I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For - wikipedia I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For Jump to : navigation , search `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' Single by U2 from the album The Joshua Tree B - side `` Spanish Eyes '' `` Deep in the Heart '' Released 25 May 1987 Format 7 '' vinyl 12 '' vinyl CD cassette Recorded 1986 Studio Danesmoate House ( Dublin ) Genre Rock gospel Length 4 : 37 Label Island Songwriter ( s ) U2 ( music ) Bono ( lyrics ) Producer ( s ) Daniel Lanois Brian Eno U2 singles chronology `` With or Without You '' ( 1987 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1987 ) `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' ( 1987 ) `` With or Without You '' ( 1987 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1987 ) `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' ( 1987 ) Audio sample file help `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' is a song by Irish rock band U2 . It is the second track from their 1987 album The Joshua Tree and was released as the album 's second single in May 1987 . The song was a hit , becoming the band 's second consecutive number - one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 while peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart . The song originated from a demo the band recorded on which drummer Larry Mullen Jr. played a unique rhythm pattern . Like much of The Joshua Tree , the song was inspired by the group 's interest in American music . `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' exhibits influences from gospel music and its lyrics describe spiritual yearning . Lead singer Bono 's vocals are in high register and lead guitarist the Edge plays a chiming arpeggio . Adding to the gospel qualities of the song are choir - like backing vocals provided by the Edge and producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois . `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' was critically acclaimed and received two nominations at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988 , for Record of the Year and Song of the Year . It has subsequently become one of the group 's most well - known songs and has been performed on many of their concert tours . The track has appeared on several of their compilations and concert films . Many critics and publications have ranked `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' among the greatest tracks in music history including Rolling Stone which ranked the song at # 93 of its list of `` The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time '' . Contents ( hide ) 1 Writing and recording 2 Release 2.1 Music video 2.2 B - sides 3 Live performances 4 Reception 5 Legacy 6 Track listing 7 Personnel 8 Chart performance 8.1 Weekly charts 8.2 Year - end charts 9 The Chimes cover 9.1 Critical reception 9.2 Charts 10 See also 11 References 12 External links Writing and recording ( edit ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' originated from a demo variously titled `` The Weather Girls '' and `` Under the Weather '' that the band recorded during a jam session . Bassist Adam Clayton called the demo 's melody `` a bit of a one - note groove '' , while an unconvinced The Edge , the band 's guitarist , compared it to `` ' Eye of the Tiger ' played by a reggae band '' . However , the band liked the drum part played by drummer Larry Mullen Jr . Co-producer Daniel Lanois said , `` It was a very original beat from Larry . We always look for those beats that would qualify as a signature for the song . And that certainly was one of those . It had this tom - tom thing that he does and nobody ever understands . And we just did n't want to let go of that beat , it was so unique . '' Lanois encouraged Mullen to continue developing the weird drum pattern beyond the demo . Mullen said the beat became even more unusual , and although Lanois eventually mixed most of the pattern out to just keep the basics , the rhythm became the root of `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' . `` I 've always liked gospel music and I encouraged Bono to take it to that place ... It was a very non-U2 thing to do at the time , to go up the street of gospel . I think it opened a door for them , to experiment with that territory ... ( Bono ) 's singing at the top of his range and there is something very compelling about somebody pushing themselves . It 's like hearing Aretha Franklin almost . It jumps on you and you ca n't help but feel the feeling . '' -- Daniel Lanois The group worked on the track at the studio they had set up at Danesmoate House in Dublin . Lanois compared the creation of the song to constructing a building , first laying down the drums as the foundation , then adding additional layers piece by piece , before finally `` putting in furniture '' . Lead singer Bono was interested in the theme of spiritual doubt , which was fostered by Eno 's love for gospel music , and by Bono 's listening to songs by The Swan Silvertones , The Staple Singers , and Blind Willie Johnson . After the Edge wrote a chord sequence and played it on acoustic guitar `` with a lot of power in the strumming '' , the group attempted to compose a suitable vocal melody , trying out a variety of ideas . During a jam session , Bono began singing a `` classic soul '' melody , and it was this addition that made the Edge hear the song 's potential . At that point , he remembered a phrase he had written in a notebook that morning as a possible song title , `` I still have n't found what I 'm looking for '' . He suggests it was influenced by a line from the Bob Dylan song `` Idiot Wind '' : `` You 'll find out when you reach the top you 're on the bottom '' . He wrote the phrase on a piece of paper and handed it to Bono while he was singing . The Edge called the phrase 's fit with the song `` like hand in glove '' . From that point on , the song was the first piece played to visitors during the recording sessions . As recording continued , a number of guitar overdubs were added , including an auto - pan effect and a chiming arpeggio to modernise the old - style `` gospel song '' . While the Edge was improvising guitar parts one day , Bono heard a `` chrome bells '' guitar hook that he liked . It was added as a counter-melody to the song 's `` muddy shoes '' guitar part , and it is this hook that the Edge plays during live performances of the song . Bono sang in the upper register of his range to add to the feeling of spiritual yearning ; in the verses he hits a B - flat note , and an A-flat in the chorus . Background vocals were provided by the Edge , Lanois , and co-producer Brian Eno , their voices being multi-tracked . Lanois suggests that his and Eno 's involvement in the track 's creation helped their vocals . He stated , `` You 're not going to get that sound of , ' Oh they brought in some soul singers ' if you know what I mean . Our hearts and souls are already there . If we sing it 'll sound more real . '' Lanois also played a percussive guitar part , which is heard in the introduction . The song 's writing was completed relatively early during the band 's time at Danesmoate House . The mix took longer to complete , though , with most of the production team contributing . The final mix was completed by Lanois and the Edge in a home studio set up at Melbeach , a house purchased by the Edge . They mixed it on top of a previous Steve Lillywhite mix , which gave the song a phasing sound . Lanois says he is very attached to `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' and has , on occasion , joined U2 on stage to perform it . The original `` Weather Girls '' demo , re-titled `` Desert of Our Love '' , was included with the 2007 remastered version of The Joshua Tree on a bonus disc of outtakes and B - sides . Release ( edit ) Initially , `` Red Hill Mining Town '' was planned for release as the second single . However , Bono was unable to sing the song during pre-tour rehearsals and the band were reportedly unhappy with the video shot by Neil Jordan , so `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' became a late choice for the second single . The single was released in May 1987 . On the US Billboard Hot 100 , the song debuted at number 51 on 13 June 1987 . After nearly 2 months on the chart , the song reached number one on 8 August 1987 , becoming the band 's second consecutive number - one hit in the United States . The song spent two weeks in the top spot , and remained on the chart for 17 weeks . On other Billboard charts , the song peaked at number 16 on the Adult Contemporary chart , and number two on the Album Rock Tracks chart . The song also topped the Irish Singles Chart , while peaking at number six on the Canadian RPM Top 100 and the UK Singles Chart . In New Zealand , the song peaked at number two on the RIANZ Top 40 Singles Chart , while reaching number six on the Dutch Top 40 and number 11 on the Swedish Singles Chart . Music video ( edit ) The music video for the song was filmed on Fremont Street in Las Vegas on 12 April 1987 following their Joshua Tree Tour concert in that city . It features the band members wandering around while the Edge plays an acoustic guitar . The music video was later re-released on The U218 Videos compilation DVD . Pat Christenson , president of Las Vegas 's official event organization , credits the group 's video with improving the city 's image among musicians . `` The whole perception of Vegas changed with that video , '' Christenson said , adding , `` Now all the big names come here , some of them five , six times a year . '' B - sides ( edit ) `` Spanish Eyes '' was created early during The Joshua Tree sessions . It began as a recording made in Adam Clayton 's house of Clayton , the Edge , and Larry Mullen Jr. playing around with several different elements . The piece evolved substantially over the course of an afternoon , but the cassette and its recording was subsequently lost and forgotten . The Edge found the cassette towards the end of the album sessions and played it to the rest of the group . The band realised that it was a good track , but did not have enough time to complete it prior to The Joshua Tree 's release . `` Deep in the Heart '' stemmed from a three - chord piano piece Bono composed on the piano about the last time he had been in the family home on Cedarwood Road in Dublin , which his father had just sold . The memories of his time living there gave rise to many of the lyrical ideas on the song . The Edge and Adam Clayton reworked the piece extensively , with Bono later describing the finished result as `` an almost jazz - like improvisation on three chords '' , also noting that `` the rhythm section turned it into a very special piece of music . '' The song was recorded in a similar manner to the song `` 4th of July '' from U2 's 1984 album , The Unforgettable Fire ; the Edge and Clayton were playing together in a room and unaware that they were being recorded on a 4 - track cassette machine by the band 's assistant , Marc Coleman . Live performances ( edit ) The song is U2 's 9th most played live song , and has been played on every tour . It was played at every date of The Joshua Tree and Lovetown Tours , typically early in the main set . It was played at most of the 1992 legs of the Zoo TV Tour , typically rounding out the main set or being played acoustically on the B - Stage mid set . For most of the 1993 Zooropa shows however , the song was dropped . It returned to be played at each of the PopMart Tour 's 93 shows , usually being played midway through the set . On the Elevation Tour it initially was very rare , only appearing once over the first and second legs . However , it became a regular again on the 3rd leg , being played late in the main set replacing the song `` Mysterious Ways '' , which was used in that spot on the previous two legs . It was played at the majority of both the Vertigo and U2 360 ° Tours , typically early - to - mid main set . It was used as the closing song at just under half of the shows on the Innocence + Experience Tour , rotating with `` One '' and `` 40 '' . Island Records commissioned New York choir director , Dennis Bell , to record a gospel version of the song , and Island intended to release it after U2 's single . However , Island boss Chris Blackwell vetoed the plan . Bell subsequently formed his own label and Rohit Jagessar picked it up for distribution in US . While in Glasgow in late July 1987 during the Joshua Tree Tour , Rob Partridge of Island Records played the demo that Bell and his choir , the New Voices of Freedom , had made . In late September , U2 rehearsed with Bell 's choir in Greater Calvary Baptist Church in Harlem for a performance together in a few days at U2 's Madison Square Garden concert . The Edge 's guitar was the only instrument that U2 brought to the church although Mullen borrowed a conga drum . The rehearsal was done with the church 's audio system and footage was used in the Rattle and Hum motion picture . Several performances were made with a piano player ; however , the version used in the film includes only Bono , the Edge , Mullen , and the choir . Audio from the Madison Square Garden performance appears on the accompanying album . A live performance of the song appears in the concert films PopMart : Live from Mexico City , Vertigo 05 : Live from Milan , Live from Paris and the most recent U2 360 ° at the Rose Bowl . The versions on the Mexico City and Milan concert films consist of just Bono 's voice and the Edge 's guitar until after the first chorus where the drum and bass parts kick in . Digital live versions were released through iTunes on the Love : Live from the Point Depot and U2. COMmunication albums . Reception ( edit ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' received widespread critical acclaim . Hot Press journalist Bill Graham described the song as on the one - hand as a `` smart job of pop handwork , pretty standard American radio rock - ballad fare '' but that `` the band 's rhythms are far more supple and cultivated than your average bouffant HM band of that period '' . The Sunday Independent suggested that the song was proof the band could be commercially accessible without resorting to rock clichés . NME remarked that the song showed that the band cared about something , which made them `` special '' . The Rocket noted that Bono 's lyrics about needing personal spirituality resulted in a `` unique marriage of American gospel and Gaelic soul '' and that the `` human perspective he brings to this sentiment rings far truer than the rantings of , say , the born - again Bob Dylan '' . Several publications , including The Bergen Record and The Boston Globe , called the track `` hypnotic '' and interpreted it as depicting the band on a spiritual quest . The song finished in 18th place on the `` Best Singles '' list from The Village Voice 's 1987 Pazz & Jop critics ' poll . Legacy ( edit ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' has been acclaimed by many critics and publications as one of the greatest songs of all time . In 2001 , the song was ranked at number 120 on the RIAA 's list of 365 `` Songs of the Century '' -- a project intended to `` promote a better understanding of America 's musical and cultural heritage '' -- despite the group 's Irish origins . In 2003 , a special edition issue of Q , titled `` 1001 Best Songs Ever '' , placed `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' at number 148 on its list of the greatest songs . In 2005 , Blender ranked the song at number 443 on its list of `` The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born '' . In 2010 , Rolling Stone placed the song at number 93 of its list of `` The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time '' . Los Angeles Times critic Robert Hilburn called it U2 's `` Let It Be '' , in reference to the Beatles song . The staff of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame selected `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' as one of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll . The song was covered by Scottish band the Chimes in 1990 and was featured on their self - titled debut album . The rendition peaked at number six in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand charts . It also peaked into number twelve in the Netherlands chart . Singer Cher used to open her shows with a cover of the song during her late 1990s and 2000s concerts . Track listing ( edit ) All tracks written by U2 . No . Title Producer Length 1 . `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' Brian Eno , Daniel Lanois 4 : 38 2 . `` Spanish Eyes '' U2 3 : 16 3 . `` Deep in the Heart '' U2 4 : 31 Total length : 11 : 25 Personnel ( edit ) U2 Bono - lead vocals The Edge - guitar , backing vocals Adam Clayton - bass guitar Larry Mullen Jr. - drums Additional performers Brian Eno - backing vocals Daniel Lanois - backing vocals Chart performance ( edit ) Weekly charts ( edit ) Chart ( 1987 ) Peak position Certification Australia 17 Austrian Singles Chart 10 Canadian RPM Singles Chart 6 Gold Dutch Top 40 6 Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 6 French Singles Chart 37 Irish Singles Chart New Zealand RIANZ Top 40 Singles Chart Swedish Singles Chart 11 UK Singles Chart 6 US Billboard Hot 100 US Billboard Adult Contemporary 16 US Billboard Album Rock Tracks US Cash Box Top 100 Year - end charts ( edit ) Chart ( 1987 ) Rank Australia 109 Canada 50 New Zealand 7 US Billboard Hot 100 23 US Cash Box 16 The Chimes cover ( edit ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' Single by The Chimes from the album The Chimes Released Format CD single Genre Dance Length 4 : 02 Label CBS Songwriter ( s ) U2 ( music ) Bono ( lyrics ) The Chimes singles chronology `` Heaven '' ( 1990 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1990 ) `` True Love '' ( 1990 ) `` Heaven '' ( 1990 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1990 ) `` True Love '' ( 1990 ) Music video `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' on YouTube `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' by Scottish band The Chimes is a 1990 dance remake of U2 's `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For , '' which became a UK Top Ten hit . The song was very successful in Europe , reaching No. 2 in Norway , No. 6 in the UK , Ireland and New Zealand . Bono from U2 commented that the Chimes ' cover of their hit `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' was the `` only cover version he had heard that he enjoyed and did the original justice '' , adding `` at last someone 's come along to sing it properly '' . Critical reception ( edit ) Billboard wrote about the song : `` The perfect cover version . A tasteful , contemporary R&B treatment of a pop favorite may be this U.K. threesome 's key to a stateside breakthrough . Multiformat exposure is well - deserved . '' Charts ( edit ) Chart ( 1990 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 26 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 17 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 21 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 20 Ireland ( IRMA ) 6 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 11 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 12 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 6 Norway ( VG - lista ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 6 See also ( edit ) List of covers of U2 songs - I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For References ( edit ) Footnotes Jump up ^ Sams , Aaron ; Kantas , Harry . `` U2 -- `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' Single `` . U2songs.com . Retrieved 22 April 2016 . ^ Jump up to : Dalton , Stephen ( 2003 - 09 - 08 ) . `` How the West Was Won '' . Uncut . Jump up ^ `` 500 Greatest Songs of All Time '' . Rolling Stone . Retrieved 22 February 2015 . ^ Jump up to : `` 500 Greatest Songs of All Time : U2 , ' I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For ' '' . Rolling Stone ( Special collectors edition ) . 2010 . ^ Jump up to : O'Hare , Colm ( 2007 - 11 - 21 ) . `` The Secret History of ' The Joshua Tree ' '' . Hot Press . ^ Jump up to : The Edge ( 2007 ) . The Joshua Tree ( 20th anniversary edition box set ) . U2 . ^ Jump up to : McCormick ( 2006 ) , pp. 181 - 182 ^ Jump up to : King , Philip , and Nuala O'Connor ( directors ) ( 1998 ) . Classic Albums : U2 The Joshua Tree ( Television documentary ) . Eagle Rock Entertainment . Jump up ^ Stokes ( 2005 ) , p. 65 Jump up ^ Prendergast , Mark ( September 1987 ) . `` The Magic of Daniel Lanois ( Part II ) '' . Sound on Sound . Vol. 2 no . 11 . pp. 42 -- 46 . ^ Jump up to : McGee ( 2008 ) , p. 103 Jump up ^ `` Hot 100 - Week of August 08 , 1987 '' . Billboard . Retrieved 2010 - 05 - 17 . ^ Jump up to : `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For -- U2 '' . Billboard . Retrieved 2009 - 11 - 23 . ^ Jump up to : `` U2 : Charts and Awards '' . Allmusic . Archived from the original on 2009 - 11 - 21 . Retrieved 2009 - 11 - 23 . ^ Jump up to : `` Irish Singles Chart '' . The Irish Charts . Archived from the original on 2009 - 06 - 03 . Retrieved 2009 - 11 - 23 . Note : U2 must be searched manually . ^ Jump up to : `` Top Singles -- Volume 46 , No. 20 , August 22 , 1987 '' . RPM. 1987 - 08 - 22 . Retrieved 2009 - 11 - 25 . ^ Jump up to : `` EveryHit.com search results : U2 '' . Everyhit.com . Archived from the original on March 19 , 2008 . Retrieved 2009 - 11 - 22 . Note : U2 must be searched manually . ^ Jump up to : `` 1ste Ultratop - hitquiz '' . Ultratop . Retrieved 2009 - 11 - 23 . Jump up ^ Clarke , Norm ( 2002 - 04 - 12 ) . `` U2 Video Helped Make Vegas An Entertainment Mecca '' . Las Vegas Review Journal . ^ Jump up to : Hutchinson , John ( 1987 - 10 - 01 ) . `` Luminous Times : U2 Wrestle with Their Moment of Glory '' . Musician . Jump up ^ `` All songs U2 played live by count - U2 on tour '' . U2gigs.com . Retrieved 2015 - 12 - 25 . Jump up ^ McGee ( 2008 ) , p. 104 Jump up ^ McGee ( 2008 ) , p. 109 Jump up ^ McGee ( 2008 ) , pp. 110 - 111 Jump up ^ Graham ( 2004 ) , pp. 30 - 31 Jump up ^ Hand , Lisa ( 1987 - 03 - 08 ) . `` ' Joshua Tree ' blooms '' . Sunday Independent . Jump up ^ McCready , John ( 1987 - 03 - 14 ) . `` Out of Little Acorns ... '' . NME . Jump up ^ Boyd , Glen ( 1987 - 04 - 01 ) . `` The Joshua Tree '' . The Rocket . Jump up ^ Jaeger , Barbara ( 1987 - 03 - 17 ) . `` ' Joshua Tree ' Lifts U2 to an Even Loftier Level '' . The Bergen Record . Jump up ^ Morse , Steve ( 1987 - 03 - 01 ) . `` The Joshua Tree '' . The Boston Globe . Jump up ^ Harrington , Richard ( 1987 - 03 - 22 ) . `` U2 Can Be Famous ; Breaking Into the Big Time With ' Joshua Tree ' '' . Washington Post . Jump up ^ `` The 1987 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll '' . robertchristgau.com . Retrieved 2011 - 03 - 11 . Jump up ^ `` Songs of the Century '' . CNN.com . Cable News Network . 2001 - 03 - 07 . Archived from the original on 2008 - 10 - 24 . Retrieved 2011 - 03 - 08 . Jump up ^ Trynka , Paul ( editor - in - chief ) ( 2003 ) . `` 1001 Best Songs Ever '' . Q ( Special edition ) . Jump up ^ `` The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born '' . Blender ( 41 ) . October 2005 . Archived from the original on 2010 - 12 - 28 . Retrieved 2010 - 07 - 02 . Jump up ^ Hilburn , Robert ( 2 December 2004 ) . `` Ask the Critic : Robert Hilburn '' . Retrieved 2008 - 01 - 19 . Jump up ^ `` 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll '' . Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on 2008 - 06 - 02 . Retrieved 2011 - 03 - 08 . Jump up ^ Blackstock , Russell ( 22 May 1990 ) . `` Blackstock 's Rock '' . Evening Times . Glasgow . p. 22 . Jump up ^ `` Chimes '' . Official Charts Company . Retrieved 31 March 2013 . Jump up ^ `` Discography -- The Chimes '' . Charts.org.nz . Retrieved 31 March 2013 . Jump up ^ `` Discografie -- The Chimes '' . Dutchcharts.nl . Retrieved 31 March 2013 . ^ Jump up to : `` Archived copy '' . Archived from the original on 2014 - 10 - 06 . Retrieved 2014 - 01 - 12 . Jump up ^ `` Gold Platinum Database : I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' . Canadian Recording Industry Association . Archived from Looking % 20For&ica = False&sa = U2&sl = &smt = 5&sat = - 1&ssb = Artist the original Check url = value ( help ) on 4 March 2014 . Retrieved 2011 - 07 - 12 . Jump up ^ Nyman , Jake ( 2005 ) . Suomi soi 4 : Suuri suomalainen listakirja ( in Finnish ) ( 1st ed . ) . Helsinki : Tammi . ISBN 951 - 31 - 2503 - 3 . Jump up ^ `` Cash Box Top 100 8 / 15 / 87 '' . tropicalglen.com . Retrieved 2 April 2018 . Jump up ^ http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0920&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062 Jump up ^ http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=3876 Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Songs of 1987 - Billboard Year End Charts '' . Bob Borst 's Home of Pop Culture . Retrieved 2 April 2018 . Jump up ^ `` Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1987 '' . tropicalglen.com . Retrieved 2 April 2018 . Jump up ^ Roberts , David ( 2006 ) . British Hit Singles & Albums ( 19th ed . ) . London : Guinness World Records Limited . pp. 104 -- 105 . ISBN 1 - 904994 - 10 - 5 . Jump up ^ `` Billboard : Single Reviews '' ( PDF ) . Billboard magazine ( 1990 - 04 - 28 , page 73 ) . Retrieved 2018 - 01 - 24 . Jump up ^ `` Australian-charts.com -- The Chimes -- I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' . ARIA Top 50 Singles . Retrieved 5 April 2018 . Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- The Chimes -- I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( in German ) . Ö3 Austria Top 40 . Retrieved 5 April 2018 . Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- The Chimes -- I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( in Dutch ) . Ultratop 50 . Retrieved 5 April 2018 . Jump up ^ `` Offiziellecharts.de -- The Chimes -- I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' . GfK Entertainment Charts . Retrieved 5 April 2018 . Jump up ^ `` The Irish Charts -- Search Results -- I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' . Irish Singles Chart . Retrieved 5 April 2018 . Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- The Chimes '' ( in Dutch ) . Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 5 April 2018 . Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- The Chimes -- I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( in Dutch ) . Single Top 100 . Retrieved 5 April 2018 . Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- The Chimes -- I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' . Top 40 Singles . Retrieved 5 April 2018 . Jump up ^ `` Norwegiancharts.com -- The Chimes -- I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' . VG - lista . Retrieved 5 April 2018 . Bibliography Graham , Bill ; van Oosten de Boer , Caroline ( 2004 ) . U2 : The Complete Guide to their Music . London : Omnibus Press . ISBN 0 - 7119 - 9886 - 8 . McGee , Matt ( 2008 ) . U2 : A Diary . London : Omnibus Press . ISBN 978 - 1 - 84772 - 108 - 2 . Stokes , Niall ( 2005 ) . U2 : Into the Heart : The Stories Behind Every Song . New York : Thunder 's Mouth Press . ISBN 1 - 56025 - 765 - 2 . U2 ( 2006 ) . McCormick , Neil , ed . U2 by U2 . London : HarperCollins . ISBN 0 - 00 - 719668 - 7 . External links ( edit ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' on U2.com Lyrics on U2.com Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Preceded by `` Shakedown '' by Bob Seger Billboard Hot 100 number one single August 8 , 1987 - August 15 , 1987 Succeeded by `` Who 's That Girl '' by Madonna The Joshua Tree track listing `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' `` With or Without You '' `` Bullet the Blue Sky '' `` Running to Stand Still '' `` Red Hill Mining Town '' `` In God 's Country '' `` Trip Through Your Wires '' `` One Tree Hill '' `` Exit '' `` Mothers of the Disappeared '' The Unforgettable Fire Rattle and Hum Rattle and Hum track listing Album `` Helter Skelter '' `` Van Diemen 's Land '' `` Desire '' `` Hawkmoon 269 '' `` All Along the Watchtower '' `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' `` Freedom for My People '' `` Silver and Gold '' `` Pride ( In the Name of Love ) '' `` Angel of Harlem '' `` Love Rescue Me '' `` When Love Comes to Town '' `` Heartland '' `` God Part II '' `` The Star Spangled Banner '' `` Bullet the Blue Sky '' `` All I Want Is You '' Film `` Helter Skelter '' `` Van Diemen 's Land '' `` Desire '' `` Exit '' `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' `` Freedom for My People '' `` Silver and Gold '' `` Angel of Harlem '' `` All Along the Watchtower '' `` In God 's Country '' `` When Love Comes to Town '' `` Heartland '' `` Bad '' `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' `` MLK '' `` With or Without You '' `` The Star - Spangled Banner '' `` Bullet the Blue Sky '' `` Running to Stand Still '' `` Sunday Bloody Sunday '' `` Pride ( In the Name of Love ) '' `` All I Want Is You '' The Joshua Tree Achtung Baby U2 Bono The Edge Adam Clayton Larry Mullen Jr . Studio albums Boy October War The Unforgettable Fire The Joshua Tree Rattle and Hum Achtung Baby Zooropa Pop All That You Ca n't Leave Behind How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb No Line on the Horizon Songs of Innocence Songs of Experience Compilations and EPs Three Wide Awake in America Please : PopHeart Live EP The Best of 1980 -- 1990 7 The Best of 1990 -- 2000 Exclusive The Complete U2 Live from Under the Brooklyn Bridge U218 Singles Wide Awake in Europe Other albums Under a Blood Red Sky Melon : Remixes for Propaganda Original Soundtracks 1 Hasta la Vista Baby ! U2 Live from Mexico City Live from the Point Depot U2. Communication Zoo TV Live U2 Go Home : Live from Slane Castle , Ireland Live from Paris Medium , Rare & Remastered Artificial Horizon Duals U22 From the Ground Up : Edge 's Picks from U2360 ° Videos and films U2 Live at Red Rocks : Under a Blood Red Sky The Unforgettable Fire Collection Rattle and Hum Achtung Baby : The Videos , the Cameos , and a Whole Lot of Interference from Zoo TV Zoo TV : Live from Sydney PopMart : Live from Mexico City Elevation 2001 : Live from Boston U2 Go Home : Live from Slane Castle , Ireland Vertigo 2005 : Live from Chicago Vertigo 05 : Live from Milan U218 Videos Live from Paris U2 3D Linear U2360 ° at the Rose Bowl From the Sky Down Innocence + Experience : Live in Paris Tours and concerts U2 - 3 Tour Boy Tour October Tour War Tour The Unforgettable Fire Tour Live Aid A Conspiracy of Hope The Joshua Tree Tour Vaillancourt Fountain concert Lovetown Tour Zoo TV Tour PopMart Tour concert in Sarajevo Elevation Tour Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show Vertigo Tour U2 360 ° Tour Innocence + Experience Tour The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 Experience + Innocence Tour Additional personnel Steve Averill Anton Corbijn Brian Eno Dik Evans Dave Fanning Flood Gavin Friday Howie B Jimmy Iovine Daniel Lanois Steve Lillywhite Paul McGuinness Morleigh Steinberg Willie Williams Related articles Awards and nominations Discography Songs Covers of U2 songs The Million Dollar Hotel ( soundtrack ) Mother Records AHK - toong BAY - bi Covered `` Trash of the Titans '' U2 by U2 U2 Tower Book Category Portal WikiProject Timeline Singles U2 singles discography 1980s 1980 `` Another Day '' `` 11 