"Heartland," from U2’s Rattle and Hum, is a reflective, atmospheric song that captures the beauty and complexity of America’s vast landscapes while exploring themes of nostalgia, spirituality, and the search for meaning.
The lyrics evoke a deep connection to the physical and emotional heart of the country, portraying America not just as a place but as a symbol of hope, longing, and introspection. Bono’s writing reflects a kind of journey through both external and internal landscapes, using vivid imagery to describe the expansive beauty of the land while subtly weaving in existential themes about identity and purpose.
The recurring phrase “In the heartland” acts as an anchor, grounding the listener in a place that is both literal—the American Midwest—and metaphorical, representing the emotional core of the self. Lines such as “See the sun rise over her skin / She feels like water in my hand” suggest a deep, almost spiritual connection to the land, where the earth becomes intertwined with the human experience. There’s a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world, but also an underlying tension, as the lyrics convey a bittersweet recognition of the country’s complexities.
"Heartland" song lyrics by U2
See the sun rise over her skin
Don't change it
See the sun rise over her skin
Dawn changes everything
Everything
And the delta sun
Burns bright and violent
Mississippi and the cotton wool hea
Sixty-six, a highway speaks
Of deserts dry
Of cool, green valleys
Gold and silver veins
Of the shining cities
In this heartland
In this heartland soil
In this heartland
Heaven knows this is a heartland
Heartland, heartland
See the sun rise over her skin
She feels like water in my hand
Freeway like a river cuts through this land
Into the side of love
Like a burning spear
And the poison rain
Brings a flood of fear
Through the ghost-ranch hills
Death valley waters
In the towers of steel
Belief goes on and on
In this heartland
In this heartland soil
In this heartland
Heaven knows this is a heartland
Heartland, heaven knows this is a heartland
Heartland, heartland
Heartland, heaven's day here in the heartland
Heart
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Rattle and Hum is a classic U2 album and featured the hits When Love Comes To Town the blues ode that is Angel Of Harlem and the lovestruck doom of All I Want Is You.