U2 reclaimed their status as the world’s biggest rock band with the 2000 release of ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’, a soul-stirring masterpiece that signaled a return to their melodic roots. After a decade of high-concept experimentation with dance and alternative rock, the group reunited with legendary producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois to craft a record that focused on the purity of guitar, bass, and drums. The album was a massive global success, reaching number one in 32 countries and moving over 12 million copies. From the optimistic morning-light anthem “Beautiful Day” to the gospel-tinged “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” the project resonated as an emotionally honest “make-up” record for the band and their audience alike. Every track on this project reflects a daring spirit of vulnerability and a factual commitment to songwriting excellence. Witnessing the transition from the neon deconstruction of the ’90s to this grounded, panoramic sound is a true highlight for any rock enthusiast.
The Biblical Hidden Message
The iconic monochrome album cover, shot by Anton Corbijn at Charles de Gaulle Airport, contains a hidden spiritual reference. At the band’s request, the airport sign in the background was digitally altered from “F21-36” to “J33-3.” This serves as a factual nod to the Bible verse Jeremiah 33:3 (“Call unto me and I will answer thee…”), a passage Bono affectionately referred to as “God’s phone number.” This subtle detail emphasized the album’s themes of seeking grace and salvation during times of personal struggle.
The Stolen Lyrics Laptop Reward
During the 1999 sessions, a bag containing Bono’s personal papers and a laptop computer filled with the album’s lyrics was stolen from his car outside Dublin’s Clarence Hotel. Bono was so desperate to recover the “baggage” of his songwriting that he offered a £2,000 reward. An Irish man eventually returned the computer after realizing its owner was Bono—having seen a picture of the singer’s son, Elijah Hewson, on the screen—after originally purchasing it from an unreputable source for just £300.
The Row Between Mates
Bono famously described the lyrics of “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” as a “row I didn’t have” while Michael Hutchence was still alive. Instead of writing a sentimental lament, Bono penned a “tough, nasty little number” designed to act as a lyrical intervention, slap-talking his friend to try and wake him out of the idea of suicide. He felt the greatest respect he could pay to the INXS frontman was to be honest and “slap him around the head” with a realistic argument between friends, resulting in a dialogue that balances deep affection with visceral frustration.
The Banned Burmese Prison Sentence
Because the song “Walk On” was dedicated to pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, the entire album was officially banned by the military junta in Burma. At the time of release, anyone caught attempting to import or possess the record could face a severe prison sentence ranging from three to twenty years. U2 used this controversy to draw international attention to the political crisis in Burma, highlighting the fact that millions were being subjected to forced labor and ethnic cleansing.
The A-ha Inspiration Debate
During the recording of “Beautiful Day,” The Edge sparked a band debate by using a bright, chiming guitar tone reminiscent of their 1983 era. While the band initially wanted a more “forward-looking” sound, The Edge insisted that their innovative new arrangements gave them a “license” to revisit their signature roots. Interestingly, The Edge later admitted that the track’s uplifting energy was partially and unconsciously inspired by the 1985 a-ha hit “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.,” a connection that a-ha’s lead singer Morten Harket described as “natural.”