The Best of 1980–1990 is the first greatest hits compilation by Irish rock band U2, released on 2 November 1998. It mostly contains the group's hit singles from the 1980s, but also mixes in some live staples, as well as a re-recording of the 1987 B-side "Sweetest Thing". In April 1999, a companion video (featuring music videos and live footage) was released. The album was followed by another compilation, The Best of 1990–2000, in 2002.

Songs of Innocence is the thirteenth studio album by Irish rock band U2. Released on 9 September 2014, it was produced by Danger Mouse, with additional production from Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Declan Gaffney and Flood. The album was announced at an Apple Inc. product launch event and released the same day to all iTunes Store customers at no cost. It will be exclusive to iTunes, iTunes Radio, and Beats Music until 13 October 2014, when it will receive a physical release by Island Records. The digital release made the record available to over 500 million iTunes customers, for what Apple CEO Tim Cook marketed as "the largest album release of all time".

Над новым альбомом ирландская группа работала на протяжении 2016 года. Результатом труда стал четырнадцатый альбом, который вышел 1 декабря 2017 года. Первый сингл «You’re the Best Thing About Me» был представлен 6 сентября 2017 года. С группой сотрудничали различные продюсеры, включая таких как Стив Лиллиуайт, Райан Теддер, Jacknife Lee, Jolyon Thomas и Энди Барлоу.