Showing posts with label pop lyrics U2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pop lyrics U2. Show all posts

U2's ' Pop' album lyrics + meaning interpretation

Friday, September 2, 2011
Pop was the U2 juggernaut kicking back into a high gear following the sonic exploration that was Original Soundtracks Vol 1.

Pop was U2 unashamedly trying to do something new again and saw them testing the waters of electronica. While some people thought U2 took it too far, Pop produced the delightfully goofy Discotheque, the classic pop song of Staring at the Sun and the oft overlooked but perfectly judged Please (a song which covered the Irish Troubles).

Bono said in U2 by U2, "The title of the album was a piece of deliberate misinformation, and a spectacular own goal as far as the rock audience were concerned they didn't like pop".



U2 Pop album song lyrics

U2's Pop stands as a bold exploration of the complexities of consumerism and the pervasive influence of technology in the late 1990s, presenting a world increasingly captivated by materialism and media saturation. Through tracks like "Mofo" and "Miami," the band harnesses electronic sounds and avant-garde production techniques to mirror the dissonance between genuine human connection and the superficiality of pop culture. 

The frenetic energy of these songs highlights the stark contrast between authentic emotion and the artificial allure of commercialism, effectively critiquing a society enamored with instant gratification. 

Yet, amid this critique, Pop delves into deeper existential questions, grappling with spiritual disillusionment and the search for meaning in an age characterized by rapid change and uncertainty.

In haunting tracks such as "Wake Up Dead Man" and "If God Will Send His Angels," U2 poignantly expresses the longing for connection and understanding in a fragmented world, revealing a yearning for solace and clarity. These themes resonate powerfully, as the album ultimately captures the tension between the allure of modernity and the quest for deeper significance, inviting listeners to reflect on their own journeys amid the chaos of contemporary life.


 U2's ' Pop' album lyrics + meaning interpretation 


These tracks reveal a profound introspection, questioning the role of faith and morality in a world seemingly adrift. Furthermore, "Pop" doesn't shy away from exploring personal and existential angst, as heard in "Staring at the Sun" and "Gone," where the lyrics convey a sense of longing and existential questing amid the chaos of the modern world. 

The album's thematic richness, coupled with its innovative fusion of rock, dance, and electronic elements, showcases U2's willingness to challenge musical conventions and address the complexities of contemporary life, making "Pop" a reflective mirror of its time and a provocative commentary on the human condition.

Pop's chart positions around the world

Pop achieved remarkable commercial success worldwide, reflecting the band's enduring popularity and global appeal. 

The album debuted at number one in several countries, including the United States, where it entered the Billboard 200 chart and remained in the top tier for several weeks, selling over a million copies. 

In the UK, Pop also secured the top position on the UK Albums Chart, marking U2's eighth consecutive number one album in the region. 

The album performed exceptionally well across Europe, dominating charts in countries such as Germany, France, and Switzerland. Notably, Pop reached the top ten in numerous territories, including Australia, Canada, and several Scandinavian countries, showcasing its international resonance. 

However, despite its strong chart performance, the album received mixed critical reviews, which influenced its long-term reception

"Holy Joe" (Guilty mix) Lyrics U2

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

"Holy Joe" (Guilty mix) Lyrics U2

Holy Joe is a b-side to the Discotheque single. It was famously played by U2 when they announced the Pop Mart tour in a K-Mart store.

Holy Joe Lyrics:

I, I'm a humble guy
No, really I try
You know it's hard sometimes
True and hard working too
Working it up to get to see you
Sham sham sham shampoo

Come on, come on, come on, come on
Be good to me
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Be good to me
Here it comes, here it comes
Holy Joe

Please, don't make me say please
To champagne and ice cream
It's not what I want, it's what I need
Precocious, just a little precocious
Expialidocious, yeah yeah yeah
Devotion and some appreciation
A little heavy rotation looks good on me
You know it's not hard
I can think of a lot harder, oh yeah
Just wanted the mooment to last a little longer, yeah

Come on, come on, come on, come on
Be good to me
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Be good to me
Here it comes, here it comes
Holy Joe

Having the best time of anybody's life
Closer than ever to everybody's wife, oh yeah
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Be good to me
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Be good to me
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Be good to me
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
Be good
Here it comes, here it comes
Holy Joe

"Wake Up Dead Man" Song Lyrics U2 - Pop

In U2’s “Wake Up Dead Man,” the final track from their 1997 album Pop, the band confronts one of the darkest corners of the human experience: the profound longing for salvation amid overwhelming despair. Released at the height of U2’s sonic experimentation, Pop is often defined by its blend of electronica, dance rhythms, and rock, but "Wake Up Dead Man" stands apart as a somber, meditative plea. 

Bono's direct address to Christ—framed as a desperate, almost accusatory call—suggests not just a spiritual quest, but a confrontation with the divine in a world seemingly abandoned by faith. 

