protege, Mike Elizondo is credited with programming. Backing vocals are by the Gateway Ambassador Singers. “Mercy”, a fan favourite, leaked in 2004, does make an appearance (or two) in the set but under other names. “The Luckiest Man in the World” is a version of “Mercy” that we are familiar with that has had some changes in lyrics and appears to have been finished off more recently. Some of the lyrics from “Mercy” are also heard in “Happiness”, suggesting it too was developed from the same starting point.

The boxed set is an audio only release, similar to previous releases for The Joshua Tree (30th anniversary) and All That You Can’t Leave Behind (20th anniversary.) The Joshua Tree was released on 4-CDs, or 7-LPs and All That You Can’t Leave Behind was released on 5-CDs, or 11-LPs. The original version of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was released in November 2004. The album was promoted with the release of “Vertigo”, “Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own”, “City of Blinding Lights”, “All Because of You”, and “Original of the Species”.

Liner Notes

Related Promotional Videos

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Catalog of Releases