Desire

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: 1988.

Chart positions

• Ireland — Singles peak: 1 Source
• UK — Singles peak: 1 Source
• US — Billboard Hot 100 peak: 3 Source

Certifications

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

Grammys & other honours

• 1989 Grammy — Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal 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

The first decade-spanning U2 compilation pairs signature singles with deeper cuts. Its new recording of Sweetest Thing helped connect the retrospective to 1998.

Exact recording source — U2SongsOfficial release — U2.com