It marks a raw and vulnerable moment in U2’s discography, balancing their ongoing tension between searching for meaning in a fractured world and maintaining a personal dialogue with the divine.

"Wake Up Dead Man" Song Lyrics U2

At the heart of "Wake Up Dead Man" is a visceral expression of spiritual despair, with Bono grappling with the seeming absence of God in a world rife with suffering. Lyrics such as "Jesus, Jesus help me" and "I'm alone in this world and a fucked up world it is too" offer a stark portrait of a soul in crisis.

The use of profanity in these lines reflects a radical honesty—an anguished cry from someone who feels forsaken. It is a plea for intervention, a raw acknowledgment of how the sacred seems painfully out of reach. In this, the song becomes a lament, not just for personal pain, but for a world lost to violence, injustice, and confusion. It captures the intense emotion of feeling abandoned by a higher power, while simultaneously demanding that this power wake up and take action.

The existential weight of "Wake Up Dead Man" lies in its questioning of faith’s role in a broken reality. It is a prayer stripped of optimism, grappling with the idea that belief alone may not be enough to repair the shattered world.  


"Wake Up Dead Man" Song Lyrics U2

Jesus, Jesus help me
I'm alone in this world
And a fucked up world it is too
Tell me, tell me the story
The one about eternity
And the way it's all gonna be

Wake up, wake up dead man
Wake up, wake up dead man

Jesus, I'm waiting here boss

I know you're looking out for us
But maybe your hands aren't free
Your father, he made the world in seven
He's in charge of Heaven
Will you put a word in for me

Wake up, wake up dead man
Wake up, wake up dead man

Listen to the words, they'll tell you what to do
Listen over the rythm that's confusing you
Listen to the reed in the saxaphone
Listen over the hum of the radio
Listen over sounds of blades in rotation
Listen through the traffic and circulation
Listen as hope and peace try to rhyme
Listen over marching bands playing out their time

Wake up, wake up dead man
Wake up, wake up dead man

Jesus, were you just around the corner
Did you think to try and warn her
Or are you working on something new
Is there an order in all of this disorder
Is it like a tape recorder
Can we rewind it just once more

Wake up, wake up dead man
Wake up, wake up dead man
Wake up, wake up dead man

-

"Wake Up Dead Man" transcends individual spiritual despair by using Bono’s personal plea for divine intervention as a lens through which to examine a broader, collective human struggle with societal issues, war, and personal pain. The song’s stark juxtaposition of faith and doubt—an enduring theme in U2’s music—reaches new intensity here, as the rawness of Bono's lyrics strips away any illusion of resolution or redemption. His direct appeals to Christ serve not only as expressions of individual crisis but as reflections on a world torn by violence and suffering, where faith seems inadequate in the face of overwhelming chaos. 

Several U2 songs share a similar lyrical context to "Wake Up Dead Man," exploring the tension between faith, doubt, and the struggle for meaning in a broken world. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," from The Joshua Tree, embodies a spiritual quest for fulfillment, where belief and yearning coexist in a search for something greater that remains just out of reach. The song juxtaposes deep faith with an admission of spiritual incompleteness, echoing themes of longing and frustration. Another track, "Until the End of the World," from Achtung Baby, delves into the emotional and spiritual turmoil of betrayal, using biblical imagery to explore guilt and fractured relationships, both human and divine. "Moment of Surrender," from No Line on the Horizon, mirrors the raw vulnerability of "Wake Up Dead Man," portraying a soul lost in crisis, searching for redemption while grappling with personal failings and disconnection from the divine.

"Please" Song Lyrics by U2

U2's "Please," from the Pop album, is a haunting exploration of the political and emotional toll of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. The song reflects the band's deep frustration with the violence and division that characterized the conflict.

By drawing on the personal cost of political strife, Bono uses the lyrics to convey both individual disillusionment and a larger, collective plea for peace. The opening lines, "So you never knew love until you crossed the line of grace," introduce a sense of exhaustion with the cycle of violence, suggesting that recognition of its futility often comes too late, only after irreversible harm has been done.

The song’s refrain, "Please... get up off your knees," can be seen as an appeal to political leaders to abandon empty rhetoric and take concrete action for peace. This phrase critiques the passivity of relying on faith or entrenched ideologies to solve the conflict. It also underscores the hopelessness many felt during The Troubles, when political solutions seemed distant, and peace was continually delayed.

The single cover for this song features the pictures of four Northern Irish politicians — Gerry AdamsDavid TrimbleIan Paisley, and John Hume in an effort to draw attention to the issues.

U2's "Please" song lyrics from the Pop album

Bono said of the song in U2 by U2 that is was about a "certain kind of person you'd meet in middle class Dublin. who are very sympathetic to the IRA paramilitaries and provide the support base for militant REpublicanism. It's people who think ideas more valuable than other people. It was the Docklands bombing that it referred to an the breakdown of peace talks in Northern Ireland but after 9/11 it became impossible to sing." 

