{{Short description|1998 single by U2}} {{About|the 1987 song "Sweetest Thing" by Irish rock band U2|other songs with similar titles|Sweetest Thing (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Infobox song | name = Sweetest Thing | cover = U2 Sweetest Thing.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = U2 | album = The Best of 1980–1990 | released = {{start date|1998|10|19|df=y}} | recorded = 1986–1987, 1998 | studio = | genre = Pop rock | length = * 3:03 (single mix) * 3:06 (original version) | label = Island | writer = U2 | producer = Steve Lillywhite, with Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno | prev_title = Mofo | prev_year = 1997 | next_title = Beautiful Day | next_year = 2000 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|5WybiA263bw|"Sweetest Thing"}}}} }} "'''Sweetest Thing'''" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It was originally released as a B-side on the "Where the Streets Have No Name" single in 1987. The song was later re-recorded and re-released as a single in October 1998 for the band's compilation album ''The Best of 1980–1990''.
"Sweetest Thing" became a number-one hit in Ireland, Canada, and Iceland and reached the top 10 in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the song peaked at number 63 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and number nine on the ''Billboard'' Modern Rock Tracks chart.
==Writing and recording== The song was written by Bono as an apology to his wife, Ali Hewson, for forgetting her birthday during ''The Joshua Tree'' sessions.<ref>U2.com Backgrounder, "The Sweetest Thing" http://www.u2.com/discography/index/album/albumId/4051/tagName/singles {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805052952/http://www.u2.com/discography/index/album/albumId/4051/tagName/singles |date=5 August 2010 }}</ref><ref name=woman>{{cite web|first1= Aaron |last1= Sams |first2= Harry |last2= Kantas |title= U2 – "The Sweetest Thing" (Single Mix) Video |publisher= U2songs.com |access-date= 2 August 2016 |url= http://www.u2songs.com/videos/the_sweetest_thing_single_mix}}</ref>
In 1998, a new version of the song was recorded for inclusion on the group's greatest hits compilation ''The Best of 1980–1990''. Producer Steve Lillywhite spent five days with the band to re-record vocals and guitar parts.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1998/10/02/hear-and-now-8/|title=Hear and Now|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Rob|last=Brunner|date=2 October 1998|issue=452|page=74|access-date=25 March 2021}}</ref>
At Ali's request, profits from the single went to her favoured charity, Chernobyl Children International.<ref name=woman/>
==Release== A version by New York gospel choir, The New Voices of Freedom, appears on the soundtrack to the 1988 Bill Murray film ''Scrooged''. It was recorded following U2's performance of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" with the choir at Madison Square Garden, which appears on the band's 1988 album ''Rattle and Hum''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=McGee |first=Matt |title=U2: A Diary |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2008 | pages =111 |isbn=978-1-84772-108-2}}</ref>
To promote the release of the single in 1998, Island Records distributed "Sweetest Thing" chocolate bars, wrapped to look like the single, throughout Europe. They have become a very valuable collector's item among U2 fans during the 2000s.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.u2wanderer.org/silver/sil003.html| title = Sweetest Thing Chocolate Bar| access-date = 23 March 2007| publisher = U2Wanderer.org | work = U2 Collectibles and Memorabilia – Silver & Gold}}</ref> The song reached number one in Canada, Iceland, and Ireland, number three in the United Kingdom, number six in Australia, number 63 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, number nine on the ''Billboard'' Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number 31 on the ''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
==Live performances== The song made its live debut on the opening night of the 2001 Elevation Tour, and was played occasionally over the first and second legs.<ref>{{Cite web|title = U2 Sweetest Thing – U2 on tour|url = http://www.u2gigs.com/Sweetest_Thing-s13.html|website = U2gigs.com|access-date = 25 December 2015}}</ref> It was then not played again until the 2015 Innocence + Experience Tour, where once again it only made occasional appearances over the course of the tour. It also made a few appearances in the acoustic section of the 2023–2024 Las Vegas residency U2:UV ''Achtung Baby'' Live at Sphere.
Performances on the Elevation Tour featured Bono playing the piano parts while The Edge played electric guitar. On the Innocence + Experience Tour, it was played on the e-stage in a stripped-down version, with The Edge playing acoustic guitar and Bono joining in on the piano about halfway through the song. During the band's 2023–2024 concert residency U2:UV ''Achtung Baby'' Live at Sphere, it was played with The Edge on acoustic guitar while Bono joined in halfway through the song on piano.
