Boy (album)

Boy is the debut album from Irish rock band U2, released in 1980 (see 1980 in music). The album has themes of youth and adolescence, punctuated by Bono's impassioned vocals and The Edge's shimmering guitar textures.

It was preceded by the single "I Will Follow." The single was a hit on college radio and established a buzz surrounding the group's debut. The song was widely perceived as a religious song, affirming the band's Christian faith, though this has never been confirmed or denied.

The album was recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin with Steve Lillywhite producing. Some of the songs, including "An Cat Dubh" and "The Ocean," were written and recorded in the studio. Many of the others were regularly performed in concert at the time, including "Stories for Boys", "Out of Control," and "Twilight."

In stark contrast to then-popular British rock bands such as The Smiths, Boy was optimistic and positive and helped establish a rhythmic, guitar-led jangle pop sound within alternative rock circles on both sides of the Atlantic.

In 1981 (see 1981 in music), Boy peaked at #63 on Billboard's album charts. "I Will Follow" peaked at #20 on the Mainstream Rock charts. It did not chart in the United Kingdom.

Interestingly, this is the only U2 album from which every song (as well as every B-side) has been performed live at least once.

Track listing

1. "I Will Follow" (3:36)
2. "Twilight" (4:22)
3. "An Cat Dubh" (6:21)
4. "Into the Heart" (1:53)
5. "Out of Control" (4:13)
6. "Stories for Boys" (3:02)
7. "The Ocean" (1:34)
8. "A Day Without Me" (3:14)
9. "Another Time, Another Place" (4:34)
10. "The Electric Co." (4:48)
11. "Shadows and Tall Trees" (4:36)

Music by U2, words by Bono.

Produced by Steve Lillywhite.

"A Day Without Me" and "I Will Follow" were released as singles.

The album was preceded by Three, a three-song EP with different recordings of "Out of Control" and "Stories For Boys" as well as a song called "Boy/Girl."

Early vinyl copies of the album have a short, thirty-second instrumental version of what would become "Fire" (on 1981's October album) at the very end of the album, after "Shadows and Tall Trees."

Album cover

The boy on the cover is Peter Rowan, brother of Bono's friend, Guggi. The photographer, Hugo McGuiness, and the sleeve designer, Steve Averill, would go on to work on several future U2 album covers. The image had to be changed to a distorted picture of the band for the United States due to fears that the band would be accused of child pornography.

• Rest of world cover
• United States cover

Personnel

• Bono--lead vocals
• The Edge--guitar, vocals
• Adam Clayton--bass guitar
• Larry Mullen, Jr.--drums

External links

• Discography entry at U2 Wanderer--Comprehensive details on various editions, cover scans, lyrics, and more.
• Album lyrics---Searchable album lyrics.
• U2 tours overview at U2-Vertigo-Tour.com--Includes setlists for every date on the Boy Tour as well as earlier dates.
• Quotes and information--Detailed background on each song.
• U2MoL--Contains fan interpretations and interview excerpts for each song.