In 2004, U2 made a splash with "Vertigo," the first single off that year's album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. But like many great songs, it almost didn't happen.
The band had been working on that album with producer Chris Thomas, known for his work with the Sex Pistols. Not pleased with the direction they were going, they then switched to Steve Lillywhite, who produced their first three albums. And it was Lillywhite they pushed them on a song they had done called "Native Son."
He wasn't pleased with the backing track, so The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen recorded four other backing tracks, and after Bono heard them he added some melodic ideas -- and it morphed into "Vertigo."
The Edge provides a few more details on this transformation in a new video he posted on Instagram.
The 20th anniversary of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, which has been re-titled How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb, will be out on November 22nd.