Sixty Seconds in Kingdom Come

Monday, September 28, 2009
"Sixty Seconds in Kingdom Come" is an instrumental by U2. It is from The Unforgettable Fire recording sessions. It has been re-released as part of the new re issuing of the album.

Obviously then, the song being an instrumental means there are no lyrics.

"Disappearing Act" Lyrics U2

disappearing act lyrics by u2
The Unforgettable Fire cover artwork - featuring Slane Castle

"Disappearing Act" Lyrics U2


Disappearing Act is a new song that was released by U2 as part of the reissue of The Unforgettable Fire album.

The music is from the original recording sessions with Bono adding new vocal tracks to the song for the reissue - so it's a true mix of old and new. The song used to be known as "White City".

The introduction is classic The Edge style soaring guitars, reminiscent of the I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For chord progression but a little faster.

Bono makes a reference to lepers in the head - a line he recycled for U2's 'One'.

Note too, the line similarity in the Disappearing Act lyric 'lovers in your beds' and 'lepers in your head' that made it on to the One track and the similar themes Bono is exploring in both songs.

Disappearing Act Lyrics:


You do your disappearing act x 2

Silence
I know I could get used to this
Cunning
Your scent is something I'm not going to miss
Excite
It's a small price to pay for bliss
Alone
Like a painter's dog without a bone
When there's only one thing you need to own
And that is hunger
Hunger itself

I know we'll pick and wrench
Your night just ripped and it is torn to shreds
From all the lovers taken to your beds
They're empty now
And you think that you can love
And you think that you can love
And you think that you can love
Someone into home

You do your disappearing act
You do your disappearing act

Jealousy
It's not what it's cracked up to be
Envy
Gets you where you need to be
Alone
Rather the river than your stepping stones
Leave the graveyard before you turn to bones
I'm tragic, your comedy
Oh, baby doll
The dogs are barking, they need to be fed
All of the lepers your let in your head
Is it empty now
'Cause you think you can love
And you think that you can love
And you think that you can love
Someone into home

You do your disappearing act x 2

Check out Yoshino Blossom which was also released as part of the 25th Anniversary rerelease of The Unforgettable Fire.

Other pages you may be interested in:

"Yoshino Blossom" Song Lyrics by U2

"Yoshino Blossom" Song Lyrics by U2


"Yoshino Blossom" Lyrics U2

Yoshino Blossom is a new song that was released by U2 as part of the reissue of The Unforgettable Fire album. The song itself is an instrumental so there are no lyrics!

Yoshino Blossom presumably refers to the Japanese Cherry Blossoms and this is perhaps the clue that the instrumental is to evoke ideas of the atomic bombs being dropped on Japan and hence U2 using the title for the album and the song, The Unforgettable Fire.

The actual Unforgettable Fire was an art exhibition which reflected on the effects of the bombs.

Also released at the same time as this song was Disappearing Act.

U2 would later revisit the topic of the Atomic Bomb with the album How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

Check out some more pages on the meaning of U2 lyrics: U2 lyrics that explore Jesus, Yahweh and The Good Book, how Elvis was the King, or U2 songs that name check real people.

"Lady With The Spinning Head" Lyrics U2

Monday, September 21, 2009
Lady with the Spinning Head was a song left over from the Achtung Baby recording sessions. Keen listeners will note its similarity to The Fly. The song was released as a B-side to the single, One.

The song channels the intense emotional fragmentation that defined the band’s early 90s sound, wrapped in themes of desire, disorientation, and existential yearning. 

The titular "lady" embodies a swirling persona, a metaphor for the dizzying effect of love, lust, and power on the human soul. Bono’s lyrics paint a picture of someone who is caught between conflicting impulses—simultaneously drawn to and repelled by the dizzying experience of infatuation and obsession. 

Lines like “The world turns and we get dizzy / It's hard to see this somewhere else” reflect a sense of existential vertigo, where personal relationships become inseparable from the larger chaos of the world. In this state of flux, identity and desire blur, leaving the protagonist vulnerable to the forces of both passion and despair.





'Lady with the Spinning Head' Song Lyrics:

Here she comes, lady luck again
Figure of eight, six and nine again
My lady with the spinning head
Whatever the deal she won't let me down
Wherever I go she's always hanging round
My lady with the spinning head

Lady with the spinning head
Lady with the spinning head
Oh yeah

She's been gone but I knew she'd be back
She's got the rent, she put me in the black
The lady with the spinning head
If I ever let go, she'd cure my blues
She's the one in the Chinese shoes
Lady with the spinning head
I'm on top when she's around
Shes my ticket out of town
Lady with the spinning head

Lady with the spinning head
Lady with the spinning head
Lady with the spinning head
Lady with the spinning head

Here she comes, lady luck again
Figures
Here she comes
Figure of eight, six and nine again

-

Lady with the Spinning Head,” although not selected for the final track list of Achtung Baby, proved to be a fertile ground for U2's creative evolution, spawning the foundational elements of three tracks that would become central to the album: “The Fly,”Ultraviolet (Light My Way),” and “Zoo Station.” 


U2's "Two Shots Of Happy, One Shot Of Sad" song lyrics as sung by Nancy Sinatra

Sunday, September 20, 2009


"Two Shots Of Happy, One Shot Of Sad" song lyrics by U2 and Nancy Sinatra

"Two Shots Of Happy, One Shot Of Sad" song lyrics by U2 and Nancy Sinatra


Written as a gift for Frank Sinatra, Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad was released as a B-Side to If God Will Send His Angels, a single from U2's Pop album.

It is a jazzy lounge song written in the style of the music Sinatra is known for. Recorded for Sinatra's 80th birthday. It was played for him in a televised birthday tribute in 1995. It has a string arrangement by Craig Armstrong.

Frank never actually recorded the song Sinatra's daughter Nancy recorded a version of Two Shots which had Adam and Larry on the rhythm section.

Bono and Frank did duet on 'I've got you under my skin' which can be found on the popular Duets album or as the b-side to the Stay (Faraway, So Close!) single from Zooropa.

Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad Lyrics:


Two shots of happy, one shot of sad
You think I'm no good, well I know I've been bad
Took you to a place, now you can't get back
Two shots of happy, one shot of sad

Walk together down a dead end street
We were mixing the bitter with the sweet
Don't try to figure out what we might have had
Just two shots of happy, one shot of sad

I'm just a singer, some say a sinner
Rollin' the dice, not always a winner
You say I've been lucky, well hell, I made my own
Not part of the crowd but not feeling alone

Under pressure but not bent out of shape
Surrounded, we always found an escape
Drove me to drink but hey, thats not all bad
Two shots of happy, one shot of sad

Guess I've been greedy all of my life
Greedy with my children, my lovers, my wife
Greedy for the good things as well as the bad
Two shots of happy, one shot of sad

Maybe it's just talk, saloon singing
The chairs are all stacked, the swingers stopped swinging
You say I hurt you, you put the finger on yourself
Then after you did it you came crying for my help

Two shots of happy, one shot of sad
I'm not complaining, baby, I'm glad
You call it compromise, well, what's that
Two shots of happy, one shot of sad
Two shots of happy, one shot of sad

U2's New York song was also written with The Chairman of the Board in mind.

"Smile" Lyrics U2

Wednesday, September 16, 2009



"Smile" Lyrics U2

Smile is from the Medium, Rare & Remastered compilation album of rarities and remastered tracks by the biggest band in the land, U2. The album was available to members of U2.com.

Smile Lyrics:

Gravity, it's not pulling me
I won't be a picture with no sound
Decaying, I'm praying
You are my air
But I need the ground to kneel upon
And love can't be us all
I don't want to see you smile

I'm breaking it, taking it
I'm breaking slowly in my mind
I'm seeing it, free in it
I know love is in this soul of mine
It's not in your eyes
I don't want
I don't want to see you smile

It started light-hearted
I won't be easier like you said
I'm going, flowing
I'm leaving on the day
Of the day I will live again
You will live again
I don't want to see you smile

God knows, He knows me
Knows me, lonely
You see, hear me, love
Say it again
You're not blind
The smoke machine
Is yours, not mine
I don't want to see you smile

I will live again
You will live again
I just don't want to see you smile

"Slide Away" Lyrics Bono + Michael Hutchence

"Slide Away," written by Bono and performed on the posthumous Michael Hutchence album, is a deeply personal reflection on loss, connection, and redemption. Bono channels his grief for Hutchence, weaving a narrative of empathy and regret. 

The song mirrors themes found in U2’s "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of," also inspired by Hutchence, where Bono grapples with the inability to save someone from their own struggles. "Slide Away" becomes a heartfelt eulogy, addressing the emotional chasm left by Hutchence's death while seeking solace in remembrance.

"Slide Away" Lyrics Bono + Michael Hutchence


The lyrics explore the pain of loss and the desire for renewal. Refrains such as "I just want to slide away and come alive again" convey a yearning to escape grief and rediscover vitality. Lines like "I would catch you as you fall" and "I’d find you wings to fly" underscore a poignant wish to intervene, reflecting Bono's empathy and shared human vulnerability. Through metaphors like "you tore a hole in space" and "like a dark star falls from grace," the song portrays the immense void left by Hutchence’s absence, likening it to cosmic disarray.

Amidst its sorrowful tones, the song carries a subtle sense of hope. The idea of "finding a life again" speaks to resilience and the healing power of love and memory. "Slide Away" is ultimately an emotional meditation on grief, regret, and the enduring quest to navigate loss while holding onto the connections that transcend death.

Slide Away Lyrics:

Are you gonna wake again
Are you gonna take it down
Oh babe, I don't wanna deal it
Oh, make it alright
Gimme some, my love
Away, away, away

I just want to slide away and come alive again
I just want to slide away and come alive again
I will see that love again and find a life again
I just want to slide away and come alive again

I wanted to let it go
I just couldn't let it go
I wanted to let it go
I just couldn't let you go
I would catch you
I'd catch you as you fall
I would catch you
I'd catch you if I heard your call
But you tore a hole in space like a dark star falls from grace
You burn across the sky and I'd find you wings to fly
And I would catch you
And I would catch your fall

I just want to slide away and come alive again
I just want to slide away and come alive again
I will see that love again and find a life again
I just want to slide away and come alive again

I just want to slide away and come alive again
Call me, slide away, calling me
I just want to slide away and come alive again
Calling, say gain, calling, call me
I will see that love again and find a life again
Calling again, falling, falling to night
I just want to slide away and come alive again
Calling, falling, I'd find a way

-

Bono’s involvement with "Slide Away" stems from his close friendship with Michael Hutchence, lead singer of INXS. The two shared a mutual respect as artists and a bond forged through their similar experiences in the music world. 

Bono was deeply affected by Hutchence's tragic death in 1997, which he described as both heartbreaking and preventable. Writing "Slide Away" for Hutchence’s posthumous album was Bono’s way of honoring his friend’s legacy and grappling with his grief. 

The song captures the complexity of their friendship, marked by moments of joy, creativity, and shared struggles, as well as Bono’s lingering regret over his inability to help Hutchence during his darkest times. 

"Slow Dancing" Song Lyrics by U2

U2’s song “Slow Dancing,” which serves as a B-side to their 1993 single ""Stay (Faraway, So Close!)" from the Zooropa album, explores themes of love, vulnerability, and the complexities of human relationships through the evocative metaphor of dancing. 

The imagery of "slow dancing" signifies an intimate connection between partners, emphasizing the tenderness and emotional presence that characterize deep relationships. 

"Slow Dancing" Song Lyrics by U2

It conveys a sense of vulnerability, where individuals reveal their true selves and accept each other's flaws, while also reflecting on nostalgia and the fleeting nature of love, as the lyrics evoke wistfulness and memories that shape current feelings. This acknowledgment of life's impermanence adds emotional weight, underscoring how precious moments of connection, though temporary, can provide hope and solace. Musically, the song's slow tempo and melodic arrangement enhance its intimate atmosphere, with Bono’s emotive vocal delivery further accentuating the longing and connection conveyed in the lyrics. 

"Slow dancing" was also released as a B-side to U2's 1997 single If God Will Send His Angels. This version featured country singer Willie Nelson.

