U2 'Boy' debut album lyrics (1980)

U2's debut album "Boy," released in 1980, presents a vivid exploration of adolescence and the transition into adulthood, capturing the essence of youthful hope, confusion, and vulnerability. The album is imbued with themes of innocence and experience, a dichotomy that resonates through its lyrics and sound. 

In tracks like "I Will Follow," there is a palpable sense of loss and devotion, reflecting the emotional turmoil that often accompanies growing up. 

The song is said to be influenced by the death of Bono's mother, adding a layer of personal grief to the universal experience of maturation. 

The theme of searching for identity and purpose is prevalent throughout the album, notably in songs like "Out of Control" and "Twilight," where the lyrics convey a restless desire for meaning and belonging in a complex world. 

Boy

"Boy" also touches on the theme of societal expectations and the pressures faced by young people, as exemplified in "An Cat Dubh" and "Into the Heart," which delve into the darker, more introspective aspects of adolescence. The raw energy and emotional intensity of the album, combined with its exploration of these themes, not only defined U2's early sound but also resonated with a generation grappling with similar issues of identity, growth, and the challenges of coming of age.

Common lyrical themes among the album's songs are the thoughts and frustrations of adolescence which is not surprising as U2 were just a bunch of 20-something Irish lads when Boy came out! U2 would later revisit these themes via albums Songs of Experience + Songs of Innocence.

Boy is probably best known for popular classic tracks "I Will Follow" and The Electric Co.

Boy Lyrics:

1. "I Will Follow"
2. "Twilight"
3. "An Cat Dubh"
4. "Into the Heart"
5. "Out of Control"

Side two

1. "Stories for Boys"
2. "The Ocean"
3. "A Day Without Me"
4. "Another Time, Another Place"
5. "The Electric Co."
6. "Shadows and Tall Trees"

Who was the Boy on the U2 Boy album cover (1980)  ?

The boy featured on the cover of U2's Boy album (1980) is Peter Rowan, the younger brother of Guggi, a close friend of Bono and a member of the Dublin-based art and performance group The Virgin Prunes. Peter Rowan also appeared on the covers of several other U2 releases, including War (1983) and The Best of 1980-1990 compilation album.

The choice to feature a young boy on the cover was significant in aligning with the album's themes of innocence, vulnerability, and the transition from childhood to adolescence. His image became a visual representation of the album's exploration of youthful experiences, self-discovery, and emotional turbulence. 

Check out the lyrics to Street Mission which was recorded at the same sessions as Shadows and Tall Trees but never formally released to vinyl. 

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"Shadows And Tall Trees" Song Lyrics - U2

Shadows and Tall Trees" is the closing track on U2’s debut album Boy. The song's title is derived from a chapter in William Golding's Lord of the Flies, emphasizing themes of innocence, maturity, and existential questions. As a reflective and introspective piece, it juxtaposes childhood wonder with the complexities of adulthood, a recurring motif throughout Boy.

The lyrics explore a sense of internal questioning and transition. Lines such as "Do you feel in me, anything redeeming, any worthwhile feeling?" reveal vulnerability and a longing for meaning. The imagery of "shadows" and "tall trees" symbolizes the interplay between light and darkness, safety and mystery, or innocence and experience. The song is a fitting bookend to the album's themes of youth and the tension of growing up.

From Bono's perspective, "Shadows and Tall Trees" encapsulates a sense of vulnerability and yearning for connection.

"Shadows And Tall Trees" Song Lyrics - U2

Back to the cold, restless streets at night
I talk to myself about tomorrow night
Walls of white protest, a gravestone in name
Who is it now
It's always the same

Who is it now who calls me inside
Are the leaves on the trees just living disguise
I walk the sweet rain tragicomedy
I'll walk home again to the street melody

But I know oh no
But I know oh no
But I know

Shadows and tall trees
Shadows and tall trees
Shadows and tall trees
Shadows and tall trees

Life through a window, a discolored pain
Mrs. Brown's washing is always the same
I walk the sweet rain tragicomedy
I'll walk home again to the street melody

But I know oh no
But I know oh no
But I know

Out there
Do you feel in me anything redeeming
Any worthwhile feeling
Is life like a tightrope hanging on my ceiling

But I know oh no
But I know oh no
But I know

Shadows and tall trees
Shadows and tall trees
Shadows and tall trees
Shadows and tall trees
Shadow, shadow, shadow
My shadow, shadow, shadow
Shadows and tall trees
Shadows and tall trees
Follow me
My shadow, shadow, shadow
Seeing my shadow, shadow, shadow
Shadows and tall trees
Shadows and tall

The song became a staple in U2’s live performances during their early tours, where Bono would often share personal stories and reflections about its meaning, deepening the connection with their audience.

