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Sweetest Thing

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For the movie, see The Sweetest Thing.
For the Juice Newton song, see The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known).
"Sweetest Thing"
Song

"Sweetest Thing" is a song by U2, originally released in 1987 as "The Sweetest Thing," a B-side on the "Where the Streets Have No Name" single. It was later re-recorded, re-released, and renamed as a single for the compilation album, The Best of 1980-1990, in 1998. The song reached #1 in both Canada and Ireland, #3 in the UK, #6 in Australia, #63 on the Billboard Hot 100, #9 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and #31 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the United States.

History

The song was written by Bono as an apology to his wife Ali Hewson for forgetting her birthday during The Joshua Tree sessions (However, since the Joshua Tree sessions ran from July to November 1986, and Ali Hewson's birthday is March 23rd, this cannot be the reason Bono forgot.) [1] At Alison's request, proceeds from the single went to her favorite charity, Chernobyl Children's Project International.[1]

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.[2]

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.

Music video

In the video, directed by Kevin Godley, the phrase "I'm sorry" (and some variations) can be spotted. 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.[3]

Track listings

Version 1

  1. "Sweetest Thing" (The Single Mix) — 3:00
  2. "Twilight" (Live from Red Rocks, June 5, 1983) — 4:29
  3. "An Cat Dubh / Into the Heart" (Live from Red Rocks, June 5, 1983) — 7:14

This was the most common CD version. The back cover listed the third track simply as a live version of "An Cat Dubh." A cassette single omitted "An Cat Dubh / Into The Heart".

Version 2

  1. "Sweetest Thing" (The Single Mix) — 3:00
  2. "Stories for Boys" (Live from Boston, March 6, 1981) — 3:02
  3. "Out of Control" (Live from Boston, March 6, 1981) — 4:25

This was the second CD version.

Version 3

  1. "Sweetest Thing" (The Single Mix) — 3:00
  2. "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.

References

  1. ^ a b "Who's that woman at the beginning of the "Sweetest Thing" music video?". Videography FAQ. U2faqs.com. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  2. ^ "Sweetest Thing Chocolate Bar". U2 Collectibles and Memorabilia - Silver & Gold. U2Wanderer.org. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  3. ^ "Who are all those extras in the "Sweetest Thing" music video?". Videography FAQ. U2faqs.com. Retrieved 2007-03-23.


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