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Walk On (U2 song)

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"Walk On"
Single by U2
from the album All That You Can't Leave Behind
Released20 February 2001 (2001-02-20)
Recorded2000
StudioHQ (Dublin, Ireland)
GenreRock
Length
  • 4:55 (album version)
  • 4:09 (single version)
  • 4:25 (edited version)
  • 4:29 (video version)
Label
Composer(s)U2
Lyricist(s)Bono
Producer(s)
U2 singles chronology
"Elevation"
(2001) 		"Walk On"
(2001) 		"Electrical Storm"
(2002)
Music video
"Walk On" on YouTube
Audio sample
"Walk On"

"Walk On" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the fourth track on their tenth studio album, All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000). The song was first released in Canada on 20 February 2001, then was given a UK release in November of the same year; it was the album's second single in Canada and the fourth internationally. The song was written about Burmese academic Aung San Suu Kyi, who was the chairperson of the National League for Democracy and was placed under house arrest from 1989 until 2010 for her pro-democracy activities, which led to the song being banned in Burma. The song won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 2002 ceremony, marking the first time an artist had won the award in consecutive years for songs from the same album (following "Beautiful Day"'s win the previous year).

In the United States, the song peaked at number 21 on the Adult Top 40 chart, number 19 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and number 10 on the Alternative Songs chart. It also topped the charts in Canada and Portugal, and reached the top 10 in Australia, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and on the UK singles chart.

Writing and composition

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In March 2000, U2 were awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin at a ceremony where Burmese academic Aung San Suu Kyi was honoured but absent. The band had never heard of Suu Kyi prior to that but learned that her activism and fighting for freedom in Burma led to her being under house arrest since 1989 (a sentence that was later ended in 2010). Her story inspired U2 lead vocalist Bono for the lyrics to "Walk On".[1]

At first, Bono tried writing from the perspective of Suu Kyi's husband Michael Aris and son Alexander Aris, imagining them living with the pain of not knowing how she was. After he felt that it was too presumptuous, Bono changed the lyrics to be more abstract and to be "a love song about somebody having to leave a relationship for all the right reasons".[2] He said the song was about "nobility and personal sacrifice, about doing what's right, even if your heart is telling you otherwise." In explaining the lyrics, he recalled a Biblical passage in Corinthians that used the image of a house fire to impart the lesson that only eternal things can survive. To Bono, these things were family and friendships, rather than anything material that someone could create. Accordingly, "Walk On" concludes with lyrics describing a "litany of ambitions and achievements" that are expendable, with lines such as "You've got to leave it behind / All that you fashion / All that you make / All that you build / All that you break". Bono described this section as: "a mantra, really, a bonfire of vanities, and you can throw anything you want on the fire. Whatever you want more than love, it has to go." The album All That You Can't Leave Behind's title was derived from the song's lyrics "The only baggage you can bring is all that you can't leave behind."[1] Suu Kyi later told Bono that she liked the song, saying, "it's very close to how I feel".[3]

"Love, in the highest sense of the word, is the only thing that you can always take with you, in your heart. At some point you are going to have to lose everything else anyway."

—Bono talking about the inspiration for the song[1]

As U2 worked on "Walk On" during the recording sessions, they decided to split it into two separate songs: "Walk On" and "Home".[4] The album's producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois advised the group that the mix of "Walk On" "was not one to chase", but Bono insisted they continue working on it.[2] Towards the end of the album's recording sessions, the band's long-time producer Steve Lillywhite was hired to make final touches to the songs. After he completed "Beautiful Day", the band played "Walk On" and "Home" for him. Lillywhite told them that "Walk On" had a "fantastic chorus" and "Home" a "great verse"; the band subsequently informed him that they were formerly the same song. Ultimately, under Lillywhite's guidance, the separate songs were fused back together.[4] Bassist Adam Clayton concurred with the decision, saying that each track had great chord progressions but were not great individual songs.[5] Lanois preferred a different version of the song with a more low-key beginning, saying: "When it gets to that stage of making a record, people are looking for songs that the record company can proudly go to radio with. And the ultimate version comes along with a bang, you know. The Edge sounds amazing and it holds so much promise in its first 30 seconds that it's hard to say no to. But the version that I preferred did not have such a slam-bam beginning. So that one got welded and bolted together."[2]

