Boy is the title of U2's debut full-length album. It was released on vinyl by Island Records on October 20, 1980. It was first pressed in CD format in 1990, and a remastered version came in 2008.

When first released, the album peaked at #52 on the Billboard UK Albums Chart and at #63 on what is now the Billboard 200. In 2003, Boy was named by Rolling Stone the #417th greatest album of all time.

When released in America and Canada, the original album cover photo was changed due to fears the band was associated with pedophilia. However, the boy on the original cover is Peter Rowan; he is the brother of Bono's childhood friend, Guggi (who was a member of fellow Dublin band the Virgin Prunes). The original cover was restored for the 2008 remaster.

Also of note; the sexual overtones of certain songs gave the band a following among the gay scene.

Track List
1. I Will Follow (3:36)
2. Twilight (4:22)
3. An Cat Dubh (4:47)
4. Into the Heart (3:28)
5. Out of Control (4:13)
6. Stories For Boys (3:02)
7. The Ocean (1:34)
8. A Day Without Me (3:14)
9. Another Time, Another Place (4:34)
10. The Electric Co. (4:48)
11. Shadows and Tall Trees (4:36)

Album notes: Some early vinyl copies and the cassette version included a hidden 30-second instrumental sample of the demo "Saturday Night", which would later evolve into "Fire". Most vinyl copies and all original CD pressings eliminated it; it was restored in the 2008 remaster.

Some pressings of the album indexed the track times of "An Cat Dubh" and "Into the Heart" (which segue into each other) to be 6:21 and 1:53, respectively. The original times were reinstated for the remastered version.

2008 Remaster

U2.com announced on April 9, 2008, that U2's first three studio albums would be remastered. Boy was re-released on either June 21 or 22, 2008, depending on region, in three formats:

1. Standard Version - This contained the album, with remastered audio and a restored package, with a 16-page booklet complete with brand new liner notes written by Paul Morley, and full lyrics.

2. Deluxe Edition - Contained the above, plus a bonus disc of b-sides, rarities and live material; plus a 32-page booklet containing what is in the standard edition booklet in addition to explanatory notes from The Edge regarding the selection of the bonus material.

3. Vinyl - The remastered album in a 180 gram vinyl format and restored packaging.

2008 Bonus Disc Track List
1. I Will Follow (3:38) - This is an alternate mix, featuring more acoustic guitar.
2. 11 O'Clock Tick Tock (3:47) - Single version
3. Touch (3:26) - 11 O'Clock Tick Tock b-side
4. Speed of Life (3:19) - previously unreleased
5. Saturday Night (5:13) - previously unreleased
6. Things to Make and Do (2:17) - A Day Without Me b-side
7. Out of Control (3:53) - U2-3 version
8. Boy-Girl (3:23) - U2-3
9. Stories For Boys (2:42) - U2-3 version
10. Another Day (3:28)
11. Twilight (Demo Version) (4:35) - Another Day b-side
12. Boy-Girl (Live) (3:26) - I Will Follow b-side
13. 11 O'Clock Tick Tock (Live) (4:59) - previously unreleased
14. Cartoon World (Live) (4:22) - previously unreleased

Back to U2 Discography