U2 Pen "Fifty to Sixty" Songs, New Album Pushed to 2009

U2 have penned roughly "fifty to sixty" tracks during their recent studio sessions that stretch from Morocco to Dublin to France, where Bono wrote in to U2.com to discuss the band's new album, now due out in the early stages of 2009 rather than this coming holiday season. "We've hit a rich songwriting vein and we don't want to stop," Bono said. "This is our chance for us to defy gravity once again." Bono said this new album — coming on the heels of two "very personal" albums in All You Can't Leave Behind and How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb — attempts to recapture "the transition that took us from The Joshua Tree to Achtung Baby." As for when fans can expect hearing the fruits of the sessions with producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, Bono says "If it was just up to me they'd be out already! But early next year people will be able to start hearing what we've been doing. We want 2009 to be our year."

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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