For over 20 years, singles including “Where the Streets Have No Name”, “With or Without You” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” have remained radio mainstays. March 9th, 1987 saw the beginning of a magnetic love affair between a band and the rest of the world that still shows no signs of slowing. If anything, it’s this album (not that U2 didn’t have any other work of merit) that has likely kept U2 in the spotlight for the proceeding 20+ years since its release. In theory, had they continued on with the trend set by The Unforgettable Fire, they might’ve slid off the pop culture radar at some point. Instead, they shifted modes, focused on crafting 50 powerful minutes of driving, tension-and-release, writing-heavy, music and ended up mainlining themselves into the affections of everyone while securing their position as major contributors to modern rock music.
