'Remember Us?'

9 Sep 2014244
A letter from Bono, on the arrival 'of our new baby' - Songs of Innocence.

'Hello, bonjour, ciao, hola, hallo, zdravo, dobar dan, Dia duit, hæ, hej,hei, cześć, olá, ćao, namaste, sawatdee, jambo, pozdravi, Γεια σου, привіт, שלום, مرحبا, こんにちは, , سلام, 你好, Привет….

Remember us? Pleased to announce myself, Edge, Adam and Larry have finally given birth to our new baby… Songs of Innocence. It’s been a while. We wanted to get it right for you/us. We just finished it last week and thanks to Apple and iTunes it’s with you today. That’s already amazing to me as it normally takes a few months to turn this stuff around.

Part of the DNA of this band has always been the desire to get our music to as many people as possible. In the next 24 hours, over a half a billion people are going to have Songs of Innocence… should they choose to check it out. That is so exciting. People who haven’t heard our music, or weren’t remotely interested, might play us for the first time because we’re in their library. Country fans, hip hop afficionados from east LA, electro poppers from Seoul, Bhangra fans from New Delhi, Highlifers in Accra… might JUST be tempted to check us out, even for a moment. What a mind blowing, head scratching, 21st century situation. Over 500 million people… that’s a billion ears. And for the people out there who have no interest in checking us out, look at it this way… the blood, sweat and tears of some Irish guys are in your junk mail.

You’ll have noticed the album is free to U2.com’ers from the band. It’s also free to everyone on iTunes thanks to Apple. To celebrate the ten year anniversary of our iPod commercial, they bought it as a gift to give to all their music customers. Free, but paid for. Because if no-one's paying anything for it, we’re not sure “free” music is really that free. It usually comes at a cost to the art form and the artist… which has big implications, not for us in U2, but for future musicians and their music... all the songs that have yet to be written by the talents of the future… who need to make a living to write them.

We’re collaborating with Apple on some cool stuff over the next couple of years, innovations that will transform the way music is listened to and viewed. We’ll keep you posted. If you like Songs of Innocence,  stay with us for Songs of Experience. It should be ready soon enough… although I know I’ve said that before…