==Music video== [[File:Alison Hewson.jpg|thumb|upright|Bono's wife, Ali Hewson, appears in the music video]] The video was directed by Kevin Godley. It features Bono taking Hewson on a carriage ride along the Georgian mile in Dublin, from Fitzwilliam Place onto Upper Fitzwilliam Street,<ref>{{cite web | title =Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin, Ireland | url= http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=fitzwilliam+place,+dublin&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=18.808364,44.780273&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Fitzwilliam+Pl,+Dublin+2,+Ireland&t=h&z=16| website = Google Maps}}</ref> enlisting various performers along the way in an effort to apologise to her. The performers featured include Riverdance, Boyzone, Steve Collins, the Artane Boys Band, Chippendales dancers, and the Celtic Knights. The other members of U2 — The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. — appear in the video, as do Norman Hewson (Bono's brother) and Dik Evans (The Edge's brother).<ref name="woman"/>
==Track listings== {{Track listing | |headline=UK cassette single and European CD single<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Sweetest Thing|year=1998|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Island Records|id=CIS 727, 572 464-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Sweetest Thing|year=1998|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Island Records|id=CIDT 727, 572 468-2}}</ref> |title1=Sweetest Thing |note1=single mix |length1=3:00 |title2=Stories for Boys |note2=live in Boston, Massachusetts, 6 March 1981 |length2=3:02 }}
{{Track listing | |headline=UK and Australian CD1<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Sweetest Thing|year=1998|type=UK & Australian CD1 liner notes|publisher=Island Records|id=CID 727, 572 466-2}}</ref> |title1=Sweetest Thing |note1=single mix |length1=3:00 |title2=Twilight |note2=live from Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado, 5 June 1983 |length2=4:29 |title3=An Cat Dubh/Into the Heart |note3=live from Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado, 5 June 1983 |length3=7:14 }} The back cover lists the third track simply as a live version of "An Cat Dubh".
{{Track listing| | headline = UK and Australian CD2<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Sweetest Thing|year=1998|type=UK & Australian CD2 liner notes|publisher=Island Records|id=CIDX 727, 572 464-2}}</ref> | title1 = Sweetest Thing | note1 = single mix | length1 = 3:00 | title2 = Stories for Boys | note2 = live in Boston, Massachusetts, 6 March 1981 | length2 = 3:02 | title3 = Out of Control | note3 = live in Boston, 6 March 1981 | length3 = 4:25 }}
{{Track listing | |headline=Japanese mini-CD single<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Sweetest Thing|year=1998|type=Japanese mini-CD single liner notes|publisher=Island Records|id=PHDR-953}}</ref> |title1=Sweetest Thing |note1=single mix |length1=3:00 |title2=With or Without You |length2=4:55 }}
==Personnel== '''U2''' * Bono – lead vocals * The Edge – piano, guitar, backing vocals * Adam Clayton – bass guitar * Larry Mullen Jr. – drums
'''Additional personnel''' * (Uncredited musicians) - strings
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Weekly chart performance for "Sweetest Thing" !Chart (1998–1999) !Peak<br/>position |- {{single chart|Australia|6|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Austria|7|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Flanders|23|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Wallonia|33|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/u2/chart-history/cns|title=U2 Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=8 October 2023}}</ref> |1 |- {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=7041|rowheader=true|access-date=28 March 2018}} |- {{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|5|chartid=7024|rowheader=true|access-date=30 April 2019}} |- !scope="row"|Denmark (IFPI)<ref name="m&m">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-11-21.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=47|page=22|date=21 November 1998|access-date=6 February 2020}}</ref> |6 |- !scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-11-07.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=45|page=14|date=7 November 1998|access-date=6 February 2020}}</ref> |3 |- {{single chart|Finland|6|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|France|18|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Germany|21|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|songid=3787|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"|Greece (IFPI)<ref name="m&m"/> |4 |- !scope="row"|Hungary (Mahasz)<ref name="m&m2">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-11-07.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=45|page=16|date=7 November 1998|access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref> |3 |- !scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2977741#page/n11/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn (4.12–11.12. 1998)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=12|date=4 December 1998|access-date=4 October 2019}}</ref> |1 |- {{single chart|Ireland2|1|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 March 2018}} |- !scope="row"|Italy (''Musica e dischi'')<ref name="m&m2"/> |2 |- !scope="row"|Italy Airplay (''Music & Media'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-11-21.pdf|title=Major Market Airplay: Italy|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=47|page=35|date=21 November 1998}}</ref> |1 |- {{single chart|Dutch40|9|year=1998|week=46|rowheader=true|access-date=30 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|Dutch100|7|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true|access-date=30 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|New Zealand|3|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Norway|4|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Scotland|2|date=19981031|rowheader=true|access-date=28 March 2018}} |- !scope="row"|Spain (AFYVE)<ref name="m&m"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st|date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref> |2 |- {{single chart|Sweden|6|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Switzerland|28|artist=U2|song=Sweetest Thing|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|UK|3|date=19981031|rowheader=true|access-date=28 March 2018|refname="ukc"}} |- {{single chart|Billboardhot100|63|artist=U2|rowheader=true|access-date=28 March 2018}} |- {{single chart|Billboardadultalternativesongs|4|artist=U2|rowheader=true|access-date=30 April 2019}} |- {{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|12|artist=U2|rowheader=true|access-date=28 March 2018}} |- {{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|9|artist=U2|rowheader=true|access-date=28 March 2018}} |- {{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|31|artist=U2|rowheader=true|access-date=28 March 2018}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Year-end chart performance for "Sweetest Thing" !Chart (1998) !Position |- !scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1998/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1998|publisher=ARIA|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref> |55 |- !scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Volume+68-No.