Apple & U2 Release “Songs of Innocence” Exclusively for iTunes Store Customers
September 09 2014 - 2:56PM
Business Wire
Biggest Album Release Ever in History—Gifted to Over Half a
Billion Music Fans by Apple
Apple®, Universal Music Group and legendary rock band U2 today
announced the release of the album “Songs of Innocence,” which
Apple is gifting to iTunes Store® customers around the world,
making it the largest album release ever with over half a billion
copies distributed. The album features 11 new songs from the band
and charts their earliest influences from 70s rock and punk rock to
early 80s electronica and soul. The album is free for iTunes Store
account holders in 119 countries and is available exclusively on
iTunes® for the next five weeks.
“From the very beginning U2 have always wanted our music to
reach as many people as possible, the clue is in our name I
suppose—so today is kind of mind-blowing to us. The most personal
album we’ve written could be shared with half a billion people… by
hitting send. If only songwriting was that easy,” said U2 lead
singer Bono. “It’s exciting and humbling to think that people who
don’t know U2 or listen to rock music for that matter might check
us out. Working with Apple is always a blast. They only want to do
things that haven’t been done before—that’s a thrill to be part
of.”
“U2 has been an important part of Apple’s history in music and
we’re thrilled to make ‘Songs of Innocence’ the largest album
release ever,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of
Internet Software and Services. “We get to share our love of music
today by gifting this great new album to over half a billion iTunes
customers around the world.”
“Songs of Innocence” features 11 new songs from the band and is
their most personal work to date, charting their earliest
influences from 70s rock and punk rock to early 80s electronica and
soul and giving insight into how and why the band came together and
the relationships in and around them, their family and friendships.
Recorded in New York, London, Los Angeles and Dublin the album is
produced by Danger Mouse, along with Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder,
Declan Gaffney and Flood.
Apple is gifting “Songs of Innocence” to iTunes Store account
holders.* Customers who sign up for an iTunes Store account in the
next five weeks will get the album as a gift. “Songs of Innocence”
is also available to stream via iTunes Radio℠ and will be available
on Beats Music℠.
Apple and U2 share a special connection in music. U2 was an
important partner for the opening of the iTunes Store in 2003.
Apple worked with U2 on the iPod® U2 Special Edition and created
“The Complete U2” box set together. U2 continues to be one of the
most popular bands ever on the iTunes Store. Apple has partnered
with Bono and (RED) to fight for an AIDS-free generation by
creating (PRODUCT)RED merchandise. More than $75 million has been
generated by Apple for the Global Fund.
* “Songs of Innocence” is available to iTunes Store customers in
the 119 countries featuring a music store, with an active account,
and who are 13 years or older (or the equivalent minimum age in the
relevant jurisdiction).
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world,
along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple
leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online
store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary
iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media
and computing devices with iPad.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple’s PR
website (www.apple.com/pr), or call Apple’s Media Helpline at (408)
974-2042.
© 2014 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo,
Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iTunes Store, iTunes, iTunes Radio and iPod
are trademarks of Apple. Beats Music is a service mark of Beats
Electronics LLC. Other company and product names may be trademarks
of their respective owners.
AppleTom Neumayr, +1 408-974-1972tneumayr@apple.comorInterscope
Geffen A&MDennis Dennehy, +1
310-865-7934D.dennehy@umusic.comorRMP LondonRegine Moylett, +44 20
8749 7999Regine@RMPLondon.co.uk
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024