The lyrics depict someone in a fragile, desperate state, seeking guidance and connection from a loved one, represented by the metaphor of ultraviolet light. Bono sings of a strained relationship that is essential for survival, using contrasting imagery—darkness and light—to express the tension between vulnerability and salvation.
The recurring plea to "light my way" suggests the need for reassurance and strength, whether from a lover, a friend, or even spiritual faith. The song intertwines personal struggles with broader existential questions, echoing the album's recurring themes of fragmentation and reconnection.
In terms of lyrical content, Bono crafts a narrative where he reflects on a complicated emotional bond. Phrases like "baby, baby, baby, light my way" carry a dual tone of longing and dependency, portraying a relationship on the edge of collapse yet full of potential healing.
The ultraviolet metaphor is significant; ultraviolet light is invisible to the naked eye, symbolizing the unseen or unspoken forces that influence our lives, much like the unseen aspects of love and faith.
The meaningful line “When I was all messed up and I heard opera in my head” suggests both chaos and beauty, hinting at the internal turmoil and transcendent experiences that come with emotional hardship.
"Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" Lyrics by U2
Baby baby baby
Sometimes I feel like I don't know
Sometimes I feel like checking out
I wanna get it wrong
Can't always be strong
And love it won't be long
Oh sugar, don't you cry
Oh child, wipe the tears from your eyes
You know I need you to be strong
And the day is as dark as the night is long
Feel like trash, you make me feel clean
I'm in the black, can't see or be seen
Baby baby baby light my way
All right now
Baby baby baby light my way
You bury your treasure where it can't be found
But your love is like a secret that's been passed around
There is a silence that comes to a house where no one can sleep
I guess it's the price of love
I know it's not cheap
Oh come on
Baby baby baby light my way
Oh come on
Baby baby baby light my way
Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love
Baby baby baby light my way
I remember when we could sleep on stones
Now we lie together in whispers and moans
When I was all messed up and I heard opera in my head
Your love was a lightbulb hanging over my bed
Baby baby baby light my way
Oh come on
Baby baby baby light my way
Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love
Baby baby baby
Baby baby baby
Baby baby baby light my way, yeah
Baby baby baby
Baby baby baby
Baby baby baby light my way
Baby baby baby
Baby baby baby light my way
Baby baby baby
"Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" was recorded during the tumultuous sessions for U2's Achtung Baby, which took place primarily at Hansa Studios in Berlin, a location chosen for its connection to David Bowie’s experimental albums. The band was grappling with internal tensions and a desire to reinvent their sound after the massive success of The Joshua Tree. The song began as a rough demo that evolved during their Berlin sessions, eventually shaped by the production team of Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois.
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