Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own

Infobox Single
Name = Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own


Caption = First CD single
Artist = U2
from Album = How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Released = February 14, 2005
Format = CD, DVD
Recorded =
Genre = Rock
Label = Island / Interscope Records
Producer = Chris Thomas with additional production by Steve Lillywhite and Nellee Hooper
Reviews =
*AMG [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:j3ri288q053a link]
Last single = "Vertigo" (2004)
This single = "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" (2005)
Next single = "City of Blinding Lights" (2005)
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate covers
Type = single


Lower caption = Second CD single Extra album cover 2


Lower caption = DVD single Extra tracklisting
Album = How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Type = studio
prev_track = "Miracle Drug"
prev_no = Track 2
this_track = "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own"
track_no = Track 3
next_track = "Love and Peace or Else"
next_no = Track 4Extra tracklisting
Album = U218 Singles
Type = compilation
prev_track = "Elevation"
prev_no = 15
this_track = "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own"
track_no = 16
next_track = "The Saints Are Coming"
next_no = 17

"Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" is the second single from U2's 2004 album, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Originally titled "Tough",Fact|date=January 2008 the song is about Bono's relationship with his dying father. The song was released as a single in the United Kingdom on 7 February 2005 and debuted at #1 on the UK Singles Chart. The song won "Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal" and "Song of the Year" at the 2006 Grammy Awards.

Background

The lyric was written by lead singer Bono as a tribute to his father, Bob Hewson, who died in 2001; Bono sang this at his funeral. The video to the song begins with a note from Bono about his father, saying "I wish I'd known him better."

The song was released worldwide on February 7, 2005. The song was added to BBC Radio 1's "C List" Playlist on 29 December 2004. It moved to the B List a week later and to the A List a week after that. The song was also playlisted by XFM. The song debuted at #1 in the UK, marking the first time that a U2 album has produced two UK #1 hits (following "Vertigo" in November 2004.)

The single was also the third release in the United States. It reached #15 on the Adult Top 40 chart and #29 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in April 2005. It also reached #97 on the Hot 100.

"The Complete U2" features a demo version of the song with a different verse but without the falsetto chorus line. On the album's deluxe edition bonus DVD is an acoustic performance of the song by Bono and The Edge.

It was featured on the second season of "The O.C.", episode 4, titled "The New Era". It was also featured on the "Ugly Betty" episode "I See Me, I.C.U.". It played after it was revealed that Bradford Meade, father of Daniel Meade died, drawing parallels to the song's concept.

Track listings

CD1

# "Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own" (96 BPM Radio Edit) (4:51)
# "Fast Cars" (Jacknife Lee Mix) (3:28)

CD2

# "Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own" (96 BPM Radio Edit) (4:51)
# "Ave Maria" (Jacknife Lee Mix) (3:35)
# "Vertigo" (Redanka Power Mix) (7:32)

CD3 Japan

# "Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own" (96 BPM Radio Edit) (4:51)
# "Fast Cars" (Jacknife Lee Mix) (3:28)
# "Vertigo" (Trent Reznor Remix) (3:38)
# "Vertigo" (Redanka Power Mix) (7:32)
# "Ave Maria" (Jacknife Lee Mix) (3:35)

DVD

#"Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own" (Live from HQ, November 16 2004) (Video) (5:15)
#"Vertigo" (Video) (3:11)
#"Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own" (Album Version) (Audio) (5:05)
#"Vertigo" (Trent Reznor Remix) (Audio) (3:38)

Charts

References

* [http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=13016&sort=chartid Top40-Charts.com - "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" Single Charts Page] - last accessed on October 26, 2005
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:u2jc7i6jg71r~T51 All Music - U2 Charts and Awards] - last accessed on October 26, 2005