O'Clock Tick Tock '' `` A Day Without Me '' `` I Will Follow '' 1981 `` Fire '' `` Gloria '' 1982 `` A Celebration '' `` I Will Follow '' ( live recorded by Veronica 's Countdown ) `` New Year 's Day '' `` Two Hearts Beat as One '' `` Sunday Bloody Sunday '' 1984 `` I Will Follow '' ( live , from Under a Blood Red Sky ) `` Pride ( In the Name of Love ) '' 1985 `` The Unforgettable Fire '' `` With or Without You '' `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' `` In God 's Country '' `` One Tree Hill '' `` Desire '' `` Angel of Harlem '' `` When Love Comes to Town '' ( feat . B.B. King ) `` All I Want Is You '' 1990s 1991 `` The Fly '' `` Mysterious Ways '' `` One '' `` Even Better Than the Real Thing '' `` Who 's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses '' `` Numb '' `` Lemon '' `` Stay ( Faraway , So Close ! ) '' 1995 `` Hold Me , Thrill Me , Kiss Me , Kill Me '' `` Miss Sarajevo '' ( as Passengers ) `` Discothèque '' `` Staring at the Sun '' `` Last Night on Earth '' `` Please '' `` If God Will Send His Angels '' `` Mofo '' 1998 `` Sweetest Thing '' 2000s 2000 `` Beautiful Day '' `` Stuck in a Moment You Ca n't Get Out Of '' `` Elevation '' `` Walk On '' 2002 `` Electrical Storm '' `` Vertigo '' 2005 `` All Because of You '' `` Sometimes You Ca n't Make It on Your Own '' `` City of Blinding Lights '' `` Sgt . Pepper 's Lonely Hearts Club Band '' ( live , with Paul McCartney ) 2006 `` One '' ( with Mary J. Blige ) `` The Saints Are Coming '' ( feat . Green Day ) 2007 `` Window in the Skies '' 2008 `` The Ballad of Ronnie Drew '' ( with The Dubliners , Kíla , and A Band of Bowsies ) 2009 `` Get On Your Boots '' `` Magnificent '' `` I 'll Go Crazy If I Do n't Go Crazy Tonight '' 2010s 2011 `` I Will Follow '' ( live from Glastonbury ) 2013 `` Ordinary Love '' 2014 `` Invisible '' `` The Miracle ( Of Joey Ramone ) '' `` Every Breaking Wave '' 2015 `` Song for Someone '' 2017 `` The Blackout '' `` You 're The Best Thing About Me '' `` American Soul '' 2018 `` Get Out Of Your Own Way '' `` Lights Of Home '' Cher Albums Singles Filmography Tours Videography Awards Studio albums All I Really Want to Do The Sonny Side of Chér Chér With Love , Chér Backstage 3614 Jackson Highway Gypsys , Tramps & Thieves Foxy Lady Bittersweet White Light Half - Breed Dark Lady Stars I 'd Rather Believe in You Cherished Take Me Home Prisoner I Paralyze Cher Heart of Stone Love Hurts It 's a Man 's World Believe not. com. mercial Living Proof Closer to the Truth Compilations Golden Greats Superpack Vol. 1 and 2 Greatest Hits Greatest Hits : 1965 -- 1992 If I Could Turn Back Time : Cher 's Greatest Hits The Greatest Hits The Very Best of Cher Gold Soundtracks Chastity Mermaids Burlesque Music video releases The Video Collection The Very Best of Cher : The Video Hits Collection Live releases Extravaganza : Live at the Mirage Live in Concert Live ! The Farewell Tour The Farewell Tour Live at the Mirage Other video releases CherFitness : A New Attitude CherFitness : Body Confidence Tours and residencies Cher in Concert Heart of Stone Tour Love Hurts Tour Do You Believe ? Living Proof : The Farewell Tour Cher Dressed to Kill Tour Classic Cher Television The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour Cher Cher ... Special Dear Mom , Love Cher Books The Ugly Duckling ( audiobook ) Related music Sonny Bono ( first husband ) Sonny & Cher discography Gregg Allman ( second husband ) `` You 've Lost That Lovin ' Feelin ' '' `` Be My Baby '' Two the Hard Way Black Rose `` Love Can Build a Bridge '' Related tours Two the Hard Way Tour The Black Rose Show Related articles Cher as a gay icon Chaz Bono ( son ) Elijah Blue Allman ( son ) Mego Sonny & Cher Toys Uninhibited Book Category Portal Cher singles 1960s `` All I Really Want to Do '' `` Where Do You Go '' `` Bang Bang ( My Baby Shot Me Down ) '' `` Alfie '' `` I Feel Something in the Air '' `` Sunny '' `` Hey Joe '' `` You Better Sit Down Kids '' `` For What It 's Worth '' 1970s `` Gypsys , Tramps & Thieves '' `` The Way of Love '' `` Living in a House Divided '' `` Do n't Hide Your Love '' `` Am I Blue '' `` Half - Breed '' `` Dark Lady '' `` Train of Thought '' `` Take Me Home '' `` Was n't It Good '' `` Hell on Wheels '' 1980s `` Rudy '' `` I Paralyze '' `` I Found Someone '' `` We All Sleep Alone '' `` Skin Deep '' `` Main Man '' `` After All '' `` If I Could Turn Back Time '' `` Just Like Jesse James '' 1990s `` Heart of Stone '' `` You Would n't Know Love '' `` Baby I 'm Yours '' `` The Shoop Shoop Song ( It 's in His Kiss ) '' `` Love and Understanding '' `` Save Up All Your Tears '' `` Love Hurts '' `` Could 've Been You '' `` When Lovers Become Strangers '' `` Oh No Not My Baby '' `` Whenever You 're Near '' `` Many Rivers to Cross '' `` Walking in Memphis '' `` One by One '' `` Not Enough Love in the World '' `` The Sun Ai n't Gonna Shine Anymore '' `` Paradise Is Here '' `` Believe '' `` Strong Enough '' `` All or Nothing '' `` Dov'è l'amore '' 2000s `` The Music 's No Good Without You '' `` Song for the Lonely '' `` Alive Again '' `` A Different Kind of Love Song '' `` When the Money 's Gone '' `` Love One Another '' 2010s `` You Have n't Seen the Last of Me '' `` Woman 's World '' `` I Hope You Find It '' `` Take It Like a Man '' `` I Walk Alone '' Guest singles `` A Love Like Yours ( Do n't Come Knocking Everyday ) '' `` Dead Ringer for Love '' `` I Got You Babe '' `` It Ai n't Necessarily So '' `` Love Can Build a Bridge '' `` Più che puoi '' `` Bewitched , Bothered and Bewildered '' Book Category Portal Bonnie Tyler Discography Awards and nominations Studio albums The World Starts Tonight Natural Force Diamond Cut Goodbye to the Island Faster Than the Speed of Night Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire Hide Your Heart Bitterblue Angel Heart Silhouette in Red Free Spirit All in One Voice Heart Strings Simply Believe Wings Rocks and Honey Extended plays Bonnie Tyler Live albums Bonnie Tyler Live Live in Germany 1993 Compilations The Very Best of Bonnie Tyler The Greatest Hits Heaven & Hell ( with Meat Loaf ) Here Am I The Very Best of Bonnie Tyler : Volume 1 The Best Gold The Very Best of Bonnie Tyler : Volume 2 Comeback : Single Collection ' 90 -- ' 94 The Definitive Collection Straight from the Heart -- The Very Best of Bonnie Tyler Greatest Hits Total Eclipse Anthology From the Heart : Greatest Hits Best of 3 CD All the Hits The Collection DVDs Bonnie on Tour Live in Germany 1993 Concert tours Hide Your Heart Silhouette in Red Free Spirit Heart Strings South Africa Tour 2013 Greatest Hits Tour Principal collaborators Ronnie Scott Jim Steinman Desmond Child Dieter Bohlen Giorgio Moroder Television Never Mind the Buzzcocks Hollyoaks Later Eurovision Song Contest Related articles 26th Annual Grammy Awards 27th Annual Grammy Awards United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Book : Bonnie Tyler Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I_Still_Haven%27t_Found_What_I%27m_Looking_For&oldid=834426351 '' Categories : U2 songs 1987 singles Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles Cher songs Bonnie Tyler songs Chumbawamba songs Island Records singles Song recordings produced by Brian Eno Songs written by Bono Songs written by the Edge Songs written by Adam Clayton Songs written by Larry Mullen Jr . Song recordings produced by Daniel Lanois Rock ballads 1987 songs 1990 singles 1990 songs Hidden categories : Pages with URL errors CS1 Finnish - language sources ( fi ) Articles with hAudio microformats All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from May 2011 Singlechart usages for Australia Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart usages for Germany2 Singlechart usages for Ireland2 Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Norway Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español Euskara فارسی Français Hrvatski Italiano ქართული Magyar Nederlands Norsk Polski Português Русский Svenska Українська Tiếng Việt 8 more Edit links This page was last edited on 5 April 2018 , at 17 : 38 . Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply . By using this site , you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation , Inc. , a non-profit organization . About Wikipedia 
