In U2’s The Joshua Tree, how did the end of One Tree Hill get stuck on the beginning of Exit?

How the End of “One Tree Hill” Got Stuck on the Beginning of “Exit” in U2’s The Joshua Tree

The Joshua Tree, released by Irish rock band U2 in 1987, is widely regarded as one of their most iconic and influential albums. The album features the song “One Tree Hill,” which holds a significant place in U2’s musical repertoire. However, some CD pressings of The Joshua Tree exhibit a peculiar tracking error, where the coda of “One Tree Hill” is erroneously included as part of the track for “Exit.” In this article, we will explore how this tracking error occurred and why it was more prevalent in certain regions.

Background

“One Tree Hill” is the ninth track on U2’s album The Joshua Tree, which was released on March 9, 1987. The song was written as a tribute to Greg Carroll, a New Zealander who became a close friend of lead singer Bono and served as a roadie for the band. Carroll tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident in July 1986. The lyrics of “One Tree Hill” reflect Bono’s memories of Carroll and pay homage to him and Chilean singer-songwriter and activist Víctor Jara.

The Tracking Error

The end of “One Tree Hill” getting stuck on the beginning of “Exit” was a result of a tracking decision made during the production of the CD. It should be noted that this tracking error was more common in New Zealand and Australia, where “One Tree Hill” was released as a 7-inch single in March 1988. Some CD pressings of The Joshua Tree in these regions incorrectly split the tracks, causing the coda of “One Tree Hill” to be included as part of the track for “Exit.”

Regional Variations

The tracking error seems to have been specific to certain CD pressings in New Zealand and Australia, with the rest of the world not experiencing this issue to the same extent. The reason for this disparity in regional variations is not explicitly stated in the available sources.

Conclusion

In summary, the end of “One Tree Hill” getting stuck on the beginning of “Exit” in U2’s The Joshua Tree was a result of a tracking error that occurred during the production of the CD. This tracking error was more prevalent in certain regions, particularly in New Zealand and Australia, where “One Tree Hill” was released as a 7-inch single. Despite this technical issue, the song remains a significant part of U2’s discography and continues to resonate with fans worldwide.

Sources:

1. Wikipedia contributors. “One Tree Hill (song).” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Tree_Hill_(song)
2. Music Fans Stack Exchange. “In U2’s The Joshua Tree, how did the end of One Tree Hill get stuck on the beginning of Exit?” Available at: https://musicfans.stackexchange.com/questions/12094/in-u2s-the-joshua-tree-how-did-the-end-of-one-tree-hill-get-stuck-on-the-begin
3. Wikipedia contributors. “Exit (U2 song).” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exit_(U2_song)

FAQs

How did the end of “One Tree Hill” get stuck on the beginning of “Exit” in U2’s The Joshua Tree?

The end of “One Tree Hill” getting stuck on the beginning of “Exit” was a result of a tracking error that occurred during the production of the CD. Some CD pressings of The Joshua Tree incorrectly split the tracks, causing the coda of “One Tree Hill” to be included as part of the track for “Exit.”

Why was this tracking error more common in New Zealand and Australia?

The tracking error was more prevalent in New Zealand and Australia because “One Tree Hill” was released as a 7-inch single in these regions. Some CD pressings in these areas incorrectly split the tracks, resulting in the end of “One Tree Hill” being stuck on the beginning of “Exit.”

Was this tracking error present in CD pressings worldwide?

The tracking error seems to have been specific to certain CD pressings in New Zealand and Australia, with the rest of the world not experiencing this issue to the same extent. The reason for this regional variation is not explicitly stated in the available sources.

How significant is the song “One Tree Hill” in U2’s discography?

“One Tree Hill” holds a significant place in U2’s discography. It was written as a tribute to Greg Carroll, a close friend of lead singer Bono who tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident. The song’s lyrics reflect Bono’s memories of Carroll and pay homage to him and Chilean singer-songwriter and activist Víctor Jara.

How did U2 respond to the tracking error during live performances?

U2 delayed performing “One Tree Hill” on the Joshua Tree Tour in 1987 due to Bono’s concerns about his emotional state. However, after its live debut and receiving an enthusiastic reaction from audiences, the song was occasionally played for the rest of the tour and semi-regularly during the Lovetown Tour of 1989-1990. It has appeared sporadically since then, with most renditions performed in New Zealand.

Were there any dedications or special performances of “One Tree Hill” in recent years?

During the Joshua Tree Tours in 2017 and 2019, which commemorated the 30th anniversary of the album, “One Tree Hill” was performed at each show. Additionally, performances in November 2010 on the U2 360° Tour were dedicated to the miners who died in the Pike River Mine disaster.

How did critics and fans perceive “One Tree Hill”?

“One Tree Hill” was received favorably by critics, who described it as “a soft, haunting benediction,” “a remarkable musical centrepiece,” and a celebration of life. The song holds a special place in the hearts of U2 fans worldwide and continues to resonate with its emotional and heartfelt lyrics.

Are there any certifications or chart performance associated with “One Tree Hill”?

While specific certifications for “One Tree Hill” are not mentioned in the available sources, the song charted at number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was the country’s second-most-successful hit of 1988. It also made appearances on various weekly and year-end charts.