U218 Singles (compilation album) by U2

Not really a U2 fan. I'd never buy any of there studio albums but they have put out some great songs over there career. So this suits me to tee. Most of the songs I like are on it. Only complaint with this is 'The Fly' isn't featured, which is my favorite U2 song

A decent collection, although it does favor ATYCLB way too much. (Elevation but no Stay or Angel of Harlem???)

From RoundTheBend 03/21/2013 06:01

Really liked Windows in the Sky. Not a big fan of best ofs, but I guess this is a decent one. The Green Day/U2 thing was ok.

All the best-known songs. U2 in brief

On the contrary to the comment from user lightmyway, I would highly recommend this to a beginner, and would veer someone from most of their Pop-era tracks until they are well into their back catalog.

Not only is this collection geared towards newer fans, but it is also possibly an introduction for those older fans who who religiously bash anything post-1992, even if they haven't heard any of their albums from 2000 on.

U218 Singles compiles arguably the most recognizable songs of the band. I have noticed that according to Mediabase, the list of the 16 most-played U2 songs on the radio since 1998 is not only identical to the 16 previously released tracks from U218 Singles, but it is in almost the same order. I am quite sure that the point of this collection was to compile all of their essential songs, starting with the most popular/recognizable, and working down.

So no, it might not cover material from all of their albums, however, not all of their albums included big hits: October and Zooropa didn't really have any tracks a casual listener would recognize; and despite immediate success and several hit singles, just about nothing from the Pop album has stood the test of time.

The only major flaw in my opinion is that the UK version of U218 singles includes "I Will Follow" as a bonus track, which should have been included on all editions of this album, as it allows the listener to hear where U2's recording career started: in 1980, not 1983.

From lightmyway 04/26/2012 09:58

Bought this for the two okay new songs. I wouldn't recommend this to a beginner; there aren't any songs from Zooropa or Pop, and I'm surprised Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me wasn't included.

Window in the Skies is one of my favorite songs and this is easily their best compilation album.

The most essential U2 CD for me.

From Omid 09/18/2010 02:58

This album consists of most of the greatest U2 songs,each of them is beautiful and unforgetable,showing the highest level of U2 music.