"Sweetest Thing" became a number-one hit in Ireland, Canada, and Iceland and reached the top 10 in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the song peaked at number 63 on the
Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on the BillboardModern Rock Tracks chart.
In 1998, a new version of the song was recorded for inclusion on the group's greatest hits compilation The Best of 1980–1990. Producer
Steve Lillywhite spent five days with the band to re-record vocals and guitar parts.[4]
To promote the release of the single in 1998,
Island Records distributed "Sweetest Thing"
chocolate bars, wrapped to look like the single, throughout Europe. They have become a very valuable collectors item among U2 fans during the 2000s.[6] The song reached number one in Canada, Iceland, and Ireland, number three in the United Kingdom, number six in Australia, number 63 on the US
Billboard Hot 100, number nine on the BillboardModern Rock Tracks chart, and number 31 on the BillboardMainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Live performances
The song made its live debut on the opening night of the
Elevation Tour, and was played occasionally over the first and second legs.[7] It was then not played again until the
Innocence + Experience Tour, where once again it only made occasional appearances over the course of the tour.
Performances on the Elevation Tour featured Bono playing the piano parts while the Edge played electric guitar. On the Innocence + Experience Tour, it was played on the e-stage in a stripped-down version, with the Edge playing acoustic guitar and Bono joining in on the piano about halfway through the song.
Music video
The video was directed by
Kevin Godley. It features Bono taking Hewson on a carriage ride along the
Georgian mile in
Dublin, from Fitzwilliam Place onto Upper Fitzwilliam Street,[8] enlisting various performers along the way in an effort to apologise to her. The performers featured include
Riverdance,
Boyzone,
Steve Collins, the
Artane Boys Band,
Chippendales dancers, and the Celtic Knights. The other three members of U2—
The Edge,
Adam Clayton,
Larry Mullen Jr.—Norman Hewson (Bono's brother) and Dik Evans (The Edge's brother) also appear in the video.[3]
^Sweetest Thing (UK cassette single sleeve).
U2.
Island Records. 1998. CIS 727, 572 464-4.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
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^Sweetest Thing (European CD single liner notes). U2. Island Records. 1998. CIDT 727, 572 468-2.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)
^Sweetest Thing (UK & Australian CD1 liner notes). U2. Island Records. 1998. CID 727, 572 466-2.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)
^Sweetest Thing (UK & Australian CD2 liner notes). U2. Island Records. 1998. CIDX 727, 572 464-2.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)
^Sweetest Thing (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). U2. Island Records. 1998. PHDR-953.{{
cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (
link)