The Unforgettable Fire

On this day in 1984 U2 released arguably there finest piece of work following on from the previous success of the last album War. The band went for a more different sound following the more rockier War album. The result was a more ambient sound which lost some of the rock fans but gained a new following plus more radio play which was important.

Recording began in early 1984 at Slane Castle in Co Meath and then was completed at Windmill Lane studios in Dublin. They compose some of there finest work here and the critics lavished praise on the album on release. The title was an odd one but was reference to an exhibition they saw in Japan in 1983 about the Hiroshima atomic bombings.

The band decided on a new direction and sought several producers to work with but in the end they opted for Brian Eno whose ambient expertise was seen on Roxy Music and Talking Heads. Eno bough along the production expert Daniel Lanois but not everyone was happy mainly Island Records owner Chris Blackwell who felt the band may regret the new sound just as they found there feet.

The band were a conventional Guitar and Bass sound but for the first time a synthesiser was heard on a U2 record and during the recording it was beset with problems such as recording in too big rooms and the bands ability not too finish tasks which saw the deadline looming the band were forced to work 20 hour days for the last 2 weeks.

The work was completed and released in October 1984 and the result saw a more atmospheric album with low bass sound and more string arrangements which suited the radio and lounge music departments.

The album was highly anticipated and as a taster the band released the lead single Pride(in the name of love) a tribute to MLK and the song was at the time the biggest UK hit as a top 5 hit. The album went to number in the UK and was a top 20 in America.

The follow up single to Pride was Unforgettable Fire and again this was a top 10 hit in the UK. Following the album a tour ensued but it was difficult to replicate the textured sound live so reluctantly the band used sequencers and this proved popular for songs such as A sort of homecoming and Bad.

The latter song was played at the Live Aid concert in 1985 and still is one of the most popular live U2 songs.

Tracks on album

A sort of homecoming,Pride (in the name of love), Wire, The Unforgettable Fire, Promenade, 4th of July, Bad, Indian summer sky, Elvis Presley and America and MLK