After Apple unleashed its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models in September, it also let iTunes users know that not only would U2’s new album, “Songs of Innocence,” be available for free, it would be automatically downloaded to users’ libraries.
People complained, whined and were outraged. The band was compared to Nickelback, and within a week of the conference Apple offered a removal tool for the U2 album.
(Photo: Getty Images)
U2 did a Facebook Q&A session Tuesday, and of course someone brought up the album.
“Can you please never release an album on iTunes that automatically downloads to people’s playlists ever again? It’s really rude.”
So Bono responded with a half-apology.
“Oops. I’m sorry about that. I had this beautiful idea and we got carried away with ourselves. Artists are prone to that kind of thing. Drop of megalomania, touch of generosity, dash of self-promotion, and deep fear that these songs that we poured our life into over the last few years mightn’t be heard. There’s a lot of noise out there. I guess we got a little noisy ourselves to get through it.”
The album, no longer free, has been available since Monday. Reportedly 81 million users “experienced” the album during its trial, but it’s unclear how many wanted that experience. (RELATED: Conan Wants To Erase More Of U2 Than Just Their Album)