Showing posts with label U2 B-side lyric. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U2 B-side lyric. Show all posts

"Always" Song Lyrics by U2

Saturday, November 16, 2024
The lyrics of "Always," an alternate take from U2’s All That You Can't Leave Behind era, reflect a deep exploration of love, identity, and spiritual connection. The recurring refrain of "always" serves as a grounding motif, emphasizing permanence amidst life's transient nature.

Lines like “Here today, gone tomorrow / Crack the bone, get to the marrow” juxtapose impermanence with the search for essence and meaning. The metaphor of the bee and the flower encapsulates fleeting sweetness and the inevitability of change, illustrating the delicate balance of pleasure and pain in relationships.

The song also delves into vulnerability and courage, urging the listener to "be the arrow and the target" and to “be uncool, be awkward.” These lines reject superficiality and celebrate authenticity, even at the cost of discomfort. “The soul needs beauty for a soulmate” shifts the focus to the spiritual dimension of connection, emphasizing the need for deeper, transformative relationships that nourish the inner self. The call to “dream out loud” embodies U2’s characteristic optimism and insistence on meaningful engagement with the world.

"Always" Song Lyrics by U2

Spiritually, the song challenges pride and self-righteousness with lines like “God will not deal with the proud” and advocates humility as a path to grace. The closing lines, “Turning slowly into a prayer, always,” frame the piece as a meditation on eternal values such as love, hope, and unity. 

By weaving these themes together, “Always” encapsulates U2’s consistent message of striving for authenticity, embracing vulnerability, and finding redemption in connection, resonating deeply with the spiritual and relational motifs of the album’s other tracks.

"Always" Song Lyrics by U2 

Here today, gone tomorrow
Crack the bone, get to the marrow
To be a bee and the flower
Before the sweetness turns to sour

What we have we're gonna keep, always
What we've lost we don't need, always
What is it that won't let you sleep, always

Be the arrow and the target
Put your head over the parapet
Be uncool, yes be awkward
Don't look in the obvious place
The soul needs beauty for a soulmate

Get down off your holy cloud, always
God will not deal with the proud, always
Well if you dream then dream out loud, always
Eternally yours, always

I want you
I want you
I want you
Touch me now inside
I wanted to be a man
I wanted to call

You say you come to know yourself, always
Don't find yourself in someone else, always
And always wear a safety belt, always
Wait for me I'm running late, always
This is the moment that we share for always
Turn each song into a prayer, always
Now and forever
For always

-


The transformation of "Always" into "Beautiful Day" was driven by U2's desire to create a more direct, anthemic, and universally resonant song. While "Always" is reflective, focusing on themes of permanence and introspection, it lacked the concise emotional punch the band sought for All That You Can’t Leave Behind.

The album was envisioned as a return to the essentials—songs that connected immediately with audiences and spoke to resilience and hope. "Beautiful Day" emerged from this intent, retaining the uplifting essence of "Always" but reworking its tone and lyrical focus to emphasize triumph over adversity.

The lyric "dream out loud" in "Always" is a subtle yet poignant callback to Achtung Baby’s “Acrobat,” where it first appears as a defiant rallying cry to live authentically and resist complacency.

In “Acrobat,” the phrase underscores the tension between idealism and the messy realities of life, capturing a plea to maintain integrity amidst contradictions. Its reappearance in “Always” recontextualizes the sentiment, shifting from the angst and struggle of Achtung Baby to the reflective optimism of All That You Can’t Leave Behind.

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

Tuesday, January 24, 2017
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.
i've got you under my skin lyrics Bono and U2
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

List of U2 B-sides and Song Lyrics

Saturday, September 10, 2011



List of U2 B-sides and Lyrics



When a band records an album, they often have a selection of songs that don't make the final cut but they are good enough to be released in some form and historically they've been added as a B-side as support to the A-side of a single release.

U2's B-sides offer a treasure trove of musical gems that, while not always in the spotlight like their hit singles, have garnered a significant following among fans and hold a special place in the band's extensive discography. These tracks often showcase U2's willingness to experiment and explore different musical terrains, providing a deeper look into their creative process and artistic range.

List of U2 b-side songs

One of the most celebrated B-sides in U2's catalog is "The Three Sunrises," featured on the "Wide Awake in America" EP. This song, with its uplifting melody and evocative lyrics, captures the ethereal sound that U2 was experimenting with in the mid-1980s. Its spiritual undertones and atmospheric quality make it a standout track that resonates with the band’s signature style.

"Spanish Eyes," a B-side to "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," is another fan favorite. This track exudes a more relaxed, romantic vibe, differing from the more politically charged songs of the "The Joshua Tree" era. Its melodic simplicity and heartfelt lyrics showcase a different facet of U2's songwriting, one that embraces love and intimacy.

