| "40" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by U2 | ||||
| from the album War | ||||
| B-side | "Two Hearts Beat as One" | |||
| Released | August 1983 | |||
| Recorded | September–November 1982 | |||
| Studio | Windmill Lane Studios (Dublin) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:35 | |||
| Label | Island | |||
| Songwriter(s) | U2 | |||
| Producer(s) | Steve Lillywhite | |||
| U2 singles chronology | ||||
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"40", also known as "40 (How Long)", is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the tenth and final track on their 1983 album, War. The song is noted for its live performances; guitarist the Edge and bassist Adam Clayton trade instruments during performances of it, and as it was commonly played to end their concerts, the band would leave the stage one-by-one as the audience continued to sing the refrain "How long to sing this song?". The lyrics are a modification of the Bible's Psalm 40.
The song was released as a commercial single only in Germany, simply to promote U2's appearance at the Loreley Festival in 1983.[1] The single was released on a 7-inch gramophone record with a B-side of the album version of "Two Hearts Beat as One". Since its live debut on 26 February 1983, in Dundee, "40" has been a staple of U2's live concerts, having been performed almost 400 times.[2]
- ^ Aaron J. Sams. ":: U2 Discography - 40 Single / U2". U2Wanderer.Org. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "U2 40 - U2 on tour". U2gigs.com. Retrieved 3 September 2011.