“I love the natural wonders and beauty of America, and I want nothing more than to be outside exploring it all the time. As it is, I’m stuck in the city right now. I couldn’t survive in this concrete, urban environment if I didn’t have it. (…)”.
The release of The Joshua Tree saw the band on the cover of Time Magazine billed as ‘Rock’s Hottest Ticket.’ In Sweden, copies of The Joshua Tree were pressed in yellow, pink and red vinyl with sleeves similar to the UK. In Mexico, a limited edition CD was released as part of the Serie Millennium re-issues with a different picture sleeve. In 1999, The Joshua Tree CD was re-issued with the clear band photo that appeared on the original vinyl LP rather than the blurred picture on the initial CD release.
The Joshua Tree entered the US album charts at No.7 and reached No. 1 three weeks later. It was U2’s first album to reach No.1 in the United States. In 1999, The Joshua Tree was awarded the RIAA’s highest certification, Diamond, with 10 million units sold. The album also peaked at No.1 on the UK, Canadian, West German, Dutch and Australian charts. In Switzerland, the album reached No.1 on the charts and stayed there for a total of 33 weeks. The album and sleeve cover also placed No. 1 in Rolling Stone magazine’s annual Music Awards chosen by readers. Critics at Rolling Stone made it No. 2 album of the year. U2 also won Best Rock Performance By A Group Or Duo at the Grammy Awards for The Joshua Tree
U2 - Rise Up
In a stairway on a on a stone walk
In a doorstep, golden light
In a cold wind blowing
In the danger, out of the storm
I remain in you
I will recall this storm
This storm recalls you
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
In the lands you have a garden
In the garden it’s going dark
In the cold a wind blowing
In the cold wind blowing
I am in this doorway
Feel her in this doorway
Golden hills, golden memories
I follow the ocean wherever it goes
In the doorway I don’t know where to start
Emotion in the cold
In the day, darkest night
In the darkest night I know
I stumble in these shoes
In the dark night
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up
Go in the lonely, lone
Loneliness a path to go
Only if you know
Our love helps me know
Your love will help me
Discover you beneath the thing
Only if you know
Only rise up, rise up