Showing posts with label achtung baby lyrics U2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label achtung baby lyrics U2. Show all posts

'Oh, Berlin' lyrics by U2 from the Achtung Baby recording sessions

Friday, October 7, 2011
"Oh Berlin" is a song from U2's Achtung Baby recording sessions in 1990-1991, which took place primarily at Hansa Studios in Berlin, Germany. The band was in the midst of a significant transition during this time, both musically and personally. 

After the success of The Joshua Tree and side step of Rattle and Hum, U2 felt the need to reinvent themselves, and the Berlin sessions were pivotal in that shift toward a more experimental sound, embracing alternative rock, industrial influences, and electronic music.

"Oh Berlin" was one of several songs that the band worked on during these sessions but ultimately left unfinished or unreleased on Achtung Baby. Berlin, the city itself, had deep symbolic meaning for U2 during the making of this album. 

The Berlin Wall had just fallen in 1989, marking the end of the Cold War, and the city became a symbol of reunification, freedom, and transformation—mirroring the themes that would later emerge in the album. U2 wanted to capture the atmosphere of this historic moment, but "Oh Berlin" didn't make the final cut, as other tracks like "One" and "The Fly" better represented the emotional and sonic direction they were aiming for.

It's no surprise that U2 wrote a song about Berlin as that's where a lot of recording for the album took place - indeed Zoo Station is so named after a train stop in the city!

Other releases from that time include Down all The Days and Blow Your House Down.

'Oh, Berlin' lyrics by U2

Hasse, hasse, hasse, hasse

White snow turning to slush
A festival of brown in the city of my crush
If you walk around, you can step inside
Köthner Straße achtunddreißig

Oh Berlin
Who could think they would find you by just looking
Oh Berlin
How many of us hide in you
Oh Berlin
To think I could know you by your name

To stare and not be stared
To look and not be seen
To feel new feelings
Rather than understand where you've just been
Fame, huh

Oh Berlin
Who could they would find you by just looking
Oh Berlin
When you flap your angel wings
Oh Berlin
To think that I could know you by your name

Chasing the ghosts of our heroes
Lou Reed, David Bowie, Iggy, Wim Wenders, Rilke
To change location rather than change yourself
To ask for directions rather than ask for help
To remain always a true friend

Oh Berlin
Who could think they would find you by just looking
Oh Berlin
When you flap your angel wings
Oh Berlin
To think that I could know you by your name

Who, if I cried out, would hear me among the angelic orders
And even if one to suddenly take me to its heart
I would vanish into its stronger existence
For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror
That we are still able to bear and we revere it so
Because it calmly disdains to destroy us
Every angel is terror

Every angel is terror
Oh Berlin
Every angel is terror
Every angel is terror
Who would think they could find you by just looking
Every angel is terror
Every angel is terror
Oh Berlin
How many of us hide in you
Oh Berlin
To think that I could know you by a single name

Down All The Days lyrics by U2

Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Down All The Days lyrics by U2

Released as part of the celebrations of the twenty year anniversary of one of U2's best albums, Achtung Baby. If you liked this song, you should check out U2's Blow Your House Down which was released at the same time.

Down all the Days Lyrics by U2.

My eyes are black
They've seen the glory
My ears are shut
They've heard the storm
My legs are weak
From so much stumbling

Down all the days
Down all the days

My lips are dry
They've tasted water
My spirit high
I hardly touch the ground
My heart is heavy
It hears the distant firing

Down all the days
Down all the days
Down all the days
Down all the days
Down all the days
Days, days
Down all the days
Days, days

I love to talk
Days, days
Can you leave me some it to hug
Days, days
Can you hold me now
Days, days
I love her hug
Days, days
Days, days
Days

The skyline's in the cloud
Throw down some winds now
Right now I'm only here to see me
Come down whenever you want to see me
Right on a phone, the holy rose
Someone in the street's on fire
And I am weary, worthy
Wounded, all wrong
I love thee, to hold thee
I love thee

Everybody Loves A Winner lyrics U2

Everybody Loves A Winner lyrics U2

A left over from the Achtung Baby recording sessions, the song was released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of what were arguably U2's richest recording sessions (any session that One or Love is Blindness falls out of must be rich!)


Lyrics:


Once I had fame
I was full of pride
Well, there were a lot of friends
Always by my side

But my luck ran dry
Now my friends begin to hide

Everybody loves a winner
Everybody loves a winner
When you lose, you lose alone

Everywhere I turned
There was a hello and a smile
I never thought they'd be gone
After a while

Oh, that big road ran down
And the smiles turned to frowns

Everybody loves a winner
Everybody loves a winner
But when you lose, you lose alone

Hands to heaven that I would be true
To get back that love
There's nothing I wouldn't do
But I learned and I lost
And now I paid the cost

Everybody loves a winner
Everybody loves a winner
Everybody loves a winner
But when you lose, you lose alone

"Heaven And Hell " song lyrics U2 from Achtung Baby session leftovers

From the Achtung Baby recording sessions, Heaven and Hell was a non album track released along with Blow Your House Down to and Oh, Berlin to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the album. 

The lyrics explore the collapse of a once-idealized love, now disintegrating under the weight of its own contradictions. Bono’s voice, seemingly oscillating between raw vulnerability and bitter resignation, tells a story of romantic disillusionment. The imagery evokes a sacred-profane tension, where love’s purity (“Like an angel on some stained-glass”) clashes against the raw, carnal realities of the relationship (“Dirty boy, dirty girl having a dirty laugh”). 

The duality of "heaven and hell" becomes a metaphor not just for the shifting emotional landscape between two lovers, but for the very nature of intimate relationships, where moments of divine connection often crumble into something more grotesque and disappointing. In these lyrics, Bono wrestles with the tension between the sacred ideal and the messy human experience—flirting with religious imagery while plumbing the depths of personal failure.

"Heaven And Hell " song lyrics U2

Conceptually, this theme of love’s dichotomy resonates with two other key tracks from Achtung Baby: "Love Is Blindness" and "So Cruel." 

In "Love Is Blindness," Bono grapples with love as a destructive force, wrapped in yearning and desperation, with the refrain suggesting a kind of willful ignorance to its darker undertones. Similarly, "So Cruel" portrays a love caught between pleasure and pain, where emotional cruelty becomes part of the seductive dance.

