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About This Track
“Acrobat” is a song by rock band U2 and the eleventh track from their 1991 album Achtung Baby.
It features 12⁄8 time signature and has The Edge playing a heavily distorted tremolo.
U2’s approach to recording Achtung Baby had been to “throw out” all that they knew, to work with music they didn’t know, in a place (Berlin) that they didn’t know, and to re-arrange roles and responsibilities within the band. This was an alienating experience for long-time collaborator and producer Daniel Lanois, particularly on recording “Acrobat”. Bono described him as trying get the band to play to their strengths while Bono was trying to experiment and play to their weaknesses.
Lyrically, it is one of the most personal on Achtung Baby with Bono acknowledging personal weakness, contradictions, and inadequacy. Bono’s long standing friend, artist Gavin Friday, suggests its chorus “Don’t let the bastards grind you down” is aimed at the press.
It is the only song from the album that was never played live, but was rehearsed in acoustic form for the opening shows of Zoo TV: Outside Broadcast Tour rehearsals in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
It features 12⁄8 time signature and has The Edge playing a heavily distorted tremolo.
U2’s approach to recording Achtung Baby had been to “throw out” all that they knew, to work with music they didn’t know, in a place (Berlin) that they didn’t know, and to re-arrange roles and responsibilities within the band. This was an alienating experience for long-time collaborator and producer Daniel Lanois, particularly on recording “Acrobat”. Bono described him as trying get the band to play to their strengths while Bono was trying to experiment and play to their weaknesses.
Lyrically, it is one of the most personal on Achtung Baby with Bono acknowledging personal weakness, contradictions, and inadequacy. Bono’s long standing friend, artist Gavin Friday, suggests its chorus “Don’t let the bastards grind you down” is aimed at the press.
It is the only song from the album that was never played live, but was rehearsed in acoustic form for the opening shows of Zoo TV: Outside Broadcast Tour rehearsals in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
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Albums featuring this track
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Achtung Baby
U2
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2CD Original: Achtung Baby / Zooropa
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Salome: Achtung Baby Outtakes (disc 3)
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Tokyo: Last Night at the Zoo (disc 2)
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Shouts
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oyveychris wrote:
One of their best albums, right up there with The Unforgettable Fire and Joshua Tree.
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junkal28 wrote:
I ♥ this song
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csm-cz wrote:
One of the best U2 songs.
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WestEndIrish wrote:
Achtung! What a masterpiece.
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barium62 wrote:
Love it. Beautiful lyrics
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jammyofstafford wrote:
I,m desperate to hear U2 play this live
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APRILELIZ wrote:
from the very second it starts, it's just amazing.
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tabadu wrote:
Achtung!!! The best song !!the egde is a master on his guitar!!!
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oyveychris wrote:
I agree brotha, I agree!
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isitbeer30yet wrote:
Wooot! ...it's hard to pick a favorite on Achtung ;)
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hatori77 wrote:
no dejes que esos cabrones te hundan
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APRILELIZ wrote:
Love!
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noonesleaving wrote:
why isnt this song played live? [2]
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FranziAtVertigo wrote:
you just can enjoy this piece although it's a bit sad :) i looove the edge's guitar there <3
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dirtybeatsinc wrote:
why isnt this song played live??
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ALTRN8 wrote:
U2 are amazing. Not many bands keep thier original lineup. I really like thier 80s and 90s stuff and up to Beautiful Day. Poor Bono had spine surgery.
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Tiago_Freitas wrote:
Quando comprar meu Fiat 147 vou sair com o porta malas aberto tocando essa música nas alturas a uns 130km/h!!!!
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ALTRN8 wrote:
I love this song. Good album too.
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loveu22much wrote:
great start thr rest is shite , not a patch onU2
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Szarlej90 wrote:
Best Bono lyrics and best guitar work
Track Stats
421,614 Scrobbles
116,990 Listeners
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Tormientor, SvladGently, tycols and 1 other person loved U2 – Acrobat. yesterday evening
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zooropa3, NugrahaFatah, PHANATICZ and 6 other people loved U2 – Acrobat. last month
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