The Edge | Broken Record (Hosted by Rick Rubin)

U2’s The Edge is one of only a handful of guitarists who's as recognizable as his band’s wildly successful frontman. U2 has been playing together since 1976, when they were all teenagers in Dublin. Nearing their 50-year anniversary as a band, U2 just released their latest album, Songs of Surrender—a 40-track collection of reimagined and stripped down songs that span the entirety of their catalog.

On today’s episode Rick Rubin talks to The Edge about his theory behind the band’s longevity. The Edge also shares stories about writing U2 classics like “New Year’s Day” and “Where The Streets Have No Name.” And he explains why Bono singing at the top of his range can be a bit much.

#podcast #rickrubin #music #u2 #theedge #musicpodcast

ABOUT BROKEN RECORD
For generations of music lovers, the liner notes on albums were a central part of the way music was heard. You bought an album and it came with an accompanying narrative: a digression, an aside, a backstory—maybe even an invented history. We intuitively understood that great music required not just listening but conversation between the artist and the audience and the audience and the rest of the world.

Broken Record is a podcast that restarts those conversations—in a world without liner notes—for a new audience of music lovers.

Broken Record is hosted by Justin Richmond with interviews by producer Rick Rubin, writer Malcolm Gladwell, and former New York Times editor Bruce Headlam.

STAY CONNECTED

[everythingiseverything]

To be able to have; the money, the label support, fantastic producers, 40+ years of experience, positive energy from their fans, and the time to dive deep into music is every professional musicians wish. U2 was able to swim in that pond for many many years. I'm a bit jealous. Love The Edge and his dedication to his art!

[jonbroady]

I really appreciate and Love The Edge. He is historic and my hero

[Pihasanddunes]

Excellent interview. A nice mix of poignant biographical detail of Edge’s early musical explorations end insights about his personal process and the way the band works collectively.

[DeronMidge]

Thank you Rick. Thank you the Edge. Both of you together is absolutely epic. What a beautiful conversation. ONE
🫵 ❤️💫🌟

[prayerXtantra]

Love Broken Record; thank you! Am biased bc was a massive U2 fan in the 80s, but gotta say, listening to this I can’t think of another Rick interview where the interviewee matches Rick’s energy so well. They are both very much themselves.
Love from MTL.

[Mr_Rob_otto]

Even if U2 never creates or plays any new songs ever again, you can’t take away the brilliance of their expansive song catalog and illustrious career, though they seem to be doing just that on this new album retrospective.

[P.B.andJam]

The Joshua Tree is still its own genre of music.

[nickkabbabe]

I'm really enjoying some of the new versions of the old songs!

[axlsg]

Hopefully one day U2 and Rick can go back and finish that album... Window in the skies was a great song...

[duncansutherland]

Their earlier transition albums are for me their most interesting work. That started with October (emerging from the success with Boy) and then The Unforgettable Fire (transitioning from War) and finally Achtung Baby (moving from the colossus success of The Joshua Tree). Those albums are nestled between more sound defining moments in their creative journey, at least for what first put them on the map.

[JBBrookman]

Could you imagine Rick Rubin producing the new "more rock and roll" record coming after Songs of Ascent!!!??? Amazing interview!

[Templar]

What I wouldn't give to have a conversation with my Hero the Edge. Great chat love it and thank you for doing it.

[TempleOfTheMartyrs]

U2 is the reason why our band even exist . that simple

[AdAstraOnYafro]

Rick, I’ve really been enjoying your podcasts. Glad to see you expanding your horizons.

[jornthedrummer]

Great interview. He’s a well spoken person.

[noahchamberlain]

Rick produced my favorite U2 song Window In The Skies, I hope the band comes back to it one day. Bummed it wasn’t on Songs of Surrender

[markriva]

I met and talked with the Edge in 1984 in San Francisco!

[LuisMendez-opin]

Very good questions by Rubin and Edge is interesting to listen to. Nice interview indeed.

[bminturn]

I'm not going to knock U2 for carrying on longer than I would, but their best music was made when they did the ad-hoc, together approach. They were a lot better when they weren't trying to write good songs. They're my favorite band. I just don't really feel their albums since "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". They at least had 2-3 very good songs on every album up to that point. Since then, they have put out 1 or 2 decent songs per album that I never have an urge to go back to. But put on "Surrender" from War, or "A Sort of Homecoming" from The Unforgettable Fire, and I'll play them on loop for an hour and not get bored.

[beautiful-kingdom]

For our generation, new video games were the closest comparison to that excitement he describes around having limited access to brand new records you wanted to hear as a kid but couldn’t buy so you did what you could to beg or borrow. That kind of hunger and appreciation has greatly diminished today with nearly all music being accessible at all times. It’s the hunger and appreciation that actually makes anything in life extraordinary & special.