Together, these songs, including "Heaven and Hell," form a triptych that interrogates the nature of love as both salvation and damnation. They explore how lovers, in their quest for transcendence, can end up bound and bleeding, searching for meaning in the spaces between devotion and destruction. The layers of religious and carnal imagery woven throughout these lyrics reinforce U2's broader fascination with dualities—heaven and hell, angelic ideals and fallen realities, constantly intertwining in the space of human relationships.

"Heaven And Hell " song lyrics U2 from Achtung Baby session leftovers

You used to think I was something special
You haven't thought that in a while
You liked the company of my inner devil
'Cause my inner devil could make you smile

Like an angel on some stained-glass
Not some relic from the recent past
With your pale breasts and your fresh wound
And your eyes to heaven with your hands bound

I thought you'd find me when you went looking
In truth, you'd have to be there to look around
How come the honeysuckle isn't sucking
And I got a bee sting walking on the ground

Did our brass bead become a mud bath
A dirty boy, dirty girl having a dirty laugh
I saw you coming, I had you covered
Till you discovered

That we're heaven, heaven, heaven and hell
Heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven and hell

Picnick table and a china cup
We had an airbed that was all stuffed
Now it's room 64 at the chateau
Ask the front desk where does your love go

Is it to heaven, heaven, heaven or to hell
Is it to heaven, heaven, heaven or hell
Baby, we're heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven and hell

-

Achtung Baby is steeped in biblical references and hellish imagery, reflecting U2’s exploration of moral dualities and the darker side of human experience. Throughout the album, Bono’s lyrics are laced with religious allusions, invoking heaven, hell, angels, and devils as metaphors for love, betrayal, and inner conflict. 

In "Until the End of the World," for instance, the betrayal of Christ by Judas is recast as a narrative of personal treachery, while "The Fly" channels the voice of a fallen angel, offering a cynical perspective on truth and morality. This fascination with biblical themes culminated during the Zoo TV Tour, where Bono embodied the persona of MacPhisto, a devilish character clad in gold horns and white makeup. 

Through MacPhisto, Bono gave voice to the seductive and corrupting aspects of fame, power, and desire, amplifying the album’s recurring motifs of temptation, sin, and redemption. By merging the sacred and the profane, Achtung Baby becomes not just a meditation on personal relationships, but a broader commentary on the human condition, echoing the struggle between salvation and damnation.

-

Check out Down all the Day's lyrics as well!

'Blow Your House Down' song lyrics by U2

Blow Down Your House was released by Irish Rockers U2 to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their classic album, Achtung Baby. The song was from the recording sessions of that album but to that point never shared with the world. 

'Blow Your House Down' song lyrics by U2


Burn Your House down features all the familiar sonic elements of Achtung Baby - Edge riffs, arpeggios, slide guitar, backing vocals and lyrics that feature a woman as a central character that's being out of control - kind of like The Lady with the Spinning Head

'Blow Your House Down' song lyrics by U2

You've been along this road so many times
Nothing should be a surprise to you
Seen every premeditated crime
From every possible point of view

Why, if it's so wrong, does it feel so right?
Why, oh I've got your gun?
Do I want you tonight?

She, she's gonna blow your house down
She's gonna turn your head around
She's gonna blow your house down

What of chaos is the thing you crave
Is it the taste of self-inflicted pain
And what of losing is your drug of choice
Is it what keeps you coming back again

Why, if it's so wrong, does it feel so right

She, she's gonna blow your house down
She's gonna turn your head around
She's gonna blow your house down

She blow your house down
She's gonna turn your head around
She's gonna blow your house down

Run fast, fast as you can
Run fast, fast as you can
Fast, fast as you can
Run as fast, fast as you can
Fast as you can
Run as fast, fast as you can

The wave, it have its
She was saving it
What makes you think you can
Oh, they're craving
Deals for breaking
Your old devil's hands

She, she's gonna blow your house down
She's gonna turn your head around
She's gonna blow your house down

She gonna blow your house down
She's gonna turn your head around
She's gonna blow your house down

-

The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and emotional rawness, suggesting a confrontation with the fragility of both personal identity and the connections we forge with others. Bono’s poignant imagery of "blowing your house down" serves as a metaphor for dismantling the facades we build to protect ourselves, exposing the chaos and vulnerability that lie beneath. 

This metaphor reflects a desire for authenticity and a recognition that true intimacy often requires the deconstruction of superficial barriers. The song captures a tumultuous emotional landscape, resonating with listeners who have experienced the tumult of love and the fear of losing oneself in the process. 

Q Magazine Achtung Baby U2 Lyrics Covers Song Lyrics

Wednesday, September 14, 2011


Q Magazine U2 Covers Song Lyrics from Achtung Baby

Q Magazine has arranged for a selection of fabulous artists to record an album of covers from U2's Achtung Baby. This is to celebrate the re-issue of U2's Achtung baby for the 20th Anniversary.

Here's the track list. Clicking on the song title will take you to the lyrics of the song.

"Zoo Station" visited by Nine Inch Nails
"Even Better Than the Real Thing" covered by U2 (Jacques Lu Cont Mix)
"One" performed by Damian Rice
"Until the End of the World" sung by Patti Smith
"Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" broken in by Garbage
"So Cruel" recorded by Depeche Mode
"The Fly" swatted by Gavin Friday. Post Modern Irony Intended.
"Mysterious Ways" moved by Snow Patrol
"Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World" tackled to the ground by The Fray
"Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" lit up by The Killers
"Acrobat" riffed out by Glasvegas
"Love Is Blindness" monstered by Jack White

Glasvegas is apparently doing a song ....

'Achtung Baby' album song lyrics by U2

Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Achtung Baby is U2's crowning glory, their masterpiece that no band since 1991 has bettered, it is a modern day classic. Following the perhaps inevitable backlash against U2's Rattle and Hum, U2's sound on the album was unlike anything the band had ever produced before.

U2's previous records such as War and The Joshua Tree made lyrical statements about political and social issues. Bono's lyrics for Achtung Baby a realised a more personal and introspective which examined love, sexuality, spirituality, faith, and even betrayal with Until The End of the World being an obvious example with its story seeming to be about a confessional conversation with Judas Iscariot.

Yes, that one. ..

Throughout "Achtung Baby," U2 not only reinvented their musical style under the watch of Brian Eno and Flood but also delved into deeper, more introspective lyrical themes. The album’s exploration of personal and societal change, the complexity of relationships, and the impact of modern technology, resonates as much today as it did at the time of its release.

Its lyrical quality reflects a band that is not afraid to confront the ambiguities and contradictions of the human experience, making "Achtung Baby" a seminal work in U2's discography.


