Running to Stand Still

"Running to Stand Still" is a song by <a href="/facts/Rock_music/zBM2guyQ">rock</a> band <a href="/facts/U2/4nxeFIy8">U2</a>, and it is the fifth track from their 1987 album, <a href="/facts/The_Joshua_Tree/kHS258tw">The Joshua Tree</a>. A slow <a href="/facts/Ballad/fy4mVSDS">ballad</a> based on piano and guitar, it describes a <a href="/facts/Heroin/rYwrKHPk">heroin</a>-addicted couple living in <a href="/facts/Dublin/Fv8ezm8a">Dublin</a>'s <a href="/facts/Ballymun_flats/hnnA0cyF">Ballymun flats</a>; the towers have since become associated with the song. Though a lot of time was dedicated to the lyrics, the music was improvised with co-<a href="/facts/Record_producer/RcLFfQKL">producer</a> <a href="/facts/Daniel_Lanois/1H55btuK">Daniel Lanois</a> during a recording session for the album.
The group explored <a href="/facts/American_popular_music/kkxp9D0W">American music</a> for The Joshua Tree, and as such, "Running to Stand Still" demonstrates <a href="/facts/Folk_rock/Q9zErsfh">folk rock</a> and <a href="/facts/Acoustic_blues/aJVwTfoX">acoustic blues</a> influences. The song was praised by critics, many of them calling it one of the record's best tracks. It has since been included in the regular set lists of four U2 concert tours, in two different arrangements and with several possible thematic interpretations.

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Running to Stand Still