'Slow Dancing' song lyrics - B-side to Stay (Faraway so Close):

My love is cruel as the night
She steals the sun and shuts out the light
All of my colors, they turn to blue
Win or lose

She does it slow dancing
Slow dancing
She does it slow dancing
All night long

Scarlet eyes and a see-through heart
She saw me coming right from the start
She picked me up but had me down on my knees
Just a-begging her
Begging her please

Take me slow dancing
Slow dancing
She took me slow dancing
All night long

And I don't know why a man
Search for himself in his lover's eyes
No, I don't know why a man
Sees the truth but needs the lies

My love is restless as the wind
She moves like a shadow across my skin
She left with my conscience
I don't want it back
It just gets in the way

If you wanna go slow dancing
Slow dancing
She took me slow dancing
All night long
Slow dancing
Slow dancing
Slow

"Love Comes Tumbling" Song Lyrics by U2

Monday, September 14, 2009
"Love Comes Tumbling" by U2 captures the complexities of love, self-discovery, and the inevitable challenges that arise in relationships. The lyrics convey a sense of personal struggle, as the speaker reflects on the difficulties of connection and the realization that love doesn't need to be forced; instead, it finds its own path. 

The refrain "All roads lead to where you are" highlights the centrality of the beloved, suggesting that no matter the journey, the ultimate destination is a profound emotional bond with them. This idea is juxtaposed with the imagery of the "seed is spilled" and "the bed defiled," indicating a loss of innocence and the complications that can arise in intimate relationships. 

The lines "Hide yourself in someone else / Don't find yourself in me" imply a caution against dependency, urging the other person to seek their identity independently rather than through the speaker. The concluding acknowledgment of how "love comes tumbling down again" poignantly encapsulates the cyclical nature of love, revealing both its fragility and the persistence of hope in the face of heartache. 

Through this exploration, U2 delves into the duality of love as both a source of joy and a potential cause of turmoil, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences of love and longing.

"Love Comes Tumbling" Song Lyrics by U2

Apparently there were three versions of Love Comes Tumbling? Either way, this version appeared on the U2 EP Wide Awake in America which featured Bad, A Sort of Home Coming and The Three Sunrises.

"Love Comes Tumbling" Song Lyrics by U2

Love don't need to find a way
You find your own way
I forget that I can't stay
And so I say that

All roads lead to where you are
All roads lead to where you are

The seed is spilled, the bed defiled
For you, a virgin bride
Hide yourself in someone else
Don't find yourself in me

I can't lift you up again
Love comes tumbling down again

Love don't need to find a way
You find your own way
I forget that you can stay
And so I say that

All roads lead to where you are
All roads lead to where you are

"The Three Sunrises" song lyrics by U2

"The Three Sunrises" by U2 encapsulates themes of love, longing, and the search for transcendence through the imagery of the rising sun. The repeated invocation of the "Spirit of the rising sun" evokes a sense of hope and renewal, suggesting that love has the power to elevate the speaker and provide a sense of purpose. 

The lines "Love me 'til I die, my heart won't wait" reflect an urgent plea for connection, emphasizing the fleeting nature of time and the desire for love that transcends mortality. This urgency is intertwined with a recognition of love's elusive nature, as the phrase "love won't find its own way home" suggests that love requires effort and intention to manifest in one's life rather than being a passive occurrence.
"The Three Sunrises" song lyrics by U2

The refrain, dominated by the phrase "In this love song," reinforces the notion that love is both a personal journey and a universal experience, encapsulated in the medium of music itself. The imagery of "sunshine" serves as a metaphor for warmth, clarity, and emotional illumination, suggesting that love is a vital force that brings light into the speaker's life. 

As the lyrics unfold, the repetition of "sunshine on me" transforms into a mantra, symbolizing a deep yearning for connection and fulfillment. Ultimately, "The Three Sunrises" reflects U2's exploration of love's complexities—its capacity to uplift, its inherent challenges, and the transformative power of sharing one’s deepest desires with another.


Three Sunrises was released on the U2 EP Wide Awake in America which featured Bad and A Sort of Home Coming from The Unforgettable Fire and Love Comes Tumbling.

"The Three Sunrises" song lyrics by U2



The Three Sun Rises Lyrics:

Spirit of the rising sun, lift me up
Hold me there and never let me fall
Love me 'til I die, my heart won't wait
Soon I will be done

In this love song
Love song
Love song
Love song

Hey, hey, love won't find
Find it's own way home

In this love song
Love song
Love song
Love song

Sunshine, sunshine on me
Sunshine, sunshine on me

In this love song
Love song
Love song
Love song

Hey, hey, love won't find
Find it's way home

In this love song
Love song
Love song
Love song

Sunshine on me
Bring it through to my home
I would give you everything
I will give you my desire

Sunshine, sunshine on me
Sunshine, sunshine on me

"Satellite Of Love" Lyrics Lou Reed sung by Milla Jocovich

Friday, September 11, 2009
"Satellite Of Love" Lyrics Lou Reed sung by Milla Jocovich
This song is a classic track by Lou Reed from his famous Transformer album. 

Featuring on The Million Dollar Hotel Soundtrack. It features Bono on backing vocals with Mrs Resident Evil Milla Jovovich on lead.

"Satellite Of Love" Lyrics by Lou Reed


Satellite's gone up to the sky
Things like that drive me out of my mind
I watched it for a little while
I love to watch things on TV

Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love

Satellite's gone, way up to Mars
It's alright, it's alright
Soon it will be filled with parking cars
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
I watched it for a little while
It's alright
I like to watch things on TV

Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love

It's alright, satellite, satellite of love
I've been told, baby, that you've been bold, baby
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
You've been bold, you've been bold
With Harry, Mark and John

Satellite's gone up to the sky
Things like that
Things like that drive me out of my mind
I watched it for a little while

Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love

Monday, Wednesday, Tuesday, Friday
Satellite of love
Wednesday, Monday, Friday, Tuesday
Satellite of love
Monday, Wednesday, Tuesday, Friday
Satellite of love
Wednesday, Monday, Friday, Tuesday
Satellite of love
Monday, Friday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Satellite of love
Wednesday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday
Satellite of love
Tuesday

Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite of love

Lou Reed's "Satellite of Love" is a multifaceted song that primarily deals with themes of jealousy, heartbreak, and longing. Released in 1972 on his critically acclaimed Transformer album, the song tells the story of a man watching a satellite launch on television, using the event as a metaphor for emotional distance and detachment. The satellite, orbiting far from Earth, symbolizes the man's emotional isolation from the person he loves. As he watches this event unfold, he reflects on his romantic partner’s infidelity, which becomes more evident as the song progresses. The lines "I've been told that you've been bold / With Harry, Mark, and John" reveal his suspicion and heartbreak over their involvement with other people, highlighting a sense of betrayal.