'Achtung Baby' album song lyrics by U2

B-Sides, Session songs, covers


Allow us to wax lyrical about the album.

The album opens with "Zoo Station," an audacious departure from U2's established sound, introducing listeners to the band's new sonic territory. The song's lyrics metaphorically represent a readiness to embark on a new journey, with references to transformation and reinvention. This theme of change is a thread that runs throughout the album, reflecting both personal and societal shifts.


And it has an iconic drum beat.

"One," arguably the most famous track on the album, delves into themes of unity, conflict, and reconciliation. Its poetic lyrics have been interpreted in various ways, from a commentary on fractured relationships to a reflection on the band's near breakup. The song's universal appeal lies in its ambiguity, allowing listeners to find their own meaning in its words.

"Mysterious Ways" showcases the band's experimentation with dance rhythms, while its lyrics celebrate feminine mystique and the power of love and transformation. The song's vivid imagery, coupled with its upbeat tempo, creates a juxtaposition that highlights the complexity of relationships.

"The Fly," a song that presents a cacophony of sound and a persona that Bono adopted during live performances, is a commentary on the information overload of the modern world. Its rapid, spoken-word style verses and distorted sounds align with the song's message about the bombardment of media and technology.

"Acrobat," a lesser-known but equally compelling track, delves into the inner turmoil and hypocrisy that can exist within individuals. The song's raw emotional intensity, combined with introspective lyrics, makes it a standout on the album for its exploration of the human psyche.

"Love is Blindness," the closing track, is a haunting ballad that speaks to the pain and surrender of love. Its sparse, yet intense arrangement complements the song's exploration of love's darker, more obsessive aspects.

Check out the infamous Lady with the Spinning Head which was an abandoned song that formed the structural basis for The Fly, which became a conversation from hell about the post modern self.

"Alex Descends Into Hell For A Bottle Of Milk/Korova 1" Song Lyrics by U2

Saturday, October 10, 2009

“Alex Descends into Hell for a Bottle of Milk / Korova 1” was originally composed as part of a planned musical adaptation of A Clockwork Orange, exploring the dark and violent world of Alex DeLarge. 

The song's ominous Latin chant—Dies irae, dies illa, a reference to the medieval hymn "Dies Irae"—invokes themes of divine judgment and descent, echoing the brutality and moral chaos at the heart of Anthony Burgess’s dystopian vision. 

The piece was ultimately released as the b-side to the 1991 single, The Fly, from the Achtung Baby and connects thematically to both A Clockwork Orange and Achtung Baby’s exploration of fractured identities, temptation, and moral ambivalence.

Like “The Fly”—which Bono described as a “phone call from hell” and features a protagonist reveling in and wrestling with moral corruption—“Alex Descends” delves into the descent of the soul, underscored by its dark, industrial soundscape. 

Both songs take the listener through psychological spaces where moral boundaries are blurred, urging reflection on humanity’s darker impulses. 

Achtung Baby as a whole was shaped by themes of transformation, desire, and guilt, set against a postmodern backdrop of fractured truths and masked personas. “Alex Descends” captures a similar spirit, using Latin liturgy and cinematic orchestration to reflect the perverse allure of violence and the existential void Alex inhabits. 

"Alex Descends Into Hell For A Bottle Of Milk/Korova 1" Lyrics U2


"Alex Descends Into Hell For A Bottle Of Milk/Korova 1" Lyrics U2

Dies irae, dies illa
Dies irae, dies illa
Tuba mirum spargens sonum
Decet in inferno
Dies illa, dies illa

The English translation of the Latin lyrics:

A day of wrath, that day
A day of wrath, that day
The trumpet's wondrous call sounding abroad
He descended into hell
A day of wrath, that day

"Love Is Blindness" song lyrics by U2

Saturday, August 15, 2009
“Love Is Blindness” closes U2's Achtung Baby with a haunting, visceral exploration of the darker facets of love and desire, encapsulating themes of obsession, loss, and the inherent vulnerability that accompanies deep emotional connection. The lyrics evoke a sense of raw yearning, illustrating how love can often lead to both ecstasy and anguish. Bono’s lines, such as “Love is blindness,” poignantly capture the paradoxical nature of love—it can illuminate the soul while simultaneously shrouding one’s judgment and sense of self. 

This duality is vividly portrayed through striking imagery: love is portrayed not as a redemptive force, but rather as a consuming fire that blinds the lover to reality, inflicting pain that lingers long after the passion fades. 

The refrain "I don’t want to see” reinforces the idea of willful ignorance, suggesting that the speaker is caught in an emotional whirlwind, unwilling to confront the truth of their situation.

"Love Is Blindness" song lyrics by U2

Musically, “Love Is Blindness” is distinguished by its haunting, minimalist arrangement, characterized by The Edge’s dark, reverberating guitar riffs and a steady, pulsating rhythm that amplifies the song’s sense of urgency. The instrumentation creates a tension that reflects the tumultuous emotions conveyed in the lyrics, with a sound that evokes both danger and allure. Bono’s vocal delivery is imbued with a sense of desperation, capturing the weight of emotional turmoil that accompanies love’s darker side. 

As the song progresses, layers of sound build to a crescendo, paralleling the chaotic rush of emotions experienced in a love that has turned toxic. The raw, almost primal energy of the track underscores U2’s willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, a hallmark of their artistic ethos during the Achtung Baby era.

Jack White did an amazing cover of the song

"Love Is Blindness" song lyrics by U2

Love is blindness
I don't want to see
Won't you wrap the night around me
Take my heart
Love is blindness

In a parked car in a crowded street
You see your love made complete
Thread is ripping
The knot is slipping
Love is blindness

Love is clockworks and cold steel
Fingers too numb to feel
Squeeze the handle
Blow out the candle
Love is blindness

Love is blindness
I don't want to see
Won't you wrap the night around me
Oh, my love
Blindness

A little death without mourning
No call and no warning
Baby, a dangerous idea that almost makes sense

Love is drowning in a deep well
All the secrets and no one to tell
Take the money, honey
Blindness

Love is blindness
I don't want to see
Won't you wrap the night around me
Oh, my love
Blindness

-

Culturally, “Love Is Blindness” resonates deeply within the context of the early 1990s, a time of significant societal shifts and a growing awareness of the complexities of relationships in a rapidly changing world. The song reflects a generation grappling with disillusionment, as the idealism of previous decades gave way to a more nuanced understanding of love and intimacy.

