Recorded in 1980 at Dublin’s Windmill Lane Studios for inclusion on U2’s debut album, Boy. Some fans had initially interpreted the song as referring to an electrical power supply company but in fact the Electric Co being referred to is electric convulsive therapy which is a treatment still used in certain cases these days, to apply electric shocks to mentally ill patients. The song was a nod to a friend of the band’s who underwent this therapy.
Fun Fact : the song made many live appearance on the Boy and War tours with the band adding an intro called Cry thus the song became known as Cry/Electric Co on some live set-lists. Bono infamously sang a 30 second excerpt from Send In the Clowns throughout the song bridge during the War tour. The penalty for that was the band having to pay royalties to Stephen Sondheim for the privilege on every occasion the excerpt was performed.
Tuning: Tune down a half-step. Eb Ab Db Gb
Gear: Fender Deluxe Precision Bass (Duff McKagan signature) round wound strings 45-105, Boss LMB 3 Limiter Enhancer, Behringer UC200 Ultra Chorus, Roland Mixer Pro X