The lyric "Your holy war, your northern star" encapsulates the religious and ideological motivations driving the violence. The Protestant-Catholic divide, a core element of the conflict, is evoked through this imagery, highlighting how deeply ideology entrenched the divisions. Bono’s plea for truth, to "stop living a lie," signals the false promises and justifications for violence that political and religious leaders continued to perpetuate, further prolonging the suffering.


U2's "Please" song lyrics from the Pop album 

So you never knew love
Until you crossed the line of grace
And you never felt wanted
Till you had someone slap your face
So you never felt alive
Until you almost wasted away

You had to win, you couldn't just pass
The smartest ass at the top of the class
Your flying colours, your family tree
And all your lessons in history

Please, please, please
Get up off your knees
Please, please, please
Please

So you never knew how low you'd stoop
To make that call
And you never knew what was on the ground
Until they made you crawl
So you never knew that the heaven you keep
You stole

Your Catholic blues, your convent shoes
Your stick-on tattoos, now they're making the news
Your holy war, your northern star
Your sermon on the mount from the boot of your car

Please, please, please
Get up off your knees
Please, please
Leave me out of this mess

So love is hard and love is tough
But love is not what you're thinking of
September, streets capsizing
Spilling over, down the drain
Shards of glass, splinters like rain
But you could only feel your own pain
October, talk getting nowhere
November, December
Remember, are we just starting again

Please, please, please
Get up off your knees
Please, please, please
Please
So love is big, it's bigger than us
But love is not what you're thinking of
It's what lovers deal, it's what lovers steal
You know I found it hard to recieve
'Cause you, my love, I could never believe

Check out the lyrics to "If God Will Send His Angels" which was a popular song from Pop.

"If You Wear That Velvet Dress" Song Lyrics by U2

If You Wear That Velvet Dress," from U2's Pop album, is a sultry, introspective song that conveys a complex mixture of desire, melancholy, and temptation. Lyrically, Bono crafts a deeply atmospheric narrative where the "velvet dress" becomes a powerful metaphor for seduction, intimacy, and the vulnerability of emotional exposure. 

The song is set against a nighttime backdrop, with the imagery of darkness and moonlight suggesting a space where hidden feelings and desires can surface. The line "Tonight the moon is playing tricks again" hints at illusions, mystery, and the shifting nature of attraction, as if the boundaries between fantasy and reality are blurred.

The velvet dress, soft and luxurious, symbolizes both allure and danger, with the song capturing the tension between surrendering to passion and the fear of losing oneself in it. There's a palpable sense of emotional fragility, as if the character in the song is aware that giving in to this temptation might lead to consequences or regret. The lyric "I’m waiting for the tide to come in / So I can drown" juxtaposes yearning with a kind of fatalism, as though the speaker is both drawn to and wary of the depths of intimacy.


"If You Wear That Velvet Dress" Song Lyrics by U2

Tonight, the moon is playing tricks again
I'm feeling seasick again
The whole world could just dissolve
Into a glass of water
I've been good 'cause I know you don't want me to
Do you really want me to be blue as you?
It's her daylight that gets me through
We've been here before
Last time you scratched at my door
The moon was naked and cold
I was like a two-year-old
Who just wanted more
If you wear that velvet dress
If you wear that velvet dress
Tonight, the moon's drawn its curtains
It's a private show
No one else gonna know
I'm wanting
Sunlight, sunlight fills my room
It's sharp and it's clear
But nothing at all like the moon
It's okay
The struggle for things not to say
I never listened to you anyway
And I got my own hands to pray
But if you wear that velvet dress
If you wear that velvet dress
Tonight the moon is a mirror-ball
Light flickers from across the hall
Who'll catch the star when it falls

-

This song is less about love or romance in the conventional sense and more about the interplay between vulnerability, longing, and the seductive pull of something that might ultimately be unattainable or damaging. It stands as one of the more emotionally nuanced tracks on Pop, layered with a moody, sensual tension that evokes the complexities of human connection.



Check out the lyrics to Mofo.

"The Playboy Mansion" Song Lyrics by U2

"The Playboy Mansion," from U2's Pop album, is often overlooked musically but shines as one of Bono's more incisive lyrical works. The song critiques the superficiality and materialism emblematic of American pop culture, using the Playboy Mansion as a symbol of unattainable luxury, indulgence, and empty aspiration. 

"The Playboy Mansion" Song Lyrics by U2

Bono weaves together religious and cultural references, contrasting sacred ideals with the hollow promises of fame and fortune. Lines like "If OJ is more than a drink / And a Big Mac bigger than you think" mock society’s obsession with celebrity scandals and consumerism. Despite the song's glossy pop production, which many fans find underwhelming, the lyrics provide a sharp commentary on how people are lured into believing in shallow dreams, highlighting the spiritual emptiness beneath the surface of wealth and fame. 

In this way, the song is a clever satire of modern culture’s relentless pursuit of pleasure and success at the expense of deeper meaning.