The juxtaposition of the satellite imagery with these personal emotions adds a sense of grandeur to the song. It gives the sense that while the man is dealing with personal turmoil, the world continues to turn, indifferent to his suffering. The "satellite of love" represents something unattainable or distant, much like the unfaithful lover in the song. Despite the melancholic undertones, the song’s arrangement is somewhat upbeat, and its lush production—helmed by David Bowie—adds to the contrast between the personal pain expressed in the lyrics and the soaring, almost dreamy instrumentation. This contrast gives the song a reflective and bittersweet quality, making it one of Reed's most enduring and complex tracks.


"Dancing Shoes" Song Lyrics by U2

"Dancing Shoes is performed by Bono and the Million Dollar Hotel Band for the movie, The Million Dollar Hotel.

The song is a melancholic song that explores themes of emotional pain, longing, and coping through the metaphor of dance. 

The lyrics describe a person who is struggling with deep sadness, so much so that they cannot cry, suggesting a state of numbness or emotional exhaustion. The imagery of "dancin' shoes" represents a way of navigating or escaping this pain, as the person attempts to "waltz the blues," a metaphor for trying to mask their sadness through movement or distraction, perhaps even adopting a facade of grace or normalcy despite inner turmoil.

"Dancing Shoes" Song Lyrics by U2





















The song also delves into the complexity of love and heartbreak, hinted at through the lines about a mother’s warning that "true love don’t lie" and how loving someone can leave a lasting mark ("the smoke won't leave your eyes"). The repeated references to bruises that "they won’t find" suggest hidden wounds—emotional scars that are not outwardly visible, yet deeply felt. The "dancin' shoes" become a symbol of survival, as the character learns to carry their pain, moving through life despite the emotional burdens they bear. Ultimately, the song captures the paradox of attempting to "dance" through life's difficulties, even when those struggles are invisible to the outside world.


"Dancing Shoes" Song Lyrics by U2

I know you're so sad
So sad you can't cry
But I know you let go
Although you can't remember why

Your lipstick don't fit
Your strap's coming loose
You're out in the hall
Waltzing the blues
Now you hurt somewhere
They won't find a bruise
You've been learning to walk
In those dancin' shoes

I had a mama
She told me 'bout you
She said true love don't lie
You touch that woman
And the smoke won't leave your eyes

You're talking your walk
'Cause you can't refuse
Learning to walk
In those dancin' shoes
Now you hurt somewhere
They won't find a bruise
Learning to walk
In those dancin' shoes

"Falling At Your Feet" Song Lyrics by Bono & Daniel Lanois

"Falling at Your Feet" by Bono and Daniel Lanois, from The Million Dollar Hotel soundtrack, is a meditation on surrender, humility, and the human tendency to fall short of perfection. The song’s lyrics are a reflection on the many ways people experience failure, disappointment, and limitation in life, yet these experiences ultimately lead to a kind of spiritual surrender, symbolized by the recurring phrase "falling at your feet." 

Each verse catalogues a variety of human conditions—broken promises, lost opportunities, and the struggles of everyday life—demonstrating how everyone, regardless of their status or circumstances, ends up in a position of submission, whether to life itself, fate, or a higher power. The sense of falling, both literally and metaphorically, emphasizes the vulnerability and fragility of human existence.

"Falling At Your Feet" Song Lyrics by Bono & Daniel Lanois























The song also explores the theme of humility through imagery of people in various states of struggle, from teenagers with acne to pop stars hurling abuse. No one is exempt from the fall, as indicated by the repeated "all fall down," underscoring the universal nature of human imperfection. The lines "Teach me to surrender / Not my will / Thy will" suggest that true peace comes from yielding control and accepting a greater purpose or higher authority. 

There is a spiritual dimension to this surrender, as the song hints at a deeper, almost biblical humility in recognizing that life, with all its chaos and flaws, can only be navigated through faith or trust in something larger. 


"Falling At Your Feet" Song Lyrics by Bono & Daniel Lanois

Every chip from every cup

Every promise given up

Every reason that's not enough

Is falling, falling at your feet




Every band elastic limit

Every race when there's nothing in it

Every winner that's lost a ticket

Is falling, falling at your feet

I've come crawling, falling at your feet




Every one who needs a friend

Every life that has no end

Every knee not ready to bend

Is falling, falling at your feet

I've come crawling, now I'm falling at your feet




All fall down

All the manic days, faces that pull

All fall down

All the x-rays not under your control

All fall down

The graphitti running down for futile

All fall down

And the compromise you make for someone




Every teenager with acne

Every face that's spoiled by beauty

Ever adult tamed by duty

Are all falling at your feet




Every foot in every face

Every cop stop who finds the grace

Every prisoner in the maze

Every hand that needs an ace

Is falling, falling at your feet

I've come crawling, I'm falling at your feet




All fall down

All the books you never read

All fall down

Just started

All fall down

All the meals you rushed

All fall down

And never tasted




Every eye closed by a bruise

Every plan that just can't lose

Every pop star hurling abuse

Every drunk back on the booze

All falling at your feet

I'm falling at your feet




All fall down

All the information

All fall down

All the big ideas

All fall down

All the radio waves

All fall down

Electronic seas

All fall down

How to navigate

All fall down

How to simply be

All fall down

The truth knows when to wait

All fall down

Explained simplicity

All fall down

In whom shall I trust

All fall down

How might I be still

All fall down

Teach me to surrender

Not my will

Thy will

"Stateless" Song Lyrics by U2

"Stateless" Song Lyrics by U2






















Stateless is from The Million Dollar Hotel soundtrack for which Bono played a major contribution.


