'' was
U2 's second studio album, released in
1981 (see
1981 In Music ). ''October'' is considered by some to be U2's weakest album; many critics find its lyrics heavy-handed and the band's performances bland.
Quite boldly, the record placed an emphasis on
Religion and spirituality, particularly in the songs "
Gloria " (featuring a
Latin chorus of ''"Gloria, in te domine"''), "With A Shout (Jerusalem)", and "Tomorrow". "Can you imagine your second album--the difficult second album--it's about
God ?" --
Bono ,
2005 {Link without Title}
The album's recording was complicated when the briefcase containing Bono's lyrics was stolen by fans after a show. The band already booked studio time and thus had to continue recording in spite of this, even improvising lyrics on some songs.
The songs mainly refine U2's formula of riff-rockers with songs such as "Gloria" and "Rejoice", but the band also expanded its musical palette in a few ways. In particular, guitarist
The Edge incorporates piano in songs such as "I Fall Down" and "October". "Tomorrow", a lament to Bono's mother, who died when he was young, features
Uilleann Pipes . "I Threw A Brick Through A Window" was one of the band's first songs to highlight drummer
Larry Mullen, Jr.
Its sales indicate that ''October'' is the least popular of U2's studio albums, and it is frequently at the bottom of many U2 fans' lists and polls. Only one of the songs from ''October'', the title song, was featured in the band's ''Best of 1980-1990'' collection, as a hidden track at the end of the album, although "Gloria" was a staple of their live set throughout the eighties. On the other hand, ''October'' was ranked as #41 on '', one of only two U2 albums to make the list.
#"
Gloria " – 4:14
#"I Fall Down" – 3:39
#"I Threw A Brick Through A Window" – 4:54
#"Rejoice" – 3:37
#"
Fire " – 3:51
#"Tomorrow" – 4:39
#"
October " – 2:21
#"With A Shout (Jerusalem)" – 4:02
#"Stranger In A Strange Land" – 3:56
#"Scarlet" – 2:53
#"Is That All?" – 2:59
Music by U2, words by Bono.
Produced by Steve Lillywhite.
"Fire" and "Gloria" were released as singles.
"Is That All?" borrows the riff from "The Cry", an older song the band used as an introduction to "The Electric Co." live.
"Influences, primarily
Joy Division ,
Invisible Girls . A great example of how you can write a song and not know what you're writing about. A song called "Tomorrow" is a detailed account of my mother's funeral. But I had no idea when I was writing it." -- Bono
Webber, Jann S. "Bono on the Records," pg 60, Rolling Stone, November 3, 2005,
