Rattle and Hum is the title shared by a 1988 documentary film and a double‑album released by the Irish rock band U2. Both works document the band’s activities and musical development during the late 1980s, particularly surrounding their 1987–1988 worldwide tour.
Documentary film
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Rattle and Hum |
| Director | Phil Joanou |
| Release date | 1988 (premiered in the United States on September 10, 1988) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Primarily English; includes concert footage with minimal narration |
| Runtime | Approximately 106 minutes (theatrical version) |
| Content | A blend of concert performances, backstage footage, and travel scenes that follow U2’s “Joshua Tree” tour and their exploration of American musical traditions (blues, gospel, folk). The film intermixes live renditions of songs, studio recording sessions, and interviews with the band members. |
| Notable performances | “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” “Desire,” “Angel of Harlem,” and a rendition of “All Along the Watchtower” with B.B. King. |
| Reception | The film received mixed critical responses; reviewers praised the musical content but criticized its self‑referential tone. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video, Long Form (U2). |
Double‑album
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Rattle and Hum |
| Artist | U2 |
| Release date | October 10, 1988 (US); October 17, 1988 (UK) |
| Label | Island Records |
| Format | Double LP, double CD, cassette |
| Composition | Combines live recordings captured during the Joshua Tree tour with newly recorded studio tracks. The album reflects a mixture of rock, blues, gospel, and folk influences. |
| Key tracks | • “Desire” (live) – US Billboard Hot 100 #1 • “When Love Comes to Town” (featuring B.B. King) • “Angel of Harlem” • “All I Want Is You” (studio) |
| Chart performance | Reached #1 on the UK Albums Chart and #2 on the US Billboard 200. Certified multi‑platinum in several countries. |
| Critical reception | Critics noted the ambitious stylistic range; some praised the live energy while others questioned the authenticity of the band’s forays into American roots music. |
Relationship between the film and album
Both the film and the album were produced concurrently and share the same title, which originates from a line in the song “Rattle and Hum”—an unreleased track that appears only as a studio outtake. The dual release was intended to provide a multimedia chronicle of U2’s artistic direction at the time, illustrating their engagement with both their existing rock identity and American musical heritage.
Cultural impact
Rattle and Hum has become a reference point in discussions of rock bands experimenting with genre crossover during the 1980s. The documentary is frequently cited in film and music studies for its hybrid format, while the album is listed among U2’s major releases, marking a transitional phase before the band’s later, more electronically oriented work (e.g., the 1991 album Achtung Baby).
References
- U2 – Rattle and Hum (Island Records, 1988) – album liner notes.
- Rattle and Hum (film) – production details, Phil Joanou, 1988.
- Billboard chart archives, 1988–1989.
- Official Charts Company – UK Albums Chart history for U2.
All information reflects documented sources available up to 2024; no speculative statements are included.