who sings still havent found what im looking for
`` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' Single by U2 from the album The Joshua Tree B - side `` Spanish Eyes '' `` Deep in the Heart '' Released 25 May 1987 Format 7 '' vinyl 12 '' vinyl CD cassette Recorded 1986 Studio Danesmoate House ( Dublin ) Genre Rock gospel Length 4 : 37 Label Island Songwriter ( s ) U2 ( music ) Bono ( lyrics ) Producer ( s ) Daniel Lanois Brian Eno U2 singles chronology `` With or Without You '' ( 1987 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1987 ) `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' ( 1987 ) `` With or Without You '' ( 1987 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1987 ) `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' ( 1987 ) Audio sample file help `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' Single by U2 from the album The Joshua Tree B - side `` Spanish Eyes '' `` Deep in the Heart '' Released 25 May 1987 Format 7 '' vinyl 12 '' vinyl CD cassette 7 '' vinyl 12 '' vinyl CD cassette 7 '' vinyl 12 '' vinyl Recorded 1986 Studio Danesmoate House ( Dublin ) Genre Rock gospel Rock gospel Length 4 : 37 Label Island Songwriter ( s ) U2 ( music ) Bono ( lyrics ) U2 ( music ) Bono ( lyrics ) U2 ( music ) Bono ( lyrics ) Producer ( s ) Daniel Lanois Brian Eno Daniel Lanois Brian Eno U2 singles chronology `` With or Without You '' ( 1987 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1987 ) `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' ( 1987 ) `` With or Without You '' ( 1987 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1987 ) `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' ( 1987 ) `` With or Without You '' ( 1987 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1987 ) `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' ( 1987 ) `` With or Without You '' ( 1987 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1987 ) `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' ( 1987 ) `` With or Without You '' ( 1987 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1987 ) `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' ( 1987 ) `` With or Without You '' ( 1987 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1987 ) `` Where the Streets Have No Name '' ( 1987 ) Audio sample file help file help `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' is a song by Irish rock band U2 . It is the second track from their 1987 album The Joshua Tree and was released as the album 's second single in May 1987 . The song was a hit , becoming the band 's second consecutive number - one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 while peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart . The song originated from a demo the band recorded on which drummer Larry Mullen Jr. played a unique rhythm pattern . Like much of The Joshua Tree , the song was inspired by the group 's interest in American music . `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' exhibits influences from gospel music and its lyrics describe spiritual yearning . Lead singer Bono 's vocals are in high register and lead guitarist the Edge plays a chiming arpeggio . Adding to the gospel qualities of the song are choir - like backing vocals provided by the Edge and producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois . `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' was critically acclaimed and received two nominations at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988 , for Record of the Year and Song of the Year . It has subsequently become one of the group 's most well - known songs and has been performed on many of their concert tours . The track has appeared on several of their compilations and concert films . Many critics and publications have ranked `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' among the greatest tracks in music history including Rolling Stone which ranked the song at # 93 of its list of `` The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time '' . `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' originated from a demo variously titled `` The Weather Girls '' and `` Under the Weather '' that the band recorded during a jam session . Bassist Adam Clayton called the demo 's melody `` a bit of a one - note groove '' , while an unconvinced The Edge , the band 's guitarist , compared it to `` ' Eye of the Tiger ' played by a reggae band '' . However , the band liked the drum part played by drummer Larry Mullen Jr . Co-producer Daniel Lanois said , `` It was a very original beat from Larry . We always look for those beats that would qualify as a signature for the song . And that certainly was one of those . It had this tom - tom thing that he does and nobody ever understands . And we just did n't want to let go of that beat , it was so unique . '' Lanois encouraged Mullen to continue developing the weird drum pattern beyond the demo . Mullen said the beat became even more unusual , and although Lanois eventually mixed most of the pattern out to just keep the basics , the rhythm became the root of `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' . -- Daniel Lanois The group worked on the track at the studio they had set up at Danesmoate House in Dublin . Lanois compared the creation of the song to constructing a building , first laying down the drums as the foundation , then adding additional layers piece by piece , before finally `` putting in furniture '' . Lead singer Bono was interested in the theme of spiritual doubt , which was fostered by Eno 's love for gospel music , and by Bono 's listening to songs by The Swan Silvertones , The Staple Singers , and Blind Willie Johnson . After the Edge wrote a chord sequence and played it on acoustic guitar `` with a lot of power in the strumming '' , the group attempted to compose a suitable vocal melody , trying out a variety of ideas . During a jam session , Bono began singing a `` classic soul '' melody , and it was this addition that made the Edge hear the song 's potential . At that point , he remembered a phrase he had written in a notebook that morning as a possible song title , `` I still have n't found what I 'm looking for '' . He suggests it was influenced by a line from the Bob Dylan song `` Idiot Wind '' : `` You 'll find out when you reach the top you 're on the bottom '' . He wrote the phrase on a piece of paper and handed it to Bono while he was singing . The Edge called the phrase 's fit with the song `` like hand in glove '' . From that point on , the song was the first piece played to visitors during the recording sessions . As recording continued , a number of guitar overdubs were added , including an auto - pan effect and a chiming arpeggio to modernise the old - style `` gospel song '' . While the Edge was improvising guitar parts one day , Bono heard a `` chrome bells '' guitar hook that he liked . It was added as a counter-melody to the song 's `` muddy shoes '' guitar part , and it is this hook that the Edge plays during live performances of the song . Bono sang in the upper register of his range to add to the feeling of spiritual yearning ; in the verses he hits a B - flat note , and an A-flat in the chorus . Background vocals were provided by the Edge , Lanois , and co-producer Brian Eno , their voices being multi-tracked . Lanois suggests that his and Eno 's involvement in the track 's creation helped their vocals . He stated , `` You 're not going to get that sound of , ' Oh they brought in some soul singers ' if you know