Stateless Lyrics:


I've got no home in this world
Just gravity, luck, and time
I've got no home in this world
Just you and you are not mine

Stateless
Weightless
Stateless

Such a girl

There are no colors in your eye
There's no sunshine in your sky
There's no race, only the prize
There is no tomorrow, only tonight

Stateless
It's the difference

You can cover a world with your thumb
Still so big, so bright, so beautiful

Weightless
Stateless

Push down on me
Push down on me
A weight now
A weight down on me
Your weight down
Be the weight, hard
Down on me
Be the heavy hand
The wall of sand
Be the weight, hard
Down on me

Stateless
Weightless
Hateless

-

The lyrics to "Stateless" reflect a deep sense of disconnection, alienation, and existential drift. The recurring phrase "I've got no home in this world" conveys a profound feeling of rootlessness, suggesting a character who feels unattached to any particular place or even to the people in their life. The protagonist seems to be grappling with the lack of stability, relying only on "gravity, luck, and time"—forces that are uncontrollable and impersonal. The line "Just you and you are not mine" speaks to the experience of unrequited or unattainable love, where the individual they long for remains out of reach, further emphasizing the emotional isolation. The chorus, "Stateless, weightless," evokes the idea of floating without an anchor, both literally and figuratively, capturing a sense of being adrift in the world without a clear identity or sense of belonging.

As the song progresses, it delves deeper into the emotional and existential weight the protagonist feels, despite the repeated notion of being "weightless." The second verse portrays an almost nihilistic outlook: "There are no colors in your eye / There's no sunshine in your sky" reflects a world drained of vibrancy, where the future is nonexistent ("There is no tomorrow, only tonight"). The weightlessness is juxtaposed against lines like "Push down on me" and "Be the weight, hard down on me," suggesting that despite the desire to feel light or free, the character is burdened by the pressures and emotional heaviness of their reality. The phrase "be the heavy hand" could signify a plea for something solid to hold on to or a desire to feel something tangible in a world that feels insubstantial. 

"Never Let Me Go" Song Lyrics by U2

"Never Let Me Go" by U2, written for The Million Dollar Hotel soundtrack, is a song that delves into themes of redemption, longing, and the fragile connection between love and self-discovery. The spoken introduction reflects a profound realization about the beauty and unpredictability of life, suggesting that even in moments of crisis or despair, life remains full of magic and possibility. 

This sets the stage for the lyrical content, which explores the journey of a character who, having been blind or unaware of life's deeper meanings, comes to realize the importance of human connection, symbolized by the plea to "never let me go." 

The lyrics portray a sense of vulnerability and self-awareness. The protagonist encounters a stranger, who may represent someone offering a new perspective on life, "an ocean of what he's never seen." This encounter leads to the realization that love, or connection, often evades those who run from it, only catching them by the "heel" when they least expect it. The metaphor of footprints in the sand alludes to the impermanence of life and love—things can be easily "washed away," yet certain moments or decisions leave lasting impressions. 

The recurring refrain "never let me go" serves as a desperate appeal for emotional permanence in a world where everything else seems transient. The song captures the tension between fear of vulnerability and the desire for lasting, meaningful connection, making it a poignant reflection on the human need for love, stability, and redemption.


Spoken Text:

Wow, after I jumped, it occured to me: life is perfect. Life is the best, full of magic and beauty, opportunity and television, and surprises, lots of surprises, yeah. And then there's the best stuff, of course, better than anything anyone ever made up 'cause it's real.


Lyrics proper:

You take a stranger by the hand

A man who doesn't understand his wildest dreams

You walk across the dirty sand

And offer him an ocean of what he's never seen



Maybe I was blind

Or I might have closed my eyes

Maybe I was dumb

But what forgot to say

If you didn't know

Is never let me go

Never let me go

Never let me go

Never let me go



You run from love and don't believe

Unless it catches you by the heel

And even then, you struggle

From red island across the strand

Your footprints still there in the sand

Everything else washed away


I may not be alone

Or I may have found my home

I may have lost my way

But what I forgot to say

If you didn't know

Is never let me go

Never let me go

Never let me go

Bible references in U2 Song Lyrics

Saturday, September 5, 2009
U2's incorporation of biblical references and lessons into their lyrics is a profound aspect of their songwriting, offering a layer of spiritual depth that transcends conventional rock music themes. This use of biblical allusions not only reflects the personal beliefs of the band members, particularly Bono, but also serves to elevate their music to a plane where spiritual inquiry and rock 'n' roll coexist. 

The band's engagement with these themes is not just a nod to Christianity; it's an exploration of universal questions about faith, morality, and the human condition.

At the heart of U2's use of biblical themes is a desire to intertwine the spiritual with the secular, creating a dialogue between faith and real-world issues. Songs like "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" from their seminal album "The Joshua Tree" exemplify this blend. The song, with its gospel-tinged melody, speaks of a spiritual journey that is both personal and universal, reflecting a quest for meaning and fulfillment beyond material success. The lyrics, "I have spoken with the tongue of angels/I have held the hand of a devil," illustrate the struggle between good and evil, a central theme in many biblical narratives.

u2 coexist logo bible references
Just do it.



Through their use of biblical quotes and lessons, U2 invites listeners to explore spiritual dimensions within the context of their music. This approach not only augments their lyrics with deeper meaning but also allows the band to engage with their audience on a more profound level. Whether one is a believer or not, the spiritual undercurrent in U2's music offers a rich tapestry of thought and emotion, prompting reflection on larger existential questions and the role of faith in the modern world.

Here's a list of biblical references U2 have made in their lyrics. It was compiled by Angela Pancella from the fantastic U2 resource, @U2. I've taken the list and made some changes to the links, but the content is still mostly based upon Angela's work.

I do note that some of the supposed bible references are tenuous. If Bono is talking bout a blind man it doesn't necessarily follow he was refering to a blind man in the bible...they are perhaps more likley coincidences, but as I said, it's about lyrical interpretation!

Biblical References in U2 songs, list by album.

"Another Day" Song Lyrics by U2

"Another Day" is U2's debut single, released in 1979 as a limited offering in Ireland, marking the band's initial foray into the music scene. 