This bond between the band and their fans helped solidify the song's place in U2's legacy as a powerful expression of youth, uncertainty, and the journey toward self-discovery.

The song was written about the same time as the band's Street Mission song.

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"The Electric Co." Song Lyrics by U2

"The Electric Co." from U2’s debut album Boy confronts the grim realities of institutionalized mental health treatment, using vivid, haunting imagery to portray the dehumanizing effects of electric convulsion therapy (ECT).

The lyrics, inspired by Bono’s experience visiting a friend in Dublin’s Grangegorman District Mental Hospital, reflect the pain, confusion, and desperation of those subjected to such treatments. Lines like “Toy, broken toy / Shout and shout, you’re inside out” evoke the stripping of identity and autonomy, as patients become like toys—objects rather than people—shattered by their experiences. The refrain, “If you don’t know, Electric Co.,” captures the disconnect and alienation that patients felt, often bewildered by procedures administered without their full understanding or consent.

The song’s stark language and structure, shifting from staccato commands to almost stream-of-consciousness imagery, mirrors the psychological toll of confinement and the jarring experience of ECT. Lines such as “Red, running red” and “A hole in your head” echo the violence inherent in forced treatment, as well as the physical and emotional scars it leaves behind.

The phrase “Useless is the castle wall / Useless is the metal wall” suggests both the ineffectiveness of confinement and the inescapable reality for those within these walls—pointing to the helplessness of both the patients and those who would try to save them.

By ending with “I’ve lost my way home / I’m alone,” Bono captures the profound isolation and despair that Grangegorman’s patients felt, emphasizing a plea for understanding and humanity in a system that has reduced them to numbers and diagnoses.

 

More broadly, Bono's lyrics touch on themes of alienation and desire, portraying a struggle to find connection and meaning in a world filled with distractions. 

"The Electric Co." Song Lyrics by U2

Boy, stupid boy
Don't sit at the table until you're able to
Toy, broken toy
Shout and shout, you're inside out

If you don't know
Electric Co.
If you don't know
Electric Co.

Red, running red
Play for real, talk and feel
A hole in your head
You won't shout, you're spoon fed

If you don't know
Electric Co.
If you don't know
Electric Co.

Two, three, four
I can't stop
Useless is the castle wall
Useless is the metal wall
He's gonna jump

If you don't know
Electric Co.
If you don't know
Electric Co.
If you don't know
Electric Co.
If you don't know
Electric Co.
If you don't know
Electric Co.
If you don't know
Electric Co.

Till someone leaves him below
He's searched high and low
A tap on the wrist and he'd know
Somebody hear him
Just leave him
I can't find my way home
I'm alone
I've lost my way home
You know and you know
And you know and you know
And you know

Want more lyrics from Boy? Check out Into the Heart or Stories for Boys.

"The Electric Co." was released as a single in 1980 from U2’s debut album Boy, but it did not achieve significant commercial chart success at the time. In Ireland, it peaked at #31 on the Irish Singles Chart, which, while respectable, did not translate into a broader international hit. The song did not chart in major markets such as the UK or the US, reflecting U2's early struggle to gain widespread recognition outside their home country.

That said...

The Electric Co." transformed into a fan favorite three years later largely due to its iconic performance at the Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky concert in 1983.

Which leads to an amusing story:

The version of the song recorded at the Rockpalast festival in Germany included a 27-second interpolation of Stephen Sondheim's "Send In The Clowns," sung by Bono as part of an impassioned mid-song interlude. However, U2 hadn’t obtained permission to use the snippet, resulting in a $50,000 payment to Sondheim and a requirement to edit it out of U.S. releases due to copyright restrictions.

