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iPod What's So Special About U2?

James Philp

James Philp

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 5, 2005
1,493
0
Oxford/London
Now, don't get me wrong, I like U2. There have been periods in near-history where it seemed almost everything they did was great.
What I want to know is; why are they so special to be the ONLY band, so far, to warrant a special iPod?
Are they the only band that would sell out or what?
My toes tingle with the idea of a Beastie Boys iPod! (Rolling Stones, Led Zep, *insert iconic band here*).
It seems the iTMS has LOADS of famous bands contributing to it - did they just not want to go as far as an iPod?

I can't really see any reason why such a product would not only increase sales but also grow the brand. This is a route I can see apple go that will only bump up sales surely?

Beastie Boys iPod C'mon!
 
James Philp said:
Now, don't get me wrong, I like U2. There have been periods in near-history where it seemed almost everything they did was great.
What I want to know is; why are they so special to be the ONLY band, so far, to warrant a special iPod?
Are they the only band that would sell out or what?
My toes tingle with the idea of a Beastie Boys iPod! (Rolling Stones, Led Zep, *insert iconic band here*).
It seems the iTMS has LOADS of famous bands contributing to it - did they just not want to go as far as an iPod?

I can't really see any reason why such a product would not only increase sales but also grow the brand. This is a route I can see apple go that will only bump up sales surely?

Beastie Boys iPod C'mon!
Click to expand...

because u2 is a well known band, they sell a ton of records the world over, they are pg 13, with or without you just rocks lol
 
In my mind, U2 is the biggest rock band in the world, and that's why they got an iPod. They've been consistently at the top of the charts for 20+ years now, with tours that sell out in minutes. That's why they were the right choice for a special iPod. Maybe Apple will come out with iPods themed for other bands in the future.

(It should be noted, that while I like U2 a lot, I wouldn't even place them in the top 10 of my favorite bands, it's just that they're hugely popular and influential.)
 
What about Elvis!? He's in the UK charts right now!?
Surely he, along with The Stones, Led Zep, The Beatles to name a few are bigger than U2.
Heavens, even (dare I say it) Michael Jackson! He's been in the charts for 30+ years!
You can name PLENTY of bands that are as big as U2.
 
I would have a second look as a Beck iPod too!
PS the Beastie Boys have been in the charts for 23 years - so the age thing can't be it!?
 
with or without you, i have to totally agree to that, that was playing the first time my gf and i ever said i love you to eachother.

they are a great band, and i believe half the reason they got a sig ipod ws because i guess you could say they were kind of making a "comeback" at the time, with the release of the newer record
 
With or without you?...... Oh you mean the Ross and Rachel Song! :D
Fight for the right to par-tay!
Sabotage
Root down
Brass monkey
Intergalactic
Ch-Check It out

I rest my case ur'honor.
I'm not turing this into a Beastie Boys thread, I'm just saying that the whole branded-iPod thing has so much potential - so why U2?
 
James Philp said:
With or without you?...... Oh you mean the Ross and Rachel Song! :D
Fight for the right to par-tay!
Sabotage
Root down
Brass monkey
Intergalactic
Ch-Check It out

I rest my case ur'honor.
I'm not turing this into a Beastie Boys thread, I'm just saying that the whole branded-iPod thing has so much potential - so why U2?
Click to expand...

we may never know, hell they could have paid apple possibly as a way to help advertise their comeback.

yes there are other bands and artists that i think deserve an ipod just as much as U2 if not more.
 
James Philp said:
I'm not turing this into a Beastie Boys thread, I'm just saying that the whole branded-iPod thing has so much potential - so why U2?
Click to expand...

Because Apple likes U2 a lot. Rather, Jobs likes U2 a lot. And everyone knows U2, even if they don't like their music.

I'd like to see some more special iPods, but then again, U2 is the only group with their entire music 'library' on iTMS available to download...
 
Steve likes them, they're still hugely popular, and U2 was willing to do it.

Personally, I think they're the second-most overrated band of my 30-year lifetime. Only REM got more attention for songs that I found completely unexceptional, which is hard to do because they weren't around nearly as long. By this I don't mean that U2 isn't talented or that they don't deserve success, only that I've never understood their appeal.

I guess if I ever start my own multimedia corporation, I can hire a different band.

:p
 
This is all very well, but why not other bands?
What bands do you all think deserve iPods?
I bet J-Lo and 50cent would be gagging! (as they have them in music vids all the time it seems)
- oh, wait, I think I just answered my own question.
OK, all band branded iPods must be approved by me first!
Never let the floodgates open!
 
What about an Aerosmith iPod. Talk about a band with a ton of generation appeal. I think the U2 iPod was great, now move over and let another band have one. These could be collectors items.
 
It doesn't matter if they're famous or not. It doesn't matter if they're an old band with lots of popular music.

The point is that U2 is the biggest band in the world (even if I do dislike them, especially Bono :mad: ), and that is why they should get their own iPod.

Say all you want about the Beastie Boys, whom I like a lot more than U2, but they aren't even in the same league.

Madonna could get one for herself, and Michael Jackson (if he weren't a perv and didn't have such a negative image) as well, but few other bands have that much appeal.

Maybe Coldplay should get one. :) Haven't been around a long time, but they are in the same league as U2 in terms of popularity. They had the #1 hit in 15 different countries at iTMS (a first, something not even U2 had).
 
Abstract said:
It doesn't matter if they're famous or not. It doesn't matter if they're an old band with lots of popular music.

The point is that U2 is the biggest band in the world (even if I do dislike them, especially Bono :mad: ), and that is why they should get their own iPod.
Click to expand...
One Word:
Elvis!
 
I think it's more of an excuse to have a Black iPod, I know a couple of people who aren't big U2 fans but bought one just because "It's black and it's different". Good up-sell for $50.

U2 is one of those generational bands that last forever and are still putting out quality work for decades like The Rolling Stones(60s), Aerosmith(70s), and the Red Hot Chili Peppers(90s, too early to call but maybe).

With the 'Stones new world tour just announced, and I think I heard that they're recording a new album, I would not be surprised to see a 'Rolling Stone iPod' in the near future.
 
I would get a U2 iPod if it wasnt so ugly.

I'd love a Aerosmith and a Bon Jovi iPod tho.
 
On a world-wide scale, the only thing bigger than U2 is The Stones. Today, Elvis does not come close. I mean, when was the last time that guy sold out a venue?
 
topgunn said:
On a world-wide scale, the only thing bigger than U2 is The Stones. Today, Elvis does not come close. I mean, when was the last time that guy sold out a venue?
Click to expand...

Ha.

I second/third/fourth/whatever the Aerosmith iPod, that would be pretty sweet. I think they have more generational appeal than U2 personally, as I know my parents and their friends like them, as do me and my friends. I think U2 has a slightly younger appeal group, cutting the upper ages a little bit.

Plus, Steven Tyler.....so get this: Take a classic Aerosmith image and lay over the Tyler-Tongue and there you have THE AEROSMITH iPOD!
 
For a definitive review of U2's latest release click here (warning: adult material ahead).

I think it's pretty simple why they picked U2 - big band, big back catalogue, not overly commercial so it looks 'special' and of course they're still alive to promote the thing.
 
Because the World need's more people like Paul Hewson (Aka Bono) He's a great guy and makes noises in the right places to reduce this Planet's great imbalances. End of rant. And because they reach out to many different generations. I still remember their first TV appearance (Boy) on the Old Grey Wistle Test :eek: That was 25 years ago...
 
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