Wide Awake in America

Wide Awake in America is a four-track EP by the Irish rock band U2, released in 1985 (see 1985 in music). It collects various B-sides from the era, which had only been available in the UK, along with a previously unreleased live performance of the song "Bad."

It was originally released only in North America and Japan but sold so well that it charted in the UK as an import. It was re-released internationally in 1990.

The EP's centerpiece, "Bad," a song about heroin addiction, would become a staple of their live set, particularly after a remarkable extended performance at Live Aid in which Bono dances with a girl in the audience.

Track listing

1. "Bad" (live) (7:59)
2. "A Sort of Homecoming" (live) (4:06)
3. "The Three Sunrises" (3:52)
4. "Love Comes Tumbling" (4:45)

Music by U2, words by Bono.

"Bad" is live from the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England on November 11th, 1984. It was produced by the band.

"A Sort of Homecoming" is live from Wembley Arena in London, England on November 15th, 1985. It was produced by Tony Visconti. It was actually recorded during soundcheck, and the crowd noise was mixed in later.

"The Three Sunrises" was produced by the band with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. It can also be found on The B-Sides of 1980–1990, a limited edition second disc included with The Best of 1980–1990 in 1998.

"Love Comes Tumbling" was produced by the band and also appears, with a slightly different beginning, on The B-Sides of 1980–1990.

All tracks except "Bad" originally appeared on the single to "The Unforgettable Fire" in April 1985.

The studio versions of "Bad" and "A Sort of Homecoming" are available on the album The Unforgettable Fire (1984), which preceded this release.

Personnel

• Bono--lead vocals
• The Edge--guitar, keyboards, 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.