"The Saints are Coming" - U2

Promotional Release

Track Listing:

Background Information

“The Saints are Coming” was the first track released to promote the upcoming “U218 Singles” compilation of songs. The song was a cover of a song by the Skids, and U2 performed the song with Green Day. The promotional single for “The Saints are Coming” began showing up at radio stations in the USA before the compilation had even been announced. The early promotional disc was shipped in a clear plastic slimline jewel case, with no markings, artwork or tray cards. The disc itself was a CDR, and had no catalog number listed.

Within days of the US version appearing, the UK version started to appear. Like the US version, it was distributed in a clear jewel case with no artwork. It was however, an actual CD, and was not a CDR. CDR versions of the single were also used in Japan and Australia to promote the song.

The first UK CD is listed as “U2SAINTS1” in the matrix area of the CD. It contained the full length version of the song at 3:24 in length. A second CD was issued in the UK, looking much the same as the first, but with the notation “U2XSAINTS1” in the matrix area. This second CD contained a radio edit of the song, at 2:33 in length. There were a number of CDR promos produced in the UK that also contained this edit, released in plain plastic sleeves, with a printed insert.

The single is being used to raise funds for the Music Rising Campaign which was formed to bring music back to Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. Both promotional discs are marked with the Music Rising logo. A download of a live performance of the song was made available on the Rhapsody music service, and a commercial CD and 7-Inch were produced for sale worldwide.

Liner Notes

The Saints are Coming (Studio):
Written by Richard Jobson and Stuart Adamson. Published by EMI Virgin Music Ltd. Produced by Rick Rubin. Recorded by Greg Fidelman. Mixed by Chris Lord-Alge. Green Day appears courtesy of Reprise Records.

The Saints are Coming (Radio Edit): Written by Richard Jobson and Stuart Adamson. Published by EMI Virgin Music Ltd. Produced by Rick Rubin. Recorded by Greg Fidelman. Mixed by Chris Lord-Alge. Green Day appears courtesy of Reprise Records.

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