| "Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World" | |
|---|---|
| Song by U2 | |
| from the album Achtung Baby | |
| Released | 18 November 1991 |
| Genre | Rock |
| Length | 3:53 |
| Label | Island |
| Composer(s) | U2 |
| Lyricist(s) | Bono |
| Producer(s) | Daniel Lanois with Brian Eno |
"Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World" is a song by Irish rock band U2, and the ninth track on their 1991 album, Achtung Baby. It is a tongue-in-cheek song about stumbling home drunk after a night out on the town. It is dedicated to the Flaming Colossus nightclub in Los Angeles.[1] The album version includes keyboard playing by producer Brian Eno.
During live performances on Zoo TV Tour from 1992 to 1993, lead singer Bono would spray a bottle of champagne towards the audience. It was played 136 times on the tour, but was not performed again until the U2:UV residency at the Las Vegas Sphere. During these shows, Bono would bring fans onto the stage while holding a giant balloon. It was also snippeted at three concerts during the final leg of the U2 360° Tour in July 2011.[2]
The song was edited out of the live video release Zoo TV: Live from Sydney; it was later revealed that the concert ran long and the song needed to be edited in order to fit the concert into a two-hour timeslot.[3] The line "a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle" is a quotation from Irina Dunn.[4]
Covers
The song was reworked for the 2011 tribute album AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered by The Fray. The Denver quartet had supported U2 on the seventh leg of the 360° Tour, during which The Fray's Isaac Slade celebrated his 30th birthday. "They gave me a ping-pong table," he recalled, "and a ping-pong paddle with sunglasses drawn on it."[5]
Personnel
- Bono – lead vocals
- The Edge – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Adam Clayton – bass guitar
- Larry Mullen Jr. – drums, percussion
- Brian Eno – additional keyboards
- Daniel Lanois – additional guitar
See also
References
- ↑ Graham, Bill; van Oosten de Boer (2004). U2: The Complete Guide to their Music. London: Omnibus Press. p. 50. ISBN 0-7119-9886-8.
- ↑ "U2 Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World - U2 on tour". U2gigs.com.
- ↑ McGee, Matt: U2FAQS.com Videography FAQ, Question #8 (Accessed May 3, 2007) U2: U@faqs - Videography Archived May 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ The Phrase finder UK
- ↑ "What's On Your Free CD?". Q: 6–7. December 2011.
External links
- Lyrics and list of performances at U2.com
