Watch out, baby! U2's "Achtung Baby" whips up some buzz with "The Fly," a track that takes all the best parts of multiple genres and spins it into a frenzied sonic stew
This song—and record— are one of those that both sound very much of their era, and still sound good. I would’ve thought “The Fly” would’ve been the biggest hit on the record. Shows you what I know, I guess. Lol.
‘Letter to Memphis’ is overshadowed by some of the Pixies’ other work, but is one of my faves off Trompe Le Monde.
"Fly" might be one of the most complete and intricate songs I've heard from U2, and I'm still embarrassed it took me this long to discover it.
I'm surprised it wasn't a bigger pop hit, but I think if it had more time to breathe on the radio it might have caught on. By the time "Fly" finished its run at #1 on MRT, "Mysterious Ways" was already up to #3. And for as technically complete as "Fly" might be, that guitar hook on "Mysterious Ways" will reverberate in my soul for the rest of my days.
It's infectious. And explains why it topped the MRT chart for 9 weeks, which I'll discuss in a couple of weeks. Gotta talk about some random grungy Seattle band first...
This must have been the 4th single released from Achtung Baby which might explain why it wasn't one of their biggest hits. I remember One, Even Better Than the Real Thing, Mysterious Ways, and even album cut Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses receiving more airplay. The Fly was a pretty unusual track for U2!
Believe it or not, this was the first single released off the album! I always assumed the first single was "Mysterious Ways," since that's the first one I can remember from the album, but that speaks to the relatively poor mainstream reception to the song.
I am not surprised "The Fly" missed as a pop hit, but I am surprised it hasn't been reevaluated in the context of the band's catalog or found a new life on 90s alternative radio stations. It's a pretty great song!
Achtung Baby is the only U2 album I can get behind as an album. 'The Fly' has a special place in the hearts of many Britons as it was the song that replaced Bryan Adams and that song after 16 weeks at number one.
I'm actually in the middle of listening to all my vinyl in chronological order, and Achtung Baby and Little Earthquakes are the last two I listened to (Next is Dry and Slanted & Enchanted.)
This song—and record— are one of those that both sound very much of their era, and still sound good. I would’ve thought “The Fly” would’ve been the biggest hit on the record. Shows you what I know, I guess. Lol.
‘Letter to Memphis’ is overshadowed by some of the Pixies’ other work, but is one of my faves off Trompe Le Monde.
"Fly" might be one of the most complete and intricate songs I've heard from U2, and I'm still embarrassed it took me this long to discover it.
I'm surprised it wasn't a bigger pop hit, but I think if it had more time to breathe on the radio it might have caught on. By the time "Fly" finished its run at #1 on MRT, "Mysterious Ways" was already up to #3. And for as technically complete as "Fly" might be, that guitar hook on "Mysterious Ways" will reverberate in my soul for the rest of my days.
Fair point! Just reading this comment, I had the riff for Mysterious Ways pop into my head.
It's infectious. And explains why it topped the MRT chart for 9 weeks, which I'll discuss in a couple of weeks. Gotta talk about some random grungy Seattle band first...
Oh, I've heard there were a few of those in Seattle back in the day. :)
This must have been the 4th single released from Achtung Baby which might explain why it wasn't one of their biggest hits. I remember One, Even Better Than the Real Thing, Mysterious Ways, and even album cut Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses receiving more airplay. The Fly was a pretty unusual track for U2!
Believe it or not, this was the first single released off the album! I always assumed the first single was "Mysterious Ways," since that's the first one I can remember from the album, but that speaks to the relatively poor mainstream reception to the song.
I am not surprised "The Fly" missed as a pop hit, but I am surprised it hasn't been reevaluated in the context of the band's catalog or found a new life on 90s alternative radio stations. It's a pretty great song!
Wow! I didn't remember that detail! I agree, great song!
Achtung Baby is the only U2 album I can get behind as an album. 'The Fly' has a special place in the hearts of many Britons as it was the song that replaced Bryan Adams and that song after 16 weeks at number one.
I'm actually in the middle of listening to all my vinyl in chronological order, and Achtung Baby and Little Earthquakes are the last two I listened to (Next is Dry and Slanted & Enchanted.)