The Fly [Single, Import]

U2 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 18, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single, Import
• Label: Island Records
• ASIN: B0000074N2
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,115 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Fly

2. Alex Descends Into Hell For A Bottle Of Milk/Korova 1

3. The Lounge Fly (Mix)

Editorial Reviews

U2 The Fly (Original 1991 UK Island label 3-track CD single produced by Daniel Lanois. Includes The Lounge Fly Mix and Alex Descends Into Hell For A Bottle Of Milk/ Korova 1 issued in digipak picture sleeve CID500)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's no secret at all..., May 26, 2003

By 

Andrew McCaffrey "The Grumpy Young Man" (Satellite of Love, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fly (Audio CD)

A breakdown of the three songs on this CD-single, the first release off of U2's ACHTUNG BABY album:

"The Fly" - Bono described this track as being the sound of four men cutting down the Joshua Tree with a chainsaw, and many horrified U2 fans probably agreed with him. As the first single released since the JOSHUA TREE/RATTLE'N'HUM days, this song came as a bit of a shock to many as it is obviously quite different from what had gone before. There was no trace of the American and early rock/blues influences seen on their previous two albums. In their place were cool European rhythms, loud guitars, and surrealistic lyrics. On the back of the CD case, the photo of Bono wearing his "Fly" sunglasses and grinning like a madman describes this song perfectly. Definitely a fun U2 song, with a great beat and fun, clever lyrics.

"Alex Descends Into Hell For a Bottle Of Milk/Korova 1" -- Rather reminiscent of The Edge's solo soundtrack for THE CAPTIVE, this track is a distillation of music written by Bono and The Edge for a stage (RSC) production of THE CLOCKWORK ORANGE. An interesting piece, featuring a chorus of boy sopranos and a heavy drum beat. This is a soundtrack piece, so it's more about creating a mood than making a catchy pop song. It's quite good though, musically very strong, and worth a listen or two.

"The Lounge Fly Mix" - Exactly what it says on the box - a six and a half minute version of "The Fly" done in a lounge style. Fewer guitars, muffled vocals, more obvious keyboards, and a more prominent rhythm section feature on this track. Some of the lyrics contain minor reworking. This isn't a bad alternative version of what is already a great song. On the other hand, for some sections, there seems to be no difference between this and the album version.

Since this CD is only available as an import now, it's, unfortunately, quite expensive. There are only three songs and yet one would spend the same for this as one would for a full album. I'd recommend trying to get this one second-hand, since it is definitely worth owning, and cheap copies can be found relatively easily.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief..., February 19, 2001

By 

"robynmh" (Richmond, BC, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fly (Audio CD)

"... all kill their inspiration, and sing about the grief"

The Fly was U2's first single off of "Achtung Baby". This was the world's first glimpse of the "new U2". U2 were no longer pretending to be the good little political boys, but rather, they were now hamming up their roles as rock stars... giving the world a bit of rock with bite and attitude! Well, the song "The Fly" definitely has that edgy, ambitious rock with bite, and the lyrics have the attitude. Adam and Larry cook up a very fast-paced in-your-face drum & bass. The Edge demonstrates his ability at distorted electric guitar and fierce soloing. Bono's lyrics are full of contraditions, confessions and catchy phrases (see the title and first line of my review) while his falsettos and bad-boy vocal styles give diversity throughout the song. This is one of my all-time favourite U2 songs, and a highlight off of Achtung Baby.

So goodbye Joshua Tree/Rattle & Hum era U2. Hello Zoo TV/Achtung Baby U2!

1: The Fly. This is the identical to The Fly off of Achtung Baby.

2: Alex Descends Into Hell For a Bottle of Milk/Korovo 1. While the song is written by Bono and The Edge, the only vocals on this short track come from a choir of school children. This track was originally recorded for a modern soundtrack of A Clockwork Orange. This is probably the coolest non-U2 type U2 song there is. It's almost on the verge of electro-industrial music. A soft synth-type intro with the choir, climaxes into a frenzy of beats and noise, which fades out in the end into silence. This song is more or less a soundscape, and not your typical song. Note: in the written credits on the CD, you'll notice a thanks to Albert Bradshaw. Apparently Albert used to be U2's old music teacher while in high school!

3: The Lounge Fly Mix. The Fly gone "street smart"! If you've seen the music video for The Fly, this is where they get the intro music from. It starts off with Bono singing the falsetto of the chorus over a drum & synth loop. Then in comes the heavy bassline. The guitars eventually kick in, bringing the song into full gear. Bono actually changes a few lyrics in this version of The Fly. "A man will beg, a man will crawl, but it's never too late to take his call, it's no secret at all".

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty sweet stuff., January 7, 2000

By 

"hhlee7011" (Worcester MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fly (Audio CD)

You would want to own this if you want a definitive U2 collection. The single is short, only about 15 minutes, but solid. The first track is just the regular Fly, but the third track is a remix. The Lounge Mix does fun things to the Fly, like introducing a pleasant beat and Bono changes a significant amount of the lyrics. The title of this mix explains it all. Alex is a very strange but very good song. It starts out with catchy choir chants in Latin along with a horn. Slightly Boy in the Bubbleish if you know your Paul Simon Graceland. Then a killer drum beat comes in and there's some good guitar work. Definitely different, but there's no way you won't appreciate it. The Fly is for all U2 fans, especially Achtung Baby fans. Not the first single you'd want to get (Try Mys.Ways or Please or One) but it's worth it if you're in that I Own About 20 U2 CDs And I'm Looking To Expand My Collection phase.