Music / October

"I walk up to a window to see myself."

October is the second studio album recorded by Irish rock band U2. It was released through Island Records on 12 October 1981.

This album is most known for its Troubled Production, the producer Steve Lillywhite says it was the hardest album he'd ever worked on. All members except Adam Clayton were involved in a religious group called Shalom, which both took up time and discouraged them for moral and personal reasons from being in a rock band. At least once, one member considered leaving, but was talked into sticking around. On top of that, Bono lost his lyrics notes and had to make up some on the spot, not yet a normal practice on his part. The album didn't sell as well as their first, and in different circumstances might have ended the band's career, but the third album made up for it and the rest is history.

The album spawned 2 singles, "Fire" and "Gloria".

Tracklist

Side One

1. "Gloria" (4:14)
2. "I Fall Down" (3:39)
3. "I threw a Brick Through a Window" (4:54)
4. "Rejoice" (3:57)
5. "Fire" (3:51)

Side Two

6. "Tomorrow" (4:39)
7. "October" (2:21)
8. "With a Shout (Jerusalem)" (4:02)
9. "Stranger in a Strange Land" (3:56)
10. "Scarlet" (2:53)
11. "Is That All" (2:59)

"Stranger, Stranger in a Strange Trope"

• Christian Rock: More than other albums, October's songs reference religious themes. "Gloria", "Fire", "Rejoice", "With a Shout" are very obvious.
• Grief Song: "Tomorrow" about Bono's mother.
• Sophomore Slump: Didn't do as well as their first or third album, and songs on it get less attention.
• Title Track: "October"'

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