With or Without You

U2's The Joshua Tree was the album that elevated the band into worldwide stardom, comprised of songs that shed a light on the band's more personal leanings, much like an introspective voyage into the group's innermost beliefs, both spiritual and philosophical. Instead of casting their viewpoints about the world around them as they'd done in the past, they looked inward, and created some of best contemplative music ever to surface. From it came "With or Without You," U2's first number one hit, which regained that position for three straight weeks in the spring of 1987. Gleaming with the production work of Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, "With or Without You" has Bono unleashing all his vocal power, moving from a soft, subtle intro and middle to an explosive burst of unyielding energy toward the end. The Edge's astute but assertive guitar work creates a momentous rhythm that builds ever so slightly, while the tune's discerning air sounds almost church-like as it slowly unravels. Bono's poetic deftness, when examined closely, reveals that "With or Without You" isn't a love song at all, but one tinted with the enlightening effects of soul searching and the desire for spiritual redemption. Even though this track, as well as the rest of the songs from The Joshua Tree contain deep, analytical implementations, it's the band's wisely orchestrated balance of sharp lyrics and skillful musical arranging that made the album, and its introductory track, so momentous.