"City Of Blinding Lights" song lyrics by U2

The meaning of the lyrics

U2's "City of Blinding Lights" is a reflective exploration of New York City, capturing the contrasts between its dazzling exterior and the deeper emotional complexities it evokes. 

The song paints a portrait of the city’s bright lights, bustling energy, and overwhelming spectacle, but beneath this captivating allure lies a sense of disillusionment and introspection. 

New York, with its fast pace and glamour, can create feelings of disconnection and superficiality, where true meaning and deeper connections often feel elusive. The song expresses a longing for authentic relationships amidst the city's chaos, while also contemplating the passage of time and the inevitable changes it brings. 

There’s a struggle between holding onto innocence and grappling with the loss of self that can come with adulthood, especially in an environment that constantly dazzles with appearances. 

The inspiration behind the song

The origins of  City of Blinding Lights are closely tied to the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, particularly the emotional atmosphere Bono and the band experienced during a concert in New York City on their Elevation Tour. 

It was their first performance in the city since the attacks, and the gravity of the moment profoundly impacted the band. 

Bono recalled how, when the lights went up during one of their songs, he saw tears streaming down the faces of many in the audience. 

This raw display of emotion and resilience from New Yorkers amidst the city’s recovery moved him deeply and became a significant source of inspiration for the song. The experience crystallized the idea of a city that, despite its dazzling and overwhelming exterior, was grappling with immense grief and vulnerability. "City of Blinding Lights" became a reflection of New York's unique combination of grandeur and humanity, capturing both its breathtaking beauty and the emotional scars that lay beneath.

U2's "City Of Blinding Lights" lyrics by U2 from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb

The more you see the less you know
The less you find out as you go
I knew much more then than I do now

Neon heart, day glow eyes
A city lit by fireflies
They're advertising in the skies
For people like us

And I miss you when you're not around
I'm getting ready to leave the ground
Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights

Don't look before you laugh
Look ugly in a photograph
Flash bulbs, purple irises
The camera can't see

I've seen you walk unafraid
I've seen you in the clothes you made
Can you see the beauty inside of me
What happened to the beauty I had inside of me

And I miss you when you're not around
I'm getting ready to leave the ground
Oh, you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights

Time, time, time, time
Time won't leave me as I am
But time won't take the boy out of this man

Oh, you look so beautiful tonight
Oh, you look so beautiful tonight
Oh, you look so beautiful tonight
Yeah, the city of blinding lights

The more you know the less you feel
Some pray for, others steal
Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel
Luckily

Check out more lyrics from How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb, One Step Closer and Original Of The Species.

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