Composition Achtung Baby

 —the edge, explaining band s motivation seeking new sound

u2 credited composing music of achtung baby s tracks, despite periods of separated songwriting. wrote music through jam sessions, common practice them. album represents deviation sound of past work; songs less anthemic in nature, , musical style demonstrates more european aesthetic, introducing influences alternative rock, industrial music, , electronic dance music. band referred album s musical departure sound of 4 men chopping down joshua tree . accordingly, distorted introduction opening track zoo station intended make listeners think record broken or mistakenly not new u2 album. author susan fast said group s use of technology in song s opening, there can no mistake u2 has embraced sound resources new them .

for album, edge eschewed minimalistic approach guitar playing , trademark chiming, delay-heavy sound, in favour of style incorporated more solos, dissonance, , feedback. industrial influences , guitar effects, particularly distortion, contributed metallic style , harder textures . music journalist bill wyman said edge s guitar playing on closing track love blindness sounded dentist s drill . edge achieved breakthroughs in writing of songs such better real thing , mysterious ways toying various effects pedals.

the rhythm section more pronounced in mix on achtung baby, , hip hop-inspired electronic dance beats featured on many of album s tracks, prominently fly . elysa gardner of rolling stone compared layering of dance beats guitar-heavy mixes songs british bands happy mondays , jesus jones. mysterious ways combines funky guitar riff danceable, conga-laden beat, bono called u2 @ our funkiest... sly , family stone meets madchester baggy. amidst layers of distorted guitars, fly , zoo station feature industrial-influenced percussion—the timbre of mullen s drums exhibits cold, processed sound, beating on tin can , according author albin zak.

whereas bono exhibited full-throated vocal delivery on group s previous releases, achtung baby extended range lower register , used fast described breathy , subdued colors . on many tracks, including fly , zoo station , sang character; 1 technique used fast called double voice , in vocals doubled sung in 2 different octaves. octave differentiation done vocals simultaneously, while @ other times, distinguishes voices between verses , choruses. according fast, technique introduces contrasting lyrical idea , vocal character deliver , leading both literal , ironic interpretations of bono s vocals. several tracks, vocals treated processing. these techniques used give voice different emotional feel , distinguish past vocals.

lyrics

as case on u2 albums, bono credited sole lyricist. in contrast u2 s previous records, lyrics politically , socially charged, achtung baby more personal , introspective, examining love, sexuality, spirituality, faith, , betrayal. lyrics darker in tone, describing troubled personal relationships , exuding feelings of confusion, loneliness, , inadequacy. central these themes edge s separation wife (the mother of 3 children), occurred halfway through album s recording. pain not focused him on record , led him advocate more personal themes, affected bono s lyrical contributions. bono found inspiration own personal life, citing births of 2 daughters in 1989 , 1991 major influences. reflected in zoo station , opens album statement of intent lyrics suggesting new anticipations , appetites.

of album s personal nature, bono said there lot of blood , guts in it. lyrics ballad 1 inspired band members struggling relationships , german reunification. edge described song on 1 level bitter, twisted, vitriolic conversation between 2 people ve been through nasty, heavy stuff . similarly, ultraviolet (light way) describes strained relationship , unease on obligations, , on acrobat , bono sings weakness, hypocrisy, , inadequacy. torch songs of roy orbison, scott walker, , jacques brel major influences, evidenced tracks such as: s gonna ride wild horses , description of couple s argument; cruel , unrequited love, obsession, , possessiveness; , closing track, love blindness , bleak account of failing romance.

u2 biographer bill flanagan credits bono s habit of keeping lyrics in flux until last minute providing narrative coherence album. flanagan interpreted achtung baby using moon metaphor dark woman seducing singer away virtuous love, sun; tempted away domestic life exciting nightlife , tests how far can go before returning home. flanagan, tryin throw arms around world on album s latter third describes character stumbling home in drunken state, , final 3 songs— ultraviolet (light way) , acrobat , , love blindness —are how couple deal suffering have forced on each other.

despite record s darker themes, many lyrics more flippant , sexual band s previous work. reflects group s revisiting of dadaist characters , stage antics dabbled in late 1970s teenagers abandoned more literal themes in 1980s. while band had been opposed materialism, examined , flirted value on album , zoo tv tour. title , lyrics of better real thing reflective of times [the band] living in, when people no longer looking truth, [they] looking instant gratification . trashy , throwaway among band s buzzwords during recording, leading many tracks in vein. chorus of ultraviolet (light way) features pop lyrical cliché baby, baby, baby , juxtaposed against dark lyrics in verses. bono wrote lyrics fly in character song s eponymous persona composing sequence of aphorisms. called song crank call hell... [the caller] likes there .

religious imagery present throughout record. until end of world imagined conversation between jesus christ , betrayer, judas iscariot. on acrobat , bono sings feelings of spiritual alienation in line d break bread , wine / if there church receive in . in many tracks, bono s lyrics women carry religious connotations, describing them spirits, life, light, , idols worshipped. religious interpretations of album subject of book meditations on love in shadow of fall 33⅓ series.