'All I want is you' song lyrics and meaning by U2

A classic track from the U2 album that a lot of people disliked following the massive popularity of The Joshua Tree.

"All I Want Is You" by U2, from their Rattle and Hum album, is a deeply emotional song that explores the complexities of love, longing, and commitment. At its core, the lyrics reflect a yearning for unconditional love, but they also reveal a tension between desire and the limitations of human relationships. 

The narrator is expressing a longing for his partner, asserting that despite all the material things or grand gestures that might be offered, what truly matters is the presence and connection of the person they love.

The video of the song is almost as famous as the song itself. It tells the tragic story of a dwarf (played by Paolo Risi) who falls in love with a trapeze artist (played by Paola Rinaldi), one of whom apparently dies towards the end. 

While there is disagreement amongst fans about exactly who has died and what that means, The Edge was quoted as saying it is the trapeze artist who dies.

"All I Want Is You" song lyrics by U2 from Rattle and Hum.

You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want your story to remain untold
But all the promises we make from the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you'll give me a highway with no one on it
Treasure just to look upon it
All the riches in the night
You say you'll give me eyes in a moon of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbour in the tempest
But all the promises we make from the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you want your love to work out right
To last with me through the night
You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold
All the promises we break from the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You
All I want is you
All I want is you
All I want is you

-

The song's lyrics, written by lead vocalist Bono, weave a complex tapestry of themes including love, desire, obsession, and the nature of commitment, all set against a backdrop of somber introspection.

The title itself, "All I Want is You," serves as a recurring refrain throughout the song, emphasizing a singular, overwhelming desire. This phrase encapsulates the intense focus of the song's narrative—a deep, all-consuming love. However, as the lyrics unfold, it becomes evident that this declaration is layered with complexities and ambiguities.

One of the central themes of the song is the idea of unrequited or difficult love. The lyrics often touch on the notion of wanting something—or someone—that remains just out of reach or is not reciprocated in the way the speaker desires. This sense of longing is captured in lines like, "You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold / You say you want your story to remain untold." These lines hint at a disconnect between the speaker's desires and the object of their affection's aspirations or expectations.

Another significant theme in "All I Want is You" is the exploration of the nature of desire and obsession. The song delves into how love can sometimes blur into obsession, where the object of affection becomes everything, overshadowing all else. This is particularly evident in the way the song's simple yet profound chorus contrasts with verses that speak of more material desires—diamonds, riches, fame—only to return to the refrain that declares none of these are wanted, only the person themselves.

The song also touches on the idea of sacrifice and the cost of love. The lyrics suggest that true commitment might require giving up other dreams or desires, as illustrated by lines like, "You say you'll give me eyes in a moon of blindness / A river in a time of dryness." These metaphors speak to the transformative power of love, suggesting that it can provide solace and fulfillment in ways that material gains cannot.

Check out Angel of Harlem, an ode to Billy Holiday, also from the Rattle and Hum album.

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