The Sweetest Thing (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Sweetest Thing" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Single by U2 | ||
| from the album The Best of 1980-1990 | ||
| Released | October 19-20, 1998 | |
| Format | CD, cassette | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 3:00 | |
| Label | Island | |
| Producer(s) | Steve Lillywhite, Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno | |
| Chart positions | ||
|
||
| U2 singles chronology | ||
| "Mofo" (1997) |
"Sweetest Thing" (1998) |
"Beautiful Day" (2000) |
| The Best of 1980-1990 track listing | ||
| "The Unforgettable Fire" (9) |
"Sweetest Thing" (10) |
"Desire" (11) |
| U218 Singles track listing | ||
| "Where the Streets Have No Name" (9) |
"Sweetest Thing" (10) |
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" (11) |
"The Sweetest Thing" is a song by U2, originally released in 1987 as a B-side for the "Where the Streets Have No Name" single. It was later re-recorded, re-released, and renamed (to simply "Sweetest Thing") as a single for the compilation album, The Best of 1980-1990, in 1998.
Contents |
[edit] History
The song was written by Bono as an apology to his wife Alison Hewson for forgetting her birthday during The Joshua Tree sessions.[1] In the video, the phrase "I'm sorry" (and some variations) can be spotted. Among the cameo appearances in the video include Riverdance, Boyzone, Steve Collins, the Artane Boys Band, and the Chippendales. The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., Norman Hewson (Bono's brother), Dik Evans (The Edge's Brother), and Alison Hewson, appear in the video as well, along with Bono.[2] At Alison's request, proceeds from the single went to her favorite charity, Chernobyl Children's Project International.[3]
To promote the release of the single in 1998, Island Records distributed "Sweetest Thing" chocolate bars, wrapped to look like the single, throughout Europe. They have become a very valuable collectors item among U2 fans during the 2000s.[4]
The song has only been played live about 30 times during the Elevation Tour in 2001, where Bono played The Edge's piano parts. The song is also featured in the short film, Sightings of Bono.
[edit] Track listings
[edit] Version 1
- "Sweetest Thing" (The Single Mix) — 3:00
- "Twilight" (Live from Red Rocks, June 5, 1983) — 4:29
- "An Cat Dubh / Into the Heart" (Live from Red Rocks, June 5, 1983) — 7:14
This was the most common CD version. A cassette single omitted "An Cat Dubh / Into The Heart".
[edit] Version 2
- "Sweetest Thing" (The Single Mix) — 3:00
- "Stories for Boys" (Live from Boston, March 6, 1981) — 3:02
- "Out of Control" (Live from Boston, March 6, 1981) — 4:25
This was the second CD version.
[edit] Version 3
- "Sweetest Thing" (The Single Mix) — 3:00
- "With or Without You" (Album Version) — 4:56
This Japan-only 3" CD single had the Joshua Tree standard "With or Without You" as the B-side.
[edit] References
- ^ Who's that woman at the beginning of the "Sweetest Thing" music video?. U2FAQS.COM. Retrieved on March 23, 2007.
- ^ Who are all those extras in the "Sweetest Thing" music video?. U2FAQS.COM. Retrieved on March 23, 2007.
- ^ Who's that woman at the beginning of the "Sweetest Thing" music video?. U2FAQS.COM. Retrieved on March 23, 2007.
- ^ SWEETEST THING CHOCOLATE BAR. U2WANDERER. Retrieved on March 23, 2007.
