One

The music is credited to U2 and the lyrics to Bono. At Hansa the Edge's bridge chords were joined with another section at Lanois's suggestion, which became the breakthrough of the sessions. Bono said the melody and structure were done in about 15 minutes. The final mix was done at Windmill Lane in September 1991.

Bono said it was about coming together without a hippie idea of unity. The Edge called it a bitter, twisted conversation, and in 2005 Bono described it as a father and son story. The single came out on 24 February 1992 as a benefit for AIDS research, with the B-side Lady with the Spinning Head (UV1). It reached 7 in the United Kingdom, 10 in the United States and number one in Ireland and Canada. Three videos were made, by Anton Corbijn in Berlin (withdrawn), Mark Pellington and Phil Joanou.

Live and covers

It was first played on 29 February 1992 in Lakeland, Florida, on the opening night of Zoo TV. In Mexico City in 1997 it was dedicated to Michael Hutchence. In 1993 R.E.M. and U2 played an acoustic version as Automatic Baby. Mary J. Blige recorded a duet with U2 for her 2005 album, released as a 2006 single that reached 2 in the United Kingdom.