"The Playboy Mansion" Song Lyrics by U2

If Coke is a mystery
And Micheal Jackson, history
If beauty is truth and
Surgery, the fountain of youth
What am I to do
Have I got the gifts to get me through
The gates of that mansion

If O.J. is more than a drink
And a big mac bigger than we think
If perfume is an obsession
And talk shows, confession
What have we got to lose
Another push and we'll be through
The gates of that mansion

I never bought a lotto ticket
I never parked in anyone's space
The banks, they're like cathedrals
I guess casinos took their place
Love "come on down"
Don't wake her, she'll come around
Chance is a kind of religion
Where you're damned for plain hard luck
I never did see that movie
Never did read that book
Love come on down
Let my numbers come around

Don't know if I can hold on
Don't know if I'm that strong
Don't know if I can wait that long
Till the colours come flashing
And the lights go on

Then will there be no time for sorrow
Then will there be no time for shame
And though I can't say why
I know I've got to believe
We'll go driving in that pool
It's who you know that gets you through
The gates of the Playboy Mansion
But they don't mention the pain

Then will there be no time of sorrow
Then will there be no time for shame
Then will there be no time of sorrow
Then will there be no time for shame

Check out the lyrics to Wake Up Dead Man.

"Miami" Song Lyrics by U2

In 2005, Q magazine included the song "Miami" in a list of "Ten Terrible Records by Great Artists.... it's from the Pop album. This author tends to agree, however lyrically, its a bit of fun. 

U2's "Miami" presents a surreal, fragmented portrait of the city, blending its iconic glamour with an undercurrent of absurdity and artifice. The lyrics paint Miami as a land of contradictions, where beauty and danger, allure and fear coexist. The imagery of "surgery in the air" and "print shirts and southern accents" captures the city's cultural patchwork, hinting at the superficial modifications both to the self and the environment. 

The juxtaposition of the narrator's observations—Hollywood-inspired fantasies, fast-paced car chases, and consumer indulgence—mirrors the chaotic, transient nature of Miami, a place that seems both deeply American and foreign.


"Miami" Song Lyrics by U2

There’s also an element of disillusionment with the glamorization of violence and superficiality, yet a strange attraction to it. The city's seductive pull is woven into lines like “We could make something beautiful,” evoking a false sense of security or possibility, where promises of beauty and creation feel disposable and temporary. The repetition of “Miami, my mammy” ties the city to a maternal figure—one both nurturing and corrupting. 

As the lyrics oscillate between affection and cynicism, U2 captures Miami as more than a physical location—it’s a metaphor for fleeting thrills, shallow desires, and the complex allure of a culture obsessed with surface-level spectacle.


"Miami" Song Lyrics by U2

Weather 'round here choppin' and changin'
Surgery in the air
Print shirts and southern accents
Cigars and big hair
We got the wheels and petrol is cheap
Only went there for a week
Got the sun got the sand
Got the batteries in the handycam

Her eyes all swimming pool blue
Dumb bells on a diving board
Baby's always attracted to the things she's afraid of
Big girl with the sweet tooth
Watches the skinny girl in the photo shoot
Freshmen squeaky clean
She tastes of chlorine

Miami
My mammy

Love the movies, love to walk those movie sets
Get to shoot someone in the foot
Get to smoke some cigarettes
No big deal we know the score
Just back from the video store
Got the car and the car chase
What's he got inside the case
I want a close up of that face
Here comes the car chase

Miami
My mammy
Miami
My mammy

I bought two new suits
Miami
Pink and blue
Miami
I took a picture of you
My mammy
Getting hot in a photo booth
Miami
I said you looked like a madonna
You said maybe
Said I want to have your baby, baby
We could make something beautiful
Something that wouldn't be a problem
We could make something beautiful
Something that wouldn't be a problem
At least not in Miami
You know some places are like your auntie
But there's no place like

Miami
My mammy
Miami
My mammy
My mammy
Shakedown
Shakedown

More Lyrics from U2's Pop.

"Gone" Song Lyrics by U2

U2’s "Gone," from the Pop album, is a haunting reflection on loss, disillusionment, and the consequences of pursuing success at the expense of identity. The song captures the emotional weight of getting "so much for so little," where material or personal gain leaves a void rather than fulfillment. The central metaphor of a "suit of lights" refers to the dazzling yet shallow trappings of fame or achievement—bright on the outside, but ultimately hollow. 


Gone is the portrait of a young man as a rock star, trying to cut himself free of his responsibilities and just enjoy the ride, the suit of lights, fame.  

Bono’s vocals convey a deep sense of fatigue with this cycle, as the character relinquishes everything they've held onto so tightly, realizing that none of it truly mattered. This song might be very a very personal reflection for Bono - the man with the birth name Paul Hewson, wrote the telling line 'You change your name but that's okay, it's necessary'.

