What makes Wide Awake in America by U2 notable?

Wide Awake in America received critical acclaim and highlighted U2's ability to capture live energy on record. The EP features 'Bad,' a song that became a fan favorite and is often cited in discussions about U2's best live tracks, significantly impacting their concert setlists thereafter. Released in 1985, Wide Awake in America came shortly after U2's pivotal album The Unforgettable Fire. This EP showcased the band's growing international acclaim while solidifying their reputation for powerful live performances. It served as both a bridge between their earlier sound and the more polished productions that would follow in their career.

How many songs are on Wide Awake in America?

Wide Awake in America has 4 tracks, running approximately 20 minutes.

Wide Awake in America

U2 · 1985

20 min · 4 tracks · alternative rock

An electrifying blend of live energy and raw emotion, capturing U2's dynamic performance ethos in a concise package.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Bad (live) — 'Bad' stands out as a quintessential U2 track, showcasing Bono’s emotive vocal delivery and the band's anthemic sound during live performances. Its improvisational spirit captures the essence of U2's connection with their audience.
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A Sort of Homecoming (live) — This track highlights the band's ability to evoke a sense of place and belonging, encapsulating the emotional weight of their music through Bono's poignant lyrics and commanding stage presence.
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The Three Sunrises — 'The Three Sunrises' offers a unique studio recording that contrasts with the live tracks, featuring atmospheric instrumentation and introspective lyrics that expand on U2's thematic explorations.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The blend of live and studio tracks creates an engaging yet uneven experience.

What we noticed

The first two tracks are live recordings, capturing the audience's energy and U2's dynamic performance style.
The last two tracks are studio recordings that introduce a more polished sound, contrasting with the rawness of the live tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Showcased U2's growing acclaim post-The Unforgettable Fire, solidifying their reputation.
Themes: live performance energy· post-punk exploration
Career context: Released in 1985, Wide Awake in America came shortly after U2's pivotal album The Unforgettable Fire. This EP showcased the band's growing international acclaim while solidifying their reputation for powerful live performances. It served as both a bridge between their earlier sound and the more polished productions that would follow in their career.
Stylistic neighbors: Coldplay· Radiohead· The Killers