U2's Bono Apologizes for Automatic 'Songs of Innocence' Album Download

[movieator]

Bono: "Hey, we apologize. It was an idea we fully didn't think through. We are passionate about our music and got carried away. Still, sorry for the inconvenience."

The Internets: "Not good enough. You made something happen where no one got hurt, no one died, it didn't take more than a minute to get rid of, and is ultimately nothing more than a series of ones and zeros. But still, we are entitled. We deserve reparations! WAAAAHHHHH!"

 

[gavroche]

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but this wasn't "auto-downloaded". It was simply made available in our libraries as if we had bought it. The content itself wasn't physically loaded onto our devices until we clicked (tapped) the download button. I don't get why folks were all bent out of shape over this.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a U2 fan. I took the steps to have it removed, just as a lot of you did, I bet.

Correct. Some people have enabled the setting to automatically download purchased content (there is one for music, apps, books, and updates). I can't remember if they are an or off by default.

 

[Roessnakhan]

It's a good apology for those who felt it was forced upon them. Honestly better than you'd get from other celebrities. I like the free album, listen to it sometimes when I'm working. It's inoffensive, forgettable, but good background noise.

 

[l00pback]

You know that free 10 pound phone book that gets thrown on your doorstep every year whether you like it or not that you have to pick up and dispose of yourself? Pain in the @ss isn't it?

U2 is that phone book.

I requested my address be removed from "their" list. I also requested that the U2 album be removed from my account. Is it a pain in the a$$? Maybe, but so is opening a can of soda, in relative terms.

Out of those who didn't want the album, I think we can all agree that maybe it could have been handled better. It's just a matter of degree that it irritates each of us. There are more important things to be upset about.

 

[richdruitt]

Apple gave everyone a gift by *purchasing* the album. You had your device(s) configured to automatically download purchases. It would take 3 minutes of your life to remove the album. I fail to see what justifies getting upset over this.

OK then, what if you live in a country where you don't have unlimited data?

I see a big problem. They didn't have to push it. I see something far more sinister at play here. Modern music charts are based upon downloads. When you have an album that has effectively been purchased by every single Apple customer in the world, then you cheat the music charts.

It's utterly disgusting behaviour from Apple and utterly disgusting behaviour by U2. I'm not surprised in the lack of morality or ethics by U2, but I'm totally shocked by the utter lack from Apple. They really are becoming an evil company.

 

[apolloa]

They're Irish, so it was €€€€€€€€€€€€€.

Wouldn't it be €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€, they are Irish.

haha yes you guy's are right I've edited my post

 

[wav]

I love this album. Very classy response from Bono.

I certainly can't say this for all the whining crybabies on this thread.

One thing's for sure... that Conan skit was right on the money.

 

[gavroche]

Fixed!

Just because users "experienced" the album, doesn't mean they wanted to...

Response the first: You are conversely assuming that no one who downloaded/experienced it wanted to...

Response the second: I have no sympathy for people who leave automatic downloads enabled in settings, and then complain if they receive it. Turn it off it it chaps your hide so much.

 

[dannyyankou]

Not satisfied. I want to punch that no talent ass clown right in the throat for poisoning my iTunes. U2 sucks! It really pissed me off only because of my hatred for Bono.

Sounds like a free album being put in your iTunes library really had a negative impact on your life.

 

[Solomani]

Apple gave everyone a gift by *purchasing* the album. You had your device(s) configured to automatically download purchases. It would take 3 minutes of your life to remove the album. I fail to see what justifies getting upset over this.

MR whiners just complaining of another First World Problem.

As opposed to Yazidis, Christians, and Kurds being massacred in some Middle Eastern country or two. I'm sure having to worry about Bono's music downloaded to their iPhones is the least of their worries.

 

[vpro]

what a sweetheart

Super sweethearts I love musicians!

No harm done, I was a little upset or a lot upset, but I understand. I wish they would do that with much lesser known artists everyday so that everyone gets heard and everyone reaches 5 million plus people right? What a happy world that would be if every artist were able to keep a roof over their heads, food in their bellies and love in their lives. What more do we need?


I LOVE You all!



^_^

 

[prometheus6]

OK then, what if you live in a country where you don't have unlimited data?

I see a big problem. They didn't have to push it. I see something far more sinister at play here. Modern music charts are based upon downloads. When you have an album that has effectively been purchased by every single Apple customer in the world, then you cheat the music charts.

