"Bad" Song Lyrics by U2

“Bad,” one of U2’s most emotionally charged and lyrically powerful songs, delves into the raw, harrowing experience of addiction and the longing for freedom from its grip. 

Bono’s lyrics reflect a deep empathy for those caught in cycles of self-destruction, particularly inspired by the heroin epidemic that devastated parts of Dublin in the early 1980s. 

The song’s opening line, “If you twist and turn away, if you tear yourself in two again,” sets the tone for a narrative of inner struggle and personal torment. There is an implicit desperation in these words, as though the speaker is addressing someone teetering on the edge, torn between self-harm and the possibility of redemption. 

The lyrics in “Bad” also carry a deep sense of yearning for release, not just from addiction, but from the broader pain of being human. Bono’s words are intentionally open-ended, allowing listeners to project their own struggles onto the song’s haunting imagery. 

Phrases like “I’m wide awake, I’m not sleeping” suggest a state of heightened awareness—being awake to one’s suffering but powerless to stop it. The idea of sleep here becomes symbolic of both peace and escape, something the speaker desperately craves but cannot reach. 

The refrain, “Let it go,” repeats like a mantra, expressing the desire for catharsis, for the weight of addiction or sorrow to be lifted. Yet, the song never quite reaches resolution, capturing the endless push and pull between hope and despair.

"Bad" Song Lyrics by U2 from The Unforgettable Fire

If you twist and turn away
If you tear yourself in two again
If I could, yes I would
If I could, I would let it go
Surrender, dislocate

If I could throw this lifeless
Lifeline to the wind
Leave this heart of clay
See you walk, walk away
Into the night
And through the rain
Into the half-light
And through the flame

If I could through myself
Set your spirit free
I'd lead your heart away
See you break, break away
Into the light
And to the day

To let it go
And so to fade away
To let it go
And so fade away

I'm wide awake
I'm wide awake
I'm not sleeping
Oh, no, no

If you should ask then maybe
They'd tell you what I would say
True colours fly in blue and black
Bruised silken skies and burning flack
Colours crash, collide in blood shot eyes

If I could, you know I would
If I could, I would let it go

This desparation
Dislocation
Separation
Condemnation
Revelation
In temptation
Isolation
Desolation

Let it go
And so to fade away
To let it go
And so fade away

Oh, no
I'm wide awake
I'm wide awake
I'm not sleeping
Oh, no no

-

At its core, “Bad” is a lyrical exploration of the human desire for transcendence—of breaking free from the chains that bind us, whether they be addiction, pain, or emotional entrapment. The lines, “To lose you, to be you,” evoke a paradox, suggesting that in losing oneself to addiction or suffering, there’s also a profound loss of identity. 

Yet, within that loss, there is also the potential to rediscover oneself, to be reborn or freed. The ambiguity of these phrases reflects the complexity of the battle between self-destruction and recovery, between giving in and fighting back. Ultimately, the song is a compassionate plea for release, imbued with both sorrow for the pain endured and a glimmer of hope that freedom is possible, even if just beyond reach.

About that Live Aid performance...

U2’s performance of “Bad” at Live Aid in 1985 became one of the most defining moments of the band’s career, elevating them to global prominence through an act of pure emotional connection. During their set, Bono famously extended the song by nearly ten minutes, starting with a few bars of Lou Reed's Satellite of Love before breaking from the band’s planned performance to jump into the crowd and pull a young woman from the audience for an impromptu dance. This unscripted moment of intimacy and compassion epitomized the song’s themes of yearning and release, transforming a concert spectacle into a deeply personal experience shared by millions. Bono finished with a nod to The Rolling Stones' 'Ruby Tuesday crossed with Sympathy for the Devil and finally finished with Lou Reed's Walk of the Wild Side. 

The spontaneity not only highlighted U2’s ability to connect with their audience on an emotional level but also reinforced “Bad” as a song about breaking free—whether from addiction, pain, or the barriers between performer and audience. 

Feel the needle chill....

“Running to Stand Still,” from U2's The Joshua Tree, shares a profound thematic connection with “Bad,” as both songs delve into the painful realities of addiction and the emotional turmoil it inflicts on individuals and their relationships. In “Running to Stand Still,” Bono vividly narrates the story of a couple trapped in the cycle of heroin addiction, capturing their struggle and despair through evocative imagery that highlights the suffocating nature of their circumstances. Like “Bad,” the lyrics convey a sense of yearning for freedom and the longing for a life beyond the grip of substance abuse. Both songs emphasize the devastating impact of addiction on personal identity and connection, illustrating how the pursuit of escape often leads to deeper entrapment, ultimately calling for empathy and understanding in the face of such struggles.

Bad also featured on the aptly named U2 EP, Wide Awake in America.

Leave a Comment bad lyrics U2, the unforgettable fire lyrics u2, U2 single, Wide Awake in America Lyrics