what I mean . Our hearts and souls are already there . If we sing it 'll sound more real . '' Lanois also played a percussive guitar part , which is heard in the introduction . The song 's writing was completed relatively early during the band 's time at Danesmoate House . The mix took longer to complete , though , with most of the production team contributing . The final mix was completed by Lanois and the Edge in a home studio set up at Melbeach , a house purchased by the Edge . They mixed it on top of a previous Steve Lillywhite mix , which gave the song a phasing sound . Lanois says he is very attached to `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' and has , on occasion , joined U2 on stage to perform it . The original `` Weather Girls '' demo , re-titled `` Desert of Our Love '' , was included with the 2007 remastered version of The Joshua Tree on a bonus disc of outtakes and B - sides . Initially , `` Red Hill Mining Town '' was planned for release as the second single . However , Bono was unable to sing the song during pre-tour rehearsals and the band were reportedly unhappy with the video shot by Neil Jordan , so `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' became a late choice for the second single . The single was released in May 1987 . On the US Billboard Hot 100 , the song debuted at number 51 on 13 June 1987 . After nearly 2 months on the chart , the song reached number one on 8 August 1987 , becoming the band 's second consecutive number - one hit in the United States . The song spent two weeks in the top spot , and remained on the chart for 17 weeks . On other Billboard charts , the song peaked at number 16 on the Adult Contemporary chart , and number two on the Album Rock Tracks chart . The song also topped the Irish Singles Chart , while peaking at number six on the Canadian RPM Top 100 and the UK Singles Chart . In New Zealand , the song peaked at number two on the RIANZ Top 40 Singles Chart , while reaching number six on the Dutch Top 40 and number 11 on the Swedish Singles Chart . The music video for the song was filmed on Fremont Street in Las Vegas on 12 April 1987 following their Joshua Tree Tour concert in that city . It features the band members wandering around while the Edge plays an acoustic guitar . The music video was later re-released on The U218 Videos compilation DVD . Pat Christenson , president of Las Vegas 's official event organization , credits the group 's video with improving the city 's image among musicians . `` The whole perception of Vegas changed with that video , '' Christenson said , adding , `` Now all the big names come here , some of them five , six times a year . '' `` Spanish Eyes '' was created early during The Joshua Tree sessions . It began as a recording made in Adam Clayton 's house of Clayton , the Edge , and Larry Mullen Jr. playing around with several different elements . The piece evolved substantially over the course of an afternoon , but the cassette and its recording was subsequently lost and forgotten . The Edge found the cassette towards the end of the album sessions and played it to the rest of the group . The band realised that it was a good track , but did not have enough time to complete it prior to The Joshua Tree 's release . `` Deep in the Heart '' stemmed from a three - chord piano piece Bono composed on the piano about the last time he had been in the family home on Cedarwood Road in Dublin , which his father had just sold . The memories of his time living there gave rise to many of the lyrical ideas on the song . The Edge and Adam Clayton reworked the piece extensively , with Bono later describing the finished result as `` an almost jazz - like improvisation on three chords '' , also noting that `` the rhythm section turned it into a very special piece of music . '' The song was recorded in a similar manner to the song `` 4th of July '' from U2 's 1984 album , The Unforgettable Fire ; the Edge and Clayton were playing together in a room and unaware that they were being recorded on a 4 - track cassette machine by the band 's assistant , Marc Coleman . The song is U2 's 9th most played live song , and has been played on every tour . It was played at every date of The Joshua Tree and Lovetown Tours , typically early in the main set . It was played at most of the 1992 legs of the Zoo TV Tour , typically rounding out the main set or being played acoustically on the B - Stage mid set . For most of the 1993 Zooropa shows however , the song was dropped . It returned to be played at each of the PopMart Tour 's 93 shows , usually being played midway through the set . On the Elevation Tour it initially was very rare , only appearing once over the first and second legs . However , it became a regular again on the 3rd leg , being played late in the main set replacing the song `` Mysterious Ways '' , which was used in that spot on the previous two legs . It was played at the majority of both the Vertigo and U2 360 ° Tours , typically early - to - mid main set . It was used as the closing song at just under half of the shows on the Innocence + Experience Tour , rotating with `` One '' and `` 40 '' . Island Records commissioned New York choir director , Dennis Bell , to record a gospel version of the song , and Island intended to release it after U2 's single . However , Island boss Chris Blackwell vetoed the plan . Bell subsequently formed his own label and Rohit Jagessar picked it up for distribution in US . While in Glasgow in late July 1987 during the Joshua Tree Tour , Rob Partridge of Island Records played the demo that Bell and his choir , the New Voices of Freedom , had made . In late September , U2 rehearsed with Bell 's choir in Greater Calvary Baptist Church in Harlem for a performance together in a few days at U2 's Madison Square Garden concert . The Edge 's guitar was the only instrument that U2 brought to the church although Mullen borrowed a conga drum . The rehearsal was done with the church 's audio system and footage was used in the Rattle and Hum motion picture . Several performances were made with a piano player ; however , the version used in the film includes only Bono , the Edge , Mullen , and the choir . Audio from the Madison Square Garden performance appears on the accompanying album . A live performance of the song appears in the concert films PopMart : Live from Mexico City , Vertigo 05 : Live from Milan , Live from Paris and the most recent U2 360 ° at the Rose Bowl . The versions on the Mexico City and Milan concert films consist of just Bono 's voice and the Edge 's guitar until after the first chorus where the drum and bass parts kick in . Digital live versions were released through iTunes on the Love : Live from the Point Depot and U2. COMmunication albums . `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' received widespread critical acclaim . Hot Press journalist Bill Graham described the song as on the one - hand as a `` smart job of pop handwork , pretty standard American radio rock - ballad fare '' but that `` the band 's rhythms are far more supple and cultivated than your average bouffant HM band of that period '' . The Sunday Independent suggested that the song was proof the band could be commercially accessible without resorting to rock clichés . NME remarked that the song showed that the band cared about something , which made them `` special '' . The Rocket noted that Bono 's lyrics about needing personal spirituality resulted in a `` unique marriage of American gospel and Gaelic soul '' and that the `` human perspective he brings to this sentiment rings far truer than the rantings of , say , the born - again Bob Dylan '' . Several publications , including The Bergen Record and The Boston Globe , called the track `` hypnotic '' and interpreted it as depicting the band on a spiritual quest . The song finished in 18th place on the `` Best Singles '' list