U2 win two Grammy Awards for "Best Album" and "Best Rock Performance" in February 1988, but at the same time, their reputation as a band with clean image was marred when Bono sprayed "Rock and Roll Stops the Traffic" on a sculpture outside a building while performing at a free lunchtime concert (loosely called "Save the Yuppies" Concert). Bono later labelled it as "cosmic debris" and the owners were demanding U2 to repair the damage. Despite this, U2 continued to spend most of their time writing and recording songs for their new album. Meanwhile, Phil Joanou (director of the movie), began the task of editing and compiling footage for the new movie.

  U2 released the album "Rattle and Hum" in October 1988. The movie contained over one and a half hours of live and studio footage on U2's journeys through the roots of American music as well as some interviews. The album was released as a double vinyl. For U2, this album was made as a tribute to the musical greats of rock 'n' roll such as The Beattles, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan to name a few.

  Unfortunately, U2's movie was widely criticised for being self-indulgent and arrogant. The press not only just criticised on the lack of original material which defined U2 in their previous album, they were also annoyed about U2's attempt at elevating themselves to the pedestal of rock 'n' rolls greatest. Examples of this included "Helter Skelter" where Bono exclaims "Charles Manson stole this from the Beattles. We're stealing it back..". It is as if U2 were putting themselves up with the Beattles.

  However, U2 did have their moments with "All I want is you". "All I want is you" is another love song which describes Bono's love for his wife during the early years of their relationship. The song attempts to convey the huge commitment needed in sustaining a relationship. This can be reflected in U2's constant touring where Bono may have to be away from his wife and family. Because of this, Bono resolves this by saying that there must be a good reason for taking a life long commitment with Alison, and thus singing the line "All I want is you" - "The only reason I'm here is that I met someone so extroadinary that I just couldn't let that go.".

  "Desire" is another song that suceeded in the album. It was a complete diversion to what U2 have done in the past. "Desire" was a result of U2's exploration into rhythm and blues while travelling in America. "Travelling through America, you're listening to different radio stations, rhythm and blues, country, soul, jazz, and you realise that rhythm is the sex of the music." comments Bono. "So I think we got into dealing with those subjects including desire, when we were making that jump musically". But at the same time, "Desire" was also a reaction against the conditions that U2 have confronted in being famous - that they were like preachers "stealing hearts at a travelling show".

  Although the album went twice platinum in the UK and reached number 1 in America, people in America soon lost interest. The movie only peaked for a couple of days before it was taken off the cinemas while the singles that came out of the album only reached the Billboard top 60.

  Such comments disappointed U2, since everyone had misinterpreted the whole purpose of the album - a fans' tribute to the artists who inspired U2. Bono further commented "There are people out there who probably don't even know who B. B. King is.".

  Throughout the remainder of 1988 and 1989, U2 decided to lay low amidst all the criticism that had damaged them after the release of "Rattle and Hum". In September 1989, U2 brought B. B. King along and named him "the Mayor of Lovetown" and renamed their tour to "The Lovetown tour". U2 brought their tour to Australia, New Zealand, Tokyo and Europe, before finishing off in Dublin.

  This move proved to be a great success, even if they avoided America and restored what little dignity they had after releasing "Rattle and Hum". But in the end, Bono made a statement at their last concert in Dublin that sparked rumours of a possible split - "We have to go away, and just dream it all up again". The statement was understandable since the end of the decade was too hard for them to take in with satisfaction. Nevertheless, U2 chose the best words to finish the chapter on "The Joshua Tree"/"Rattle and Hum" era.