Bono Credits Producer Steve Lillywhite For Rescuing A U2 Song That Became One Of Their Biggest Hits

U2 just released a 20th anniversary reissue of their Grammy-winning 2004 album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. In a new feature in Record Collector, Bono writes about that period for the band and how their raucous lead single, “Vertigo,” almost didn’t come together. Bono says “Vertigo” was initially called “Native Son,” which the band worked on with producer Chris Thomas. But Bono said it lacked “the combustible, unstable chemistry we needed for our show.” U2 re-wrote and re-recorded it with new producer Steve Lillywhite, who encouraged them to strip the song down to its bare bones. “That’s the thing when you have little or no overdubs, you start to sense the shape of the room,” Bono wrote. “The sense of place, the mood of the band is built into the recording. Steve Lillywhite deserves credit for forcing our hand on that one. If you’re in a corner, he’s usually the right man to call.” “Vertigo” went on to win three Grammy Awards in 2005, including Best Rock Song. (Louder Sound)