iPod History

U2 “Original of the Species” iPod Commercial (2005)

Launching video on the iPod

On 12 October 2005 Apple unveiled the fifth-generation iPod, its first model to play video, with a 2.5-inch colour screen, in 30 GB and 60 GB versions and in white or black. At the same time, iTunes 6 began selling music videos and television episodes. U2's website announced that day that the band featured in the television campaign launching the new player.

“Original of the Species” by U2, iPod commercial, 2005, advertising the iPod (5th generation). Chart of the iPod commercials covered on this site, 2001–2007, with this one highlighted.
Where “Original of the Species” sits among the iPod commercials of 2001–2007.

Concert footage instead of dancers

Rather than silhouetted dancers, the commercial used U2 performing "Original of the Species" live in Chicago. The performance comes from the concert film Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago, recorded at the United Center on 9 and 10 May 2005, directed by Hamish Hamilton and released on DVD on 14 November 2005. One advertising blog describes the spot opening on The Edge at the keyboard, moving to Bono, Larry Mullen Jr and Adam Clayton, then pulling back to reveal the footage playing on an iPod. The same October event also introduced Apple's Eminem commercial, set to "Lose Yourself".

A promotional single

"Original of the Species" appears on How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004), the album whose lead single "Vertigo" had featured in U2's 2004 iPod commercial. It was sent to US radio as a promotional single in late 2005 and reached number four on Billboard's Adult Alternative chart. The album went on to win Album of the Year and Best Rock Album at the 2006 Grammy Awards.

Browse iPod Advertising for more advertising items. You can also explore iPod Classic, iPod Nano, the 2005 timeline, or Home for broader iPod history.