Most of the guitar tone on "Walk On" was achieved by guitarist the Edge playing his white Gibson Les Paul through his Vox AC30 amplifier, while the guitar solo was performed on his Gibson Explorer.[6]

Release

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"Walk On" was first issued in Canada on 20 February 2001 as two CD singles.[7] The following month, on 6 March, Interscope Records serviced the track to US hot adult contemporary radio.[8] Island Records subsequently released the single in the UK on 19 November 2001 and in Australia on 3 December 2001.[9][10] "Walk On" has been re-released in its edit edition for the charity album, Songs for Japan.[11] It was also reworked for the U2 album Songs of Surrender (2023), featuring an acoustic musical arrangement and rewritten lyrics reflecting the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.[12]

Controversy

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The All That You Can't Leave Behind album caused controversy in Burma because "Walk On" was dedicated to Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest for her pro-democracy activities, which led to the album being banned. Democratic Voice of Burma correspondent Myint Maung Maung told British music magazine NME, "The album was banned because it included the song, 'Walk On', which was a dedication to Aung San Suu Kyi and the democracy movement in Burma." Anyone who attempted to import the album, All That You Can't Leave Behind, to Burma could experience a prison sentence lasting between three and twenty years.[13] When the album was released, U2.com had a page addressing attention to the political situation in Burma, where they say 8 million people have been consigned to forced labour and half a million people are the target of ethnic cleansing campaigns.[14]

Music videos

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U2 in Rio de Janeiro. Screenshot from the international video.

The first video for "Walk On" - titled "International Version" - was directed by Jonas Åkerlund. Filming took place in November 2000 and was filmed in Rio de Janeiro during U2's two-day promotion there.[15] Some shots, including the band playing with a soccer ball on a beach and the band meeting fans, were improvised and the video was made to be documentary styled. Åkerlund stated it will always be one of his favourite music videos. Later in February 2001, a second video - titled "U.S. version" - was directed by Liz Friedlander and filmed in London. Both were featured on the compilation DVD U218 Videos.[16] In response to Suu Kyi's condoning of 2017 hostilities, the "International Version" of the video on YouTube was edited, replacing a dedication to her at the end with a message in support of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

Live performances

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The song's uplifting nature led to it being used frequently to close concerts during U2's 2001 Elevation Tour. The song found added resonance as a supportive, uplifting anthem following the September 11th attacks that year in the United States. The band performed it during the America: A Tribute to Heroes[17] television benefit concert on 21 September 2001. The first performance of the song for a live audience following the 11 September attacks was at the University of Notre Dame on 10 October 2001, where the band brought on stage members of the New York City Police and Fire Departments.[18] Live versions of the song were released on the concert films Elevation 2001: Live from Boston, U2 Go Home: Live from Slane Castle, Ireland (2003), and U2360° at the Rose Bowl (2010). During the 2005-2006 Vertigo Tour, it appeared rarely, usually in an acoustic format. It was snippeted after "Running to Stand Still" on the Vertigo Tour at the dates closest to 19 June, the birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi.[citation needed]

The song was a regular part of the set list for the 2009-2011 U2 360° Tour. Prior to the tour, the band asked fans to bring masks of Suu Kyi to concerts and wear them during performances of "Walk On" in support of her.[19] In some cities such as Hanover, Barcelona, Coimbra and Istanbul, Amnesty International and ONE volunteers went on stage and lined the outer perimeter of it during U2's performance of the song, carrying either Suu Kyi masks or Amnesty International lanterns.[20]

