“One” is the third single from U2‘s 1991 album, Achtung Baby , and was released in 1992. While recording Achtung Baby, there was a rift between band members over the direction of the band’s sound. Tensions almost prompted U2 to break up until the band rallied around the writing of “One”.^[1] The song reached #7 in the UK charts and #10 in the US pop chart, and reached the top of the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts. It peaked at #10 on the Dutch Top 40.

The song is widely considered to be one of the band’s greatest songs and is consistently featured in lists of the greatest songs of all time. It was named the 36th greatest song by Rolling Stone on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and #1 on Q ‘s list of the “1001 Greatest Songs of All-Time”.^[2] VH1 ranked the song #2 in its list of “Greatest Songs of the 90s”.^[3] The song is currently ranked as the 94th greatest song of all time, as well as the fourth best song of 1991, by Acclaimed Music.^[4]

At the instant we were recording it, I got a very strong sense of its power. We were all playing together in the big recording room, a huge, eerie ballroom full of ghosts of the war, and everything fell into place. It was a reassuring moment, when everyone finally went, ‘oh great, this album has started.’ It’s the reason you’re in a band – when the spirit descends upon you and you create something truly affecting. ‘One’ is an incredibly moving piece. It hits straight into the heart.

— The Edge on the recording of “One”^[6]

Bono described the song as such: “It is a song about coming together, but it’s not the old hippie idea of ‘Let’s all live together.’ It is, in fact, the opposite. It’s saying, We are one, but we’re not the same. It’s not saying we even want to get along, but that we have to get along together in this world if it is to survive. It’s a reminder that we have no choice”.^[6] The band has mentioned that many people tell them they have played “One” at their weddings, prompting Bono to respond, “Are you mad? It’s about splitting up!”

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