"Gone" Song Lyrics by U2

As the song progresses, themes of self-alienation and existential drift emerge. Changing one's name, losing oneself in the quest for something more, speaks to the sacrifices made along the way, and the emotional price that comes with such transformation. "What you leave behind you don’t miss anyway" suggests a numbness, a detachment from past attachments, whether personal or professional. 


"Gone" Song Lyrics by U2

You get to feel so guilty got so much for so little
Then you find that feeling just won't go away
You're holding on to every little thing so tightly
Till there's nothing left for you anyay

Goodbye, you can keep this suit of lights
I'm be up with the sun
I'm not coming down
I'm not coming down
I'm not coming down

You wanted to get somewhere so badly
You had to lose yourself along the way
You change your name but that's okay, it's necessary
And what you leave behind you don't miss anyway

Goodbye, you can keep this suit of lights
I'm be up with the sun
I'm not coming down
I'm not coming down
I'm not coming down

'Cause I'm already gone
Felt that way all along
Closer to you every day
I didn't want it that much anyway

You're taking steps that make you feel dizzy
Then you learn to like the way it feels
You hurt yourself, you hurt your lover
Then you discover what you thought was freedom is just greed

Goodbye, and it's emotional goodnight
I'll be up with the sun
Are you still holding on
I'm not coming down
I'm not coming down

Gone
Sun
Done
Sun
Gone
Sun
Done
Sun
Sun


More Lyrics from U2's Pop. My favorite is Staring at the Sun.

Bono has often expressed a view that he feels "spoiled rotten, and paid too much," and that he'd "do it for free." and perhaps his thoughts were also with rock star Micheal Hutchence when he died in 1997, around the same time U2 was writing and evolving their Pop album, giving further resonance to the emotional weight behind "Gone." 

The song stands as a reflection on the high costs of fame, a struggle that Bono witnessed firsthand through Hutchence’s life, making it both a personal lament and a broader commentary on the pressures of stardom. It is evident that Bono feels that Michael Hutchence harbored similar feelings, which ultimately led to his apparent suicide. Bono would later dedicate the lyrics to Stuck in a Moment to Michael Hutchence. 

"Last Night On Earth" Song Lyrics by U2

In “Last Night on Earth,” U2 captures a moment of profound existential clarity, as the lyrics weave a narrative of a woman embracing the fleeting nature of life with unapologetic fervor. The opening lines set a scene of liberation, where stopping for gas becomes a metaphor for pausing to savor the essence of freedom amid societal constraints. 

The juxtaposition of feeling and belief speaks to the paradox of modern existence; the more we accumulate, the less we truly experience. This tension is echoed in the repeated exhortation to “give it away,” suggesting that true fulfillment lies in selflessness and connection rather than material wealth. 

"Last Night On Earth" Song Lyrics by U2

The imagery of time slipping away intensifies the urgency of living fully in the present, as the woman navigates her own turmoil, unbound by the expectation of salvation. Her defiance against waiting for a savior underscores a personal agency, signaling that life’s impermanence is best met with boldness and passion. 

Ultimately, the refrain of living like it’s “the last night on earth” resonates as an anthem of embracing love, vulnerability, and the beauty of ephemeral moments, urging listeners to cherish their own “last nights” with unabashed intensity.


"Last Night On Earth" Song Lyrics by U2

When the fuel goes down she stops her car
Says it feels like freedom
She's back on the street where the sweet smells are

She feels the ground is giving way
But she thinks we're better off that way
The more you take the less you feel
The less you know the more you believe
The more you have, the more it takes today

You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
Well, she don't care what it's worth
She's living like it's the last night on earth
The last night on earth

She's not waiting on a savior to come
Here eyes are closing
She's at the bus stop with the News Of The World
And the Sun, sun, here it comes
She's not waiting for anyone

You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
Well, she don't care what it's worth
She's living like it's the last night on earth
The last night on earth

The clock tells her that time is slipping
Slipping away, slip slide today
Minute hands and seconds sticking
Slipping away
There something going on she might be missing
The world turns and we get dizzy
The world turns and we get dizzy
Is it spinning for you the way it's spinning for me
Slipping away

She's living, living next week now
You know she's going to pay it back somehow
She hasn't been to bed in a week
She'll be dead soon, then she'll sleep

You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
You got to give it away
She already knows it hurts
She's living like it's the last night on earth
The last night on earth
Last night on earth
Last night
Yeah, yeah
The last night

-

“Last Night on Earth” was released as a single from U2's Pop album in 1997, a record that marked a significant departure from the band’s earlier sound and approach. While it did not achieve the same level of commercial success as some of their previous hits, it still managed to secure a place in the hearts of fans and charted moderately well, reaching the top 20 in several countries, including the UK and the US. 

This song exemplifies U2's exploration of themes such as existentialism, freedom, and the complexities of human relationships, all while experimenting with the electronic and alternative rock sounds that defined the Pop era.

