How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb · Track 1 · 2004

Vertigo

Studio Version

Lyrics

Read the lyrics and recording notes for this version at U2Songs.

Song Propaganda

The documented history below belongs to the song's original single or specifically named recording/video—not automatically to this album's mix, live performance or re-recording. Single-era reference: 2004.

Chart positions

Ireland — Singles peak: 1 Source
UK — Singles peak: 1 Source
US — Billboard Hot 100 peak: 31 Source

Certifications

UK — BPI: Gold Source
US — RIAA: Gold Source

Grammys & other honours

2005 Grammy — Best Rock Song Source
2005 Grammy — Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Source
2005 Grammy — Best Short Form Music Video (the music video) Source

Checked 2026-09-11. A missing entry means not established here, not necessarily that the song never charted or won an award.

Recording context

A guitar-forward album shaped by extensive rewriting and a change of production leadership. Family, mortality and faith sit beside the opening rush of Vertigo.

Album credits, production history and Did you know?

Exact recording source — U2Songs Official release — U2.com