How “One” unified U2

By the time U2 recorded their seventh album, 1991’s Achtung Baby, they were exhausted from nonstop touring, going through personal struggles at home in Ireland, and were at odds with each other about which direction to take musically. So, they headed to Berlin for a fresh start, landing on the day of the German Unification after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was there that they wrote the song that put them all on the same page as a band again, the timeless “One,” a song about division that actually helped the band transition into a new decade. Get into the whole story in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast.

Music Producer: Christian Lane
Video Director: Eva Empleo

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About Janda:

Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is a radio DJ at WDRV-FM in Chicago, the city she calls home with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam.
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[darinjames]

They made very important Music for you heard the news today??..and the Trenches within our Hearts seem to add bricks...and I was able to answer... no body wins..U2 forever...thanx Janda

[markb]

One is an amazing song that came out in a world that was changing- as were U2. Instead of making another Joshua Tree, the band evolved into a new U2 that risked alienating their fans. The result was the band's masterpiece, Achtung Baby.

The Joshua Tree was an album for the 1980s; Achtung Baby was an album for the ages.

[DonJoyce]

This just made me bawl my eyes out. My late wife and I often described our marriage as one person with two bodies. I would give anything to have one more argument with her.

[derbydreamer]

Never knew that about One. And the Brian Eno / Bowie partnership. One is another gem that they put out there. A song with many meanings and questions. Love the song, but Bono's performance at Superbowl 2002 out in the field opening his jacket with the American Flag. U2 ahead of their time. Great Episode.

[ldolphin]

I never did actually fully get into Achtung Baby. The hip-hop and techno productions were not my thing. But, that being said, this song is a masterpiece. It's almost like this song didn't belong on this album. And yet, since this album according to many is U2's saving grace, it probably does belong here.

Believe it or not, I totally loved Rattle and Hum better than most of the U2 albums. Maybe my version of how I love U2 isn't the same as others. All this means is that U2 has fans from each portion of their massive catalog, and everybody has their own favorites and yet, everybody gets U2.

Somehow it's possible that I think they could probably do it again, and bend people's heads and possibly pick up a whole new set of fans while leaving some others behind. It's U2.

[susien]

How could one be performed at live aid, that concert was in 1985 and Achtung Baby came out in 1991

[richardhudecek]

It's interesting but i have my own conspiracy theory.
Bono is smsrt religious guy with golden heart, and so he like peace on earth.
All religious basically have the same batom base, and he simply don't understand and questioning his mind.
Why people in name of love go and kill each other.
I truly.