The lyrics encapsulate the monotony and restlessness of daily life, evoking a sense of frustration and yearning for something more meaningful. The opening lines, "Wake up, the dawn of another dull day," set a tone of disenchantment, while the call to "take up your dreams" suggests an underlying hope for change amidst the mundane. 

The recurring imagery of night transitioning into day symbolizes the cyclical nature of life, where routine persists but the promise of renewal remains, encapsulated in the refrain "Another day."

"Another Day" Song Lyrics by U2



"Another Day" Lyrics U2

Another Day was U2's first ever single release and was limited to Ireland. It was not put on a U2 album until Boy was reissued in 2008.

The song also reflects the socio-political landscape of late 1970s Ireland, a time marked by economic strife and the lingering effects of the Troubles. 

U2's early work was heavily influenced by the environment in which they grew up, and "Another Day" subtly hints at the broader existential and social issues faced by the youth of the time. Lines like "Boy, salute in a street uniform" can be interpreted as a commentary on the militarization and division in Irish society, particularly in the context of the conflicts that defined the era. Despite its limited release, 

"Another Day" laid the groundwork for U2's distinctive sound and lyrical style, setting the stage for their subsequent exploration of deeper themes in their music, ultimately culminating in their critically acclaimed debut album, Boy, which was reissued in 2008, granting the song a broader audience and historical context within U2's evolving narrative.

"Another Day" Song Lyrics by U2

Wake up, the dawn of another dull day
Take up your dreams and on your way
Daylight, mother stands in the hall
Last night, head against the wall

When night turns to day and the children come out to play
Another day
Stop, shout
They come my way

Boy, salute in a street uniform
Toy, soldier ripped and torn

When night turns to day and the children come out to play
Another day
Stop, shout
They come my way

"Night and Day" song lyrics by U2

"Night and Day" song lyrics by U2


"Night and Day" Lyrics U2 (Steel String mix)

This lyrics of song was written by Cole Porter, U2 covered 'merely' covered it! ;) U2 probably recorded it because of Bono's bromance with Frank Sinatra. Sinatra himself recorded Night and Day five times. The reason however U2 recorded it was so it could go on the Red Hot and Blue, an AIDS charity album that featured songs by Cole Porter.

Night and Day Lyrics:

The tom-tom when the jungle shadows fall
Like the tick tick tock of the eye of the clock
You're standing up against the wall
Like the drip drip drip of the raindrops
When the summer shower's through
So a voice within me keeps repeating you you

Night and day you are the one
Only you beneath the moon and under the sun
Whether near to me or far
It's no matter, baby, where you are
I think of you night and day

Day and night, why is it so
That this longing for you follows wherever I go
In the roaring traffic boom
In the silence of my lonely room
I think of you, night and day

Night and day under the hide of me
There's an, oh, such a hungry yearning
Burning inside of me
And its torment won't be through
Till you let me spend my life making love to you
Day and night, night and day

Night and day

Night and day under the hide of me
Oh such a hungry yearning burning
Burning inside of me
And this torment won't be through
Till you let me spend my life making love to you
Day and night, night and day

Night and day, night and day
Night and day
Night, night, night and day
Night, night, night and day
Night and day, night
Night and day, night and day
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
How I miss you baby
Sing it
Night and day

The "Sweetest Thing" Song Lyrics by U2

Originally a b-side for U2's Where the Streets Have No Name single which featured on the mega selling The Joshua Tree album.
 
The song was allegedly written by singer Bono as an apology to his wife Ali Hewson for forgetting her birthday during the recording of The Joshua Tree sessions.

The "Sweetest Thing" Song Lyrics by U2

At Alison's request, profits from the Sweetest Thing song went to her favoured charity, Chernobyl Children's Project International which presumably Bono agreed to with good grace...

In U2's typical mischievous style, the cover of the single in features a gas mask, perhaps in relation to the charity and a reference to U2's concerns about nuclear issues which have featured in many of their songs such as Fast Cars.

"Sweetest Thing" Lyrics by U2

My love, she throws me like a rubber ball
Oh, the sweetest thing
But she won't catch me or break my fall
Oh, the sweetest thing
Baby's got blue skies up ahead
But in this, I'm a raincloud
You know she wants a dry kind of love
Oh, the sweetest thing

I'm losin' you
I'm losin' you
Ain't love the sweetest thing

I wanted to run but she made me crawl
Oh, the sweetest thing
Eternal fire, she turned me to straw
Oh, the sweetest thing
I know I got black eyes
But they burn so brightly for her
I guess it's a blind kind of love
Oh, the sweetest thing

I'm losin' you
I'm losin' you
Ain't love the sweetest thing
Ain't love the sweetest thing

I'm sorry for it, really
It's something new

Blue-eyed boy meets a brown-eyed girl
Oh, the sweetest thing
You can sew it up but you still see the tear
Oh, the sweetest thing
Baby's got blue skies up ahead
But in this, I'm a raincloud
Ours is a stormy kind of love
Oh, the sweetest thing

The sweetest thing
Oh, the sweetest thing

"Electrical Storm" song lyrics by U2 from The Best of 1990–2000

"Electrical Storm" is the only single from U2's second compilation album, The Best of 1990–2000, and one of the two new songs recorded for that album (the other one being the Oscar nominated "The Hands That Built America").

The song’s central metaphor—an electrical storm—reflects the charged atmosphere of a relationship in turmoil, where underlying tensions threaten to erupt but also offer the possibility of renewal. 

Bono sings, “You’re in my mind all of the time, I know that’s not enough,” suggesting a deep but restless connection, as though love alone can’t resolve the distance or dissonance between the couple. The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship at a crossroads, with the storm representing both the conflict and the potential cleansing that might come afterward. 

"Electrical Storm" song lyrics by U2 from The Best of 1990–2000
Adam Clayton and Samantha Morton as The Mermaid from the video

There’s a sense of hope embedded in the chaos, with lines like “Let’s see colors that have never been seen” pointing toward a desire for transformation, a longing for something new to emerge from the emotional wreckage. 