 In an era where traditional narratives of romance were increasingly questioned, U2's exploration of love's darker dimensions offered a compelling commentary on the emotional costs of connection. By confronting themes of obsession and loss, “Love Is Blindness” invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences, illuminating the often-painful truths about love that can linger long after the initial spark has faded. 

Check lyrics to other songs from Achtung Baby such as "Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World" and "Even Better Than the Real Thing".

U2 would follow up Achtung Baby with another genuine U2 classic, the grammy award winning, Zooropa. 

"Acrobat" Song Lyrics by U2

"Acrobat" stands as one of U2’s most introspective and searing tracks, steeped in themes of alienation, hypocrisy, and personal contradiction. 

Bono, drawing inspiration from the work of poet Delmore Schwartz, channels the angst and disillusionment of facing one's own moral shortcomings. 

The line "I must be an acrobat to talk like this and act like that" is a central acknowledgment of these contradictions. 

Bono's lyrical confession exposes a struggle to reconcile ideals with actions, a battle between espoused beliefs and personal failures. The venom The Edge referred to echoes through its biting, cynical tone, echoing the raw emotion of Lennon’s "Working Class Hero" as Bono reflects on the futility of lofty ideals in a world filled with moral confusion.

 His cry to "dream out loud" is less a hopeful call to action than a desperate plea for authenticity in a world that often rewards insincerity.

The track also grapples with spiritual alienation, evident in lines like "I'd break bread and wine if there was a church I could receive in." 

Bono, who had often used religious imagery throughout his career, confronts his estrangement from institutional faith, suggesting a deeper yearning for redemption amidst the complexities of modern life. 

In this sense, "Acrobat" becomes a personal exorcism, a song about the erosion of certainty as time passes, both in relationships and in one’s sense of self. 

The repeated refrain of "don't let the bastards grind you down" serves as a defiant reminder to maintain integrity, even as the song openly admits how difficult it is to live up to one's principles. 

Ultimately, "Acrobat" is a lyrical exploration of inner conflict and the bitter realization that being human often means falling short of the ideals we profess.

"Acrobat" Song Lyrics by U2


Bono's long standing friend, artist Gavin Friday, suggests its chorus "Don't let the bastards grind you down" is aimed at the press who gave U2 a serve with the Rattle and Hum album and film.

Musically, “Acrobat” is characterized by its driving rhythm and atmospheric soundscape, combining The Edge’s signature guitar work with a propulsive bass line from Adam Clayton and dynamic drumming from Larry Mullen Jr. The song's arrangement builds a sense of urgency, echoing the emotional intensity of the lyrics. The layered instrumentation creates a feeling of tension, perfectly mirroring the acrobatic dance between vulnerability and resilience that the lyrics convey. 

As the song progresses, the urgency intensifies, culminating in a cathartic release that embodies the struggles of confronting one’s own shortcomings while striving for something greater. This dynamic interplay between lyrical content and musical composition underscores U2’s artistic evolution during the Achtung Baby era, where they ventured into darker, more complex territory while maintaining their signature anthemic sound.

"Acrobat" Song Lyrics by U2

Don't believe what you hear
Don't believe what you see
If you just close your eyes
You can feel the enemy
When I first met you girl
You had fire in your soul
What happened your face
Of melting in snow

Now it looks like this
And you can swallow
Or you can spit
You can throw it up
Or choke on it
And you can dream
So dream out loud
You know that your time is coming 'round
So don't let the bastards grind you down

No, nothing makes sense
Nothing seems to fit
I know you'd hit out
If you only knew who to hit
And I'd join the movement
If there was one I could believe in
Yeah I'd break bread and wine
If there was a church I could receive in
'Cause I need it now

To take a cup
To fill it up
To drink it slow
I can't let you go
I must be an acrobat
To talk like this
And act like that
And you can dream
So dream out loud
And don't let the bastards grind you down

What are we going to do now it's all been said
No new ideas in the house and every book has been read

And I must be an acrobat
To talk like this
And act like that
And you can dream
So dream out loud
And you can find
Your own way out
You can build
And I can will
And you can call
I can't wait until
You can stash
And you can seize
In dreams begin responsibilities
And I can love
And I can love
And I know that the tide is turning 'round
So don't let the bastards grind you down

-

Culturally, “Acrobat” resonates with the zeitgeist of the early 1990s, a period marked by a growing awareness of personal and societal contradictions. As the world faced shifts in political landscapes, technological advancements, and cultural revolutions, U2’s exploration of internal conflict and moral ambiguity mirrored the broader anxieties of the time. 

The song’s themes of grappling with faith, self-identity, and the struggle for authenticity reflect a generation’s search for meaning amid rapid change. In this context, “Acrobat” serves as both a personal anthem and a collective commentary on the complexities of modern life, reminding listeners that the pursuit of truth and connection often requires navigating uncertainty and vulnerability. 

Check out the lyrics to U2's "Even Better Than the Real Thing"or their all-time classic song "One".

"Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" Song Lyrics Meaning - by U2

"Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" from U2's Achtung Baby explores themes of emotional dependency, faith, and the balance between light and darkness in relationships. 

The lyrics depict someone in a fragile, desperate state, seeking guidance and connection from a loved one, represented by the metaphor of ultraviolet light. Bono sings of a strained relationship that is essential for survival, using contrasting imagery—darkness and light—to express the tension between vulnerability and salvation. 

ultra violet light my way lyrics u2

The recurring plea to "light my way" suggests the need for reassurance and strength, whether from a lover, a friend, or even spiritual faith. The song intertwines personal struggles with broader existential questions, echoing the album's recurring themes of fragmentation and reconnection.

In terms of lyrical content, Bono crafts a narrative where he reflects on a complicated emotional bond. Phrases like "baby, baby, baby, light my way" carry a dual tone of longing and dependency, portraying a relationship on the edge of collapse yet full of potential healing. 

The ultraviolet metaphor is significant; ultraviolet light is invisible to the naked eye, symbolizing the unseen or unspoken forces that influence our lives, much like the unseen aspects of love and faith. 

The meaningful line “When I was all messed up and I heard opera in my head” suggests both chaos and beauty, hinting at the internal turmoil and transcendent experiences that come with emotional hardship.


"Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" Lyrics by U2


Baby baby baby

Sometimes I feel like I don't know
Sometimes I feel like checking out
I wanna get it wrong
Can't always be strong
And love it won't be long

Oh sugar, don't you cry
Oh child, wipe the tears from your eyes
You know I need you to be strong
And the day is as dark as the night is long
Feel like trash, you make me feel clean
I'm in the black, can't see or be seen

Baby baby baby light my way
All right now
Baby baby baby light my way

You bury your treasure where it can't be found
But your love is like a secret that's been passed around
There is a silence that comes to a house where no one can sleep
I guess it's the price of love
I know it's not cheap

Oh come on
Baby baby baby light my way
Oh come on
Baby baby baby light my way

Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love

Baby baby baby light my way

I remember when we could sleep on stones
Now we lie together in whispers and moans
When I was all messed up and I heard opera in my head
Your love was a lightbulb hanging over my bed

Baby baby baby light my way
Oh come on
Baby baby baby light my way

Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love
Ultraviolet love

Baby baby baby
Baby baby baby
Baby baby baby light my way, yeah
Baby baby baby
Baby baby baby
Baby baby baby light my way
Baby baby baby
Baby baby baby light my way
Baby baby baby

"Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" was recorded during the tumultuous sessions for U2's Achtung Baby, which took place primarily at Hansa Studios in Berlin, a location chosen for its connection to David Bowie’s experimental albums. The band was grappling with internal tensions and a desire to reinvent their sound after the massive success of The Joshua Tree. The song began as a rough demo that evolved during their Berlin sessions, eventually shaped by the production team of Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. 

 While the band initially struggled with the direction of Achtung Baby, the writing and development of tracks like "Ultraviolet" helped push them towards a darker, more industrial sound. The Edge's use of a Fender Stratocaster with heavy effects added to the song’s otherworldly feel, and Bono has often mentioned that the lyrics reflect his marriage to Ali Hewson, marking both the difficulties and the need for her as a guiding force during hard times.

Ultraviolet is cherished by U2 fans as a polished gem within the Achtung Baby album, a song that often resonates deeply for its emotive themes of struggle, love, and salvation. While it never reached the mainstream recognition of singles like "One" or "Mysterious Ways," it has a special place in the hearts of dedicated fans, largely due to its lyrical intensity and atmospheric sound. Its live resurgence during the 360° Tour reinforced its status as a fan favorite, with Bono's visually striking performances enhancing the song’s emotional impact. 

The track’s blend of darkness and light, personal vulnerability, and haunting guitar riffs make it a standout for many listeners who appreciate the depth of U2's lesser-known catalog. Jack White’s cover of the song also helped introduce "Ultraviolet" to a new audience, highlighting its influence on contemporary rock musicians. White's version, stripped down and raw, pays homage to the original while showcasing the song’s versatility and timeless appeal, further cementing its reputation as a beloved, if underrated, U2 classic.

Check out the lyrics to the "Until the End of the World" and "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses".

"Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around The World" Lyrics by U2



“Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World” by U2 is a vibrant exploration of longing, connection, and the sometimes overwhelming nature of love and desire. The song’s lyrics convey a sense of yearning for intimacy while simultaneously grappling with the complexities of emotional vulnerability. Bono’s poignant phrases, such as “You know you can’t love too much,” reflect a deep awareness of the fragility of relationships and the challenges of fully opening oneself up to another person. The imagery of trying to physically embrace someone while navigating the vastness of the world serves as a metaphor for the emotional distances and barriers we often encounter in love. The refrain, “I’m trying to throw your arms around the world,” encapsulates the struggle of reaching out for connection in a world that can feel isolating and chaotic. The song’s tone is both wistful and hopeful, capturing the paradox of seeking closeness while facing the inevitable complications of human interaction.

achtung baby"Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around The World" Lyrics by U2

Musically, the track features an infectious, upbeat tempo and a fusion of rock and world music influences that echo the global themes present in its lyrics. The layering of instruments creates a rich sonic landscape that mirrors the complexity of the emotions being expressed. Bono’s passionate vocal delivery enhances the sense of urgency and longing, inviting listeners to experience the duality of desire and frustration. 

This combination of sound and meaning exemplifies U2’s broader approach during the Achtung Baby era, where they sought to push boundaries both musically and conceptually. “Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World” represents a shift away from the grandiosity of U2’s earlier work toward a more introspective and relatable exploration of personal experiences, highlighting the intricate dance of intimacy and distance in modern relationships.


"Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around The World" Lyrics by U2



Six o'clock in the morning
You're the last to hear the warning
You've been tryin' to throw your arms around the world
You've been falling off the sidewalk
Your lips move but you can't talk
Tryin' to throw your arms around the world

I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
Be still
I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
Woman I will

Sunrise like a nosebleed
Your head hurts and you can't breathe
You been tryin' to throw your arms around the world
How far are you gonna go
Before you lose your way back home
You've been tryin' to throw your arms around the world

I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
Woman be still
I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
Woman I will

I dreamed that I saw Dali
With a supermarket trolley
He was tryin' to throw his arms around a girl
He took an open-top beetle
Through the eye of a needle
He was tryin' to throw his arms around the world

I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
Woman be still
I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
Woman I will

Nothin' much to say I guess
Just the same as all the rest
Been tryin' to throw my arms around the world
A woman needs a man
Like a fish needs a bicycle
When you're tryin' to throw your arms around the world
I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
Woman be still, woman be still, be still
Woman be still
Woman I will

-

Culturally, the song resonates with the early 1990s zeitgeist, a time when the world was grappling with rapid change and globalization. As the boundaries between cultures began to blur, U2 used their platform to address themes of interconnectedness and shared humanity. The song captures the spirit of a generation that yearned for connection and understanding in an increasingly fragmented world. 

With lines that hint at the challenges of maintaining personal relationships in the face of global upheaval, U2 provides a commentary on the difficulties of forging bonds in a complex, ever-shifting landscape. The playful yet poignant nature of “Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World” serves as a reminder that love is both a universal experience and a deeply personal journey, inviting listeners to reflect on their own struggles and aspirations for connection amidst the chaos of life.

Check out some more songs from U2's Achtung Baby, Acrobat and Love is Blindness

"Mysterious Ways" Song Lyrics by U2 from Achtung Baby

Friday, August 14, 2009
mysterious ways u2 lyrics song"Mysterious Ways," the second single from U2's Achtung Baby, following The Fly's post modern identity take.  It is a song deeply rooted in both sensuality and spiritual exploration. 

“Mysterious Ways” stands as one of U2’s most captivating explorations of love, spirituality, and the ineffable mysteries of life. The track blends an infectious bass groove that started in an unreleased song known as 'sick puppy' with Bono’s evocative lyrics, which artfully weave themes of desire, transcendence, and the often elusive nature of connection. 

