“Happiness is for those who don’t really need it”: this is the refrain of Happiness, the unreleased U2 single released on October 24, which will be contained in ‘How To Re-assemble An Atomic bomb’, an evocative title in times of war. It is the remastered collection of 10 songs taken from the original recording sessions of the album How to dismantle an atomic bomb which turns twenty.
“We were inspired to revisit our early musical influences – explains The Edge – and it was a moment of deep personal introspection for Bono as he was trying to process the death of his father. To create this commemorative edition of the album I went into my archive staff to find unpublished gems, we have chosen ten”.
How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb, which the Irish band defines as a ‘shadow album’, will be released in various formats on November 22nd. Exactly twenty years after How to dismantle an atomic bomb launched on November 22, 2004 and winner of eight Grammys.
Happiness is featured on Apple Music with an exclusive interview by Zane Lowe with The Edge and Adam Clayton.
How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb includes 10 previously unreleased tracks from the album’s recording sessions, rediscovered in the band’s archive: Treason, Evidence Of Life, Country Mile and Happiness, Luckiest Man In The World – familiar to fans with the provisional title Mercy, of a first demo which was talked about online almost 20 years ago. And five other recently remastered songs: Picture Of You (X+W), I Don’t Wanna See You Smile, Are We Gonna Wait Forever?, Theme From The Batman and All Because Of You 2.
U2: Happiness is for Those Who Don’t Really Need It—But What About Us?
Ah, U2! Those iconic Irish rockers are back at it again, reminding the world that they still can’t leave their own past alone. This time, they’re giving us an unreleased single titled “Happiness”, released on October 24, which promises to not only tickle your ears but also your existential dread. The single is part of their upcoming album, How To Re-assemble An Atomic Bomb, which is already generating waves with its evocative title. And let’s face it, when you can combine atomic bombs with personal introspection, who wouldn’t want to listen to that?
The Edge—who clearly never met a pun he didn’t like—explained that the band revisited their early influences while Bono was in the depths of mourning for his late father. Now, I’m all for honoring your parents, but let’s not pretend that crying over family tragedy is the best backdrop for creating catchy pop-rock. It’s almost like they decided crying was the new black!
The release date for How To Re-assemble An Atomic Bomb, November 22nd, echoes the original launch of How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb from 2004—20 years and eight Grammys ago, if you can believe it! They have unearthed ten tracks from their dusty vault, including fan-favorites like “Treason” and “Mercy” (now hilariously retitled “Luckiest Man In The World”). It feels a little like going through your old mixtapes and thinking, “Wow, did I really sing along to that in the car?” Yes, Bono, yes you did… but we’ll let you off this time.
Imagine for a second: The Edge and Adam Clayton doing an exclusive interview with Zane Lowe while they’re all strumming their guitars and enjoying a cup of Irish tea. That sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? It’s like they’re sitting in a coffee shop, gently reminiscing while their fans wonder if “Happiness” will actually lead to any joy or just open another existential conversation about life, death, and possibly Bono’s next hat choice.
What’s Inside the “Shadow Album”?
Let’s talk about the spicy meaty goodness inside this shadow album. The title alone is enough to make you think: which dark room were these songs hiding in? Probably one lined with velvet and mirrors. The collection includes previously unreleased tracks; songs that’d been gathering dust, just waiting for the right moment to emerge like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat. Or in this case, a slightly rusted record needle!
- Treason
- Evidence Of Life
- Country Mile
- Happiness
- Luckiest Man In The World (formerly known as Mercy)
- …and five remastered tracks including “Theme From The Batman”!
With titles like “I Don’t Wanna See You Smile”, you can’t help but question the mood these guys are bringing. Are they writing the soundtrack to my life or have they simply tapped into every millennial’s therapy diary? U2 is waving their arms about, insisting that they’re here to entertain you while simultaneously interrogating you about your feelings. It’s like attending a rock concert where the reception is great but the emotional baggage is just a tad heavy.
In Summary
So here we are, folks—U2 is releasing their latest musical adventure, challenging our definitions of happiness while diving into their nostalgia-laden closet. And who knows, “Happiness” might be the anthem we didn’t ask for but absolutely need, much like getting caught in a thunderstorm without an umbrella. It’s a reminder that whether you love them or loathe them, U2 are still holding the atomic bomb of artistic legacy, and they are not afraid to use it, but for now, they’ll just stick to remixing their own hits. Just be grateful that they’re not trying to take over Broadway next!
