“So pissed off”: When The Edge overdubbed Larry Mullen’s U2 drums
Suffering burnout or a sudden lack of creative flow is an absolute no-go for musicians. Even some of the most successful bands in the world experience it occasionally, but the issue arrives when it occurs in the middle of recording sessions. For U2, recording October already came with its share of risks, but a much-needed wake-up call for Larry Mullen caused him to force himself out of the throes of a frustrating spell of exhaustion.
Despite their broader successes, U2 experienced a somewhat rocky start as they worked to find their footing. Some of their early hits resonated with fans because they captured the raw energy and urgency of the post-punk scene. However, with their second album, October, U2 took some unexpected and awkward turns by addressing deeply personal struggles, particularly around issues of faith and self-esteem.
This choice was a departure from the typical themes of rock at the time, and it yielded a certain amount of uncertainty about how they would fit into the broader landscape, causing complicated rifts and, at times, a defeatist and fatigued atmosphere in the studio. This was largely on Mullen’s part, who was feeling the strain of emerging from a relentless touring schedule and immense pressure to put effort into something that every member knew was a significant risk.
To make matters worse, Bono misplaced a briefcase full of lyrics, which caused him to scurry in a panic to rewrite a significant portion of the record. Not only did this ripple out onto the rest of the band, but their producer, Steve Lillywhite, revealed it contributed to an already “chaotic and mad” atmosphere, pushing the team into fight or flight.
Aside from the spiritual and religious themes scattered throughout the record, the band got a chance to channel some of their frustrations into ‘I Threw A Brick Through A Window’, which, aside from the obvious aggression exuding from the title, reflected Bono’s current struggles with self-esteem and hating what he saw when he looked into the mirror.
However, Mullen encountered one significant setback when trying to keep up with the tempo of the song. He was exhausted, frustrated, and disillusioned with the whole idea, which weighed him down and impacted his performance. He likely didn’t think much of it, hoping that he would return the next day with a refreshed sense of motivation. However, upon arriving at the studio, he learned The Edge had replaced his parts instead of giving him a second chance.
“The real wake-up call for me was after a long day getting nowhere on ‘I Threw A Brick’,” he later reflected. Noting the realisation he experienced upon hearing the news, he added: “When I came back to the studio the following day, Edge had overdubbed a great tom part. I was so pissed off he had come up with a better drum part than me. It was the kick in the ass I needed.”
Despite these challenges, ‘I Threw A Brick Through A Window’ became a live staple throughout the 1980s, and it’s clear from the thunderous drumming intro that Mullen regained his energy in time to wow a live audience. Mullen’s burnout might have impacted a section of the recording sessions, but some musicians experience his level of frustration for months, even years—in his case, all that was needed was a reminder that if he didn’t pull himself from the depths, U2 would have moved forward regardless.