I hope after listening to our new long player a few times, you’ll understand why it took so long. We really went there… it’s a very, very personal album. Apologies if that gets excruciating… actually, I take that back. No apologies if it gets excruciating. What’s the point in being in U2 if you can’t go there?
There is no end to LOVE.'
BONO
Comments
244
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egor
Well Worth The Wait
I Really Love The Album, It Was Well Worth the Wait . can't wait for the tour if you come back to Pittsburgh pa again !!!!
julesabury
You are the very best.
What can I say, except I really love the new album!! Well worth the wait. Please make my 50th year,next year by touring. Thank you!!!
isa_chacon
Thanx guys!!
Really amazing ! The more I listen to it the more I like it.... thank you, thank you, thank you.... don't mind the waiting, for such music I wait.... looking forward to the physical version of it!!
DMCampa
Incredible birth
Well done all! Thank you so much for this awesome gift!
TexasBrenda
Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!!
Way to go, boys!!! I still have to get clearance to download ITunes into my office computer, but having heard "The Miracle", and "California"..."WOW!!!" It truly was worth the wait. Can hardly wait to get the CD for my car, and possibly buy my first LP in years to inaugurate the new record player I bought years ago, but never hooked up to my sound system. Can hardly wait for the tour.
Glen Mollink
Fantastic
Some of the old U2 sounds back. Such a fan of this beautiful band. Well done U2!!!!
speckbarbie
Christmas on 090914
New Songs to listen ...what a GREAT Surprise yesterday. Watching 2 Hours the Apple Show...and then came the Boys and smash it really hard... Only Download and a new Day in U2 Paradise has starting. THANK YOU LOVE
eugevega
Hi from Paraguay!
we were wainting this moment for longer time and finally you came back, i listened the cd thanks because is free, i really like it, i wish with all my heart in this tour i can see you guys again. Please think in Paraguay for a tour i know is difficultd but i promose you Bono that here you have alot a fans! thanks for come back, your music make me so happy. LOVE YOU
edgelover
AMAZING!
It's surely a beautiful day when the best band in the world releases a fantastic album, even better FREE for all your hard working fans! This album is brilliant. The more i listen, the more i love it. Thank you Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry! Keep up the great work! and im looking forward to an exciting tour!xoxo
The_23rd_Fly
A Very Conscious Album
Greetings from Western Australia. Just had my first listen and given its been 5yrs between meals I couldn't help but feel like Elijah in the wilderness when the raven brought him his first piece of bread. I've been as U2 hungry as I am between releases and its nice to finally sit down, break bread and drink wine with you guys again. Thank You. Raised by Wolves but I'll Sleep Like a Baby Tonight.
cmh40
wowwee
great stuff, will love it even more after repeated listens on the headphones.......
marjolein1961
Tears in my eyes
First song I heard was Ceaderwood Road when I was driving home. After the heavy bass guitar of Adam en guitar sound of the Edge Bono started to sing. It felt so very good that the tears came in my eyes. Very very happy with the songs. Can't wait to hear them live. Marjolein
Lights
Thank you!
Thank you, merci, grazie, gracias, danke, bedankt, tak, kiitos, Ευχαριστώ, רב תודות, köszi, どうもありがとう, dzięki, obrigado, Спасибо, teşekkür, hvala, asante, ﺷﻜﺮﺍ, 謝謝 , dik, go raibh maith agat.
Raheny66
U2 not invisible
I'm on holiday in Zante the release of the new album has just made my holiday even better, laying by the pool listening through headphones to what is unmistakably U2 at thier finest, I can not wait for the tour to begin
sangros
Thank you!!
Enormous gift to my son's birthday!!!
Poogles
Love your new baby
Been listening to it all day at work. Breathtaking and raw. For me the stand out track is Every Breaking Wave. It feels like the band have come full circle with this album. From Boy to Songs of Innocence, both so personal and full of energy. Thank you guys so much. You are still relevant and I love your new baby.
insoliny
Happy End
Waiting for a new album of the four Irish is so painfull but this torture ends with a smile and satisfied ears. I listen to the new songs till midnight and every time I discover new things. Yes you did it again ... love it
Hesperos
U2
Thank you for this great new album. Proud to be a U2-Fan!
davide78
The Best gift in the world!!!
Bono you are my life!!!
pawelbono
second miracle that day!!!
ANOTHER BIRTH!!! My wife and myself took in the same day a birth of our new born baby!!! WHATS A BEATIFUL DAY!!!
lassche
My heart is defibrillating again.....
...what a great gift! I?am still. Thank you so mutch... Love and light, The Vertigo Hunter. Miss you sugar. ...
Carry Each Other
Wow! Best Album Of All Time!
Thank you sooooooooo much! Christmas in September thanks to Santa Bono, Santa Edge, Santa Adam, and Santa Larry. Thank U!
sbouliss
Merci beaucoup
Thank you U2. Once again you make my day and more than this. This album is very, very good and really speak to my heart again. The production design is awesome, it sounds like a classic U2 album and very contemporary. The lyrics are pure poetry as always. Larry And Adam made such great job on rhythm sections. I discovered you in 1983, I was an 11 years boy when friend of mine went to NYC and brought back "War" LP from his trip. Then my love for you music always grew up. You are still with me and you will always be. Love you guys always forever now, Stephane
unforgtblefire
Worth the wait
What a terrific album!!! Just blown away by how real and powerful these songs are! How can anyone mind waiting when we get a product like this?!?!?! Thank you guys!!!!
GREAT!!!
the waiting has been worthwhile ... :-) amazing album! ... can't wait for the tour! greets from Vienna!
davide374
thanks
thanks guys for this amazing gift...you're the greatest ! our songs are soundtrack of my life, davide
Tintin72
There is no end to love
Thanks a millon! Your baby is amazing <3 Can´t stop listening...and can´t wait to see you live again :)
musicabona
What great surprise!
Wow, listening to a new U2 album is always such a special experience! I´ve just heard a part of the record and once again I´m touched by many melodies and sounds full of beauty, passion and love. Of course it will take much more time to get to know the new material and I´m very excited about digging deeper into great music. Thank you for this beautiful album and your moving words, Bono!
JohntheBaptist
Thanks U2, it's great again
Dear U2, yes!!! The albus also arrived in the Netherlands. It was worth waiting for!! See you in Amsterdam next year!!!!!
Ian T
Looking forward to the Experience
All good, all u2 but nothing really hits me in the way that "The Fly", "Gone", "Vertigo" or "Magnificent" did on their respective albums but I'm sure it will get to me at some point. First question of the tour is answered, we know who the sponsor will be!
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