'No Line on the Horizon' song lyrics meaning - by U2

The title track from U2's No Line on the Horizon serves as a sonic and thematic centerpiece for the album, encapsulating the band's ongoing exploration of existential themes and spiritual inquiry. Rooted in Larry Mullen Jr.'s innovative drum patterns, the song’s inception showcases the band’s collaborative spirit. 

Brian Eno’s adept sampling and manipulation of Mullen's beats allowed the rest of the group to layer their signature sound, creating an ethereal atmosphere that perfectly complements the lyrical content. Bono’s evocative lyrics depict a metaphorical landscape where "the sea meets the sky," representing a realm of infinite possibilities—a place where boundaries dissolve and the essence of existence is contemplated.

At its core, the song embodies the theme of infinity, with Bono describing it as inherently optimistic. The imagery of a girl compared to the sea serves as a powerful metaphor for change and unpredictability. 

Lines like “One day she's still, the next she swells” evoke the fluid nature of identity and emotions, suggesting that like the ocean, relationships can shift dramatically. The notion of infinity, as articulated through the girl’s perspective, invites listeners to embrace the limitless potential of their own experiences. 

The recurring refrain, “No, no line on the horizon,” further emphasizes this theme, symbolizing a lack of boundaries and the continuous search for meaning beyond conventional constraints.  

No Line on the Horizon Lyrics:

I know a girl who's like a sea
I watch her changing every day for me
Oh yeah, oh

One day she's still, the next she swells
You can hear the universe in her sea shells
Oh yeah, oh

No, no line on the horizon
No, no line

I know a girl with a hole in her heart
She said infinity's a great place to start
Oh

"Time is irrelevant, it's not linear"
Then she put her tongue in my ear
Oh, oh

No, no line on the horizon
No, no line
No, no line on the horizon
No, no line

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

The songs in your head are now on my mind
You put me on pause
I try to rewind, love, and replay

Every night I have the same dream
I'm hatching some plot, scheming some scheme
Oh yeah
Oh

I'm a traffic cop, Rue du Marais
The sirens are wailing
But it's me that wants to get away
Oh

No line on the horizon
No, no line
No, no line on the horizon
No, no line

The album No Line on the Horizon is dedicated to Rob Partridge, who signed the U2's first record deal in 1979 and died of cancer in late 2008.