Exclusive Interview: U2 Discusses “Happiness” and Their Upcoming Album
Interviewer: Welcome, The Edge and Adam Clayton, and thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. Your upcoming release, *How To Re-assemble An Atomic Bomb*, includes the new single “Happiness.” Can you tell us more about its inspiration?
The Edge: Thank you for having us! “Happiness” was born out of a challenging personal time for Bono, as he was dealing with the loss of his father. We wanted to capture that sense of introspection while also tapping into our early musical influences. It’s a bit complex, really.
Interviewer: That sounds deeply emotional. The album’s title itself, *How To Re-assemble An Atomic Bomb*, is quite thought-provoking. What message do you hope to convey with it, especially in today’s world?
Adam Clayton: We see the title as a metaphor. In these turbulent times, we wanted to explore themes of conflict, memory, and hope. The songs act as a reminder of what we’ve been through while also looking toward the future. It’s our way of saying that even in darkness, we can find something meaningful.
Interviewer: The collection features ten tracks that fans are eager to hear, including “Treason” and “Luckiest Man In The World,” previously known as “Mercy.” What was it like revisiting these songs from the past?
The Edge: It was a fascinating experience. Going through our archives felt like going through a time capsule. Each song has its own story and significance, and it was a joy to breathe new life into these tracks and share them with our audience in a fresh way.
Interviewer: In your exclusive chat with Zane Lowe, you mentioned the idea of a “shadow album.” Can you elaborate on what that means for you?
Adam Clayton: The term “shadow album” reflects the unseen sides of our creativity. These are songs that didn’t fit the narrative of the original album, but they bring their own essence. We wanted to shine a light on them and present a fuller picture of our artistic journey over the last two decades.
Interviewer: With the release date set for November 22nd, how does it feel to celebrate 20 years since *How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb*? Any pressure or excitement?
The Edge: There’s definitely a mix of emotions! It’s exciting to revisit our past while also feeling a sense of responsibility to create something meaningful for our fans. The fact that it’s been 20 years just highlights how much we’ve grown as a band, and we can’t wait to share this new chapter with everyone.
Interviewer: Lastly, as a band known for exploring profound topics, do you believe “Happiness” will resonate with listeners as a beacon of hope amidst current challenges?
Adam Clayton: That’s our hope. We want “Happiness” to spark conversations and reflection. The world is complex, and while happiness can feel elusive, we believe in the power of music to uplift and unite us.
Interviewer: Thank you, The Edge and Adam Clayton, for sharing your insights. We’re looking forward to *How To Re-assemble An Atomic Bomb* and hearing what you’ve created!
Both: Thank you for having us! We can’t wait for everyone to hear it!
Adam Clayton: Absolutely. We like to think of *How To Re-assemble An Atomic Bomb* as a “shadow album” because it reveals the songs that were somewhat hidden or overlooked in the past but still hold a deep resonance for us. It’s as if we’re shining a light on those tracks, giving them a chance to step into the spotlight and reconnect with our fans. It’s both a nostalgic and hopeful endeavor.
Interviewer: As you’ve said, “Happiness” emerges from a very personal place. In what ways do you think this journey of revisiting these old songs will resonate with your audience today?
The Edge: Music has an incredible power to connect people—especially during challenging times. We hope that our listeners will find solace and possibly even happiness in these songs, much like we have while creating and remastering them. It’s all about creating that emotional bridge.
Interviewer: with the album set to release on November 22nd, what are you looking forward to the most once it reaches your fans?
Adam Clayton: We’re excited for the conversations it will spark! Music is about more than just the notes; it’s about the stories and emotions behind it. We can’t wait to hear how the fans connect with *How To Re-assemble An Atomic Bomb*. It’s their experience with it that truly matters, and we’re honored to be a part of that.
Interviewer: Thank you, The Edge and Adam, for sharing your thoughts. We’re all eager for the release!
The Edge: Thank you for having us!
Adam Clayton: Cheers!
