The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

U2 invades Apple accounts

You can tell a lot about a person through their music library. Hidden away in iTunes is a set of songs that reveal more than just your preferred music type; your individuality shines through all your collection of songs from A-Z. You identify yourself with the music you love. Maybe this is the reason that many people have felt a sense of violation when Apple decided to automatically install U2’s latest album, Songs of Innocence, to 500 million iTunes subscribers this month. Sure, there are the loyal U2 fans who believe we should be thankful that such a classic band found its way to our libraries. Yet, for the most part, this inventive idea has backfired with millions of users, leading Apple to provide a special button to allow iTunes customers to delete the new album.

This is not the first time U2 and Apple have collaborated. They have a decade-long history of working together on TV commercials, the first special edition iPod, and most famously iPod RED products that send portions of sales to help battle AIDS in Africa. If you go to your music library on your iPhone or iTouch, the tiny picture of a man singing on the artist tab is actually Bono himself. It is clear that Apple and U2 are quite familiar with one another. Apple is reportedly spending $100 million to fund a campaign for the band, even using their lead single “The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)” in their latest commercial.

Despite the 33 million listeners that checked out Songs of Innocence its first week, many are pointing fingers at Apple and U2 for being intrusive and devaluing music. No one wants new albums every week in their library due to a symbiotic business deal. There is a delicate line between the artistic and economic sides of the music industry. Nonchalantly handing out millions of albums has upset many members of the music community. For struggling musicians and indie record labels, when every dollar counts, this album was almost a slap in the face to them by making music seem free and readily available with the right amount of fame.

If you have been unaware that a new album has been lurking in your musical archive, you should not be too offended. Just take the time to give the album a listen. Despite U2’s age and reputation of being an “out of date dad band” they are still changing with the times and trying fresh new ideas. Maybe they violated your sacred temple of music, but give the guys a break. Who knows, you might even find yourself adding more U2 to your prized song collection.

Story continues below advertisement
Leave a Comment
Donate to The University News
$1410
$750
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Saint Louis University. Your contribution will help us cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to The University News
$1410
$750
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

All The University News Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *