U2 dusted off rarities for world tour

For U2's Vertigo world tour, which wrapped December 9 in Honolulu, a number of tracks returned to the set list for the first time in decades, including "An Cat Dubh" and "The Electric Co."

"Miss Sarajevo," the studio version of which featured Luciano Pavarotti, was dusted off for just the second time since 1995.

"We always try and mix it up," guitarist the Edge told Billboard in an interview last November. "It's important -- you don't want to stay static. You don't want to end up becoming so predictable, for yourselves as much as the audience. You want to just keep it fresh."

U2 manager Paul McGuinness said half the show was comprised of material from U2's most recent albums, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (2004) and "All That You Can't Leave Behind"

"It's characteristic of U2 that they really work the new material," he said, noting that since the tour began March 28, 2005 in San Diego songs like "All Because of You" and "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" have become hits. "Obviously, U2 have to play their hits, but this is not a greatest-hits show."

Overall, U2 played 60 different songs during the 131-show trek. Here is a look at which tunes got the most exposure and which ones made only fleeting appearances, according to fan web site http://www.u2-vertigo-tour.com.

170 PERFORMANCES:

"Vertigo"

(it was played twice in the same show 39 times)

EVERY SHOW:

"Beautiful Day"

"Bullet the Blue Sky"

"City of Blinding Lights"

"One"

"Pride (In the Name of Love)"

"Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own"

"Where the Streets Have No Name"

1 SHOW:

"Love Is Blindness"

2 SHOWS:

"Mothers of the Disappeared"

"In a Little While"

"Discotheque"

4 SHOWS:

"Window in the Skies"

"One Tree Hill"

5 SHOWS:

"MLK"

6 SHOWS:

"Desire"

Reuters