"Inner City Blues" - Various Artists
Promotional Release
U2 Related Content:
- "Save the Children" (Studio Version) - Bono (04:27)
Full Track Listing:
- I Want You – Madonna with Massive Attack
- What’s Going On – Speech
- Just to Keep You Satisfied – Lisa Stansfield
- Save the Children – Bono
Background Information
This single CD was produced in limited quantities in Europe for promotion of the release of the album “Inner City Blues”, a tribute album featuring the music of Marvin Gaye. Unlike the full album, this promotional CD contained only four tracks, three songs and one speech by Marvin Gaye. The CD was produced by Motown Records and produced in Spain. Packaging of this promotional CD is in a card sleeve, using the album cover on the front and a plain black back with text outlining the song content.
Marvin Gaye was an American singer-songwriter, who was killed in 1984. Gaye had recorded for the Motown Records label, and had a successful career that spanned over two decades. In 1994 the label was putting together a tribute album to Gaye, and Bono was asked to be involved. “After much prayer and fasting” as Bono said, he decided to cover Gaye’s song “Save the Children”. The song was recorded against a recording of Marvin Gaye’s spoken voice reciting the lyrics of the song. Bono recorded his version of the song at STS Studios in Dublin in late 1994. The song was produced by Nellee Hooper who also produced Madonna and Massive Attack performing “I Want You” on the same album. There was footage filmed for a television show, including a video of Bono performing “Save the Children” as it is recorded here. Bono was filmed in New York City in a seedy Times Square, before the area was cleaned up, singing the song as the people of New York City (and actors) move past. Bono is filmed in a doorway, and is seen smoking in the video.
Although full credits are not given on this promotional single we know from the album that Bono was the co-producer of the song. Marvin Gaye is present on this recording speaking over Bono’s lyrics. Backing vocals are performed by Louise McCormick and Paul Barrett. Barrett also provides piano, strings and vibraphone. And Marius De Vries did the programming on the track. The song was recorded by Louise McCormick, and Mark “Spike” Stent was the mix engineer. The song was recorded during some of the early work on the “Pop” album before Hooper had to leave that project to work on the “Romeo and Juliet” soundtrack.
Liner Notes
Save the Children
Written by A. Cleveland, M. Gaye, R. Benson. Produced by Bono and Nellee Hooper. Performed by Bono.