Luminous Times (Hold On To Love) lyrics by U2

"Luminous Times (Hold On To Love)" was a B-side to U2's iconic single "With or Without You" from their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. The song was part of the rich set of additional tracks released alongside the lead single, showcasing the band's creative breadth during this period.

The lyrics convey a vivid and multi-faceted exploration of love as both a spiritual and visceral experience. Bono employs recurring imagery of transformation, such as "turning around tonight" and "the sunlight in her soul," to highlight love’s capacity to redeem and inspire.

 

The song juxtaposes celestial motifs like “God has given me your hand” with earthbound, chaotic imagery like “she is the gun fire, she is the car crash.” This contrast underlines love's dual nature as both a force of chaos and salvation​.

Thematically, the lyrics align with U2's broader exploration of faith, human connection, and spiritual longing. Lines such as "I love you 'cause I understand that God has given me your hand" emphasize a divine dimension to love, a recurring theme in U2's work, particularly in their 1980s material.

This song, however, integrates this spirituality with raw, earthly depictions, creating an almost sacramental view of love. The repetition of "Hold on to love" functions as both a plea and a mantra, suggesting love as a sustaining force amid life's turbulence​.

Luminous Times (Hold On To Love) lyrics by U2

Hey, sister love
Hey, sister soul
Hey, oh my love
You turn me around tonight
Hey, sister love
Save my soul, save my soul
Hold on to love, hold on to love
Love won't let you go
Love won't let you go
Hold on to love
See the sunshine in her soul
Hey, sister love
Hey, seems so bright
She comes like carnival
She is the big wheel
She turned my head around
Turned my head around
She is the speedway
She is the slipstream
She is coming 'round
Hold on to love
Hold on to love
Love won't let you go
Hold on to love
Hold on to love
She the sunlight in her song
See the sunlight in her soul
She is the gun fire
She is the car crash
She is a avalanche
She is the thunder
She is the waves and
She pulls me under
I love you 'cause I need to
Not because I need you
I love you 'cause I understand
That God has given me your hand
He holds me in a tiny fist
And still I need your kiss
Hold on to love
Hold
See the sunlight in her song
See the sunlight in her soul

-

Historically, "Luminous Times" reflects U2's evolution from a post-punk band into a group capable of crafting deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant music. The decision to include it as a B-side rather than on The Joshua Tree underscores the band’s high creative standards; even songs of its caliber were considered supplementary to the album’s tightly curated narrative arc. 

Fans and critics alike have since recognized it as a hidden gem, enriching the legacy of the The Joshua Tree sessions. U2 would also cut Sweetest Thing, which years later with some new production would become a minor hit. 

Leave a Comment