"Tomorrow," a track from U2's October album, is about the loss of a parent.
Bono taps into one of the most personal and painful experiences of his life: the death of his mother, Iris Hewson.
The song, which Bono initially believed was about the violence and loss in Northern Ireland, later revealed itself to be a raw depiction of his mother’s funeral when he was just 14.
The imagery is vivid—a black car by the roadside, a knock at the door, and a deep refusal to engage with the tragic reality unfolding. The repetition of “Won’t you come back tomorrow” reflects the heartache of a boy who cannot accept his mother’s absence, caught between denial and longing for an impossible return.
There’s a sense of dislocation throughout the lyrics, where the simple and universal rituals of mourning are rendered alien through the eyes of a grieving child.
As the song progresses, Bono shifts from personal mourning to a larger spiritual yearning. The refrain transitions from pleading for his mother’s return to invoking the love of God and the eventual return of Jesus, weaving his personal grief with his religious faith.
This melding of human vulnerability and spiritual hope is central to much of U2’s early work, and "Tomorrow" stands as one of the most poignant examples of this tension. By turning to his faith, Bono seeks a form of redemption and reunion, ending the song with a fragile but earnest declaration of belief in an afterlife where he will be reunited with his mother. In "Tomorrow," Bono’s grief is laid bare, but so too is his longing for something greater than the pain—a resolution that transcends death.
In interviews, Bono has indicated that October represents a pivotal moment for U2, showcasing their grappling with faith and their desire to express profound existential questions through music.
The lyrics of "Tomorrow" serve as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, emphasizing the idea that even in the face of adversity, there is an inherent hope for renewal and transformation.
"Tomorrow" Lyrics U2 by U2 from October
Won't you come back tomorrowWon't you come back tomorrow
Won't you come back tomorrow
Can I sleep tonight
Outside, somebody's outside
Somebody's knocking at the door
There's a black car parked at the side of the road
Don't go to the door
Don't go to the door
I'm going out
I'm going outside, mother
I'm going out there
Won't you be back tomorrow
Won't you be back tomorrow
Will you be back tomorrow
Who broke the window
Who broke down the door
Who tore the curtain
And who was it for
Who heals the wounds
Who heals the scars
Open the door
Open the door
Won't you come back tomorrow
Won't you be back tomorrow
Will you be back tomorrow
Can I sleep tonight
'Cause I want you, I want you
I really want you, I want
I want you to be back tomorrow
I want you to be back tomorrow
Won't you be back tomorrow
Won't you be back tomorrow
Won't you be back tomorrow
Will you be back tomorrow
Open up, open up to the love of God
To the love of He who made the blind to see
He's coming back
He's coming back
I believe Him
Jesus is coming
I'm gonna be there
I'm gonna be there, mother
I'm gonna be there, mother
I'm gonna be there
And you're gonna be there
1 Achtung Babies:
This song and album helped me through my grandmother's death. I have always wanted to say thank you to the band.
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