"Helter Skelter" Lyrics by U2 - Cover Version of the Beatles

Thursday, August 13, 2009
Bono’s famous opening statement, "This is a song Charles Manson stole from the Beatles. We're stealing it back," made during U2's cover of "Helter Skelter," encapsulates a complex interplay of cultural references, musical heritage, and the reclamation of art. 

The original Beatles song, released in 1968 on the White Album, is often seen as one of the pioneering tracks in the heavy metal genre, characterized by its raw energy and chaotic structure. However, it also gained a notorious reputation due to its association with Charles Manson, who infamously interpreted the song as a rallying cry for his violent cult, believing it foretold a race war.

"Helter Skelter" Lyrics by U2 - Cover Version of the Beatles

By referencing Manson, Bono confronts the dark appropriation of the song, suggesting that its original message of rebellion and discontent had been co-opted for sinister purposes. U2's cover, particularly notable for its aggressive instrumentation and impassioned vocal delivery, seeks to reclaim the track's essence as a powerful anthem of liberation and protest against oppression

Helter Skelter Lyrics by U2

When you get to the bottom
You go back to the top of the slide
And you stop and you turn
And you go for a ride
Then you get to the bottom
Then you see me again

Do you, don't you want me to love you
I'm coming down fast, I'm right here above you
Tell me, tell me, tell me the answer
I ain't no lover but you ain't no dancer

Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Helter skelter

Do you, don't you want me to make you
I'm coming down fast now don't let me break you
Tell me, tell me, tell me the answer
You ain't no lover but you ain't no dancer

Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Helter skelter

When you get to the bottom
You go back to the top of the slide
And you turn and you stop
And you go for a ride
Then you get to the bottom
Then you see me again

Do you, don't you want me to love you
I'm coming down fast I'm right here above you
Tell me, tell me, tell me the answer
Ain't no lover but you ain't no dancer

Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Helter skelter

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