Bono’s references to a woman whose beauty and strength hold an almost divine quality illustrate the interplay between the sacred and the mundane, suggesting that love can serve as a pathway to greater understanding of ourselves and the universe. 

Phrases like “In the desert you can remember your name” highlight the transformative power of love, while the enigmatic refrain, “She moves in mysterious ways,” invites listeners to consider the complexities of attraction and the ways in which the divine operates in the human experience. The song’s intricate metaphors elevate a love song to a meditation on existence itself, echoing the idea that some forces in life remain beyond our comprehension, yet profoundly influence our journey.

Bono has mentioned that the song’s lyrics can be interpreted as grappling with the idea of a divine, feminine force, drawing connections between love and mysticism. 



Mysterious Ways Lyrics by U2:

Johnny, take a walk with your sister on the moon
Let her pale light in to fill up your room
You've been living underground, eating from a can
You've been running away from what you don't understand

Love

She's slippy, you're sliding down
She'll be there when you hit the ground

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways

Johnny, take a dive with your sister in the rain
Let her talk about the things you can't explain
To touch is to heal, to hurt is to steal
If you want to kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel
On your knees, boy

She's the wave, she turns the tide
She sees the man inside the child

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Lift my days, light up my nights, love

One day you'll look back, and you'll see
Where you were held
How by this love while you could stand there
You could move on this moment
Follow this feeling

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways
Love, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
We move through miracle days
Move you, spirit, move, making love
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Yeah, move, yeah, move, make love
Spirit moves in mysterious ways
You move with it, she moves with it
It's alright, it's alright, alright
Lift my days, light up my nights, love

-

In the context of Achtung Baby, “Mysterious Ways” is emblematic of U2’s shift toward a more nuanced exploration of identity and spirituality, in direct contrast to the sweeping anthems of their earlier work. 

The band embraced irony and self-reflection as they crafted this album during a period of intense personal and creative upheaval. The playful yet introspective tone of the song aligns with U2’s broader commentary on the absurdities of modern life, encapsulated within their “Zoo TV” ethos. 

By juxtaposing a danceable rhythm with deeply philosophical lyrics, U2 invites listeners to engage with the complexities of life in a way that is both accessible and profound. 

Culturally, “Mysterious Ways” resonated with the ethos of the early 1990s, a time marked by both a longing for connection and a growing skepticism toward established norms. As the world grappled with rapid changes—political, technological, and personal—U2 tapped into a collective desire for deeper meaning amidst the chaos. The song’s fusion of rock and spirituality mirrors the era’s exploration of alternative lifestyles and philosophies, reflecting a generation searching for authenticity in a fragmented world. 

The iconic music video, featuring striking visuals of women and mysticism, further emphasizes these themes, reinforcing the idea that love and spirituality are intertwined forces that can lead to enlightenment.

Commercially, "Mysterious Ways" performed exceptionally well, peaking at No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart and reaching No. 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it one of U2's more successful singles during that era. Its groove-laden sound made it a favorite for remixes, the most notable being the Solar Plexus remix, which was featured as a B-side on the single's release. 

This remix stripped the track down and emphasized the rhythm and electronic elements, aligning with the burgeoning club culture of the time. The song's infectious beat and accessible structure helped it gain significant airplay, ensuring it maintained a strong presence both on the charts and in U2’s live setlists

Check out the lyrics to these other songs from Achtung Baby, The Fly and Zoo Station.

"The Fly" song lyrics by U2 + thematic meaning

The Fly, the first single track off U2’s Achtung Baby, is a brilliant amalgamation of sound and subtext, embodying the band’s audacious exploration of irony, identity, and the perils of consumerism.

With its heavy distortion, industrial beats, and classic Edge soloing, the song captures the zeitgeist of the early 1990s—a time when the line between reality and artifice blurred under the relentless march of globalization and media saturation.

Bono adopts a self-reflexive persona, presenting himself as the archetypal “fly”—a creature simultaneously drawn to the light of fame while trapped in the sticky web of its consequences. The refrain, “It’s no secret that a liar won’t believe you,” reveals a cynical awareness of the dissonance between appearance and authenticity, critiquing the very nature of celebrity culture and its disorienting effect on personal and collective identity.

Achtung Baby The Fly song lyrics


At the heart of “The Fly” lies a commentary on the seductive allure of consumerism and the irony of the “Zoo TV” concept that U2 was developing at the time.

U2’s embrace of a multimedia experience when touring—complete with video screens, projections, and a stylized aesthetic—serves to amplify this irony, as they navigate the landscape of entertainment while simultaneously critiquing its superficiality.

This duality creates a powerful tension that permeates the song, as the band grapples with their role within the very industry they seek to critique. The Fly’s buzzing soundscape, combined with Bono’s haunting vocal delivery, underscores this complexity, making the listener acutely aware of the often contradictory impulses driving both the music and the culture around it.

"The Fly" lyrics from U2's Achtung Baby

Oh, baby child It's no secret that the stars are falling from the sky
It's no secret that our world is in darkness tonight
They say the sun is sometimes eclipsed by a moon
You know I don't see you when she walks in the room
It's no secret that a friend is someone who lets you help
It's no secret that a liar won't believe anyone else
They say a secret is something you tell one other person
So I'm telling you, child

Love, we shine like a burning star
We're falling from the sky tonight
A man will beg
A man will crawl
On the sheer face of love
Like a fly on a wall
It's no secret at all

It's no secret that a conscience can sometimes be a pest
It's no secret ambition bites the nails of success
Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief
All kill their inspiration and sing about their grief
Oh love

Love, we shine like a burning star
We're falling from the sky tonight
A man will rise
A man will fall
From the sheer face of love
Like a fly from a wall
It's no secret at all

Love, we shine like a burning star
We're falling from the sky tonight
Love, we shine like a burning star
We're falling from the sky tonight
A man will rise
A man will fall
From the sheer face of love
Like a fly from a wall
It's no secret at all

It's no secret that the stars are falling from the sky
The universe exploded 'cause of one man's lie
Look, I gotta go, yeah I'm running outta change
There's a lot of things, if I could I'd rearrange

-

Culturally, The Fly resonated deeply with the anxieties of the early ‘90s, a period characterized by a growing skepticism toward established narratives—political, social, and personal. As the Cold War waned and globalization began to reshape societies, U2 tapped into the disillusionment that many felt as they navigated a rapidly changing world.