Electrical Storm Song Lyrics by U2

The sea, it swells like a sore head
And the night, it is aching
Two lovers lie with no sheets on their bed
And the day, it is breaking
On rainy days we go swimming out
On rainy days swimming in the sound
On rainy days we go swimming out

You're in my mind all of the time
I know that's not enough
If the sky can crack
There must be some way back
For love and only love

Car alarm won't let you back to sleep
You're kept awake dreaming someone else's dream
Coffee's cold but it'll get you through
Compromise, that's nothing new to you
Let's see colours that have never been seen
Let's go to places no one else has been

You're in my mind all of the time
I know that's not enough
Well, if the sky can crack there must be some way back
To love and only love
Electrical storm
Electrical storm
Electrical storm
Baby, don't cry

It's hot as hell, honey, in this room
Sure hope the weather will break soon
The air is heavy, heavy as a truck
Need the rain to wash away our bad luck

Well, if the sky can crack there must be some way back
For love and only love
Electrical storm
Electrical storm
Electrical storm

Baby, don't cry
Baby, don't cry
Baby, don't cry
Baby, don't cry

-

At its core, "Electrical Storm" explores the cyclical nature of love and conflict, how periods of emotional turbulence can either fracture a bond or deepen it. Bono’s vocals—tender yet strained—convey the fragility of the situation, as he grapples with feelings of both frustration and hope. There’s an undercurrent of melancholy throughout, but also the acknowledgment that, just as with a literal storm, resolution is possible. 

The recurring theme of water in the lyrics—“If the sky can crack, there must be some way back”—acts as both a destructive and cleansing force, symbolic of the emotional flooding that comes with intense conflict, yet also the potential for renewal. The imagery suggests that sometimes relationships must pass through the storm to reach clarity or healing, though the outcome remains uncertain. 

"The Hands That Built America" song lyrics by U2

gangs of new york U2 soundtrack lyrics


U2's "The Hands That Built America" song lyrics from Gangs of New York


The Hands that Built America was featured on the soundtrack to the Martin Scorsese film Gangs of New York . It was nominated for Best Original Song at the 75th Academy Awards but lost to Eminem's "Lose Yourself." from the 8 Mile movie. It did win the less coveted Golden Globe for original song.

"The Hands That Built America" is a song about New York (hence its use on the film).

The first verse of the song makes reference to the Irish Potato Famine, and the resulting emigration of hundreds of thousands of Irish people to the United States.

The second and third verse lyrics relate to the quintessential American Dream, and the ideals that hard work can bring a person prosperity. The final verse is about the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

"The Hands That Built America" lyrics from U2


Oh, my love, it's a long way we've come
From the freckled hills to the steel and glass canyons
From the stony fields to hanging steel from sky
From digging in our pockets for a reason not to say goodbye

These are the hands that built America
Wishing and dreaming for something better
America
Wishing and dreaming

Last saw your face in a watercolor sky
As sea birds argue, a long goodbye
I took your kiss on the spray of the new land star
You gotta live with your dreams, don't make them so hard

And these are the hands that built America
It's a journey, it's a journey
America
Wishing, wishing

Of all the promises, is this one we could keep
Of all of the dreams, is this one still out of reach
Halle, holy

It's early fall, there's a cloud on the New York skyline
Innocence dragged across a yellow line

These are the hands that built America
These are the hands that built America
America
America

U2 was also Oscar nominated for Ordinary Love but also didn't win.

"The Hands That Built America," written for the Gangs of New York soundtrack, is a poignant reflection on the immigrant experience and the labor that shaped the foundation of the United States. The song lyrically captures the struggles, hopes, and contributions of generations of immigrants who arrived on American shores with dreams of building better lives. Bono’s lyrics evoke a deep sense of historical reverence, chronicling the hardships faced by these early settlers and laborers, whose sweat and sacrifice helped transform a fledgling nation into a global powerhouse. 

The opening lines, “Oh my love, it’s a long way we’ve come / From the freckled hills, to the steel and glass canyons,” poetically contrast the Irish countryside with New York's towering skyscrapers, symbolizing the profound journey from rural origins to urban industrialization.

The song also explores the tension between the ideals of the American Dream and the harsh realities faced by those who sought it. While the lyrics celebrate the vision, perseverance, and hard work of immigrants, there’s a melancholy undercurrent that acknowledges the violence, exploitation, and division that accompanied the building of America. 

Lines like “It's early fall, there's a cloud on the New York skyline / Innocence, dragged across a yellow line” subtly reference the ongoing struggles and conflicts within American society, pointing toward the labor strife and even evoking a post-9/11 world, in which the dream of America feels complicated by tragedy. In this way, "The Hands That Built America" becomes more than just a historical tribute—it serves as a reflection on the ongoing tension between aspiration and reality, construction and destruction, which continues to shape the nation.

"Tower Of Song" Lyrics Leonard Cohen sung by U2

Tower of Song was written by Leonard Cohen and was recorded by U2 for soundtrack to the movie I'm Your Man. 

“Tower of Song,” as performed by U2, resonates deeply with themes of mortality, artistic legacy, and the burdens of being a creator. The lyrics reflect Cohen’s contemplation of aging, with the "Tower of Song" serving as a metaphorical place where songwriters reside, contributing to the world while carrying the weight of their creative endeavors. 

When Bono sings these words, there's a reverence for the passage of time and the inevitability of fading youth, something U2 themselves have confronted throughout their career. Lines like “I was born like this, I had no choice / I was born with the gift of a golden voice” point to the sense of both destiny and burden that comes with the gift of artistry, and U2’s rendition emphasizes this tension between fate and freedom, framed in their own experience as a band that has lasted decades.

Cohen’s original song is a meditation on how the process of making music ties into both personal identity and universal human experience. When U2 performs it, they underscore the communal nature of these sentiments, adding a touch of their own reflections on longevity, fame, and the creative journey they’ve been on. The song is an ode to both endurance and melancholy, speaking to the inevitable decline we all face, while acknowledging the power of art to outlast the artist.


It appeared as a b-side on the Window in the Skies single.

