Discothèque (song)

"Discothèque" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the opening track on their 1997 album, Pop, and was released as its lead single on 3 February 1997. The song exhibits influences from electronic dance music, characteristic of the band's musical direction in the 1990s. The music video, directed by Stéphane Sednaoui, was set inside of a mirrorball and featured the band members dressed as members of the disco group the Village People.

"Discothèque"
Single by U2
from the album Pop
B-side	"Holy Joe" various remixes
Released	3 February 1997
Genre	Alternative rock alternative dance
Length	5:19 (album version) 4:34 (radio edit) 5:08 (12-inch version)
Label	Island
Composer(s)	U2
Lyricist(s)	Bono and The Edge
Producer(s)	Flood
U2 singles chronology
"Miss Sarajevo" (1995) "Discothèque" (1997) "Staring at the Sun" (1997)
Alternative cover

"Discothèque" peaked at number one in several countries, including Finland, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom, and it also reached number one on the American and Canadian dance and alternative charts. The song received mixed reviews from critics.

Release history

A 30-second sample of "Discothèque" was leaked to the Internet on 26 October 1996. By 27 December, the entire track had been leaked, after which U2 moved the release date forward. "Discothèque" debuted at number three on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart, and hit number one the following week. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on 7 April 1997. The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 10, but dropped off the charts after only four weeks in the Top 40. It was also the band's sixth (and last) top ten single in the US. It debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, remaining on top for one week and spending a total of eleven weeks in the chart.

The song was remixed for U2's The Best of 1990-2000 greatest hits album, released in 2002. The new version has a longer intro and subtle use of the techno-sounding drum beat that figured prominently in the opening of the original track. The new "Discotheque" sounds similar to the way U2 performed the song during the PopMart Tour in 1997 and 1998.

The version on most versions of the single was the 12" version, which altered the introduction's instrumentation and vocals. It was also slightly shorter than the album version.

A somewhat abbreviated form of "Discothèque" was played during the first two legs of U2's Elevation Tour in 2001, normally containing the snippets of "Staring at the Sun" and INXS's "Devil Inside". A more rock-sounding version of the song was played twice on the Vertigo Tour accompanied by an elaborate stage lightshow. It has not been played in full since 20 September 2005. In the 2010 European leg of the U2 360° Tour, the band began performing an extended snippet of Discothèque during their remixed version of "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight", with Bono singing several verses of the song during the intro and the outtro, and Edge mixing its guitar riff in at the end.[1]

Reception

U2 were criticized by some reviewers for the large number of dance music remixes used as B-sides, suggesting that it was an attempt to gain credibility.[2] However, Stephen Thomas believed it to be indicative of the growing influence of remixes in music.[2] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Twenty seconds into this playfully experimental single, and you'll find it hard to remember that this is the same band that recorded 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'." He said that the song "wriggles and writhes with tripped-out techno-funk intensity" and that the hook "sneaks up on you while you are twitching to the percolating dance beat or snarfing up the tasty guitar scratching offered by the Edge". Flick concluded, "'Discotheque' may start its life at modern rock radio and in clubs, but it sure does sound like the kind of fun and unique record that top 40 desperately needs."[3] Dominic Pride from Music & Media commented, "Bono and the boys continue their historical process of deconstructing—and reconstructing—rock music, fusing a trippy beat with their trademark chattering guitars and a clear, echoing lead hook." He added, "This time around, Bono's vocals lie farther back in the mix than in the past, and anyone expecting a traditional verse and chorus structure will struggle to find it here. Not, of course, that this will stop most radio formats embracing this from day one."[4] Commercials for the 2003 Toyota Matrix used the Hexadecimal remix. In a 2006 article by Stylus, the magazine had trouble trying to classify the genre of the song, calling it "sheer WTFery" and "permanently unclassifiable".[5]

Music video

In the accompanying music video, which was directed by the Frenchman Stéphane Sednaoui, the band performed in what seemed like the inside of a mirrorball. They alluded to several elements of the disco era, including disco-style dancing and the film Saturday Night Fever. U2 further and directly alluded to the Village People, a popular disco era band, by similarly adopting the guises of various professions: a motorcycle police officer (Bono), a gay-fetish biker (the Edge), an American sailor (Adam Clayton) and a cowboy (Larry Mullen Jr.). Stylus magazine described the video as "sublimely bizarre".[5]

Track listings

UK and European CD single[6]

1. "Discothèque" – 5:08
2. "Holy Joe" (Garage Mix) – 4:21
3. "Holy Joe" (Guilty Mix) – 5:09

US 12-inch single[7]

A1. "Discothèque" (DM Deep Club Mix) – 6:58

A2. "Discothèque" (Hexidecimal Mix) – 7:21

B1. "Discothèque" (DM Deep Instrumental Mix) – 6:58

B2. "Discothèque" (radio edit) – 4:34

Remixes

David Morales Mixes "Discothèque (DM Deep Club Mix)" – 6:58 "Discothèque (DM Deep Extended Club Mix)" – 10:00 "Discothèque (DM Deep Instrumental Mix)" – 6:58 "Discothèque (DM Radio Edit)" – 4:07 "Discothèque (DM Deep Beats Mix)" – 4:00 "Discothèque (DM Tec Club Mix)" – 7:20 "Discothèque (DM Tec Radio Mix)" – 3:46