It's utterly disgusting behaviour from Apple and utterly disgusting behaviour by U2. I'm not surprised in the lack of morality or ethics by U2, but I'm totally shocked by the utter lack from Apple. They really are becoming an evil company.

If you class that as evil, you really need to check your priorities.... I'd say evil is the beheadings happening by ISIS, or rapists, or murderers etc... Clearly giving people a gift is evil

 

[spectrumfox]

Did you not read my whole post? Were talking about an album. As I conceded, there would probably be cause for concern if it were an app. Apple asks when you get your new device if you want to download their apps, they don't push them.

Again. An album. The T&C you agreed too probably allows it too.

With this said, I bet many of these people complaining are happy to use torrent sites, which are full of viruses, malware, etc. But don't have a problem with this.

Like I said. An app would be different.

You're right, an app would be different.

But people need to make noise and let Apple know that this kind of practice is not okay.

Today it's an album. Tomorrow it could be an app that you can't remove.

The line has to be drawn somewhere, and that's what this is all about.

 

[rwilliams]

This is one of the silliest examples of a "First World Problem" I've ever seen. People whining about being given free music. Just delete it.

But that's too sensible. People these days need something to be outraged about, no matter how trivial. Some people just love to complain about anything.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Now I am curious. I want to listen to it now.

 

[gavroche]

I think the biggest issue isn't that it auto-downloaded, although that is unacceptable

Out of curiosity, why do you think it is unacceptable? In Settings > Itunes & App Store you can toggle on/off automatic downloads for music, apps, books, and updates. Why is it anyone else's fault if you choose to leave it enabled?

 

[UpperQuadrant]

They should apologize how terrible their music is.

No kidding, it was a horrible sounding album. I deleted it after I listened to it once. Horrible sounding album and the actual songwriting wasn't that great either. And this is from the biggest rock band? Awful, just awful. I'll take an old Beatles album over this crap anyday of the week if i want to listen to a well recorded rock album that has classic songwriting.

----------

Now I am curious. I want to listen to it now.

Unless you are a hardcore U2 fan, you don't want to listen to it. It was a horrible recording.

 

[bigandtasty]

The band who's 2011 tour was the highest grossing revenue of all time, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and has won more Grammy's than any other artist of all time isn't relevant?

Interesting (and incorrect) position.

Thanks for the stats! Completely changed my position, party on!

 

[Alphabetize]

I don't have any opinion on the free U2 album, but I feel that this whole event could have been avoided if Apple just posted the album on iTunes and put a "free" icon next to it.

 

[gavroche]

Apple paid them dumdum. Additionally people don't want this in THEIR device. It was completely forced.

I feel like calling out every single person that makes gear statements. First, you do not speak for all people... So do not say "people don't want this." Some do. Second, nothing was forced. You had to choose to download it.

 

[Avatar74]

I'm confused.... I thought there was some big moral argument about how music should be free? I guess it's not fun when it's legal? Or maybe it's not fun when the record label is doing something with your property (your hard drive) that you don't want them to do but it's only okay when you want to do something with their property against their wishes? Hmm...

 

[collinsra]

I would say many artists work very hard on their craft, not just U2. They almost make it seem like no one works as hard as they. Must be nice to have the means to put it out with Apple as the vessel.

 

[supermoon]

I just went to look at the album in iTunes and the artwork changed from a photo of an LP sleeve to Bono on his knees embracing his son, both of them shirtless. Intriguing artful vibes but not enough to actually make me listen to unremarkable pop-rock.

 

[JAT]

Unless you are a hardcore U2 fan, you don't want to listen to it. It was a horrible recording.

Any details? Compression?

 

[vpro]

free?

I'm confused.... I thought there was some big moral argument about how music should be free? I guess it's not fun when it's legal?

artists have to be paid, how is giving away music free benefiting the art?

besides, timmy cookie gave out the album free because the shiny crispy red fruity company purchased all those digital albums to give out as promotional material, he may have also asked bonono to give a discount for "exposure" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!!!! hey you wanna reach 10 billion folks on eyetoons? want more "exposure"? HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!

exposure kills

if you want all the free music you can get - great, just pick from the top 40's and the one hit wonder's pile. don't expect incredible independent artists to give their art free. you are not expected to pay, you should just pay for art period

love you all!