"Tower Of Song" Lyrics Leonard Cohen sung by U2

Well my friends are gone and my hair is grey
I ache in the places where I used to play
And I'm crazy for love but I'm not coming on
Im just paying my rent every day
In the tower of song

I said to Hank Williams, how lonely does it get
Hank Williams hasn't answered yet
But I hear him coughing all night long
All hundred floors above me
In the tower of song

I was born like this, I had no choice
I was born with the gift of a golden voice
And twenty-seven angels from the great beyond
Well, they tied me to this table right here
In the tower of song

So you can stick your little pins in that voodoo doll
I'm very sorry, baby, doesnt look like me at all
I'm standing by the window where the light is strong
Ah, they dont let a woman kill you
Not in the tower of song

Well you can say that I've grown bitter but of this you may be sure
The rich have got their channels in the bedrooms of the poor
And there's a mighty judgement coming, but I may be wrong
You see, you hear these funny voices
In the tower of song

I see you standing on the other side
I don't know how the river got so wide
I loved you baby, way back when
And all the bridges are burning that we might have crossed
I feel so close to everything that we lost
We'll never, we'll never have to lose it again

So I bid you farewell, I don't know when I'll be back
There moving us tomorrow to that tower down the track
But you'll be hearing from me, baby, long after I'm gone
I'll be speaking to you sweetly
From a window in the tower of song

Yeah my friends are gone and my hair is grey
I ache in the places where I used to play
And I'm crazy for love but I'm not coming on
I'm just paying my rent every day
In the tower of song

"Window In The Skies" Song Lyrics by U2

In “Window in the Skies,” U2 explores the transformative power of love as a force that transcends boundaries, heals brokenness, and challenges despair. The lyrics open with images of liberation—“The shackles are undone, the bullets quit the gun”—presenting love as a force that dismantles violence and oppression. Bono’s words evoke resurrection and renewal with lines like “The grave is now a grove” and “The stone, it has been moved,” subtly referencing Christian themes of redemption and transcendence,

These images suggest that love has the ability to undo the confines of past suffering and offer a path forward. Throughout the song, Bono reflects on love’s paradoxical nature, noting that it “makes strange enemies” and has a power to bring “hate… to its knees,” suggesting that love can break through bitterness and animosity. He also expresses the vulnerability love demands, capturing it with the “soul and its striptease,” where true intimacy requires the shedding of facades and the raw exposure of self.

"Window In The Skies" Song Lyrics by U2

As the refrain, “Oh, can’t you see what love has done,” repeats, Bono reflects on love’s effect not just on the world but on himself, alluding to personal redemption. In moments of remorse—“I know I hurt you and I made you cry”—he acknowledges past mistakes but recognizes that love has left “a window in the skies,” a metaphorical glimpse of hope and forgiveness that remains open. 

Love, as Bono sees it, has the power to redeem “every broken heart” and bring solace “for every heart that cries.” In the end, the song elevates love to a near-spiritual plane, celebrating it as a force that transcends human limitations and opens a path to unity and peace.


"Window In The Skies" Song Lyrics by U2

The shackles are undone

The bullets quit the gun
The heat that's in the sun
Will keep us when it's done
The rule has been disproved
The stone, it has been moved
The grave is now a grove
All debts are removed

Oh, can't you see what love has done
Oh, can't you see what love has done
Oh, can't you see what love has done
What it's doing to me

Love makes strange enemies
Makes love where love may please
The soul and its striptease
Hate brought to its knees
The sky over our head
We can reach it from our bed
If you let me in your heart
And out of my head

Oh, can't you see what love has done
Oh, can't you see what love has done
Oh, can't you see what love has done
What it's doing to me

Please don't ever let me out of here
I've got no shame
Oh no, oh no

Oh, can't you see what love has done
Oh, can't you see
Oh, can't you see what love has done
What it's doing to me

Oh, can't you see what love has done
I know I hurt you and I made you cry
Oh, can't you see what love has done
Did everything but murder you and I
Oh, can't you see what love has done
But love left a window in the skies
Oh, can't you see what love has done
And to love I rhapsodize

Oh, can't you see what love has done
To every broken heart
Oh, can't you see what love has done
For every heart that cries
Oh, can't you see what love has done
Love left a window in the skies
Oh, can't you see what love has done
And to love I rhapsodize

Oh, can't you see

-

"Window In The Skies" Lyrics U2

In the promotional video directed by Gary Koepke, a montage that includes nearly 100 clips taken from footage from the previous 50 years of other famous musicians performing in concert is used. The clips were selected and edited together so that either the lip movements or the finger movements of the musicians, who actually were performing other songs, match up with either the lyrics or the music of the U2 song. Artists in the video include Jack White (who appeared in It Might Get Loud with the Edge and covered Love is Blindness), Frank Sinatra, Beck and Chuck D.

"The Saints Are Coming" lyrics by U2 and Greenday

The Saints are Coming was originally by The Skids. Originally when the song was written by Richard Jobson the lyrics were about a friend of his who had recently joined the British Army, and been killed on tour of duty in Northern Ireland.

When released as a well recieved collaboration between Green Day and U2, the song was a charity single to benefit people affected by the damage caused by the now infamous Hurricane Katrina.

bono and billie saints are coming

The Saints features the lyrics / verse of the House of the Rising Sun by the Animals at the start, a none too subtle reference to New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina.

"The Saints Are Coming" song lyrics by U2

 There is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
It's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God, I know I'm one

I cried to my daddy on the telephone
How long now
Until the clouds unroll and you come home
The line went
But the shadows still remain since your descent
Your descent

I cried to my daddy on the telephone
How long now
Until the clouds unroll and you come home
The line went
But the shadows still remain since your descent
Your descent

Boom-cha hey

The saints are coming, the saints are coming
I say no matter how I try, I realise there's no reply
The saints are coming, the saints are coming
I say no matter how I try, I realise there's no reply

A drowning sorrow floods the deepest grief
How long now
Until a weather change condemns belief
How long now
When the night watchman lets in the thief
What's wrong now

Boom-cha hey

The saints are coming, the saints are coming
I say no matter how I try, I realise there's no reply
The saints are coming, the saints are coming

I say no matter how I try, I realise there's no reply
I say no matter how I try, I realise there's no reply
I say no matter how I try, I realise there's no reply


Check out the lyrics to Ordinary Love by U2.
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