"Get On Your Boots" (Finished Version) [03:24]

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Video Information

The video for “Get on Your Boots” was filmed by Alex Courtes in a warehouse on the outskirts of London on December 10, 2008. The video’s story from there took some strange twists and turns.

Originally the video was supposed to be premiered on the Irish Independent news site on January 30, 2009, however that day the paper released a statement: “Delivery of the video for U2’s new single, ‘Get on Your Boots’, has been delayed. We are waiting for a new premiere date from the band and their record company. More details will follow.” Mark Crossingham, the managing director of Universal in Ireland also made a statement: “The video is going really well but unfortunately it just wasn’t finished in time for the premiere today. Alex Courtes is an amazing director and we can assure you that it will be well worth the wait.”

But even though this finished version of “Get On Your Boots” wasn’t complete, an unfinished cut of the video complete with Getty Image watermarks was leaked on the internet. Also, with the video not finished, they needed a video to promote the song on Amazon, and chose to use the backing video from the Grammy performance for this slot. Later on in the year a second version of this video appeared, with totally different backgrounds, but using the exact same footage of U2 filmed by Courtes.

The finished version of the video, this version, finally did appear on the Irish Independent website on Friday, February 6, 2009, a week later than initially planned.

The video features the band in studio performing the song. Behind the band appear a number of special effects, opening with galaxies and outspace shots, mixing in neon city scapes, giant skulls and cherries, statues, roller coasters, ants, bubbling lava, flags, fighter planes, birds, ancient ruins, a lady with a fake mustache, an arm wearing a ‘ONE’ bracelet and so much more. It’s hard to know where to look at times. The video is bright and colourful. Some of the images in the background are still, others are in motion. Towards the end a neat effect is used to make it look like Bono is slamming his mike stand into the screen, and breaking the screen you are watching on.

Additional Screen Captures

Video Credits

  • Directed by Alex Courtes
  • Produced by Malachy McAnenny
  • Director of Photography: Omer Ganai
  • Stylist: Sharon Blankson
  • Make-Up: J. Maskrey
  • Editor: Dan Sherwen
  • Colourist: Simone Grattarola
  • Commissioner: Tom Bird
  • Production: Partizan
  • Post-Production: Machine Molle