'Volcano' song lyrics by U2

In “Volcano,” U2 channels a fierce energy that sits at the crossroads of youthful anger and spiritual awakening, with Bono casting himself as the protagonist navigating a tempest of internal and external forces. The lyrics echo the volatility of adolescence, where confusion, loss, and rebellion churn beneath the surface, much like the dormant fury of a volcano waiting to erupt. 

The imagery of being "out of your mind" and "out in the wild" suggests a time when Bono wrestled with his identity—his place in a rock band, his faith, and the political unrest of his native Ireland. 

The tension builds as the repeated invocation of the volcano becomes a metaphor for that precarious edge, the tipping point between self-destruction and transformation. The allusion to the "landing lights" that once shone bright but are now dimming reflects the fading clarity of his youthful ideals, as the future looms ominously on the horizon.

Yet the song is not just a lament; it’s a reflection of survival. As Bono sings, “You were alone / But you are rock n’ roll,” he asserts that music—and the collective spirit of rock—became his salvation. It’s a bold declaration of defiance, where the explosive potential of the volcano is not an end, but a catalyst for rebirth. 

The song invites listeners to explore the complex terrain of their own emotional landscapes, acknowledging the inevitable anger and confusion that accompany growing up, yet also recognizing the power of creation and self-expression as a way to navigate those feelings. 

'Volcano' song lyrics by U2

The world is spinning fast tonight
You can hurt yourself tryin’ to hold on
To what you used to be
I’m so glad the past is gone

Been out in the wild
Been out in the night
Been out of your mind
Do you live here or is this a vacation

Volcano
You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know
Volcano
Something in you wants to blow
Volcano
You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know

Your eyes were like landing lights
They used to be the clearest blue
Now you don’t see so well
The future’s gonna land on you

Been out in the wild
Been out in the night
Been out of your mind
Do you live here or is this a vacation

Volcano
You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know
Volcano
Something in you wants to blow
Volcano
You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know
You’re on a piece of ground above a volcano

You were alone
And now you’re not alone
You were alone
But you are rock n’ roll
You and I are rock n’ roll
But you are rock n’ roll
You and I are rock n’ roll

Oh, volcano
You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know
Volcano
Something in you wants to blow
Volcano
You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know
You’re on a piece of ground above a volcano

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Three thematically connected songs from Songs of Innocence are "Iris (Hold Me Close)," "Cedarwood Road," and "The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)." 

Each track explores themes of personal history, loss, and the transformative power of music and memory. "Iris (Hold Me Close)" is a poignant reflection on Bono’s relationship with his late mother, Iris, whose untimely death left a profound impact on his life. The song taps into the grief, love, and enduring connection he feels with her spirit, embodying the album’s exploration of formative emotional scars. 

"Cedarwood Road" traces Bono's memories of his childhood home in Dublin, portraying the street as both a battleground and a sanctuary, where he struggled to define himself amidst the political and social tensions of Ireland in the 1970s. The song's title references the literal and metaphorical path that shaped his identity, marked by anger, friendship, and resilience.

 

"The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)" celebrates the liberating force of music, particularly the influence of the punk rock icon Joey Ramone, who inspired Bono to find his voice. In each song, U2 taps into personal experiences of loss, change, and salvation, weaving a narrative of how the past—though sometimes painful—propels personal growth and creative expression.