Steve Osborne Mixes "Discothèque (Hexidecimal Mix)" – 7:21 "Discothèque (Hexidecimal Radio Edit)" – 4:09 Howie B. Mix "Discothèque (Howie B, Hairy B Mix)" – 7:40 David Holmes Mix "Discothèque (David Holmes Mix)" – 6:14

Personnel

• Bono – vocals
• The Edge – guitar, backing vocals
• Adam Clayton – bass guitar
• Larry Mullen Jr. – drums, percussion

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (1997) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[8] 3 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[9] 9 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 14 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[11] 5 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[12] 2 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[13] 1 Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[14] 1 Czech Republic (IFPI CR)[15] 2 Denmark (IFPI)[15] 4 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[16] 3 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[17] 1 France (SNEP)[18] 12 Germany (Official German Charts)[19] 9 Hungary (Mahasz)[20] 3 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[21] 2 Ireland (IRMA)[22] 1 Italy (Musica e dischi)[15] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[23] 9 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] 6 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[25] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[26] 1 Scotland (OCC)[27] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[28] 2 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] 6 UK Singles (OCC)[30] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[31] 10 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[32] 7 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[33] 1 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[34] 1 US Hot Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[35] 1 US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[36] 6 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[37] 40

Year-end charts Chart (1997) Position Australia (ARIA)[38] 97 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[39] 17 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[40] 2 Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[41] 3 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[42] 41 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[43] 19 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[44] 33 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[45] 65 UK Singles (OCC)[46][47] 55 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA)[48] Platinum 70,000^^ United Kingdom (BPI)[49] Silver 200,000^^ United States (RIAA)[50] Gold 500,000^^ ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

See also

• List of covers of U2 songs - Discothèque
• List of RPM Rock/Alternative number-one singles (Canada)
• List of number-one dance singles of 1997 (U.S.)
• List of number-one singles of 1997 (Ireland)
• List of number-one singles in 1997 (New Zealand)
• List of number-one singles from the 1990s (UK)
• List of number-one modern rock hits (United States)
• Number one modern rock hits of 1997

References

1. "U2 Discothèque – U2 on tour". U2gigs.com. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
2. Ryan, Stephen. "Dancing about architecture: Postmodernism and Irish popular music" (PDF). Irish Communications Review. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
3. Flick, Larry (18 January 1997). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 109 no. 3. p. 73. Retrieved 4 December 2020 – via World Radio History.
4. Pride, Dominic (25 January 1997). "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 4. p. 21. Retrieved 8 December 2020 – via World Radio History.
5. "Stylus Magazine".
6. Discothèque (UK & European CD single liner notes). U2. Island Records. 1997. CID 649, 854 775-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
7. Discothèque (US 12-inch single sleeve). U2. Island Records. 1997. 422-854 789-1.CS1 maint: others (link)
8. "Australian-charts.com – U2 – Discothèque". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
9. "Austriancharts.at – U2 – Discothèque" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
10. "Ultratop.be – U2 – Discothèque" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
11. "Ultratop.be – U2 – Discothèque" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
12. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3155." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
13. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3163." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
14. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 9808." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
15. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 9. 1 March 1997. p. 15. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
16. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 8. 22 February 1997. p. 11. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
17. "U2: Discothèque" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
18. "Lescharts.com – U2 – Discothèque" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
19. "Offiziellecharts.de – U2 – Discothèque". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
20. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 8. 22 February 1997. p. 15. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
21. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 207 Vikuna 6.2. '97 – 12.2. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 7 February 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
22. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Discotheque". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
23. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 8, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 29 June 2018.
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25. "Charts.nz – U2 – Discothèque". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
26. "Norwegiancharts.com – U2 – Discothèque". VG-lista. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
27. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
28. "Swedishcharts.com – U2 – Discothèque". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
29. "Swisscharts.com – U2 – Discothèque". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
30. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
31. "U2 Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
32. "U2 Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
33. "U2 Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
34. "U2 Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
35. "U2 Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
36. "U2 Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
37. "U2 Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
38. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". ARIA. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
39. "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 15 December 1997. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
40. "RPM '97 Year End Top 50 Dance Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 15 December 1997. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
41. "RPM '97 Year End Top 50 Alternative Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 15 December 1997. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
42. "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1997" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 52. 27 December 1997. p. 7. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
43. "Árslistinn 1997 – Íslenski Listinn – 100 Vinsælustu Lögin". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1998. p. 25. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
44. "Romanian Top 100 Singles Airplay – Top of the Year 1997" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 22 January 2005. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
45. "Årslista Singlar, 1997" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
46. "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
47. "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1997" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
48. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020.
49. "British single certifications – U2 – Discotheque". British Phonographic Industry.
50. "American single certifications – U2 – Discotheque". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.