THE BEST OF 1990-2000 & B SIDES

2 x 5" Cd + 5" Dvd
Commercial Release November 4/5, 2002
Record Label Island Records
Top Chart Position US: 3, Canada 1, UK: 2
Singles Released
TRACKLISTING

Disc One:

  • Even Better Than the Real Thing (3:39)

  • Mysterious Ways (Best of Version) (4:02)

  • Beautiful Day (4:05)

  • Electrical Storm (William Orbit Mix) (4:37)

  • One (4:35)

  • Miss Sarajevo (Radio Edit) (4:30)

  • Stay (Faraway So Close) (4:58)

  • Stuck in a Moment (4:31)

  • Gone (Best of Mix) (4:32)

  • Until the End of the World (4:38)

  • The Hands that Built America (4:57)

  • Discotheque (Best of Mix) (4:40)

  • Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me (4:44)

  • Staring at the Sun (Best of Mix) (4:48)

  • Numb (Best of Mix) (4:21)

  • The First Time (3:44)

  • The Fly (4:29)

Disc Two (Limited Edition CD for One Week Only)

  • Lady with the Spinning Head (Extended Dance Mix) (6:06)

  • Dirty Day (Junk Day Mix) (4:40)

  • Summer Rain (4:07)

  • Electrical Storm (Band Version) (4:26)

  • North and South of the River (4:36)

  • Your Blue Room (5:26)

  • Happiness is a Warm Gun (The Gun Mix) (4:45)

  • Salome (Zooromancer Remix - Best of Edit) (5:51)

  • Even Better Than the Real Thing (Perfecto Mix) (6:38)

  • Numb (Gimme Some More Dignity Mix - Best of Edit) (5:50)

  • Mysterious Ways (Solar Plexus Club Mix) (4:08)

  • If God Will Send His Angels (Big Yam Mix) (5:42)

  • Lemon (Jeep Mix) (5:29)

  • Discotheque (Hexidecimal Mix - Best of Edit) (5:45)

Disc Three (Limited Edition DVD for One Week Only)

  • History Mix (Video) (7:40)

  • Best Of DVD Promo (Video) (2:27)

  • Please (Live Mural Cut) (Bonus Video) (5:00)

  • Beautiful Day (Eze Version) (Bonus Video) (4:04)

LINER NOTES
  • A-Sides:

