Co-written by Brian Boyd, a leading music journalist and close associate of the band, and Niall Stokes, Editor of Ireland's legendary Hot Press magazine, the book recounts the band's incredible career and analyses the songs from all of their studio albums (including Boy, The Joshua Tree and Songs of Experience).
Featuring original and revealing interviews with band members and key people close to them, and tracing the band's meteroic rise from the early days to a group that has galvanized the pop music scene for more than twenty years, "Stories Behind The Songs" explores the background and inspiration behind every song written by U2, and is the definitive text on the subject. As testament to the band's enduring popularity, a full twenty-four years after the release of their first album, "Boy", in 1980, U2 hit Number 1 on both sides of the Atlantic with "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb", selling a million copies in three weeks. The first single from that album, "Vertigo" won three Grammys. U2 remains in every sense a world-class rock 'n' roll band, and this book takes you into the heart of the group, to reveal the inspiration behind their music
Featuring interviews with band members and key people close to them, and tracing the band's meteroic rise from the early days to a group that has galvanized the pop music scene, this title explores the background and inspiration behind the songs written by U2.
U2 are, without question, one of the most important rock bands of the past two decades. Formed while the members were still at school in Ireland, they released their first album, Boy, in 1980, the beginning of a new era. Six years and three albums later. The Joshua Tree confirmed their place as the biggest rock band in the world. Refusing to rest on their laurels, U2 contined to develop with each subsequent album, breaking new ground with Rattle and Hum, Achtung Baby, Zooropa and Pop. October 2000 saw the band release their 10th studio album, All That You Can't Leave Behind, and an accompanying new single, 'Beautiful Day'. Like their predecessors, both went straight to the top of the charts, proving once again that while the perennial procession of Next Big Things come and go. U2's worldwide popularity endures. From the rebel cry of songs like 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' and 'New Year's Day' through the haunting lyricism of 'One' and 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' to the post-modern irony of 'Discotheque', U2 have created anthems for the changing times and fashions. the band) Niall Stokes traces the band's development through each of their albums, describing the story behind each song, its musical and lyrical inspiration. In original and revealing interviews, members of U2, and key people close to the band explain how the songs developed, what they mean and how they fit together to reveal U2's extraordinary story.
Featuring interviews with key people close to the band, this work tells the story of U2's meteoric rise to fame, from their early days in Dublin to their status as a world-famous rock and roll band. It also explores the cultural and social context which provides a backdrop to their songs.