The song’s incisive critique of consumer culture can be seen as a reflection of the era’s existential concerns, where authenticity seemed elusive amid the relentless onslaught of marketing and media imagery.

By the time “The Fly” became a staple of their live performances, it had transformed into a rallying cry for a generation grappling with the complexities of modern existence. Through this lens, U2 not only redefined their artistic identity but also provided a poignant commentary on the cultural currents that were shaping the world around them, cementing their status as not just musicians but as cultural commentators attuned to the zeitgeist of their time,

If you liked this lyric, check out the wonder lines Bono right for "Even Better Than the Real Thing" and the truly magnificent "One".

"So Cruel" song lyrics by U2 from Achtung Baby

"So Cruel" song lyrics by U2 from Achtung Baby 
So Cruel is from U2's very popular album, Achtung Baby

The song  isexploration of the emotional turmoil that comes with unrequited love, infidelity, and the painful dynamics of a broken relationship.

 Lyrically, the song delves into feelings of jealousy, betrayal, and longing, capturing the perspective of someone caught in a destructive cycle of love that is both deeply consuming and hopelessly unattainable. 

Bono’s lyrics, like "We’re cut adrift, but still floating," and "You don't care if it hurts," paint a portrait of a relationship where one partner is emotionally distant or unfaithful, leaving the other trapped in a mix of devotion and anguish. 

The refrain, "So cruel," underscores the painful imbalance of power within the relationship, where love has become a source of suffering rather than fulfillment. 

The song conveys the helplessness of being tethered to someone who cannot or will not reciprocate the intensity of one’s emotions, creating a heart-wrenching juxtaposition between desire and despair.


"So Cruel" song lyrics by U2 from Achtung Baby

We crossed the line
Who pushed who over
It doesn't matter to you
It matters to me

We're cut adrift
We're still floating
I'm only hanging on
To watch you go down
My love

I disappeared in you
You disappeared from me
I gave you everything you ever wanted
It wasn't what you wanted

The men who love you, you hate the most
They pass through you like a ghost
They look for you but your spirit is in the air
Baby, you're nowhere

Oh love you say in love there are no rules
Oh love sweetheart
You're so cruel

Desparation is a tender trap
It gets you every time
You put your lips to her lips
To stop the lie

Her skin is pale like God's only dove
Screams like an angel for your love
Then she makes you watch her from above
And you need her like a drug

Oh love you say in love there are no rules
Oh love sweetheart
You're so cruel

She wears my love like a see-through dress
Her lips say one thing
Her movements something else
Oh love like a screaming flower
Love dying every hour love

You don't know if it's fear or desire
Danger the drug that takes you higher
Head in heaven, fingers in the mire
Her heart is racing, you can't keep up
The night is bleeding like a cut
Between the horses of love and lust
We are trampled underfoot

Oh love you say in love there are no rules
Oh love sweetheart
You're so cruel

Oh love to stay with you I'd be a fool
Sweetheart, you're so cruel
-

The song was written during a period of intense emotional strain for the band, particularly for Bono, who has mentioned that Achtung Baby reflects personal and relational struggles he and others in the band were facing at the time. "So Cruel" taps into that tension, addressing not just romantic love but the larger theme of emotional distance and miscommunication. 

Musically, the song is built around a minimalistic structure—The Edge’s subtle guitar work and Adam Clayton’s pulsing bassline create an atmospheric, almost hypnotic backdrop for Bono’s vulnerable, sorrowful vocals. This sparse arrangement amplifies the sense of isolation in the lyrics, as though the singer is stranded in his pain, reaching out for someone who remains unreachable. 

Check out the lyrics to The Fly. It was a big number one hit for U2.

"Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" Song Lyrics by U2

"Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" is the fifth track on U2's 1991 masterpiece, Achtung Baby, and was released in 1992 as the album's fifth and final single. U2 were not satisfied playing it live and the song has only made it to the stage a few times. 

The lyrics are a mix of longing, regret, and defiance, capturing the emotional push and pull of love gone wrong. Bono’s words paint a picture of a relationship marked by intense desire and inevitable distance, as seen in lines like "You're dangerous 'cause you're honest" and "I was in your grip, dying for you to notice." 

The wild horses in the song serve as a metaphor for the untamed forces of love and freedom—both alluring and destructive. The imagery evokes a sense of someone trying to break free from the hold of a partner or an emotional attachment that has become too overwhelming. There’s a rawness and vulnerability in the lyrics, a sense of grappling with the simultaneous need for connection and the desire to reclaim independence, as well as the painful realization that letting go is both necessary and heartbreaking.

"Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" Song Lyrics by U2




"Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" Song Lyrics by U2 from Achtung Baby (1991)


 You're dangerous 'cos you're honest
You're dangerous 'cos you don't know what you want
Well, you left my heart empty as a vacant lot
For any spirit to haunt
Hey hey, sha la la, hey hey

You're an accident waiting to happen
You're a piece of glass left there on the beach
Well you tell me things I know you're not supposed to
Then you leave me just out of reach
Hey hey, sha la la
Hey hey, sha la la

Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea?
Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna fall at the foot of thee?

Well you stole it 'cos I needed the cash
And you killed it 'cos I needed revenge
Well you lied to me 'cos I asked you to
Baby, can we still be friends
Hey hey, sha la la
Hey hey, sha la la

Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea?
Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna fall at the foot of thee?

The deeper I spin
The hunter will sin for your ivory skin
Took a drive in the dirty rain
To a place where the wind calls your name
Under the trees, the river laughing at you and me
Hallelujah, heaven's white rose
The doors you open, I just can't close

Don't turn around
Don't turn around
Don't turn around
Your gypsy heart
Don't turn around
Don't turn around again
Don't turn around
And don't look back
Come on now love
Don't you look back

Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea?
Who's gonna taste your salt water kisses?
Who's gonna take the place of me?
Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who could tame the heart of thee?

-

The song is deeply rooted in U2’s Achtung Baby era, when the band was wrestling with themes of fragmentation, reinvention, and emotional complexity. Musically, "Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" blends the epic sweep of U2’s earlier work with the darker, more experimental tones of Achtung Baby

The distorted guitars and layered production mirror the emotional chaos of the lyrics, amplifying the sense of yearning and loss. While the song can be interpreted as a personal reflection on the end of a love affair, it also touches on broader themes of freedom, identity, and the difficulty of sustaining deep connections without losing oneself. 