The album itself was a bold reinvention, showcasing U2’s willingness to embrace contemporary trends, including dance music and electronic elements, reflecting the band's commitment to evolving with the times. The Pop album received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its innovation while others lamented its departure from the anthemic rock sound that had propelled the band to fame. 

Despite this, “Last Night on Earth” stands out as a more introspective track that contrasts with the album’s more upbeat and provocative songs, like “Discotheque” and “Staring at the Sun.”



"Staring At The Sun" song lyrics by U2

The song was written with the lyric "Stuck together with God's glue," which was taken directly from the title of the album by the Irish band Something Happens.

This probably the most popular single from Pop, it managed to get to number 3 on the UK singles chart.

Its underlying base is a great chord structure with some typical Edge sonics playing over the top.

The song's b-sides were "North and South of the River" and "Your Blue Room" which was from the Passengers' experimental album Original Soundtracks Vol 1.

"Staring At The Sun" song lyrics by U2


U2’s Pop album captures the chaotic spirit of the late '90s, a time marked by an overwhelming clash between hedonism and introspection. Released during an era of rampant consumerism and rapid technological change, the song's lyrics reflect a profound existential struggle. Bono’s evocative imagery of “staring at the sun” symbolizes the yearning for enlightenment amidst the blinding distractions of fame and superficiality. 

This juxtaposition embodies the contradictions of the time—seeking truth and authenticity while navigating the often disorienting landscape of modern life.


"Staring At The Sun" song lyrics meaning by U2

Summer stretching on the grass
Summer dresses pass
In the shade of a willow tree
Creeps a crawling over me
Over me and over you
Stuck together with God's glue
It's gonna get stickier too
It's been a long, hot summer
Let's get under cover
Don't try too hard to think
Don't think at all

I'm not the only one staring at the sun
Afraid of what you'd find
If you took a look inside
Not just deaf and dumb
I'm staring at the sun
Not the only one who's happy to go blind

There's an insect in your ear
If you scratch it won't disappear
It's gonna itch and burn and sting
You wanna see what the scratching brings
Waves that leave me out of reach
Breaking on your back like a beach
Will we ever live in peace
'Cause those that can't do often have to
Those that can't do often have to preach

To the ones staring at the sun
Afraid of what you'll find
If you took a look inside
Not just deaf and dumb
Staring at the sun
I'm not the only one who'd rather go blind

Intransigence is all around
Military still in town
Armour plated suits and ties
Daddy just won't say goodbye
Referee won't blow the whistle
God is good but will he listen
I'm nearly great but there's something missing
I left it in the duty free
But you never really belonged to me

You're not the only one starin' at the sun
Afraid of what you'd find
If you stepped back inside
I'm not sucking on my thumb
I'm staring at the sun
Not the only one who's happy to go blind

Check out some more of the singles released from the Pop albumIf God Will Send His Angels and the quirky Discotheque.

"If God Will Send His Angels" Song Lyrics by U2

In “If God Will Send His Angels,” U2 channels a poignant blend of spirituality and social commentary, addressing the pressing issues of faith and disillusionment in the modern world. Bono's evocative lyrics serve as both a personal plea and a universal inquiry, reflecting a deep yearning for divine intervention amid the chaos of life. 

The song's haunting melody and atmospheric instrumentation create a sense of longing that resonates with listeners, drawing them into its reflective embrace. 

"If God Will Send His Angels" song  Lyrics meaning by U2

Continuing his love affair with songs referencing angels, Bono asks the listener “If God will send His angels, would everything be alright?” highlight the pervasive human desire for reassurance and redemption in the face of adversity, revealing a profound vulnerability.

 Musically, the track showcases U2's ability to fuse rock with ethereal elements, using layered guitars and synths to build an emotional landscape that mirrors the song's existential themes. 

As Bono’s voice rises with a blend of hope and desperation, it encapsulates the struggle between faith and doubt, urging listeners to confront their own beliefs in an increasingly turbulent world. “If God Will Send His Angels” stands as a testament to U2's enduring relevance, inviting reflection on the complexities of belief and the search for solace in the midst of uncertainty.


"If God Will Send His Angels" Song Lyrics by U2

Nobody else here baby
No one here to blame
No one to point the finger
It's just you and me and the rain
Nobody made you do it
No one put words in your mouth
Nobody here taking orders
When love took a train heading south

It's the blind leading the blond
It's the stuff, it's the stuff of country songs
If God will send his angels
And if God will send a sign
And if God will send his angels
Would everything be alright

God's got his phone off the hook, babe
Would he even pick up if he could
It's been a while since we saw that child
Hanging 'round this neighborhood
See his mother dealing in a doorway
See Father Christmas with a begging bowl
Jesus' sister's eyes are a blister
The high street never looked so low

It's the blind leading the blond
It's the cops collecting for the cons
So where is the hope
And where is the faith
And the love
What's that you say to me
Does love light up your Christmas tree
The next minute you're blowing a fuse
And the Cartoon Network turns into the news