In June 2012, Bono performed the song live for Suu Kyi during the Electric Burma concert in Dublin in her honour.[21] In 2017, the song took new meaning after Suu Kyi's silence on the genocide of Rohingya Muslims. Bono has stated that he has been "nauseated" by Suu Kyi's stance on the issue,[22] the band issued a release condemning her actions,[23] and following performances of "Walk On" have instead dedicated the song to Rohingya Muslims.[24]

Critical reception

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At the 44th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony in 2002, "Walk On" was nominated for two awards: Record of the Year and Best Rock Song.[25] It won for Record of the Year, marking the first time an artist had won the award for songs from the same album in consecutive years; the prior year, U2's song "Beautiful Day" had won the award.[26] At the 45th Annual Grammy Awards in 2003, U2's performance of "Walk On" for the America: A Tribute to Heroes benefit was nominated for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.[27] In 2002, "Walk On" won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically,[28] as well as a Meteor Music Award for Best Irish Rock Single.[29]

Formats and track listings

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Island 3145728192. Canada. Cover: full colour[30]
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Walk On" (Edited version)BonoU24:23
2."Beautiful Day" (Live on Farmclub.com)BonoU24:45
3."New York" (Live on Farmclub.com)BonoU25:59
Island 3145728202. Canada. Cover: grey[30]
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Walk On" (Edited version)BonoU24:23
2."Big Girls Are Best"Bono, The EdgeU23:34
3."Beautiful Day" (Quincey and Sonance remix)BonoU27:56
Island CID788 / 588 840-2. UK and Australia. Cover: red[31]
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Walk On" (Video version)BonoU24:29
2."Where the Streets Have No Name" (Live in Boston, Massachusetts)BonoU26:02
3."Stay (Faraway, So Close!)" (Live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada)BonoU25:39
4."Gone" (Live in Boston, Massachusetts) (Australian bonus track)Bono, The EdgeU25:04
Island CIDX788 / 588 846-2. UK and Australia. Enhanced CD edition. Cover: blue[32]
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Walk On" (Single version)BonoU24:11
2."Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" (Acoustic version)Bono, The EdgeU23:42
3."Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" (Video)Bono, The EdgeU24:36
4."Elevation" (Vandit club mix) (Australian bonus track)BonoU28:54
Island CIDT788 / 588 839-2. Europe. Cover: grey/pink[33]
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Walk On" (Video version)BonoU24:28
2."Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" (Acoustic version)Bono, The EdgeU23:42
Island CIDV788 / 588 839-9. DVD single. Cover: green[34]
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Walk On" (Single version)BonoU24:11
2."4 x 30s Clips from Elevation 2001 DVD"  2:01
3."Walk On" (Video)BonoU24:54

Personnel

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Charts

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Release history

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Release-dates and formats for "Walk On"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Canada 20 February 2001 CD Island [7]
United States 26 March 2001 Hot adult contemporary radio Interscope [8]
United Kingdom 19 November 2001
  • CD
  • DVD
 Island [9]
Australia 3 December 2001 CD [10]