+12-December+14%2C+1998.pdf|title=RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98|magazine=RPM|volume=63|issue=12|page=20|date=14 December 1998|access-date=23 March 2019}}</ref> |98 |- !scope="row"|Canada Adult Contemporary (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6979&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6979.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6979|title=RPM's Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of '98|magazine=RPM|via=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref> |60 |- !scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-12-19.pdf|title=Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1998|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=51|page=8|date=19 December 1998|access-date=6 February 2020}}</ref> |47 |- !scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2978871?iabr=on#page/n29/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 100 – Vinsælustu Lögin '98|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=34|date=2 January 1999|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref> |37 |- !scope="row"|Sweden (Hitlistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1998&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 1998|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=6 October 2021}}</ref> |79 |- !scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Sellers of 1998 – Singles Top 100|magazine=Music Week|page=7|date=16 January 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hosting1642755.az.pl/sp%20uk%20best%201998.html|title=Najlepsze single na UK Top 40-1998 wg sprzedaży|language=pl|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=30 April 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604184020/http://hosting1642755.az.pl/sp%20uk%20best%201998.html|archive-date=4 June 2015}}</ref> |69 |- !scope="row"|US Adult Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1998|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=6|issue=52|page=55|date=25 December 1998}}</ref> |86 |- !scope="row"|US Modern Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Most Played Modern Rock Songs of 1998|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=6|issue=52|page=36|date=25 December 1998}}</ref> |91 |} {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (1999) !Position |- !scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9952&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9952.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9952|title=RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks|magazine=RPM|via=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref> |65 |- !scope="row"|Canada Adult Contemporary (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9964&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9964.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9964|title=RPM 1999 Top Adult Contemporary|magazine=RPM|via=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref> |73 |- !scope="row"|US Adult Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1999|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=7|issue=52|page=47|date=24 December 1999}}</ref> |34 |- !scope="row"|US Modern Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Most Played Modern Rock Songs of 1999|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=7|issue=52|page=36|date=24 December 1999}}</ref> |42 |- !scope="row"|US Triple-A (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Best of '99: Most Played Triple-A Songs|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=7|issue=52|page=38|date=24 December 1999}}</ref> |14 |} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (2001) !Position |- !scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2001_singles2.html|title=Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001|publisher=Jam!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020726120310/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2001_singles2.html|archive-date=26 July 2002|access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref> |109 |} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (2002) !Position |- !scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_singles2.html|title=Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002 (Part 2)|publisher=Jam!|date=14 January 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040906184715/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_singles2.html|archive-date=6 September 2004}}</ref> |172 |}
===Decade-end charts=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Decade-end chart performance for "Sweetest Thing" !Chart (1990–1999) !Position |- !scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_1990.html|title=Top 100 singles of the 1990s|last=Lwin|first=Nanda|publisher=Jam!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000829070927/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_1990.html|archive-date=29 August 2000|access-date=26 March 2022}}</ref> |95 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Sweetest Thing"}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1998|certyear=1998|access-date=30 April 2019}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=U2|title=Sweetest Thing|award=Platinum|relyear=1998|certyear=2025|source=radioscope|access-date=29 July 2025}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1998|certyear=1999|access-date=6 July 2019}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=U2|title=Sweetest Thing|award=Gold|relyear=1998|certyear=2022|id=6423-263-1|access-date=7 January 2022}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
==Release history== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+Release dates and formats for "Sweetest Thing" !scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format(s) !scope="col"|Label(s) !scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}} |- !scope="row"|United States |29 September 1998 |Contemporary hit radio |rowspan="4"|Island |align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1267|page=37|date=25 September 1998}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|United Kingdom |19 October 1998 |{{hlist|CD|cassette}} |align="center"|<ref name="u2songs">{{cite web|first1= Aaron |last1= Sams |first2= Harry |last2= Kantas |title= U2 – "Sweetest Thing" Single |website= U2songs.com |access-date= 2 August 2016 |url= http://www.u2songs.com/discography/u2_sweetest_thing_single}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=29|date=17 October 1998}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|Canada |20 October 1998 |CD |align="center"|<ref name="u2songs"/> |- !scope="row"|Japan |28 October 1998 |Mini-CD |align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/25234/products/188045/1/|title=スイーテスト・シング {{!}} U2|trans-title=Sweetest Thing {{!}} U2|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=30 August 2023}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{U2 songs}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sweetest Thing, The}} Category:1987 songs Category:1998 singles Category:Canadian Singles Chart number-one singles Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles Category:Island Records singles Category:Music videos directed by Kevin Godley Category:Number-one singles in Iceland Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles Category:Song recordings produced by Brian Eno Category:Song recordings produced by Daniel Lanois Category:Song recordings produced by Steve Lillywhite Category:Songs written by Adam Clayton Category:Songs written by Bono Category:Songs written by the Edge Category:Songs written by Larry Mullen Jr. Category:U2 songs