U2's songs written about Africa and its people

bono in africa

U2's songs written about Africa and its people


U2 have sang many political songs over the years and many of them focus on the struggles of people within certain countries, here's a few songs related to Africa.

Ordinary Love

A non album track by U2, it was used to promote the film which tells the story of Nelson Mandela's A Long Walk to Freedom.

Silver and Gold

An anti-apartheid song written with Little Steven to protest the oppresion of the South African people by the regime that existed at the time.

Where the Streets Have No Name

A song inspired by Bono's work in Africa in the early 80s. The song's lyrics are a juxtaposition of the U2's early live in Belfast, Ireland where one could tell another's religion by the area in which they lived.


The  lyrics of this song are a commentary about the relationship between Western countries and developing countries such as Africa. The verses and chorus address the relationship from the perspective of citizens from the developing world, focusing on the disparity between the long-term socioeconomic planning stressed by the West and the developing world's immediate need for sustenance.


Bono did a cover of this song with Alicia Keys. It was originally recorded by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush.

Soon lyrics by U2

Soon lyrics by U2

As found on the U2360 Live From The Rose Bowl which was released in 2010.

Lyrics

Soon, soon
Soon, soon
Soon, soon

Sing yourself on down the street
Sing yourself right off your feet
Sing yourself away from victory
And from defeat

Sing yourself with fife and drum
Sing yourself to overcome
The thought that someone has lost
And someone else has won

Soon
Soon, soon
Soon, soon
Soon, soon

Ordinary Love lyrics by U2 - song from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Nelson Mandela's "Ordinary Love" lyrics by U2


'Ordinary Love' song lyrics by U2

U2 have written and recorded a song titled "Ordinary Love" for the film, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.

The film is based on  Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name.

U2 have been long term supporters of the people of South Africa, the break down of apartheid and of course Nelson Mandela so it's no surprise they've lent their song to the movie.

U2 have written a couple of songs for Africa - Silver and Gold and very famously Where the Streets Have No Name.

Of the song's meaning itself Bono noted "It's a plea for common decency among the people who've been oppressed and it's a plea for common decency in a marriage as it starts to fall apart.

In 2014 U2 won their second Golden Globe for Best Original Song from a Motion Picture for this song.

In 2003 they won for song "The Hands That Build America".

Lyrics:

The sea wants to kiss the golden shore
The sunlight warms your skin
All the beauty that's been lost before wants to find us again

I can't fight you any more, it's you I'm fighting for
The sea throws rock together but time leaves us polished stones

We can't fall any further
If we can't feel ordinary love
And we can't reach any higher,
if we can't deal with ordinary love

Birds fly high in the summer sky and rest on the breeze.
The same wind will take care of you and I.
We'll build our house in the trees.

Your heart is on my sleeve
Did you put it there with a magic marker?
For years I would believe that the would couldn't wash it away

'cause

We can't fall any further
If we can't feel ordinary love
and we can't reach any higher

Are we tough enough for ordinary love?

We can't fall any further,if
We can't feel ordinary love
And we can't reach any higher,
if we can't deal with ordinary love

ordinary love mandela u2 art