Interestingly, the non-U.S. versions retain this original, extended rendition because the copyright ruling didn’t apply outside the United States. The song appears as 5:18 on U.S. versions of Under A Blood Red Sky, but due to the edit, the actual runtime is 4:51.
This concert, which was filmed in front of a captivated audience at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, showcased U2’s raw energy and musical prowess during the early stages of their career.

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"Another Time, Another Place" song lyrics by U2

"Another Time, Another Place" is a reflective track from U2's debut album Boy, encapsulating the themes of longing, nostalgia, and the desire for connection. Through Bono's poignant lyrics, the song explores the feeling of being caught between moments, suggesting a yearning for a different reality or circumstance. The imagery evokes a sense of wistfulness, as if the narrator is contemplating the possibilities that lie just beyond their reach. This sentiment resonates with the universal human experience of wishing for a different path in life, one where the constraints of time and circumstance are lifted, allowing for new opportunities and connections. The song’s atmospheric instrumentation complements its introspective tone, creating a soundscape that feels both haunting and hopeful.

From Bono's perspective, "Another Time, Another Place" also reflects the complexities of youth and the emotional turbulence that comes with navigating relationships and identity. 

The lyrics suggest a longing for simpler times, perhaps evoking memories of childhood or the innocence that can be lost as one grows up. This sense of nostalgia is juxtaposed with the realization that time moves forward, leaving behind moments that can never be reclaimed. 

Ultimately, "Another Time, Another Place" serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of human connections and the enduring wish for understanding and belonging in an ever-evolving world.

"Another Time, Another Place" song lyrics by U2

Bright morning lights
Wipe the sleep from another day's eyes
Turn away from the wall and there's nothing at all
Be naked and afraid
In the open space of my bed
I'll be with you now
I'll be with you now
We lie on a cloud
We lie

Just as I am
I awoke with a tear on my tongue
I awoke with a feeling of never before
In my sleep, I discover the one
But she ran with the morning sun
I'll be with you now
I'll be with you now
We lie on a cloud
We lie

Another time, another place
We lie
Another time, another place

Another child has lost the race
We lie
Another time, another place
We lie
Your time, your price

We lie
Another time, another place
We lie
Another child has lost

We lie
Another time, another place
We lie
Your time, your place

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"A Day Without Me" song lyrics by U2

"A Day Without Me" is a standout track from U2’s debut album Boy, encapsulating the feeling of existential uncertainty and the quest for identity that often accompanies the transition into adulthood. 

The song reflects Bono's introspective exploration of themes like alienation and the longing for connection in a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming. Through its poignant lyrics, Bono conveys a sense of searching for meaning and grappling with the notion of one's place in the world, particularly in the face of the pressures and expectations that come with growing up.

The driving rhythm and dynamic instrumentation underscore the urgency of these feelings, creating an energetic backdrop for a meditation on personal existence.

"A Day Without Me" song lyrics by U2

Starting a landslide in my ego
Look from the outside to the world I left behind
I'm dreaming, you're awake
If I were sleeping
What's at stake

A day without me

Whatever the feelings I've been feeling
What are the feelings you left behind
Today's a day without me

I started a landslide in my ego
Look from the outside to the world I left behind
In the world I left behind
Wipe their eyes and they let go
In a world I left behind
Shed a tear and let love go

-

"A Day Without Me," released as a single in 1980, achieved modest commercial success for U2 but did not reach significant chart heights. In Ireland, it peaked at #16 on the Irish Singles Chart. However, the song did not chart in major markets such as the UK or the US at that time. Despite its limited chart success, "A Day Without Me" contributed to U2's growing reputation and helped establish their sound as part of the emerging post-punk scene.

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"The Ocean" Song Lyrics by U2

"The Ocean" is a brief but evocative track from U2’s Boy album, reflecting Bono’s contemplative exploration of themes like loneliness, introspection, and the fleeting nature of time. 

With its sparse lyrics and atmospheric sound, the song feels like a moment of calm reflection amidst the restlessness of youth that defines much of the album. 