"Sweetest Thing," originally a B-side to "Where the Streets Have No Name," later gained prominence when it was re-recorded and released as a single for the 1998 compilation album "The Best of 1980–1990." This song is known for its catchy melody and is reportedly written by Bono as an apology to his wife for missing her birthday. Its charm and sincerity have made it a beloved track among fans.

"Lady With the Spinning Head," the B-side to "The Fly," is notable for its energetic rhythm and experimental sound. This track is a fascinating listen as it contains elements that would later be developed into three other songs: "The Fly," "Ultraviolet (Light My Way)," and "Zoo Station," showcasing the band's creative process.

"Salomé," a B-side of "Even Better Than the Real Thing," is revered for its raw energy and rock-driven sound. This track captures the band's adventurous spirit during the early 1990s, a period marked by sonic experimentation and a departure from their earlier style.

"Hallelujah Here She Comes," a B-side to "Desire," is another notable mention. It blends blues influences with the band’s rock sensibilities, creating a track that is both soulful and dynamic.

U2's B-sides are not mere afterthoughts; they are an integral part of the band's musical journey. These tracks allow fans to explore the lesser-known aspects of U2's repertoire, offering a more comprehensive understanding of their artistic evolution. For many fans, these B-sides are not just additional songs but essential pieces that complete the U2 puzzle, showcasing the band’s versatility and depth.


U2 B-sides List - alphabetical


A Room at the Heartbreak Hotel
B-side on the 'Angel of Harlem' single released in December 1988.

Alex Descends Into Hell For A Bottle Of Milk / Korova 1
B-side on 'The Fly' single, October 1991.

Always
B-side on 'Beautiful Day' single, October 2000.

Are You Gonna Wait Forever?
B-side on 'Vertigo' single, November 2004.

Ave Maria (Jacknife Lee Mix)
B-side on 'Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own' single, February 2005.

Beat On The Brat
From 'We're a Happy Family', a tribute album to The Ramones. February 2003.

Big Girls Are Best
B-side on 'Stuck in A Moment' single, January 2001.

"Boomerang II" from The Unforgettable Fire's Pride, September 1984.

Boy/Girl
A track on U2's very first single 'Three', October 1979.

Can't Help Falling In Love (Triple Peaks Remix)
B-side on 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' single, August 1992.

Dancing Barefoot cover by Patti Smith
B-side on 'When Love Comes to Town' single, April 1989.

Deep In The Heart
B-side on 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' single, May 1987.

Everlasting Love by Robert Night
B-side on 'All I Want is You' single, June 1989.

Fortunate Son by CCR
B-side on 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' single, August 1992.

Hallelujah Here She Comes
B-side on 'Desire' single, September 1988.

Happiness is a Warm Gun (The Gun Mix) by John Lennon
B-side on 'Last Night on Earth' single, July 1997.

Holy Joe
B-side on 'Discothèque' single, February 1997.

Johnny Swallow
B-side on 'Fire' single, July 1981.

Lady with the Spinning Head
B-side on 'One' single, March 1992.

Love Comes Tumbling
B-side on 'The Unforgettable Fire' single, October 1984.

Luminous Times (Hold on to Love)
B-side
on 'With or Without You' single, March 1987.

Neon Lights
B-side on 'Vertigo' single, November 2004.

North and South of the River
B-side on 'Staring at the Sun' single, April 1997.

Paint It Black (cover of the Rolling Stones)
B-side on 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' single, August 1992.

Race Against Time
B-side on 'Where the Streets Have No Name' single, August 1987.

Salomé
B-side on 'Even Better Than the Real Thing' single, June 1992.

Satellite of Love a cover of the song by Lou Reed.
B-side on 'One' single, March 1992. U2 would againt visit Lou Reed's songs on The Million Dollar Hotel Soundtrack album.

Silver and Gold
B-side on 'Where the Streets Have No Name' single, August 1987.

Slow Dancing
B-side on 'Stay (Faraway, So Close!)' single, November 1993.

Spanish Eyes
B-side on 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' single, May 1987.

Summer Rain
B-side on 'Beautiful Day' single, October 2000.

Sweetest Thing (The Single Mix)
Released as a single in 1997. Originally a b-side on 'Where The Streets Have No Name' single, 1987.

The Three Sunrises
B-side on 'The Unforgettable Fire' single, October 1984.

Touch
B-side on '11 O'Clock Tick Tock' single, May 1980.

Tower of Song
B-side on 'Window in the Skies' single, January 2007. From the movie 'Leonard Cohen: I'm your Man'.

Trash, Trampoline and the Party Girl
B-side on 'A Celebration' single, March 1982.

Treasure (Whatever happened to Pete the Chop)
B-side on 'New Year's Day' single, January 1983.

Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad
B-side on 'If God Will Send His Angels' single, December 1997. Written by Bono and The Edge for Frank Sinatra to sing, he declined. Sinatra's daughter Nancy eventually gave it a shot.

Unchained Melody by made famous by The Righteous Brothers
B-side on 'All I Want is You' single, June 1989.

Walk to the Water
B-side on 'With or Without You' single, March 1987.

Where Did It All Go Wrong
B-side on 'Even Better Than the Real Thing' single, June 1992.

U2's B-Side "Spanish Eyes" lyrics

Saturday, September 3, 2011
U2's "Spanish Eyes" b-side lyrics


U2's "Spanish Eyes" b-side lyrics


Spanish Eyes was the b-side to the very popular single from The Joshua Tree, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For


The meaning in Bono's lyrics is suggestion that the Irish have Spanish heritage in their ancestry (whether DNA based or not). Bono is really making a simple love song with a focus on eyes, as is custom for many songs.

Spanish Eyes Lyrics


Hey, hey, baby hang on
Baby hang on

Hang to your heart
Beat tight like a drum set
Hang on to your love
See it shine like a song
Hey, hey, baby hang on

Our love it shines like rain
In those spanish eyes, spanish eyes

Hey, hey, here she comes
Comes in colours
You know she gonna turn the daylight on
Cause I love the way you talk to me
And I love the way you walk on me
And I need you
More than you need me
Our love, shines like rain
In those spanish eyes, spanish eyes

Across the world
For green and gold
It's those spanish eyes
That get me home
Home again

Hey, hey, baby hang on
Hey, hey, you know that
The night is young
Dazzled by lights that
Shine in your eyes
I'm standing in the shadows
And wait for the night
Forever in fever
Forever in heat
You pick me up to put me out on the street

Hey, hey, baby hang on, hang on
Hey, hey, baby hang on, hang on
Cause I love the way you talk to me
And I love the way you need me
And I need you

"Boomerang II" Lyrics U2

Sunday, October 25, 2009


"Boomerang II" Lyrics U2

Boomerang is from the recording sessions of The Unforgettable Fire and was used as the B-side to the big single, Pride. There was also an instrumental called Boomerang I.

Boomerang II lyrics:

Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Under her skin I hear her love him
Under her love at peace within
Under her hands that which I'm needing
Under her eyes I glimpse her love

Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Under her time I think I'm within
Under her lie I hear her love
Under her love I hear nothing
Under her eyes I disappear

Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Under the sky I'm pointing there
Under the power, baby

You say run away
Throw me away
Throw me away

In the drift we've come
In the drift we go
In the drift we've come
In the drift we go

Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Under her skin I feel loving
Under her sign there is no fear
Under her hands, that which I'm holding
Under her eyes I disappear

Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow

In the drift we've come
Soul wind blow
In the drift we go
Soul wind blow
In the drift we've come
Soul wind blow
In the drift we go
Soul wind blow
In the drift we've come
Under her
In the drift we go
Under her
In the drift we've come
Under her
In the drift we go
Under her
Soul wind blow
Soul wind blow
Under her hands
Soul wind
Some day throw me away
Fade it away
Throw it away

In the drift we've come
In the drift we go
In the drift we've come
In the drift we go
In the drift we've come
Soul wind blow
In the drift we go
Soul wind blow
In the drift we've come
Soul wind blow
In the drift we go
Soul wind blow
In the drift we've come
In the drift we go

Check out the song:


Unchained Melody song lyrics as sung by U2

Thursday, October 15, 2009
U2 have written a million songs about love, this cover of the Righteous Brothers mega hit is no less one of those songs. It's so blatantly about how a man loves a women that it's just a perfect song for U2 to cover (here's some other covers they've done).

Unchained Melody has been a popular song with the U2 in crowd for years. U2 have played it live many times, and it was released as a b-side to All I Want Is You.

unchained melody album cover righteous brothers 

Unchained Melody was written by two people, the music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret. Originally released in 1955 for a movie called Unchained. 

It was sung by one Mr Todd Duncan. It became a massive hit in 1965 for the Righteous Brothers, and they are probably the artist most associated with the song. Hell. I think Elvis did a cover along the way too...

Unchained Melody song lyrics as sung by U2


Oh, oh my love
Oh my darling
I've hunger for your touch
A long and lonely time

And time goes by
So slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine ?

I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me

Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea

Lonely rivers sigh
Wait for me, wait for me
I'll be coming home
Wait for me

Oh, oh my love
Oh my darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long and lonely time

And time goes by
So slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine ?

I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
It to me
God speed your love to me

I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love
I need your love

"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.

"Slow Dancing" Song Lyrics by U2

Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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

The "Sweetest Thing" Song Lyrics by U2

Saturday, September 5, 2009
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
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