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| "Original of the Species" | |
|---|---|
 Cover for the promotional release | |
| Promotional single byU2 | |
| from the albumHow to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb | |
| Released | November 2005 |
| Genre | Rock |
| Length |
|
| Label | Island /Interscope |
| Composer | U2 |
| Lyricist | Bono |
| Producer | Steve Lillywhite with additional production byJacknife Lee |
"Original of the Species" is a song byrock bandU2 and the tenth track from their 2004 album,How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
A live video clip of this song from theDVDVertigo 2005: Live From Chicago is featured in atelevision commercial promoting the video capableApple iPod. During that performance,Bono dedicates it to his two daughters. The image of Bono singing this song from the live recording in Chicago was used as the icon Apple used for the artist tab in the music app on their devices until 2015. Bono has also said he believes this to be the best song onHow to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. In concerts in December 2005, Bono has said the song is one of many influenced byJohn Lennon's music. Themusic video for the single utilised animatedcomputer-generated imagery by Spontaneous, something unprecedented for U2 videos.
In concert form during theVertigo Tour, the song was played withthe Edge on piano, often accompanied by Bono onacoustic guitar. On rare occasions, it was played with the Edge on electric guitar, in a performance which was accompanied by a pianist and full orchestra, much similar to the performance of the album, and one of those performances was at their show inMilan, Italy in July 2005, which appeared on theVertigo 05: Live from Milan bonus DVD for U2's 2006 compilationU218 Singles.
The song was added to the playlists of thirteenalternative rock radio stations in the US. However, it failed to break the top 40, thus not charting on theModern Rock Tracks chart. Instead it hovered around #60, rising to #55 in mid-January. However, it never gained enough airplay to enter the chart. It was slated for a UK release and was playlisted byXfm London,Virgin Radio, and made the B-List ofBBC Radio 2.
The U.S. promo was released in late 2005, while the U.K. promo was released in early 2006.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Original of the Species" (album version) | 4:41 |
| Total length: | 4:41 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Original of the Species" (single version) | 4:29 |
| Total length: | 4:29 | |
Personnel taken fromHow to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb CD booklet.[1]
U2
Additional personnel
| Chart (2005–06) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[2] | 13 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[3] | 15 |
| Netherlands S2 (Dutch Charts)[4] | 15 |
| USAdult Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[5] | 4 |
| Chart (2006) | Position |
|---|---|
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[3] | 154 |
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | November 28, 2005 | Hot AC radio | Interscope | [6] |
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