Bono uses the imagery of the ocean—a vast, mysterious, and seemingly infinite space—to symbolize both the depth of human emotion and the overwhelming sense of insignificance one can feel when faced with life’s enormity. 

The ocean becomes a metaphor for the unknown, representing both a source of inspiration and a reminder of life’s uncertainty.

"The Ocean" Song Lyrics by U2

A picture in grey
Dorian Gray
Just me by the sea.

And I felt like a star
I felt the world could go far
If they listened to what I said.
The sea

Washes my feet
Washes my fee
Splashes the sole of my shoes.

From Bono’s perspective, “The Ocean” also captures a sense of longing and contemplation, as he looks out into the metaphorical sea and ponders his place in the world. The lyrics are intentionally sparse, evoking the quiet emptiness of standing before something immense and feeling both awed and small. This minimalism gives the song a haunting quality, conveying a kind of existential solitude.

It’s less about providing answers and more about capturing the mood of a young man grappling with the vast possibilities and unknowns that lie ahead. Despite its brevity, "The Ocean" is a poignant expression of introspection, fitting within the album's broader themes of youth, uncertainty, and the search for identity.

Check out Boy Album Lyrics

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"Stories For Boys" Song lyrics by U2

"Stories for Boys" is a dynamic and introspective track from U2’s debut album Boy, capturing the youthful curiosity and confusion that defines adolescence. 

The song is a reflection on the way boys grow up surrounded by idealized, adventurous stories that shape their perception of the world, only to later confront the complex and often disappointing realities of life. 

Bono’s lyrics play with the contrast between the imaginative tales that fuel childhood dreams and the inevitable realization that life is more complicated than those stories suggest. 

The fast-paced, playful energy of the music mirrors the restlessness of youth, while the lyrical content touches on deeper themes of identity and the search for meaning. 

For Bono, "Stories for Boys" represents both a celebration of youthful wonder and a questioning of the myths and narratives that boys are given to navigate the world. The song captures the tension between the simplicity of childhood imagination and the challenges of forging an authentic path in a much more complex, adult reality.

"Stories For Boys" Song lyrics by U2 

There's a place I go when I am far away
There's a T.V. show where I can grow
Sometimes a hero takes me
Sometimes I don't let go
Hello, hello

There's a picture book with color photographs
There's a comic strip that makes me laugh
Sometimes away he takes me
Sometimes I don't let go

Stories for boys, stories for boys
Stories for boys, stories for boys
Stories for boys

There's a place I go and it's a part of me
There's a radio and I will go
Sometimes a hero takes me
Sometimes I don't let go
Hello, hello

Stories for boys

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"Out Of Control" Song Lyrics by U2

Boy album cover (1980)

Beyond its youthful anger, "Out of Control" also conveys Bono’s deeper philosophical reflections on life’s fleeting nature. 

The song touches on existential themes, such as the arbitrariness of being born and the certainty of death, leaving him with the sense that life is something that happens to us, rather than something we can fully shape.

Yet, within this chaos, there’s also a yearning to break free and assert some kind of autonomy, symbolized in the fierce energy of the music.

Bono’s lyrics, while grounded in youthful frustration, hint at his early awareness of larger existential questions—how to navigate life’s uncontrollable elements while still seeking meaning and direction.

 "Out of Control" reflects this dual tension between surrendering to life’s uncertainties and the desire to carve out one’s path amid the chaos. reflects 

"Out of Control," one of U2's earliest tracks, channels Bono's youthful frustration and sense of powerlessness in the face of life’s unpredictability. Written on his 18th birthday, the song reflects his internal struggle with growing up and the realization that certain aspects of life—like birth, aging, and death—are beyond personal control. 

"Out Of Control" Song Lyrics by U2

Monday morning
Eighteen years dawning
I said how long.
Say how long.

It was one dull morning
I woke the world with bawling
I was so sad
They were so glad.

I had the feeling it was out of control
I was of the opinion it was out of control.

Boys and girls to school
And girls they make children
Not like this one.

I had the feeling it was out of control
I was of the opinion it was out of control.