Even Better Than the Real Thing: Produced by Steve Lillywhite with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. Engineered by Paul Barrett and Robbie Adams. Assisted by Sean Leonard. 
Mysterious Ways: Produced by Daniel Lanois with Brian Eno. Engineered by Flood. Additional engineering by Robbie Adams. Assisted by Shannon Strong. Mixed by Flood, The Edge and Daniel Lanois. Assisted by Shannon Strong. Additional percussion by Daniel Lanois. 
Beautiful Day: Produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. Engineered by Richard Rainey. Assisted by Chris Heaney. Additional production by Steve Lillywhite. Mixed by Steve Lillywhite. Additional engineering by Tim Palmer and Stephen Harris. Synthesizers / programming by Brian Eno. Backing vocals by The Edge and Daniel Lanois. 
Electrical Storm (William Orbit Mix): Produced and mixed by William Orbit. Engineered by Carl Glanville. Assisted by Chris Heaney. Mix engineering by Jake Davies, Iain Roberton. Additional keyboards: William Orbit. Pro-Tools programming by Iain Roberton, Jake Davies. Recorded at HQ, Dublin, The Leonard Hotel, London and Nice, France. 
One: Produced by Daniel Lanois with Brian Eno. Engineered by Flood. Additional engineering by Robbie Adams. Assisted by Shannon Strong. Mixed by Flood. Assisted by Shannon Strong. Additional keyboards by Brian Eno. Additional Guitar by Daniel Lanois. 
Miss Sarajevo: Written and produced by U2 and Brian Eno. Featuring Luciano Pavarotti. Engineered by Danton Supple. Assisted by Rob Kirwan. Additional engineering by Ruadhri Cushnan. Mixed by Jeremy Wheatley. String arrangement by Craig Armstrong. 
Stay: Produced by Flood, Brian Eno, and the Edge. Mixed by Flood. Assisted by Rob Kirwan. Engineered by Flood and Robbie Adams. Assisted by Willie Mannion and Rob Kirwan.
Stuck in a Moment: Produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. Engineered by Richard Rainey. Assisted by Chris Heaney. Mixed by Tim Palmer in Scream Studios, Los Angeles. Assisted by Jay Goin. Synthesizers by Brian Eno and Bono. Additional guitar by Daniel Lanois. Brass: Paul Barrett.
Gone (New Mix): Produced by Flood. Recorded by Mark "Spike" Stent and Howie B. Assisted by Rob Kirwan. Additional production by Mike Hedges for 3kHz. Engineered by Carl Glanville. Mixed by Mike Hedges and Carl Glanville. Assistant engineer and Pro-Tools operator: Matthieu Clouard. Programming by Ben Hillier.
Until the End of the World: Produced by Daniel Lanois with Brian Eno. Engineered by Flood. Additional engineering by Robbie Adams. Assisted by Shannon Strong. Mixed by Flood and Daniel Lanois. Assisted by Shannon Strong. Additional percussion by Daniel Lanois.
The Hands that Built America: Produced by William Orbit. Engineered by Carl Glanville. Assisted by Chris Heaney. Mixed by William Orbit at the Leonard Hotel, London. Additional keyboards by William Orbit. Pro-Tools programming by Iain Roberton, Jake Davies and Rico Conning. String arrangement by The Edge. String conductor: Daragh O'Toole. Strings by Katie O'Connor, Rosie Nic Athlaioch, Emer O'Grady, Una O'Kane. Recorded at HQ, Dublin and Nice, France.
Discotheque (New Mix): Produced by Flood. Recorded by Mark "Spike" Stent and Howie B. Assisted by Rob Kirwan and Fernio Hernandez. Additional production by Mike Hedges for 3kHz. Mixed by Mike Hedges. Engineered by: Ger MacDonald. Assistant engineer and Pro-Tools operator: Matthieu Clouard. Inspirational decks and loops by Howie B. Contains a sample from "Fane" performed by Freeform and written by SImon Pike. Coutesy of Skam Records.
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me: Produced by Nelle Hooper, Bono and the Edge. Engineered by Robbie Adams and Flood. Mix Engineer: Mark "Spike" Stent. Programming and keyboards by Marius De Vries. Assisted by Paul "PW" Walton. String arrangement by Craig Armstrong.
Staring at the Sun (New Mix): Produced by Flood. Additional production by Steve Osbourne. Recorded by Mark "Spike" Stent and Howie B. Assisted by Rob Kirwan. Additional production by Mike Hedges for 3kHz. Mixed by Mike Hedges and Carl Glanville. Additional engineer & Pro-Tools operator: Matthiew Clouard. Programming by Ben Hillier. Keyboards by Steve Osbourne.
Numb (New Mix): Produced by Flood, Brian Eno and the Edge. Engineered by Flood and Robbie Adams. Assisted by Willie Mannion and Rob Kirwan. Originally recorded with Daniel Lanois. Mixed by Mike Hedges for 3 kHz. Engineered by Carl Glanville. Assitant engineer and Pro-Tools operator: Matthieu Clouard. Backing vocals by Bono and Larry. Additional synthesizers by Brian Eno. Arcade sounds by Brian Eno.
The First Time: Produced by Flood, Brian Eno and The Edge. Mixed by Flood. Assisted by Willie Mannion. Engineered by Robbie Adams. Piano and harmonium by Brian Eno.

 

  • B-Sides:

Lady With the Spinning Head (Extended Dance Mix): Producer: Paul Barrett. Recorded by Ian Bryan. Remixed by Alan Moulder.
Dirty Day (Junk Day Mix): Produced by Flood, Brian Eno and The Edge. Recorded and mixed by Flood and Robbie Adams. Additional production and remix by Butch Vig and Duke Erikson at Smart Studios, Madison, WI. Cello: Mary Gaines. Synthesizers on "Father to Son" by Brian Eno.
Summer Rain: Produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. Engineered and mixed by Richard Rainey. Assisted by Chris Heaney. 
Electrical Storm (Band Version): Produced by William Orbit. Engineered and mixed by Chris Heaney. Additional engineering by Jake Davies, Iain Roberton. Additional keyboards by William Orbit. Protools and programming by Iain Roberton and Jake Davies.
North and South of the River: Produced by Flood. Recorded by Mark "Spike" Stent and Rob Kirwan. Mixed by Rob Kirwan.
Your Blue Room: Written and performed by U2 and Brian ENo. Engineered by Danton Supple. Assisted by Rob Kirwan.
Happiness is a Warm Gun (The Gun Mix): Produced by Flood. Engineered by Rob Kirwan. Remixed by Joe Chicarelli and John X.
Salome (Zooromancer Remix): Produced by Paul Barrett and U2. Engineered by Ian Bryan, Louise McCormick and Paul Barrett. Additional backing vocals by Ian Bryan and Paul Barrett. Remixed by Pete Heller and Terry Farley for Boys Own Productions. Remix engineer: Gary Wilkinson.
Even Better than the Real Thing (The Perfecto Mix): Produced by Steve Lillywhite with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. Engineered by Paul Barrett and Robbie Adams. Remixed by Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osbourne.
Numb (Gimme Some More Dignity Mix): Produced by Flood, Brian Eno and The Edge.  Engineered by Flood and Robbie Adams. Assisted by Willie Mannion and Rob Kirwan. Originally recorded with Daniel Lanois. Additional synthesizers by Brian Eno. Arcade sounds by Brian Eno. Remixed by Rollo and Rob D.
Mysterious Ways (Solar Plexus Club Mix): Produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. Engineered by Flood. Additional engineering by Robbie Adams. Assisted by Shannon Strong. Additional percussion by Daniel Lanois. Additional production and remix by Howard Gray, Trevor Gray, Steve Lillywhite.
If God Will Send His Angels (Big Yam Mix): Produced by Flood and Howie B. Recorded by Mark "Spike" Stent and Howie B. Assited by Rob Kirwan and Conal Markey. Remix and additional production by Gerald Baillergeau AKA Big Yam and Victor Merritt AKA Vino for Grand Jury Productions.
Lemon (Jeep Mix): Produced by Flood, Brian Eno, and the Edge. Engineered by Flood and Robbie Adams. Assisted by Willie Mannion and Rob Kirwan. Backing vocals The Edge & Brian Eno. Synthesizers: Brian Eno. Strings arranged and performed by Brian Eno. Remix and additional production by Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osbourne.
Discotheque (Hexidecimal Mix): Produced by Flood. Recorded by Mark "Spike" Stent and Howie B. Assisted by Rob Kirwan and Fernio Hernandez. Inspirational decks and loops by Howie B. Remixed by Steve Osborne for 140db. Remix engineer and programmer: Ben Hillier.

