"Acrobat" Song Lyrics by U2

"Acrobat" stands as one of U2’s most introspective and searing tracks, steeped in themes of alienation, hypocrisy, and personal contradiction. 

Bono, drawing inspiration from the work of poet Delmore Schwartz, channels the angst and disillusionment of facing one's own moral shortcomings. 

The line "I must be an acrobat to talk like this and act like that" is a central acknowledgment of these contradictions. 

Bono's lyrical confession exposes a struggle to reconcile ideals with actions, a battle between espoused beliefs and personal failures. The venom The Edge referred to echoes through its biting, cynical tone, echoing the raw emotion of Lennon’s "Working Class Hero" as Bono reflects on the futility of lofty ideals in a world filled with moral confusion.

 His cry to "dream out loud" is less a hopeful call to action than a desperate plea for authenticity in a world that often rewards insincerity.

The track also grapples with spiritual alienation, evident in lines like "I'd break bread and wine if there was a church I could receive in." 

Bono, who had often used religious imagery throughout his career, confronts his estrangement from institutional faith, suggesting a deeper yearning for redemption amidst the complexities of modern life. 

In this sense, "Acrobat" becomes a personal exorcism, a song about the erosion of certainty as time passes, both in relationships and in one’s sense of self. 

The repeated refrain of "don't let the bastards grind you down" serves as a defiant reminder to maintain integrity, even as the song openly admits how difficult it is to live up to one's principles. 

Ultimately, "Acrobat" is a lyrical exploration of inner conflict and the bitter realization that being human often means falling short of the ideals we profess.

Bono's long standing friend, artist Gavin Friday, suggests its chorus "Don't let the bastards grind you down" is aimed at the press who gave U2 a serve with the Rattle and Hum album and film.

Musically, “Acrobat” is characterized by its driving rhythm and atmospheric soundscape, combining The Edge’s signature guitar work with a propulsive bass line from Adam Clayton and dynamic drumming from Larry Mullen Jr. The song's arrangement builds a sense of urgency, echoing the emotional intensity of the lyrics. The layered instrumentation creates a feeling of tension, perfectly mirroring the acrobatic dance between vulnerability and resilience that the lyrics convey. 

As the song progresses, the urgency intensifies, culminating in a cathartic release that embodies the struggles of confronting one’s own shortcomings while striving for something greater. This dynamic interplay between lyrical content and musical composition underscores U2’s artistic evolution during the Achtung Baby era, where they ventured into darker, more complex territory while maintaining their signature anthemic sound.

"Acrobat" Song Lyrics by U2

Don't believe what you hear
Don't believe what you see
If you just close your eyes
You can feel the enemy
When I first met you girl
You had fire in your soul
What happened your face
Of melting in snow

Now it looks like this
And you can swallow
Or you can spit
You can throw it up
Or choke on it
And you can dream
So dream out loud
You know that your time is coming 'round
So don't let the bastards grind you down

No, nothing makes sense
Nothing seems to fit
I know you'd hit out
If you only knew who to hit
And I'd join the movement
If there was one I could believe in
Yeah I'd break bread and wine
If there was a church I could receive in
'Cause I need it now

To take a cup
To fill it up
To drink it slow
I can't let you go
I must be an acrobat
To talk like this
And act like that
And you can dream
So dream out loud
And don't let the bastards grind you down

What are we going to do now it's all been said
No new ideas in the house and every book has been read

And I must be an acrobat
To talk like this
And act like that
And you can dream
So dream out loud
And you can find
Your own way out
You can build
And I can will
And you can call
I can't wait until
You can stash
And you can seize
In dreams begin responsibilities
And I can love
And I can love
And I know that the tide is turning 'round
So don't let the bastards grind you down

-

Culturally, “Acrobat” resonates with the zeitgeist of the early 1990s, a period marked by a growing awareness of personal and societal contradictions. As the world faced shifts in political landscapes, technological advancements, and cultural revolutions, U2’s exploration of internal conflict and moral ambiguity mirrored the broader anxieties of the time. 

The song’s themes of grappling with faith, self-identity, and the struggle for authenticity reflect a generation’s search for meaning amid rapid change. In this context, “Acrobat” serves as both a personal anthem and a collective commentary on the complexities of modern life, reminding listeners that the pursuit of truth and connection often requires navigating uncertainty and vulnerability. 

Check out the lyrics to U2's "Even Better Than the Real Thing"or their all-time classic song "One".

Leave a Comment achtung baby lyrics U2, acrobat U2 lyrics, U2 lyrics