If God will send his angels
And if God will send a sign
Well, If God will send his angels

Where do we go
Where do we go

Jesus never let me down
You know, Jesus used to show me the score
Then they put Jesus in show business
Now it's hard to get in the door
Angel

It's the stuff, it's the stuff of country songs
But I guess it's something to go on
If God will send his angels
Sure could use them here right now
Well If God will send his angels
And I want my life
Where do we go
And I want to feel my soul
Where do we go
And I want to know love
Where do we go
And I want to feel

-

“If God Will Send His Angels” found a notable place in the 1998 film City of Angels, contributing to the soundtrack's overall exploration of themes like love, loss, and transcendence. The song's haunting melody and introspective lyrics perfectly complement the film’s narrative, which revolves around an angel who falls in love with a mortal woman.

The City of Angels soundtrack was a commercial success and featured several other popular songs that captured the zeitgeist of the late 1990s. Among these was "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls, a heartfelt ballad that became one of the band's signature hits. The song’s themes of longing and vulnerability resonated with audiences, much like U2’s contribution. Additionally, the soundtrack included Alanis Morissette's powerful track "Uninvited," which showcased her raw vocal prowess and emotional depth. 

It's fun to point out that City of Angels is a remake of Wim Wenders' film Stay: Faraway So Close! (1993), which also delves into themes of love, longing, and the intersection of the mortal and the divine. In the original film, U2 contributed the song "Stay (Faraway, So Close!)" to the soundtrack, providing a haunting reflection on the emotional complexities faced by its characters. 

Check out the lyrics to Staring at the Sun, another POPular single.

"Mofo" song lyrics by U2

Mofo is a raw and visceral exploration of themes like identity, spirituality, and the search for connection in a world fraught with chaos. The lyrics reflect lead singer Bono’s personal struggles, particularly with the absence of his mother, as well as broader existential themes. 

The repeated invocation of “Mother” throughout the song serves as both a tribute and a haunting reminder of loss, creating a deeply emotional resonance. 

"Mofo" song lyrics by U2

Being the sixth single from Pop, it didn't chart too well around the world - U2 however totally believed in the song and they played it as the opening piece for every night on the very popular Popmart tour.

"Mofo" song lyrics by U2

Lookin' for to save my, save my soul
Lookin' in the places where no flowers grow
Lookin' for to fill that God shaped hole
Mother, mother sucking rock and roll
Mother

Holy dunc, spacejunk comin' in for the splash
Been around back, been around front
White dopes on punk staring into the flash
Been around back, been around front
Lookin' for baby Jesus under the trash
Been around back, been around front

Mother, mother sucking rock and roll
Mother
Mother hopping sugar popping dropping rock and roll
Happy
Mother

Mother, mother, mother
Mother, mother, mother

Mother, am I still your son
You know I've waited for so long to hear you say so
Mother, you left and made me someone
Now I'm still a child but no one tells me no

Lookin' for a sound that's gonna drown out the world
Been around back, been around front
Lookin' for the father of my two little girls
Been around back, been around front
Got the swing, got the sway, got my straw in lemonade
Been around back, been around front
Still looking for the face I had before the world was made
Been around back, been around front

Mother, mother sucking rock and roll
Mother
Bubble poppin', sugar droppin' rock and roll
Mother
Mother sucking, fucking rock and roll
Mother

Mother, mother, mother
Mother, mother, mother

Soothe me mother
Prove me father
Move me brother
Woo me sister
Soothe me mother
Move me father
Show me mother
Show me mother
Show me mother
Show me mother
Show me mother
Show me mother

Some other

-

Musically, the track is characterized by its driving beat and aggressive instrumentation, combining elements of rock and electronic music to underscore the intensity of the lyrics. Phrases like “I’m not a moon and I’m not a star” suggest a longing for grounding and purpose, emphasizing the search for meaning amidst the disorientation of modern life. The use of layered vocals and frenetic rhythms amplifies the sense of urgency, evoking the feeling of being lost yet yearning for something deeper. 

Ultimately, “Mofo” is a powerful reflection on the complexities of love and loss, inviting listeners to confront their own vulnerabilities while navigating the tumult of contemporary existence.

Check out some more of the singles released from the Pop album, If God Will Send His Angels and the quirky Discotheque.

"Do You Feel Loved" Song Lyrics by U2

"Do You Feel Loved" from U2's 1997 album Pop explores themes of desire, vulnerability, and the complexities of love in the modern age. 

The lyrics present a raw and introspective inquiry into the nature of affection, reflecting the tension between longing for connection and the fear of emotional exposure. The repeated questioning in the chorus—“Do you feel loved?”—serves as both a personal plea and a broader commentary on the human experience, highlighting the often unreciprocated nature of love and the inadequacies felt in relationships. 

"Do You Feel Loved" Lyrics U2

Bono said, of the title lyric, "It's quite a question, but there's no question mark on it. We took the question mark out because we thought it was a bit heavy with the question mark".

