’The First One Of Your Kind’
’The First One Of Your Kind’
’The First One Of Your Kind’

'The First One Of Your Kind'

New version of Original of the Species opens benefit CD to support maternal healthcare worldwide.

08 May 2012
A new version of Original of the Species, recorded by Bono and Edge, features on a benefit CD produced by Every Mother Counts, raising funds to support maternal healthcare worldwide.

The 19-track CD, which includes songs by Paul Simon and Edie Brickell, Lauryn Hill, Eddie Vedder, David Bowie, Patti Smith and Coldplay, is on sale through Starbucks and $8 of every sale will be invested in life-saving maternal health programmes worlwide.

A woman dies every 90 seconds from complications in pregnancy but 90% of these deaths are preventable. While these deaths devastate children, families, and communities,  maternal mortality is an issue that many people don't notice. Christy Turlington Burns founded Every Mother Counts to boost awareness of this crisis and - and of solutions which will improve life for women worldwide. She was inspired by her own experiences and the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal to reduce maternal mortality by 75% by 2015.

Every Mother Counts 2012, the second album to be released for the organization, is available exclusively at Starbucks during May in celebration of Mother’s Day.

'I went to friends first, as I did with the first CD,' Christy told Rolling Stone. 'Bono and Chris Martin were great supporters of the project the first time around, and when I knew I wanted to include men on this album they were obvious choices. They are also both fathers to daughters.'

Speaking about 'Original of the Species', she said, 'Bono wrote the song with his daughters in mind. It's wishful and imparts the idea that, 'I'm here and I'm watching you take your steps forward and I'm supporting your independence, but at the same time, I don't want you to make mistakes.' Any parent can relate to that.'

Find out more about Every Mother Counts.

Get your copy of the CD.

MORE NEWS

ALL NEWS
Carnaval De Luz Indie Record Store Edition
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

Limited Edition Third Man Records Yellow Vinyl of New Album Arrives November 13 at Independent Record Stores

30 SEP 2026
Central Bank Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros presented the coin to Larry Mullen Jr.
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Central Bank of Ireland launches U2 commemorative coin marking 50 years since the band's formation.

28 SEP 2026
Fifty
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Live in Dublin fifty years on. Pat Carty was there for U2.com.

27 SEP 2026
'CARNAVAL DE LUZ' - New Album In November.
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The band's first studio album in nine years will be released on November 13th. Silencio, second track from...

24 SEP 2026
It’s Arrived (with a surprise)
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVES

The Days of Ash Propaganda Magazine & EP bundle is here… complete with a bonus Easter Lily edition...

17 SEP 2026
'2027 Persons of the Year'
HEARTS + MINDS

Band to be honoured by Musicares for 'five decades of musical achievement and humanitarian service'

10 SEP 2026
’Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah’
COMPILATIONS

Release of Pogues cover today, Friday, from stellar line up for '20th Century Paddy - The Songs Of...

28 AUG 2026
'Fireflies'
COLLABORATIONS

Out today!  Martin Garrix teams up with U2 on new track 'Fireflies', debuted live with Edge at Tomorrowland...

24 JUL 2026
'In a place called Mexico…'

Behind-the-scenes with band and crew on the shoot for 'Street of Dreams'.

17 JUL 2026
Street Of Dreams - The New Single is Here.
SINGLES

Listen to Street of Dreams, the first single from the band's upcoming studio album.

07 JUL 2026
’BALLROOM BOOM’
TV

'Ballroom Boom' screening at the Galway Film Fleadh this Thursday.

07 JUL 2026
What a wonder. They're calling it "The Obamalisk"
BONO

Bono and Edge performing City of Blinding Lights at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in...

22 JUN 2026
SHOWING 12 OF 4770 STORIES KEEP SCROLLING FOR MORE ↓

Related Topic

LATEST COMMENTS

THE NEW ALBUM
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The new album. Out 13 November 2026.

PRE-ORDER

SUBSCRIBE TO U2.COM

Special editorial and video, exclusive newsletters and events, 25% coupon for the shop and first access to ticket sales when the band tour.