U2 Debuts Their New Song ‘Vertigo’ in an iPod Commercial (2004)

Reading Time: < 1 minutes

Watch out MTV. There might be a better medium to break new music… TV commercials. Two weeks before U2’s video for the new single “Vertigo” debuted on MTV, fans had a chance to hear it first in an iPod commercial. Scroll down to watch the video for U2 Vertigo.

U2 Vertigo – iPod Commercial Gets Exclusive Over MTV

Why the exclusive deal with Apple? U2 are such huge fans of the iPod that they made a special deal with Apple. “It’s the most interesting art object since the electric guitar in terms of music,” said Bono in a statement.

Not only did U2 deny MTV the exclusive, but the band’s partnership with Apple is the first time in their 25-year history that they’ve ever licensed their music for commercial use.

Digital Music Isn’t The Enemy, It’s The Future

It’s thrilling and inspiring to see a band of such a high caliber as U2 working with iTunes and digital music distribution. In my opinion, U2 is the example of what successful relationship between musicians digital distribution can look like. RIAA needs to see that digital music distribution is NOT the enemy, but more or less the future.

I am not saying I want all my favorite bands to come out with their own signature model iPods, but simply acknowledge the potentials (which many finally are) in digital music distribution, marketing, and especially the iPod and iTunes.

Most certainly, U2’s digital box set has increased ideas for similar releases from an array of artists which are sure to increase record sales by billions. But only as long digital music services such as iTunes, can acquire the artists or copyrights for other wanted rock novelties.

Related Articles:

• Apple unveils U2 iPod The Complete U2 Boxset (2004)
• Steve Jobs vs Bill Gates: How the iPod Created a Microsoft vs Apple Rematch (2004)