Sweetest Thing

Single infobox
Name = Sweetest Thing


Artist = U2
from Album = The Best of 1980-1990
Released = October 20,1998
Format = CD, cassette
Recorded =
Genre = Rock
Length = 3:00
Label = Island
Producer = Steve Lillywhite, Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno
Chart position =

#6 (Australia)

#3 (UK Singles Chart)

#63 (US Hot 100)

#9 (US Modern Rock Tracks)

#31 (US Mainstream Rock Tracks)

#1 (Canadian Singles Chart)

#1 (Irish Singles Chart)

Reviews =
Last single = "Mofo"
(1997)
This single = "Sweetest Thing"
(1998)
Next single = "Beautiful Day"
(2000)
Misc = Extra tracklisting
Album = The Best of 1980-1990
Type = compilation
prev_track = "The Unforgettable Fire"
prev_no = 9
this_track = "Sweetest Thing"
track_no = 10
next_track = "Desire"
next_no = 11Extra tracklisting
Album = U218 Singles
Type = compilation
prev_track = "Where the Streets Have No Name"
prev_no = 9
this_track = "Sweetest Thing"
track_no = 10
next_track = "Sunday Bloody Sunday"
next_no = 11 "Sweetest Thing" is a song by U2, originally released in 1987 as "The Sweetest Thing," a B-side on the "Where the Streets Have No Name" single. It was later re-recorded, re-released, and renamed as a single for the compilation album, "The Best of 1980-1990", in 1998. The song reached #1 in both Canada and Ireland, #3 in the UK, #6 in Australia, #63 on the Billboard Hot 100, #9 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and #31 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the United States.

History

The song was allegedly written by Bono as an apology to his wife Ali Hewson for forgetting her birthday during "The Joshua Tree" sessions. Cite web
url = http://u2faqs.com/videography/#11
title = Who's that woman at the beginning of the "Sweetest Thing" music video?
accessdate = 2007-03-23
work=Videography FAQ
publisher = U2faqs.com] At Alison's request, proceeds from the single went to her favored charity, Chernobyl Children's Project International.

To promote the release of the single in 1998, Island Records distributed "Sweetest Thing" chocolate bars, wrapped to look like the single, throughout Europe. They have become a very valuable collectors item among U2 fans during the 2000s. [Cite web
url = http://www.u2wanderer.org/silver/sil003.html
title = Sweetest Thing Chocolate Bar
accessdate = 2007-03-23
publisher = U2Wanderer.org
work = U2 Collectibles and Memorabilia - Silver & Gold]

The song has only been played live about 30 times during the Elevation Tour in 2001, where Bono played The Edge's piano parts. The song is also featured in the short film, "Sightings of Bono".

Music video

In the video, directed by Kevin Godley, the phrase "I'm sorry" (and some variations) can be spotted. Cameo appearances in the video include Riverdance, Boyzone, Steve Collins, the Artane Boys Band, and the Chippendales. The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., Norman Hewson (Bono's brother), Dik Evans (The Edge's brother), and Alison Hewson, appear in the video as well, along with Bono. [Cite web
url = http://u2faqs.com/videography/#12
title = Who are all those extras in the "Sweetest Thing" music video?
accessdate = 2007-03-23
publisher = U2faqs.com
work = Videography FAQ]

Track listings

Version 1

#"Sweetest Thing" (The Single Mix) — 3:00
#"Twilight" (Live from Red Rocks, June 5, 1983) — 4:29
#"An Cat Dubh / Into the Heart" (Live from Red Rocks, June 5, 1983) — 7:14

This was the most common CD version. The back cover listed the third track simply as a live version of "An Cat Dubh." A cassette single omitted "An Cat Dubh / Into The Heart".

Version 2

#"Sweetest Thing" (The Single Mix) — 3:00
#"Stories for Boys" (Live from Boston, March 6, 1981) — 3:02
#"Out of Control" (Live from Boston, March 6, 1981) — 4:25

This was the second CD version.

Version 3

#"Sweetest Thing" (The Single Mix) — 3:00
#"With or Without You" (Album Version) — 4:56

This Japan-only 3" CD single had the "Joshua Tree" standard "With or Without You" as the B-side.

References