ISLAND RECORDS TO RELEASE U2 EXTENDED PLAY 12” ON MAY 20th; “WIDE AWAKE IN AMERICA”

Island Records Inc. Press Release (1985-05-16)

ISLAND RECORDS TO RELEASE 4-SONG SPECIALLY-PRICED U2 EXTENDED PLAY 12” ON MAY 20th; “WIDE AWAKE IN AMERICA” TO INCLUDE 2 LIVE AND 2 UNRELEASED TRACKS

Island Records will release a new 4-song specially-priced extended play 12” from U2 on May 20th. Entitled “Wide Awake In America” and available in both standard record and cassette formats, it includes two live tracks from “The Unforgettable Fire”, “Bad” and “A Sort of Homecoming”— and two previously unreleased songs recorded during that album’s sessions in the summer of 1984— “The Three Sunrises” and “Love Comes Tumbling.”

Featuring nearly twenty minutes of music with a $4.98 retail list price, and new artwork, the cassette and record versions of “Wide Awake In America” differ slightly. While the record offers the live tracks on the A side adn the never-before-released material on the B side, the cassette features all four songs on both sides— for uninterupted listening pleasure.

“Wide Awake In America” is a fitting memento of U2’s recent sold-out American tour for U.S. fans. The all-arena tour, which began in Dallas on February 25th and concluded in Hollywood, Florida on May 4th, played to more than a half-million onlookers on nearly 40 dates in approximately 30 cities. It was U2’s biggest American tour to date, and the longest leg in the band’s “Unforgettable Fire” tour, which began in New Zealand in August 1984, and has continued through Europe, the U.K., the U.S. (twice!), and is now finishing up with several more European and U.K. dates.

The 12” release’s two live tracks were recorded in the U.K. in November 1984. “Bad”, done at the Birmingham N.E.C. on November 12th, is produced by Ron Saint Germain, U2, and Kevin Killen. “A Sort of Homecoming” was recorded on location at Wembley Arena on November 15th and is produced by the band and Tony Visconti.

The two previously unreleased tracks were recorded at Slane Castle with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois during “The Unforgettable Fire” sessions. “Three Sunrises” opens on a moody, atmospheric note and builds into a driving rocker, powered by The Edge’s guitar and Bono’s dense and passionate vocals. “Love Comes Tumbling” is a lighter, lyrical song, with a touching “All roads lead to where you are” refrain.

On a visual front, a video for “A Sort of Homecoming,” featuring this live audio track and footage of U2 performing and traveling in Europe, is already in heavy rotation on most cable/network and club outlets. A new video for “Bad” is being readied and will be available shortly.

CONTACT: Ellen Smith
Island Records Inc., 14 East Fourth St., New York, New York 10012

< Next News Entry | Previous News Entry >

u2songs.com was formerly known as u2wanderer.org. Follow us on Twitter | Facebook