They hadn't yet found what they were looking for.
So a desperate U2 took the plunge midway through the making of their last classic album, 2004's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, which dropped 20 years ago on November 22, 2004 (November 23 in the US). I made a U-turn.
After months of working on the sequel to 2000's 'All That You Can't Leave Behind', which re-established the iconic Irish rockers as one of the biggest bands in the world, they have decided to fire producer Chris Thomas. As a result, the project collapsed. .
“I felt bad about that because they're such great employers and they don't like to have to let someone go,” said Steve Lilley, who is credited with producing “How to Defuse an Atomic Bomb.” White told the Post. “But they felt they needed someone to bring some kind of energy to the studio for the benefit of the album.”
And relying on Lilywhite for “how to dismantle an atomic bomb” would have explosive consequences for U2. “Dizzy” “Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own” and “City of Blinding Lights” were the group's 11th studio LP, which went multi-platinum and won one of 22 Grammy Awards. It won eight awards, including Album of the Year for the second time, following 1987's seminal album The Album. joshua tree. ”
As Bono's boys gave way to alternative rock to oat rock, their relevance was strengthened and midlife became an “atomic” era for U2.
boom.
And who better to restore U2's unforgettable luster than Lilywhite, who produced the band's first three albums: 1980's Boy, 1981's October, and 1983's War? I don't think there is anyone who has.
Lilywhite, 69, recalled, “They were a little depressed. I think the reason they get excited when they see me is because they're remembering things from when they were younger.''
In fact, the British producer, who has worked with everyone from the Rolling Stones to the Dave Matthews Band to The Killers, has known U2 since day one.
“When we first worked together, I was 24 and the oldest member of the band was 19,” he explained. “Bono was 19 years old and Larry [Mullen Jr., the drummer] He was 17 when we recorded our first album. they were very young. So I've known them forever, you know? ”
So Lilywhite, who had also worked on The Joshua Tree, All That You Can't Leave Behind, and another certified classic, 1991's Acting Baby, had an innate talent. There was trust.
“Basically, I took over a half-finished album,” he says, adding, “They basically played me all the songs and said, 'What do you think?' And I said, “Well, this is great.'' This is what we need to do. I like this song, but it needs to be re-recorded. ”In my opinion, it just lacked a little bit of energy. ”
So did the hit first single, “Vertigo,” which later won a Grammy Award for showcasing Edge's guitar riff in all its glory. But when the song was first called “Native Son,” it didn't exactly take off to that special “place.”
“I didn't like the way it was recorded,” Lilywhite said. “So we recorded it again and it sounded so good that Bono said he wanted to write a better song. So basically he ended up writing 'Vertigo.' So if “Native Son'' had been released, it probably wouldn't have been as big of a hit as “Vertigo,'' so changing that song was definitely the right thing to do. ”
Similarly, “Sometimes you can't do anything with your own strength.” The song was taken to the next level by Lilywhite, who helped Bono find his falsetto center on the chorus.
“Actually, that song has been around for a few years,” he explained. “And I remember listening to it and thinking, there really isn't a chorus in it. And just as I said that, Bono picked up his guitar and started singing, 'Mirror. It's you when I see you/It's you when I don't answer the phone/Sometimes you just can't do it alone.” ”
“I also helped them unlock the greatness of the song because I think that’s the money part of the song.”
Indeed, with all those falsetto sentiments, “Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own” (a song about Bono's relationship with his father, Bob Hewson, who died of cancer in 2001), It will win the Song of the Song award. 2006 Grammy Awards, “A city of dazzling lights” Winner of Best Rock Song Award.
Meanwhile, Lilywhite would go on to win the Gramophone Producer of the Year award that same year for his work in turning the album from a “bomb” to a blockbuster.
“I just came in and did what I had to do,” he said. “And yeah, we were very lucky and we got the Grammy and everything.”
However, “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb'' also received great publicity when “Vertigo'' was used in the film. iPod commercial At the time of release. And then there was the U2 iPod, which had the same black and red color scheme as “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.”
“This was one of the largest business transactions ever made,” Lilywhite said. “So Steve Jobs sold millions of iPods and U2 sold millions of records.”
And who can forget U2's performance? “It’s all your fault.” Did you travel around downtown Manhattan in a flatbed truck to promote your album before playing a “secret” concert in Brooklyn Bridge Park?
Lilywhite continued to work with U2 on 2009's “No Line on the Horizon,” 2014's “Songs of Innocence,” 2017's “Songs of Experience,” and He produced the group's latest single, 2023's “Atomic City,” and helped launch their album. Groundbreaking Sphere Residency in Las Vegas.
And although Lilywhite is now living semi-retired in Bali, she still keeps tabs on U2, who haven't released a new studio album in seven years.
“They're in the studio and apparently excited about how it's going,” said the five-time Grammy winner, who plans to release a new album in 2025 and tour in 2026. I'm predicting it.
But just as “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” is being celebrated in “How to Reassemble an Atomic Bomb” (a new reissue edition with outtakes from these sessions), Lilywhite We are proud of what we have created.
“I think it will be in the top five.” [albums]” he said. I love “Joshua Tree,” “Actung Baby,” “All That You Can’t Leave Behind,” and for me, “War.” And then this. I'm proud to have my name included in this great record.”
