“Steve Lillywhite deserves credit for pushing us on that one,” Bono said, referring to the massive U2 hit that the band managed to rescue from being discarded.

U2’s frontman shared that their producer insisted they record the song live, and he’s grateful that he did.

Last month, U2 released How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb, a collection of ten outtakes from their 2004 album How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. At the time of the album’s release, Bono referred to it as the band’s “first rock album,” which was evident in the energetic rock rhythms of the lead single “Vertigo.” Reflecting on this era in a recent Record Collector magazine feature, Bono explained how “Vertigo,” which became a defining anthem for their live shows, was so integral to the Vertigo Tour that they often began and ended their performances with it.

Bono shared that “Vertigo” stemmed from a track called “Native Son” that the band recorded with Chris Thomas. However, he noted that their initial instincts about the song were off. “Chris is fantastic with guitar sounds and working with singers, but it wasn’t the explosive chemistry we needed for the stage,” Bono said. The band then rewrote and re-recorded the song with new producer Steve Lillywhite, who urged them to strip it down to its core. “Steve wanted us to perform it live without overdubs,” Bono added. “The lyrics reflect being in the moment, out with the singer, and capturing the raw joy of losing and finding yourself in a club.”

Bono credits Lillywhite with the idea of having them perform the song live, which contributed to the feeling that listeners were right there in the room with the band. He explains, “When there are few or no overdubs, you begin to feel the room’s shape… the atmosphere and the band’s energy become part of the recording.” Bono acknowledges that Steve Lillywhite played a crucial role in pushing them to take that approach, saying, “If you’re backed into a corner, he’s the right person to call.”