'I've got you under my skin' lyrics by Bono and Frank Sinatra

'I've got you under my skin' lyrics by Bono and Frank Sinatra

A song with a pedigree of talent. Written by the great song writer Cole Porter and when first sung by Virginia Bruce it became an Oscar nominated song in 1936. 

Frank Sinatra made it his own in 1946. A re-recording in 1966 prove extremely popular an it became a standard to cover.

And then enters Bono.

Buy the single from Amazon

Bono and the Chairman of the Board recorded it was a duet in 1993 and released it as a double A-Side with the U2 single, Stay (Faraway, So Close) from the Grammy Award winning Zooropa album.

Bono made a variant to the lyrics when he sang 'don't you know old blue eyes' - a reference to Sinatra himself.

U2's I've got you under my skin song lyrics:

I have got you under my skin
I've got you deep in the heart of me
So deep in my heart you're really a part of me
I've got you under my skin

I have tried so not to give in
I have said to myself this affair, never gonna go so well
But why should I try to resist when baby, I know so well
That I've got you under my skin

I would sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of holding you near
In spite of a warning voice comes in the night
And repeats, and it shout's in my ear

Bono

"Don't you know blue eyes, you never can win
Use your mentality, wake up to reality"
But each time I do just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
Because I've got you under my skin

I'd sacrifice everything come what might
For the sake of having you near
Inspite of a warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats, and it shout's in my ear

"Don't you know you fool, you never can win
Use your mentality, wake up to reality"
But each time that I do just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
'Cause I've got you under my skin
And I love you under my skin

U2 would later compose an original song for Frank Sinatra called Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad.

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The Real Meaning of 5 U2 Song Lyrics

The real meaning of 5 U2 Song Lyrics

A classic rock song, can say anything and mean everything.

Look at Oasis's Wonderwall lyrics for example. It's basically a love song but without really actually meaning or saying anything.

To my mind, a really good song is one which has hidden depths - and those depths can usually be found in the lyrics and often in U2 songs.

Here's 5 U2 song lyrics that have some real meaning, and some real bite to them.

God Part II

People often wonder why this song is called Pt II as they've never heard of a U2 song called God before. It's actually intended as a sequel to John Lennon's song called God.

Lennon's song refers to things he didn't believe in such as Hitler - Bono's version also refers to things that he also doesn't believe in but also goes on to refer to how pissed he was at the author Albert Goldman who wrote an unflattering biography of Lennon (and also a bio of Elvis, and given U2's love of Elvis, I'm not surprised Bono made the reference).

Sunday Bloody Sunday 

This one is a pretty obvious song, but newer U2 fans may not realise the historical context and meaning of this song.

It's an exploration of the conflict that can exist between the State, it's people and when religion gets thrown into the mix.

Inspired by two terrible occasions where soldiers shot civilians in Northen Ireland - the lyrics capture these moments crisply by invoking the cross fire that occurred between Ireland's conflicting religions and the military action that was taken - and by extension the State's role in the massacres.

Walk On

This is one of those songs that stray into the say anything, mean anything territory but U2 have put some real context around it to to ensure that it's lyrics are not misunderstood.

Dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi, this song is a freedom song, dedicated to the exponent of democracy and freedom in Mynamar.

Poignantly during the 360 degree tour, U2 played this song at every concert and had supporters of Amnesty International come out on to the stage to show their support for Aung San Suu Kyi and U2's support for the people of Mynammar and their efforts to become a truly democratic society.

Spanish Eyes

Despite stealing lyrics from "She's a rainbow" by the Rolling Stones, Spanish Eyes is a love song to Bono's wife Ali - and she is actually Irish thus confusing the heck out of many U2 fans.

However, it's often thought that Irish people do have eyes that have a hint of Spanish about them so perhaps that's want Bono's lyrics were trying to convey.

This b-side from The Joshua Tree era kind of complements The Sweetest Thing in the sense that it was also a b-side and also a love letter to Ali.

Zooropa

Zooropa is a really crazy song that opens the album of the same name.

Some fans have been confused by the lyrics of the song - they seem so mumble jumbled and make no sense.

The real meaning of the song can be determined when you realise the lyrics are a hodge podge of slogans from famous brands.

Zooropa's lyrics have a running theme of irony, tying in the "media overload" themes of the Zoo TV Tour into the context of a post-Berlin Wall Europe.

The song's lyrics touch on how modern technology can unite people as well as separates  them from each other.

Want more? Check out U2 lyrics that explore Jesus, Yahweh and The Good Book.

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'Instrument Flying' song lyrics by U2

'Instrument Flying' song lyrics by U2 from the Songs of Experience album

"Instrument Flying" is an unreleased U2 track developed during the recording sessions for their 2017 album, Songs of Experience. First mentioned in April 2015 during an interview with The New York Times, Bono referenced the track and sang along to its in-progress version. Later that year, Q Magazine described the song as having a "sleek, motorik quality," indicative of U2’s experimentation with rhythm and texture during that period. While the song garnered interest, its development status and ultimate fate remained uncertain.

