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The Joshua Tree

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Album

The Joshua Tree · After The Unforgettable Fire, U2 wanted to make a harder-sounding album, within the limits of ordinary song structures. In the 1980s the band had toured the United States for months every year and was fascinated by that country, including American writers and roots music. The producers were Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. The recording began in January 1986 in Ireland, mainly in two houses, and was finished in November. During the sessions the roadie Greg Carroll died and Bono travelled to Central America, which set the tone of the record.

The lyrics are socially engaged and full of spiritual imagery. With the desert photographs on the sleeve, the group wanted to evoke a cinematic sense of space. With or Without You and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For became the band's only number 1 singles in the United States. In 1988 the album won a Grammy for Album of the Year and became U2's best-selling record.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Where the Streets Have No Name, the opening track, and notice how the atmosphere of wide-open space is built up.

Track list

  1. 1Where the Streets Have No Name5:38Apple Music ↗
  2. 2I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For4:37Apple Music ↗
  3. 3With or Without You4:56Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Bullet the Blue Sky4:32Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Running to Stand Still4:17Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Red Hill Mining Town4:53Apple Music ↗
  7. 7In God's Country2:57Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Trip Through Your Wires3:32Apple Music ↗
  9. 9One Tree Hill5:22Apple Music ↗
  10. 10Exit4:13Apple Music ↗
  11. 11Mothers of the Disappeared5:14Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

Categories: Albums and songs