I was of the feeling it was out of control
I had the opinion it was out of control.

I fought fate
There's blood at the garden gate
The man said childhood
It's in his childhood

One day I'll die
The choice will not be mine
Will it be too late?
You can't fight fate.

I had the feeling it was out of control
I was of the opinion it was out of control.

"Out of Control" did not initially achieve major commercial chart success upon its release, but it played a crucial role in shaping U2's early popularity. The song was first released as part of a three-track EP titled Three in 1979, which was the band's debut release in Ireland.  "Out of Control" appears on the A-side, with "Stories for Boys" and "Boy/Girl" on the B-side, the result of a listener poll on Dave Fanning's radio programme

"Out of Control" became the standout track from the EP and helped the band gain attention in the Dublin music scene, despite limited exposure outside of Ireland at the time.

Though it didn’t chart internationally during its early release, "Out of Control" has become a fan favorite over the years, frequently featured in U2’s live performances. 

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"Into The Heart" Song Lyrics by U2

"Into the Heart" by U2 from the Boy album carries a deeply introspective tone, reflecting Bono’s exploration of innocence, vulnerability, and the loss of purity as one matures. 

The song feels like a journey inward, as its lyrics and atmosphere evoke a return to childhood, where the heart symbolizes the core of our purest emotions. 

From Bono’s perspective, "Into the Heart" seems to grapple with the tension between the innocence of youth and the inevitable complications that come with growing older. 

The simplicity of the lyrics and the song’s ethereal sound create a sense of longing to recapture that purity, a yearning for the simplicity of emotions that are untainted by the complexities of life. 

It’s as though Bono is searching for a way back to a state of emotional clarity, before life became shadowed by the confusion of adulthood.

"Into The Heart" Song Lyrics by U2

Into the heart
Of a child
I stay a while
But I can't go there

Into the heart
Of a child
I can smile
I can't go there

Into the heart
Into the heart
Of a child
I can't go back
I can't stay a while

Into the heart
Into the heart

Bono’s introspection in "Into the Heart" also touches on the fear of losing touch with that essential, childlike sense of wonder and openness. The song suggests a kind of inner reflection, where the heart represents not just love, but a deeper, almost spiritual sense of self that risks being lost in the face of life's pressures.

As Bono sings, he seems to be both mourning and trying to protect this inner sanctum, wrestling with the idea that as we grow, we often stray from the purity of our younger selves. 

Check the songs Twilight and I will Follow also from Boy.

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"An Cat Dubh" Song Lyrics by U2

From Bono’s perspective, "An Cat Dubh" explores the darker, more sensual side of relationships, reflecting on themes of obsession, desire, and emotional entanglement. 

The title, which means "The Black Cat" in Irish, adds a layer of mystery and symbolism, with the black cat often representing stealth, danger, and unpredictability. 

The song’s brooding atmosphere and lyrics suggest a personal experience or reflection on the complex nature of intimacy, where love becomes intertwined with control and vulnerability. Bono delves into the tension between attraction and fear, portraying the subject of his desire as elusive and perhaps even dangerous.

The song's haunting tone reveals Bono’s exploration of the emotional intensity that comes with relationships, particularly the darker impulses that are often hidden beneath the surface.

Additionally, "An Cat Dubh" can be interpreted as Bono’s meditation on the dualities within love—its capacity to both comfort and unsettle. The black cat in the song may symbolize the unknown aspects of the person he is drawn to, or even the unknowable parts of himself that emerge in the context of intimacy.

Bono seems to wrestle with these conflicting emotions, creating a vivid sense of longing, yet acknowledging the emotional cost that often accompanies such intensity.

The song’s slow, almost hypnotic rhythm mirrors this push and pull of desire, with the lyrics evoking feelings of being both captivated and haunted. 

"An Cat Dubh" Song Lyrics by U2

Say goodnight
She waits for me to turn out the light
Really still
She waits to break my will.

Woah-oh

Yes, and I know the truth about you.
She cat.
And in the daylight
A blackbird makes a violent sight
And when she is done
She sleeps beside the one

Woah-oh-oh

Yes, and I know the truth about you
She cat.

More Boy Album Lyrics

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