"With Or Without You" song lyrics by U2

"With or Without You" was the lead single from U2's 1987 album, The Joshua Tree.

The song is a masterclass in lyrical minimalism, where every word carries the weight of a thousand unspoken emotions.

Bono, at his most vulnerable, lays bare the complexities of a love that both consumes and liberates him. "See the stone set in your eyes/See the thorn twist in your side," he sings, acknowledging the pain and struggle inherent in this passionate, perhaps even destructive, relationship.

Yet, there's a sense of inevitability, a surrender to forces beyond his control. "I can't live with or without you," he confesses, a line that perfectly encapsulates the agonizing push and pull of desire and dependence.

The repetition of this phrase throughout the song amplifies its power, driving home the sense of being trapped in a cycle of longing and frustration.

The lyrics are not merely a chronicle of romantic angst, but also a reflection on the broader human condition. The imagery of "a bed of nails" and "my hands are tied, my body bruised" suggests a struggle that transcends the personal, hinting at the universal experience of yearning for something just beyond reach.

Whether it's love, faith, or a sense of belonging, the song taps into the deep-seated human desire for connection and the inherent contradictions that come with it. "And you give yourself away," Bono repeats, a line that speaks to the sacrifices we make in the pursuit of love and the paradoxical freedom that can come from surrender. It is arguably one of U2's most popular songs.

Released as a single in March 1987, it became the U2's first American Billboard number #1 one hit, spending three weeks at the top.6

The follow up single, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For also become number one.

This song is a U2 fan favourite and played at every live concert, often at the end of the show just before the encore.

"With Or Without You" song lyrics by U2

See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you
Slight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait without you

With or without you
With or without you

Through the storm we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And I'm waiting for you

With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away

My hands are tied, my body bruised
She's got me with nothing left to win
And nothing else to lose

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away

With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you

-


"With or Without You" is a song that resonates on multiple levels, from the deeply personal to the universally relatable. It's a testament to U2's ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in a way that is both raw and poetic.


Bono's lyrics, stripped bare of any artifice, cut straight to the heart of the matter, leaving the listener to grapple with their own experiences of love, loss, and the eternal struggle for connection. Check out some other popular songs from The Joshua Tree.


The politically charged Bullet the Blue Sky" has become an iconic U2 song. "Running to Stand Still" is about heroin addiction and "Red Hill Mining Town" is about decay.

How With or Without You was produced

The creation of "With or Without You" is a fascinating blend of happy accidents and deliberate experimentation. It began with a simple chord progression Bono devised on an acoustic guitar, a loop that initially captivated the band but later became a source of frustration. Eno and Lanois, sensing the song's potential, encouraged them to push through the impasse. The Edge, armed with a prototype Infinite Guitar, stumbled upon the shimmering, sustained notes that define the song's ethereal atmosphere.

This breakthrough, combined with Eno's innovative use of a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer to create the pulsating bass line, transformed the song into something truly special.

The song's structure is deceptively simple yet remarkably effective. It begins with a hushed intimacy, Bono's vocals floating over The Edge's shimmering guitar textures and Eno's subtle keyboard washes. As the song progresses, it builds in intensity, driven by Mullen Jr.'s understated but powerful drumming and Clayton's anchoring bass line. The emotional crescendo arrives with the soaring chorus, where Bono's vocals reach a fever pitch, conveying the raw intensity of his conflicted emotions. Then, just as suddenly, the music recedes, returning to the quiet introspection of the verses.

Adding another layer to the song's sonic tapestry are the contributions of Brian Eno. Beyond the aforementioned synth bass line, Eno introduced subtle sonic details that enhance the song's atmosphere. His use of ambient textures and processed sounds creates a sense of space and depth, giving the song an ethereal quality that perfectly complements the lyrical themes of longing and transcendence.