"With or Without You" is the lead single from U2's 1987 album, The Joshua Tree. It has since become highly-acclaimed as one of the band's most popular songs. Released as a single in March 1987, it became the group's first American #1 hit, spending three weeks at the top; it also reached #4 in the UK. There are two videos shot for this song: 'basic' and 'alternative' videos, the rest is being released on 'The Joshua Tree' 20th anniversary super deluxe edition bonus DVD.
According to Bono, the song was heavily influenced by Scott Walker's album Climate of Hunter id=29&type=all_singles" target="_blank">http://www.u2.com/music/index.php?album_id=29&type=all_singles. It was U2's first single to be widely issued on _CD. The song is U2's second most frequently covered song.
In addition to topping the Billboard Hot 100, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and was the first U2 song to enter any other Billboard chart (specifically, the Adult Contemporary chart). In addition, the song spent eleven weeks in the top 75 of the UK Singles Chart. "With or Without You" is also widely considered one of U2's most overtly emotional songs. The guitar riff at the end of the song is a simple set of notes the Edge came up with to give the sad song a "happy ending".
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine placed the single at number 131 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