"Do You Feel Loved" Song Lyrics by U2

 Do You Feel Loved Lyrics

Take these hands, they're good for nothing
You know these hands never worked a day
Take these boots, they're going nowhere
You know these boots don't want to stray
You got my head filled with songs
You got my shoelaces undone
Take my shirt, go on and take it off me
You can tear it up if you can tie me down

Do you feel loved
Do you feel loved
Do you feel loved
Do you feel loved

Take the colours of my imagination
Take the scent hanging in the air
Take this tangle of a conversation
And turn it into your own prayer
With my fingers as you want them
With my nails under your hide
With my teeth at your back
And my tongue to tell you the sweetest lies

Do you feel loved
Do you feel loved
Do you feel loved
And it looks like the sun but it feels like rain

Love is coming, pushing and shoving
In the belly of a woman
Heavy rhythm taking over
To stick together a man and a woman
Stick together man and woman
Stick together

I feel loved
Do you feel loved
Do you feel loved
And it looks like the sun but it feels like rain
And there's heat in the sun to see us through the rain
Do you feel loved
Do you feel loved
Do you feel
Do you feel

-

U2 juxtaposes intimate expressions with a backdrop of pulsating rhythms and electronic textures, creating a sense of urgency that mirrors the intensity of the emotions being conveyed. The song captures the bittersweet reality of love, emphasizing that despite the noise and chaos of life, the fundamental human desire for validation and connection remains paramount. 

Ultimately, "Do You Feel Loved" invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences of love, questioning whether the intimacy we seek is ever fully realized in an increasingly complex world.

"Discothèque" Song Lyrics by U2

“Discothèque” by U2 from the Pop album is rich with lyrical insight, presenting a complex interplay between the exhilaration of nightlife and a critique of the superficiality found in modern culture. 

The lyrics vividly evoke the atmosphere of a nightclub, where the “lights” and “action” create a sensory overload, drawing individuals into a world of escapism and frenetic energy. However, beneath this surface glamour lies an underlying sense of disconnection and yearning for deeper connections. 

Phrases like “You can’t take your eyes off the action” suggest an intoxicating allure, yet also highlight the fleeting nature of such experiences, inviting listeners to reflect on the emptiness that can accompany such indulgence. 

The repeated mention of “discothèque” serves as both a literal and metaphorical space, representing a desire for liberation and expression, while also questioning the authenticity of those moments. U2 juxtaposes the celebratory nature of the dance floor with a poignant commentary on alienation and the search for meaning, prompting listeners to confront the paradox of seeking joy in a world often defined by distraction and superficiality. 

This lyrical depth transforms the song into more than just a dance track; it becomes a thoughtful exploration of contemporary life’s complexities.


"Discothèque" Song Lyrics by U2 from the Pop album

You can reach but you can't grab it
You can't hold it, control it, no,
You can't bag it
You can push but you can't direct it
Circulate, regulate, oh no,
You cannot connect it

You know you're chewing bubble gum
You know what it is but you still want some
You just can't get enough of that lovie dovie stuff

You get confused but you know it
Yeah, you hurt for it, work for it, love,
You don't always show it

Let go, let's go, let's go,
Discothèque
Let go, let go, go go,
Discothèque
Looking for the one
But you know you're somewhere else instead
You want to be the song
Be the song that you hear in your head
Love

It's not a trick 'cause you can't learn it
It's the way you don't pay that's okay
'Cause you can't earn it

You know you're chewing bubble gum
You know what it is but you still want some
You just can't get enough of that lovie dovie stuff
Let go, let's go,
Discothèque
Go go, go go
Discothèque
Love, love
Looking for the one
But you know you're somewhere else instead
I want to be the song
Be the song that you hear in your head

Love, love, love
You want heaven in your heart
Heaven in your heart
The sun, the moon and the stars
But you take what you can get
'Cause it's all that you can find
And you know there's something more
But tonight, tonight, tonight

Boom cha, boom cha
Discothèque
I can't get it, I can't, it's not enough
Boom cha, boom cha
Discothèque
I can't get it, I can't, it's not enough
Boom cha, boom cha
Discothèque
I can't get it, I can't, it's not enough
Boom cha, boom cha
Discothèque
Boom cha, boom cha
Discothèque

Chart History

"Discothèque," released on February 28, 1997, marked a significant entry in U2's discography, showcasing their experimentation with electronic influences. The song debuted at number one in Ireland and the UK, making it U2's eighth number one single in the UK. In the United States, "Discothèque" peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, while also reaching number one on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.

 The track similarly debuted at number one on the Canadian Singles Chart, reflecting its broad appeal. Across Europe, "Discothèque" enjoyed substantial success, breaking into the top 10 in countries such as Germany, France, and Italy. Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, the song highlighted U2's ability to blend rock with dance elements during the late 1990s, marking an important phase in their musical evolution.
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