Bono’s vocal performance is filled with both tenderness and frustration, capturing the dual nature of love—its beauty and its capacity for pain. Ultimately, "Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" is a song about the limits of passion, the challenge of balancing love and freedom, and the bittersweet acceptance that some things, no matter how intense, are not meant to last.


Check out the lyrics to "Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World" and the classic song "Ultraviolet (Light My Way)".

"Until The End Of The World" Song Lyrics by U2

"Until the End of the World" by U2 from Achtung Baby is a song layered with biblical imagery, existential questions, and a personal sense of betrayal. Lyrically, the song is told from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, reflecting on his betrayal of Jesus with a haunting sense of guilt, temptation, and regret.

Bono uses Judas' narrative as an allegory for the complexities of human relationships, particularly when desire and betrayal intersect. The lyrics shift between intimacy and estrangement, as seen in lines like, "I kissed your lips and broke your heart," which merge the sacred and the profane, love and treachery. 

There’s an underlying sense of impending doom, a reflection on the moment when personal choices lead to irreversible consequences, but with an air of tragic inevitability. 

This duality creates an emotional tension, where the song isn't just about the religious story, but also speaks to the universal themes of betrayal, loss, and the moral dilemmas we all face.

The lyrics of the first verse discusses The Last Supper that Jesus had with his Apostles; the second is about Judas identifying Jesus with a kiss on the cheek in the Garden of Gethsemane; and the final verse's lyric is about Judas' suicide after being overwhelmed with guilt and sadness at his betrayal of The Son of God.

"Until The End Of The World" Song Lyrics by U2

The song was inspired by Bono’s fascination with the story of Judas, but it also mirrors the band's own experience during the recording of Achtung Baby, a time when U2 was navigating the turbulent waters of reinvention and creative conflict. The "end of the world" in the song isn't just the biblical apocalypse—it’s also a metaphor for the end of relationships, personal betrayals, and the collapse of old certainties. 

Musically, the song is driven by a brooding, almost menacing rhythm, with The Edge’s jagged guitar riffs underscoring the tension between light and dark, faith and doubt. 

As the song builds, the sense of inner turmoil intensifies, capturing Judas' anguish as well as the broader human struggle with the consequences of our own actions. 

Ultimately, "Until the End of the World" is a meditation on the fragility of trust and the enduring weight of betrayal—both personal and spiritual—imbued with the sense that, even in the face of our darkest moments, we are still searching for redemption.

"Until The End Of The World" Song Lyrics by U2

Haven't seen you in quite a while
I was down the hold just passing time
Last time we met was a low-lit room
We were as close together as a bride and groom
We ate the food, we drank the wine
Everybody having a good time
Except you
You were talking about the end of the world

I took the money
I spiked your drink
You miss too much these days if you stop to think
You led me on with those innocent eyes
You know I love the element of surprise
In the garden I was playing the tart
I kissed your lips and broke your heart
You, you were acting like it was
The end of the world

Love, love, love
Love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love
Love, love, love

In my dream I was drowning my sorrows
Love, love, love
Love, love
Love, love
But my sorrows, they learned to swim
Surrounding me, going down on me
Love, love, love
Love, love
Love, love
Spilling over the brim
Waves of regret and waves of joy
I reached out for the one I tried to destroy
You, you said you'd wait
'Til the end of the world

Check out U2's lyrics to One or The Fly also from Achtung Baby

"One" song lyrics by U2 from Achtung Baby

Keeping with Achtung Baby's theme of irony, One has become a song often played at weddings even though it is a song about a couple breaking up.

Or is it?

"One" by U2 is a song that operates on multiple levels, weaving together themes of unity, division, love, and reconciliation.

On the surface, the lyrics explore the complexities of human relationships—whether between lovers, friends, or fathers and sons marked by a tension between togetherness and separation.

The repeated line "We're one, but we're not the same" speaks to the paradox of unity, where individuals may be bound together yet still struggle with their differences.

There’s a deep emotional undercurrent in the song that touches on feelings of hurt and betrayal, as well as the yearning for forgiveness and healing.

Bono’s lyrics, with lines like "You ask me to enter, but then you make me crawl," capture the vulnerability that comes with reaching out to others, the pain of rejection, and the desire to bridge divides that seem impossible to overcome.

"One" song lyrics by U2 from Achtung Baby


The inspiration behind "One" emerged from a tumultuous period for U2 during the recording of Achtung Baby in Berlin. The band was on the brink of breaking up due to creative tensions, and the Berlin Wall had just fallen, making the city a powerful symbol of division and reunification. Out of this fraught atmosphere, "One" was born as a song that reflected not just personal strife, but a broader meditation on unity in a fractured world.

The lyrics, though deeply personal, also evoke larger themes of social and political reconciliation, echoing the calls for healing in a world still divided by conflicts and misunderstandings. Bono has said the song isn't explicitly about romantic love, but about the struggles of staying connected in any relationship, whether within the band itself or in society at large.


"One" song lyrics by U2 from Achtung Baby


Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same
Will it make it easier on you
Now you got someone to blame
You say one love, one life
When it's one need in the night
It's one love
We get to share it
It leaves you baby
If you don't care for it

Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well it's too late tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One

Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head
Did I ask too much
More than a lot
You gave me nothing
Now it's all I got
We're one but we're not the same
We hurt each other, then we do it again

You say love is a temple
Love a higher law
Love is a temple
Love the higher law
You ask me to enter but then you make me crawl
And I can't be holding on to what you got
When all you got is hurt
One love, one blood, one life
You got to do what you should
One life with each other
Sisters, brothers
One life but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
One

This song is arguably one of U2's best songs both in terms of critical response and fan uptake.

U2 can't get away without playing it at every concert - the same as With or Without You.

Bono has said the lyrics "just fell out of the sky, a gift"; the concept was inspired by a note Bono sent to the Dalai Lama declining to attend a festival called Oneness - the note read, "One - but not the same".

The song was crucial to the success of the recording of Achtung Baby. The band was having some serious issues with finding their musical 'journey' until the chords to the song came together and the band as a whole grasped onto the song.

One is widely considered to be one of the band's greatest songs and is consistently featured in lists of the greatest songs of all-time. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked the song #36 on their list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", and on Q Magazine ranked the One at #1 on its list of the "1001 Greatest Songs of All-Time".

In 2006, U2 re-recorded the song as part of a duet with Mary J. Blige and it was a popular hit a second time round.

Check out more Achtung Baby Lyrics - it's arguably one of the finest collection of songs U2 have ever released.
Powered by Blogger.
Back to Top