U2
The essential U2 records, ranked — where to start and what to reach for next.
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1The Joshua TreeU2Start here
The Joshua Tree
The album that made U2 the biggest band in the world, widescreen and spiritual, anchored by its towering opening trio. Anthemic and assured. Their masterpiece.
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2The Unforgettable FireU2Essential
The Unforgettable Fire
An atmospheric, Eno-and-Lanois-shaped turn, home to 'Pride'. Bold and acclaimed. A pivotal record.
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3BoyU2Classic
Boy
An urgent, atmospheric debut of youthful post-punk. Bold and acclaimed. A striking start.
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4WarU2Classic
War
A fierce, political early peak, home to 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' and 'New Year's Day'. Urgent and anthemic. The album that broke them.
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5Achtung BabyU2Classic
Achtung Baby
A bold reinvention into irony, distortion and dance textures, recorded in Berlin. 'One' is its heart. A brave, brilliant pivot.
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6ZooropaU2Classic
Zooropa
An experimental, electronic-leaning peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative swerve.
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7All That You Can't Leave BehindU2Classic
All That You Can't Leave Behind
A back-to-basics comeback of anthems, home to 'Beautiful Day'. Tuneful and big. A commercial peak.
- With or Without You from The Joshua Tree · on Best Songs of the 1980s, Best 1980s Rock Songs
- Where the Streets Have No Name from The Joshua Tree · on Best Rock Songs of All Time
- I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For from The Joshua Tree · on
- Pride (In the Name of Love) from The Unforgettable Fire · on Best Songs of the 1980s, Best 1980s Rock Songs
Tracks we've featured in our best-of lists — tap a title to find it on Amazon Music.