Q Music News

U2’s Rattle and Hum, the soundtrack album to the film of the same name, was released 30 years ago today (October 10), and while the film gets knocked by critics and fans for being a bit pretentious, there is no denying the soundtrack album, especially its original tracks, is simply stellar.

Understandably, “Desire” gets most of the attention off this album (it was the lead single, after all), but in honor of the anniversary, we want to shine a light on U2’s salute to Billie Holiday, “Angel Of Harlem.”

Recorded at the famed Sun Studio, the track is the perfect combination of soul, pop, a great brass horn accompaniment and a vocal performance from Bono that’s among his most underrated.

U2 - Angel of Harlem (live 1988)

Smile Jamaica Benefit Concert, 16 October 1988 at The Dominion Theatre, London.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights