"Wire" Song Lyrics by U2

"Wire” from The Unforgettable Fire emerges as a frenetic exploration of addiction and disconnection, encapsulating the chaotic emotional landscape of those grappling with the throes of substance abuse. Written during a period when heroin had a devastating grip on Dublin, the song serves as a raw reflection of the despair and fragmentation that characterized the lives of its victims. 

Bono described “Wire” as the “hypodermic needle of the album,” emphasizing its sharp, jarring essence and its focus on the urgent, often violent struggles inherent in addiction. Thematically, the lyrics oscillate between the sense of entrapment and the desperate longing for escape, illustrated through stark imagery and poignant repetition. 

Lines like "Cold in his eyes" and "So lay me down, my soul to keep" convey a visceral sense of isolation and emotional desolation, while the contrasting references to choice and consequence—“Is this the time, the time to win or lose?”—underscore the internal conflict faced by individuals in the throes of addiction. 

"Wire" Song Lyrics by U2

Innocent and in a sense I am
Guilty of the crime that's now in hand
Such a nice day to throw your life away
Such a nice day to let it go

Cold in his eyes, I can't believe it
Cold in his heart and soul
Heart and soul
Cold man, such a cold heart
Such a cold man to watch you tear your self apart
So lay me down, my soul to keep
So lay me down, the longest sleep
Oh, the longest sleep

In I come and out you go you gets
Here we are again now, place your bets
Is this the time, the time to win or lose
Is this the time, the time to choose

Cold in his eyes, I can't believe it
So deep inside a cold fire
Cold, this heart and soul

Any time you are near, kiss it away
Wash it down now
That's right, just keep me up

In some white track you come right back
Cartoon cutout, cut throat let out
I'm on your side, be on the both side
I'm on the right track, you get off my back
I'm no dope, I give you hope
Here's the rope, here's the rope
Now swing on it

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U2 would also write about heroin addiction in Running to Standstill from The Joshua Tree and Bad from The Unforgettable Fire. 

Fun fact: Wire appeared in the Miami Vice episode "Lombard".