Rattle and Hum
A cinematic journey blending studio ambition with raw live energy.
Released as the sixth studio effort by the Irish rock group U2, this project stands as a unique hybrid between a traditional album and a live performance document. It arrived during a pivotal moment in the band's career, following their massive global breakthrough with previous work, and was accompanied by a feature-length documentary film that captured both recording sessions and concert footage. The release marked a significant artistic shift, moving away from purely studio-crafted sounds to embrace American roots music traditions. By blending polished new compositions with raw energy from the stage, it explored themes of fame, faith, and cultural identity while cementing their reputation as one of the world's premier live acts.
Last updated 2026-09-28 from the source article.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- U2
- Released
- 10 October 1988
- Recorded
- 1987–1988
- Venue
- Various locations
- Studio
- Sun (Memphis)
- Point Depot (Dublin)
- Danesmoate (Dublin)
- STS (Dublin)
- A&M (Los Angeles)
- Ocean Way (Hollywood)
- Genre
- Roots rock
- Length
- 72:27
- Label
- Island
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The concept behind this work emerged from a desire to document the band's relationship with their audience and their growing immersion in American culture. Sessions took place in historic venues, including theaters in New Orleans where they engaged with local blues and gospel musicians. This environment influenced the sonic palette, introducing horns and rhythmic grooves that differed from their earlier atmospheric rock sound. Thematically, the material reflects a period of intense scrutiny regarding their status as global superstars. The songs grapple with the weight of expectation and the search for authenticity amidst commercial success. It serves as an audio-visual diary of a specific era where the line between performance and reality became increasingly blurred for the group members.
Reader's Guide
Recorded across multiple locations including New York City and New Orleans, this project marked a departure from previous studio isolation. The band immersed themselves in American roots traditions, collaborating with musicians like B.B. King and Muddy Waters to ground their sound in blues and gospel history. Thematically, the work grapples with the complexities of stardom and identity, capturing both the euphoria and exhaustion of touring life. Critical reception was initially divided; some reviewers felt the live recordings overshadowed new material, while others praised the raw energy captured on stage. Over time, it has gained appreciation as a crucial document of their evolution during the late eighties. The accompanying film documented these sessions alongside concert footage from major arenas and theaters. Track selections blend polished studio productions with electrifying performance takes. Standout moments include reimagined classics delivered in intimate settings, contrasting sharply with anthemic stadium rock arrangements. This hybrid approach created a unique sonic landscape that bridged their Irish origins with American musical heritage, solidifying their status as global icons while exploring deeper personal and cultural narratives within the music industry's spotlight.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helter Skelter (live at Denver, Colorado) | Lennon–McCartney (lyrics, music) | 3:07 |
| 2 | Van Diemen's Land | The Edge (lyrics) | 3:06 |
| 3 | Desire | 2:58 | |
| 4 | Hawkmoon 269 | 6:22 | |
| 5 | All Along the Watchtower (live from "Save the Yuppie Free Concert", San Francisco) | Bob Dylan (lyrics, music) | 4:24 |
| 6 | I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (live at Madison Square Garden, New York) | 5:53 | |
| 7 | Freedom for My People | Sterling Magee, Bobby Robinson, Macie Mabins | 0:38 |
| 8 | Silver and Gold (live from Denver, Colorado) | 5:50 | |
| 9 | Pride (In the Name of Love) (live from Denver, Colorado) | 4:27 | |
| 10 | Angel of Harlem | 3:49 | |
| 11 | Love Rescue Me | Bono, Bob Dylan (lyrics) | 6:24 |
| 12 | When Love Comes to Town | 4:14 | |
| 13 | Heartland | 5:02 | |
| 14 | God Part II | 3:15 | |
| 15 | The Star Spangled Banner (live) | John Stafford Smith (music) | 0:43 |
| 16 | Bullet the Blue Sky (live at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona) | 5:37 | |
| 17 | All I Want Is You | 6:30 | |
| Total length | 72:27 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helter Skelter (live at McNichols Arena, Denver, Colorado, 8 November 1987) | Lennon–McCartney | |
| 2 | Van Diemen's Land (recorded at the Point Depot, Dublin, Ireland, May 1988) | The Edge | |
| 3 | Desire (recorded at the Point Depot, Dublin, Ireland, May 1988) | ||
| 4 | Exit"/"Gloria (live at McNichols Arena, Denver, Colorado, 8 November 1987) | U2 ("Exit"), Van Morrison ("Gloria") | |
| 5 | I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (rehearsal recorded at Harlem, New York, September 1987) | ||
| 6 | Freedom for My People | Sterling Magee, Bobby Robinson, Macie Mabins | |
| 7 | Silver and Gold (live at McNichols Arena, Denver, Colorado, 8 November 1987) | Bono | |
| 8 | Angel of Harlem (recorded at Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee, 30 November 1987) | ||
| 9 | All Along the Watchtower (live at Justin Herman Plaza, San Francisco, California, 11 November 1987) | Bob Dylan | |
| 10 | In God's Country (live at McNichols Arena, Denver, Colorado, 8 November 1987) | ||
| 11 | When Love Comes to Town (afternoon rehearsal and evening live performance at Tarrant County Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas, 24 November 1987) | ||
| 12 | Heartland | ||
| 13 | Bad"/"Ruby Tuesday"/"Sympathy for the Devil (live at McNichols Arena, Denver, Colorado, 8 November 1987) | U2 ("Bad"), Jagger, Richards ("Ruby Tuesday", "Sympathy for the Devil") | |
| 14 | Where the Streets Have No Name (live at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona, 20 December 1987) | ||
| 15 | MLK (live at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona, 20 December 1987) | ||
| 16 | With or Without You (live at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona, 19 December 1987) | ||
| 17 | The Star Spangled Banner (Excerpt) | John Stafford Smith | |
| 18 | Bullet the Blue Sky (live at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona, 20 December 1987) | ||
| 19 | Running to Stand Still (live at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona, 20 December 1987) | ||
| 20 | Sunday Bloody Sunday (live at McNichols Arena, Denver, Colorado, 8 November 1987) | ||
| 21 | Pride (In the Name of Love) (live at McNichols Arena, Denver, Colorado, 8 November 1987) | ||
| 22 | All I Want Is You (Heard over end credits) |
Track listing from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The album was released alongside a feature-length film directed by Phil Joanou.
- Several tracks featured live versions that replaced standard studio recordings for the final tracklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rattle and Hum documentary?
It's a feature-length film released alongside the album that intercuts behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions with live concert material. The film serves as a visual companion, letting fans see how both the studio tracks and the live performances came together.
Why is Rattle and Hum considered a turning point for U2?
It marked the band's deliberate pivot away from the dense, layered studio production of their earlier work toward a more organic, roots-music-influenced approach. Many fans and critics view it as the moment U2 began seriously exploring American blues and gospel traditions.
When was Rattle and Hum released and on what label?
The album came out in 1988 on Island Records as U2's fifth studio release. It arrived at the peak of the band's global commercial success, following the massive run of their previous work.
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