Both in scope and approach, U2's 'Red Hill Mining Town' was very much in keeping with the old American protest tunes which Bono had been delving into back then.
U2 almost got sick of 'With or Without You' before Bono helped rescue the slow-building song from the trash heap. It became the band's first No. 1 U.S. hit.
U2's propulsive song was inspired by Bono's visit to El Salvador in the midst of the country's civil war. He lashed out at the U.S.'s involvement in the lyrics.
Producer Brian Eno claims that it took about half of the 'Joshua Tree' sessions to complete 'Where the Streets Have No Name.' In the end, U2 had a classic.
Nostalgia might be a big reason for U2 fans to see the band perform its landmark The Joshua Tree LP on tour this year, but for bassist Adam Clayton, there are more compelling reasons to revisit.