U218 was released in 2006 and ended up being the seventh best selling music CD of that year. U218 includes 16 songs that were released as singles plus the 17th track is a cover version of The Skids‘ “The Saints Are Coming“, recorded with Green Day to benefit Hurricane Katrina charities. The 18th and closing track was a new song entitled “Window in the Skies“.
Some might consider U218 as a “Best of” CD, but too many of U2’s iconic songs are missing. No “Angel of Harlem” or “All I Want is You.” But, for U2 fans, there are some rarities here, like alternate single versions of songs that differ from the album versions, to make U218 worthwhile. Are you a U2 fan? See any of your favorites here? GRADE: B+
TRACK LIST:
All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000) | Beautiful Day | 4:05 |
The Joshua Tree (1987) | I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For | 4:38 |
The Unforgettable Fire (1984) | Pride (In The Name Of Love) | 3:48 |
| The Joshua Tree (1987) | With Or Without You | 4:56 |
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004) | Vertigo | 3:10 |
War (1983) | New Year’s Day (Japanese single version) | 4:17 |
| Achtung Baby (1991) | Mysterious Ways | 4:02 |
| ll That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000) | Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of | 4:31 |
The Joshua Tree (1987) | Where The Streets Have No Name (single version) | 4:46 |
| The Best of 1980–1990 (1998) | Sweetest Thing (single mix) | 3:00 |
War (1983) | Sunday Bloody Sunday | 4:40 |
Achtung Baby (1991) | One | 4:35 |
Rattle and Hum (1988) | Desire | 2:59 |
All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000) | Walk On (edited version) | 4:26 |
All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000) | Elevation | 3:47 |
| How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004) | Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own | 5:05 |
| –U2 And Green Day | The Saints Are Coming | 3:21 |
| new song | Window In The Skies | 4:08 |
I’m a big U2 fan. I have all their cd’s. I have seen them live and they put on a great show. I would give this collection an A.
Steve, I’ve seen U2 concerts on video. Impressive!
I’m a big U2 fan. I have all their cd’s. I have seen them live and they put on a great show. I would give this collection an A.
Mostly great songs from a great band. Any complaints would seem like nitpicking.
Michael, U2 had a string of hits that propelled them to international fame.
Love them—and, like Steve, I’ve seen them live (it was on their PopMart tour and Davy Jones of the Monkees showed up to sing “Daydream Believer” with the Edge). I love so many of their songs, it’s hard to pick favorites, but some faves include “Gloria” (especially the live version recorded at Red Rocks), “Two Hearts Beat As One,” “In God’s Country,” “When Love Comes to Town” (with BB King), “Zoo Station,” “Even Better Than the Real Thing,” and “Vertigo.”
Deb, I may have to search for my U2 GREATEST HITS CDs.
To be honest, no, not a big fan. Don’t ask me why.
Jeff, U2 has broad appeal among many groups. But, they started out as an Irish band.
I liked “New Year’s Day” when it came out and generally like their work, but have never pursued their work too much. Too many cutesy nicknames don’t help.
And, George, a lot of bands have released albums collecting their singles (back when albums and singles were the likeliest units of distribution!) and this one is certainly in that mode. They’re HEY JUDE album, if you like.
Todd, some of the “single” versions of songs vary from the album versions in very different ways. You can see why U2 fans would want this CD in their collections.
Their, of course…
Indeed, George, hence the HEY JUDE comparison, and even more the endless comps of variations from any band with an audience…mono mixes differing from the stereo, different recordings altogether, etc.
I certainly have and enjoy similar albums from Jawbox, Fairport Convention, the Byrds, the Zombies, Husker Du, Big Star and others. Much less the variation recordings from those in improvisation-friendly fields of music lazz, bluegrass, to some extent blues…
Todd, I need to find my FAIRPORT CONVENTION CDs. I haven’t listened to them in awhile.
Because this group played when my kids were teens, I am familiar with a lot of these songs and like them a lot. They seem to capture that time (;ate eighties-early nineties) especially well.
Patti, you’re right. U2’s heyday was around that time period, but they kept recording and touring well into the 2000s. U2 has a very loyal fan base…as you can see from today’s comments!
not much. What were best selling albums 1-6?
Rick:1. High School Musical, Soundtrack 3,719,071
2. Me and My Gang, Rascal Flatts 3,479,994
3. Some Hearts, Carrie Underwood 3,015,950
4. All the Right Reasons, Nickelback 2,688,166
5. Futuresex/Love, Justin Timberlake 2,377,127
6. Back to Bedlam, James Blunt 2,137,142
Can’t say I’ve heard any of them, but I was into jazz that time.
Ugh. What a dismal display.
Steve, it’s rare when a CD sells over a million units now. Streaming music online has changed everything.
I didn’t listen to new bands at this time! No interest in them!