from The Village Voice 's 1987 Pazz & Jop critics ' poll . `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' has been acclaimed by many critics and publications as one of the greatest songs of all time . In 2001 , the song was ranked at number 120 on the RIAA 's list of 365 `` Songs of the Century '' -- a project intended to `` promote a better understanding of America 's musical and cultural heritage '' -- despite the group 's Irish origins . In 2003 , a special edition issue of Q , titled `` 1001 Best Songs Ever '' , placed `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' at number 148 on its list of the greatest songs . In 2005 , Blender ranked the song at number 443 on its list of `` The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born '' . In 2010 , Rolling Stone placed the song at number 93 of its list of `` The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time '' . Los Angeles Times critic Robert Hilburn called it U2 's `` Let It Be '' , in reference to the Beatles song . The staff of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame selected `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' as one of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll . The song was covered by Scottish band the Chimes in 1990 and was featured on their self - titled debut album . The rendition peaked at number six in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand charts . It also peaked into number twelve in the Netherlands chart . Singer Cher used to open her shows with a cover of the song during her late 1990s and 2000s concerts . All tracks written by U2 . No . Title Producer Length 1 . `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' Brian Eno , Daniel Lanois 4 : 38 2 . `` Spanish Eyes '' U2 3 : 16 3 . `` Deep in the Heart '' U2 4 : 31 Total length : 11 : 25 No . Title Producer Length 1 . `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' Brian Eno , Daniel Lanois 4 : 38 2 . `` Spanish Eyes '' U2 3 : 16 3 . `` Deep in the Heart '' U2 4 : 31 Total length : 11 : 25 Bono - lead vocals The Edge - guitar , backing vocals Adam Clayton - bass guitar Larry Mullen Jr. - drums Bono - lead vocals The Edge - guitar , backing vocals Adam Clayton - bass guitar Larry Mullen Jr. - drums Brian Eno - backing vocals Daniel Lanois - backing vocals Brian Eno - backing vocals Daniel Lanois - backing vocals Weekly charts ( edit ) Chart ( 1987 ) Peak position Certification Australia 17 Austrian Singles Chart 10 Canadian RPM Singles Chart 6 Gold Dutch Top 40 6 Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 6 French Singles Chart 37 Irish Singles Chart New Zealand RIANZ Top 40 Singles Chart Swedish Singles Chart 11 UK Singles Chart 6 US Billboard Hot 100 US Billboard Adult Contemporary 16 US Billboard Album Rock Tracks US Cash Box Top 100 Year - end charts ( edit ) Chart ( 1987 ) Rank Australia 109 Canada 50 New Zealand 7 US Billboard Hot 100 23 US Cash Box 16 Weekly charts ( edit ) Chart ( 1987 ) Peak position Certification Australia 17 Austrian Singles Chart 10 Canadian RPM Singles Chart 6 Gold Dutch Top 40 6 Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 6 French Singles Chart 37 Irish Singles Chart New Zealand RIANZ Top 40 Singles Chart Swedish Singles Chart 11 UK Singles Chart 6 US Billboard Hot 100 US Billboard Adult Contemporary 16 US Billboard Album Rock Tracks US Cash Box Top 100 Year - end charts ( edit ) Chart ( 1987 ) Rank Australia 109 Canada 50 New Zealand 7 US Billboard Hot 100 23 US Cash Box 16 Chart ( 1987 ) Peak position Certification Australia 17 Austrian Singles Chart 10 Canadian RPM Singles Chart 6 Gold Dutch Top 40 6 Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 6 French Singles Chart 37 Irish Singles Chart New Zealand RIANZ Top 40 Singles Chart Swedish Singles Chart 11 UK Singles Chart 6 US Billboard Hot 100 US Billboard Adult Contemporary 16 US Billboard Album Rock Tracks US Cash Box Top 100 Chart ( 1987 ) Peak position Certification Australia 17 Austrian Singles Chart 10 Canadian RPM Singles Chart 6 Gold Dutch Top 40 6 Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 6 French Singles Chart 37 Irish Singles Chart New Zealand RIANZ Top 40 Singles Chart Swedish Singles Chart 11 UK Singles Chart 6 US Billboard Hot 100 US Billboard Adult Contemporary 16 US Billboard Album Rock Tracks US Cash Box Top 100 Chart ( 1987 ) Rank Australia 109 Canada 50 New Zealand 7 US Billboard Hot 100 23 US Cash Box 16 Chart ( 1987 ) Rank Australia 109 Canada 50 New Zealand 7 US Billboard Hot 100 23 US Cash Box 16 `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' Single by The Chimes from the album The Chimes Released Format CD single Genre Dance Length 4 : 02 Label CBS Songwriter ( s ) U2 ( music ) Bono ( lyrics ) The Chimes singles chronology `` Heaven '' ( 1990 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1990 ) `` True Love '' ( 1990 ) `` Heaven '' ( 1990 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1990 ) `` True Love '' ( 1990 ) Music video `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' on YouTube `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' Single by The Chimes from the album The Chimes Released Format CD single Genre Dance Length 4 : 02 Label CBS Songwriter ( s ) U2 ( music ) Bono ( lyrics ) U2 ( music ) Bono ( lyrics ) U2 ( music ) Bono ( lyrics ) The Chimes singles chronology `` Heaven '' ( 1990 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1990 ) `` True Love '' ( 1990 ) `` Heaven '' ( 1990 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1990 ) `` True Love '' ( 1990 ) `` Heaven '' ( 1990 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1990 ) `` True Love '' ( 1990 ) `` Heaven '' ( 1990 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1990 ) `` True Love '' ( 1990 ) `` Heaven '' ( 1990 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1990 ) `` True Love '' ( 1990 ) `` Heaven '' ( 1990 ) `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' ( 1990 ) `` True Love '' ( 1990 ) Music video `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' on YouTube `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' by Scottish band The Chimes is a 1990 dance remake of U2 's `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For , '' which became a UK Top Ten hit . The song was very successful in Europe , reaching No. 2 in Norway , No. 6 in the UK , Ireland and New Zealand . Bono from U2 commented that the Chimes ' cover of their hit `` I Still Have n't Found What I 'm Looking For '' was the `` only cover version he had heard that he enjoyed and did the original justice '' , adding `` at last someone 's come along to sing it properly '' . Billboard wrote about the song : `` The perfect cover version . A tasteful , contemporary R&B treatment of a pop favorite may be this U.K. threesome 's key to a stateside breakthrough . Multiformat exposure is well - deserved . '' Chart ( 1990 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 26 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 17 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 21 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 20 Ireland ( IRMA ) 6 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 11 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 12 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 6 Norway ( VG - lista ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 6 Chart ( 1990 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 26 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 17 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 21 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 20 Ireland ( IRMA ) 6 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 11 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 12 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 6 Norway ( VG - lista ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 6