Apple's Free U2 Album

02/04/2023 44 min
Apple's Free U2 Album

Listen "Apple's Free U2 Album"

Episode Synopsis

Apple partnered with Irish rock band U2 in 2014 to give the group's new album, Songs of Innocence, to everyone with an Apple account. Apple called it the largest album release of all time, but it immediately sparked controversy in the music industry, and many of Apple's own customers weren't thrilled.

Hosted by Corbin Davenport, guest starring Joe Fedewa.

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Videos:
• https://youtu.be/38IqQpwPe7s?t=6179
• https://youtu.be/4_9YWhyHmPg
• https://youtu.be/wAxmGAZBBtY

Sources:
• https://time.com/3397067/u2s-mission-to-save-music/
• https://qz.com/262852/u2s-apple-deal-shows-why-musicians-dont-sell-music-anymore
• https://www.billboard.com/pro/itunes-numbers-u2-songs-innocence-album/
• https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/after-innocence-u2-look-ahead-to-tour-new-lp-songs-of-experience-51361/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20141101181749/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/nick-mason-im-not-entirely-sure-pink-floyd-is-over-20141031?page=2
• https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/20/u2-uk-album-charts-first-week-songs-of-innocence-sales-meghan-trainor
• https://web.archive.org/web/20141101025133/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/soundposts/2014/10/15/black-keys-drummer-patrick-carney-u2-and-spotify-devalue-music/
• https://loudwire.com/buckcherry-keith-nelson-calls-out-u2-free-album-decision/
• https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/15/apple-u2-album-itunes-delete
• https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/oct/22/bono-memoir-birth-of-u2-itunes-album-live-aid-mullet