References

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Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c McCormick (2006), pp. 295–296
  2. ^ a b c Stokes (2005), pp. 151–152
  3. ^ "Aung San Suu Kyi and Bono discuss U2's song Walk On". BBC News. 18 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b Carty, Pat (18 November 2020). "Interview: Steve Lillywhite On U2, Boy, and All That You Can't Leave Behind". Hot Press. Vol. 44, no. 11. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  5. ^ Fricke, David (25 April 2002). "Adam Clayton: The Bassman Speaks". Rolling Stone. No. 894. pp. 71, 73–74, 87. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  6. ^ Fox, Darrin (January 2001). "Basic Instincts: The Edge Brings the U2 Sound Full Circle". Guitar Player. Vol. 35, no. 1. pp. 100–108.
  7. ^ a b "Walk On Released as Single in Canada". u2songs.com. 19 February 2001. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Hot AC: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1394. 23 March 2001. p. 83. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  9. ^ a b "New Releases – For Week Starting November 19, 2001: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 17 November 2001. p. 31. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  10. ^ a b "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 3rd December 2001" (PDF). ARIA. 3 December 2001. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2002. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  11. ^ Schlansky, Evan (25 March 2011). "Bob Dylan, U2, Bruce Springsteen Featured on Songs For Japan Album". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  12. ^ Ruggieri, Melissa (7 March 2023). "U2 rerecorded 40 songs. Here's why and which tracks really work". USA Today. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  13. ^ "U2's Criminal Record". NME. 24 November 2000. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  14. ^ "U2's Album Banned in Burma - ABC News". ABC News. 28 November 2000. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  15. ^ Kootnikoff, David (2010). U2: A Musical Biography. Santa Barbara: Greenwood Press. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-313-36523-2.
  16. ^ U2 (2006). U218 Videos (DVD booklet notes). Solo Too.
  17. ^ "2001-09-21: BBC Studios - London, England". U2Gigs.com. 21 September 2001. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  18. ^ DeRiso, Nick (3 February 2022). "20 Years Ago: U2 Pay Tribute to 9/11's Fallen at the Super Bowl". Ultimate Classic Rock. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Walk On With Aung San Suu Kyi". U2. 16 November 2001. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  20. ^ "Amnesty International on tour with U2 – A song for Burma". Amnesty International. 16 August 2010. Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  21. ^ "'Star-struck' Bono meets Aung San Suu Kyi". The Telegraph. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  22. ^ "Bono: The Rolling Stone Interview". Rolling Stone. 27 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  23. ^ 'THIS, WE NEVER IMAGINED…'
  24. ^ Track 4: Walk On. "This is a song dedicated to the Rohingya people..." - Adam
  25. ^ "Complete list of Grammy nominations". The Seattle Times. 4 January 2002. Archived from the original on 4 December 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  26. ^ Gallo, Phil (28 February 2002). "The Grammys: U2 and sharp keys; Soul star, Bono tops with 'O Bro'". Variety. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  27. ^ McGee (2008), p. 257
  28. ^ "ABBA Songwriters Get Lifetime Award". Associated Press. 24 May 2002. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  29. ^ "They did show up, after all". Hot Press. 4 March 2002. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  30. ^ a b "U2 Walk On Canadian - 2-CD single set". eil.com. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  31. ^ "U2 Walk On Australian - CD single". eil.com. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  32. ^ "U2 Walk On Australian - CD single". eil.com. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  33. ^ "U2ography Singles and EPs Walk On". u2station.com. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  34. ^ "U2 Walk On UK - DVD Single". eil.com. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  35. ^ "U2 – Walk On". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  36. ^ "U2 – Walk On" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  37. ^ "U2 – Walk On" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  38. ^ "U2 – Walk On" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  39. ^ "U2: Charts and Awards". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 21 November 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  40. ^ "U2 – Walk On". Tracklisten. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  41. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19, no. 50. 8 December 2001. p. 7. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  42. ^ "U2: Walk On" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  43. ^ "U2 – Walk On" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  44. ^ "U2 – Walk On" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  45. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Walk On". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  46. ^ "U2 – Walk On". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  47. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – U2" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  48. ^ "U2 – Walk On" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  49. ^ "U2 – Walk On". VG-lista. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  50. ^ "Hits of the World: Portugal". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 4. 26 January 2002. p. 49. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  51. ^ "U2 – Walk On" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  52. ^ "U2 – Walk On". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  53. ^ "U2 – Walk On". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  54. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  55. ^ "U2 Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  56. ^ "U2 Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  57. ^ "U2 Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  58. ^ "U2 Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  59. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on 26 January 2003. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  60. ^ "BDS CHART : Top 100 of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on 26 July 2002. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  61. ^ "Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. 21 December 2001. p. 54.
  62. ^ "Most-Played Modern Rock Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. 21 December 2001. p. 40.
  63. ^ "America's Best: 2001 – Most-Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. 21 December 2001. p. 45.

Bibliography

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