U2 singer Bono has backed the band's decision to give iTunes users their new album for free.

Earlier this month, the group gave the surprise record 'Songs of Innocence' to every user of Apple's digital download service.

It divided opinion, with many believing the move to be a poor marketing trick that has devalued music.

Speaking to BBC Radio 2, a defensive Bono said that being controversial is part of U2's character.

He said: "That's kind of our job to stir things up a bit isn't it? That's why we wanted to be in a rock'n'roll band in the first place.

"I've just heard that 38 million people have listened to 'Songs of Innocenc'e in the last seven days. If you're a songwriter, if you're in a band, that's kinda all you can ask for."

Apple recently created a special link for fans to easily delete the record from their iTunes and Bono commented:

"We get people might want to delete it, but believe me, no-one has deleted more U2 songs over the last five years than U2. It's just a thrill that so many people have heard them. All I can say is that there's a lot of blood, sweat and tears which went into your junk mail."

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