 

  • DVD:

The History Mix: Director: Maurice Linnane. Producer: Ned O'Hanlon. Editor: Brian McCue.
U2 The Best of 1990 - 2000 DVD Trailer: Director: Maurice Linnane. Producer: Ned O'Hanlon. Editor: Jim Duggan.
Please (Live Mural Cut): FIlmed in Helsinki, 9th August, 1997. Director: Maurice Linnane. Producer: Ned O'Hanlon. Editor: Brian McCue.
Beautiful Day (Eze Version): Producer: Ned O'Hanlon. Camera: James Mather, Joe Edwards. Editor: Brian McCue.

 

  • Other Cd Notes:

Bono: Vocals and guitar. The Edge: Guitar, keyboards and Vocals. Adam Clayton: Bass guitar. Larry Mullen: Drums and Percussion. Paul McGuinness: Manager, Principle Management Dublin and New York.  Album Production Manager: Sheila Roche. Album Production Assistants: Candida Boottaci, Aislinn Meehan and Sally-Anne McKeown. Studio Manager: Sam O'Sullivan. Drum Tech: Sam O'Sullivan. Guitar Tech: Dallas Schoo. Studio Tech: Rab McAllister.  Audio Post Production by Cheryl Engels at Partial Productions Inc. All tracks have been digitally remastered from original master tapes where possible by Arnie Acosta at the Mastering Lab, Los Angeles. Digital Editing by Pat Sullivan at Bernie Grundman.

 

Sleeve designed by Four5One Design, Dublin. Back Cover photography: Anton Corbijn. Inside photography by Anton Corbijn. Reproduced by Sonicon.

 

OTHER NOTES
Released in November of 2002, this compilation was the follow up to 1998's Best of 1980 - 1990 & The B-Sides compilation.  For the first week of sales, stores were able to stock a three disc set.  This contained 2 CDs, an A Sides disc and a B Sides disc, as well as a DVD which promoted the forthcoming Best of 1990 - 2000 DVD.  A week later a single disc version, just containing the A Sides was released.

Under the terms of the contract for the three Best Of compilations, these compilations are released under the Island label.  This is the case even in the US where the band is signed to Interscope. Due to elevated prices of domestic CDs in the UK and Japan, and the fact that it is often cheaper to buy imports from elsewhere, the A Sides CD in both the UK and Japan featured an extra track, "The Fly".

Several differences have been noted between the tracks on this compilation from the original released versions of these songs:
Miss Sarajevo: This is not the album version, nor the single version.  This is the radio edit version previously found on only promotional singles of Miss Sarajevo.
Mysterious Ways: There is an alternate vocal in this version of the track. At 1:35 min the line 'She's the wave, she turns the tide, she sees the man inside the child' has been changed to 'She's the wave, she'll turn the tide, and no question, she knows why.' Likely mastered from a different vocal track.
Numb, Discotheque, Staring at the Sun, and Gone: All are new mixes of these tracks done specifically for this compilation. Gone also features a slightly different lyrical track from the original version.  In the Best of version the line "What you thought was freedom just was greed" is different from the original "What you thought was freedom is just greed".
Salome (Zooromancer Remix): This is an edit of the previous versions of this track. The original mix was 8:02 in length.  This version is 5:50 in length.
Numb (Gimme Some More Dignity Remix): This is an edit of the previous available versions. Previous available versions of the mix were 8:11 and 8:47, this version is 5:50.
Discotheque (Hexidecimal Mix): Another edit of the original remix. The original was 7:21, a test pressing only edit was approximately 4:00, this version is new at 5:45.


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Next Album:  The Best of 1990 - 2000 (2002)