2016 marks the 25th anniversary of U2’s Achtung Baby, an album that’s been recognized by both U2 fans and the music world, in general, as being not only one of U2’s best albums, but also one of the best albums ever released.
It was released worldwide on November 18/19, 1991 to significantly positive reviews even as some critics (and fans, too) admitted that it was a difficult album to understand. U2 began working on the album in Dublin in the summer of 1990. Work continued in the fall and winter at Hansa Studios in Berlin, and the album was eventually finished in 1991 back in Dublin.
Achtung Baby was a dramatic change for U2 both aurally and visually. Bono described the lead single, “The Fly,” as “the sound of four men chopping down The Joshua Tree.” The album’s first song, “Zoo Station,” had industrial guitar and drum sounds, and Bono’s voice was treated to the point of making it nearly unrecognizable. He wore head-to-toe leather in his role as “The Fly,” and sported a pair of large, wraparound sunglasses — “Fly shades,” as they came to be known. Even the album cover involved a new look for U2 and caused controversy as soon as it was released.
Achtung Baby would go on to win numerous awards and sell more than 10 million copies worldwide. In the 25 years since its release, Achtung Baby has been recognized multiple times as one of the best albums in music history.
AchtungBaby.com exists to celebrate and commemmorate this fantastic album.
Welcome.