During U2's U2ieTour, which ran from 2015 to 2018, the band used "Instrument Flying" in a unique way. The track, still unfinished, was featured as part of the pre-show atmosphere, playing in venues before the concerts began. This pre-show soundscape included ambient music and visual elements that immersed audiences in U2's creative world, building anticipation before the band appeared onstage. By using "Instrument Flying" in this way, U2 gave fans an indirect taste of the song, blending it seamlessly into the live concert experience.

The decision to include the track in the pre-show environment reflected U2’s approach to bridging their studio work with live performances. While most bands focus solely on released material for their live shows, U2 has often embraced works-in-progress as part of their artistic expression. This inclusion provided a glimpse into the band’s evolving creative process, even if the full song itself was never formally shared with the public.

Ultimately, "Instrument Flying" did not make the final cut for Songs of Experience. While several tracks from the album’s sessions were selected to complement its themes of reflection, resilience, and global awareness, "Instrument Flying" remained behind the scenes. The reasons for its exclusion have not been disclosed, but its live presence as pre-show music suggests it served a different purpose: setting a mood rather than delivering a finalized statement.

Despite its status as an unreleased track, "Instrument Flying" retains a unique place in U2’s history. Its use during live shows highlights the band’s innovative way of engaging audiences, even with incomplete or experimental material. For fans, its existence continues to symbolize U2’s creative depth, sparking curiosity about whether it might one day resurface in a future release. Until then, it remains an intriguing piece of U2 lore, a hidden thread in the band’s extensive tapestry.

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'Civilization' song lyrics by U2 from the Songs of Experience album

'Civilization' song lyrics by U2 from the Songs of Experience album

This is a rumoured title for a new U2 track. Well it's not so much of a rumour, it exists as recorded song. This was confirmed by The Edge and Adam in a recent magazine article. 

What is not confirmed is if 'Civilisation' will make the final cut and appear on U2's next album, Songs of Experience.

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'The Joshua Tree' album lyrics by U2

Released in 1987, The Joshua Tree marked a pivotal moment in U2's career, elevating the band to international stardom while also expanding their musical and thematic scope.The follow up to the well-received The Unforgettable Fire made U2 globally famous and delivered some of the best songs that the 1980's could muster. 

The Joshua Tree's lyrics delved into the politics of the US Government, heroin addiction, love, spirituality and other social issues.

The album weaves a rich tapestry of themes, including a quest for spiritual meaning, the struggle against injustice, and the complexities of the American dream. Songs like "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and "With or Without You" delve into the realms of spiritual yearning and the complexities of human relationships, offering a universal resonance that transcends geographical boundaries. 

The album also takes a critical look at America, a nation that fascinated the band, both as an ideal and a real place with deep contradictions. 

This is evident in tracks like "Bullet the Blue Sky" and "Mothers of the Disappeared," which comment on U.S. foreign policy and human rights abuses in Central America, highlighting the band's engagement with global political issues.

"The Joshua Tree" also explores themes of displacement and alienation, as seen in "Where the Streets Have No Name," symbolizing a longing for a utopian space of belonging and identity. 

The album’s sound, characterized by its expansive and atmospheric quality, perfectly complements its thematic depth, making "The Joshua Tree" not only a commercial success but also a critical milestone in U2's career, as it captures their evolution into a band deeply engaged with the moral and political dilemmas of their time.

The Joshua Tree album lyrics:

1. "Where the Streets Have No Name"
2. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"
3. "With or Without You"
4. "Bullet the Blue Sky"
5. "Running to Stand Still"
6. "Red Hill Mining Town"
7. "In God's Country"
8. "Trip Through Your Wires"
9. "One Tree Hill"
10. "Exit"
11. "Mothers of the Disappeared"

B-sides, covers 

• "Spanish Eyes," a B-side to "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
• "Sweetest Thing," originally a B-side to "Where the Streets Have No Name," + Race Against Time.
• Luminous Times (Hold on to Love) + Walk to the Water tagged on With or Without You.
• Silver and Gold
• Deep in the Heart

The Joshua Tree sold over 30 million albums and the songs With Or Without and Where the Streets Have No Name are played at every single concert as the fans have been known to riot if they are not played!

U2’s song "One Tree Hill," from The Joshua Tree album, serves as a poignant tribute to Greg Carroll, a close friend and roadie who tragically died in a motorcycle accident in 1986. Carroll, a native of New Zealand, had developed a deep bond with Bono, and his death profoundly impacted the band. U2 primarily performs "One Tree Hill" in New Zealand to honor Carroll's memory and his homeland, with the song's title referencing a volcanic peak in Auckland where Bono accompanied Carroll's family to lay him to rest. 

The lyrics reflect themes of loss, grief, and resilience, making each performance a heartfelt moment for both the band and the audience, underscoring the enduring connection between personal relationships, art, and the legacy of friendship.

When U2 played it in Auckland in 2010 it was dedicated to the deceased miners of  the Pike River Mine Disaster.

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