"God Part II" Lyrics by U2 from Rattle and Hum

"God Part II" is a fascinating outlier in U2's catalog, a lyrical wrestling match with the ghost of John Lennon and the lingering spirit of his controversial "God" from the 1970 Plastic Ono Band album. 

Where Lennon issued a blunt, defiant rejection of idols and icons – "I don't believe in Beatles" – Bono takes a more nuanced, almost conversational approach. He parries with Lennon's ghost, echoing the stark "don't believe in" refrain while subtly shifting the targets. 

It's less a refutation of Lennon's stance and more an exploration of belief itself in a world saturated with empty promises and fleeting fame.

Bono, never one to shy away from grand pronouncements (everything you know is wrong), uses "God Part II" to dissect the nature of faith and disillusionment. He picks up the thread from Lennon's primal scream, weaving in references to Elvis, Jesus, and even the band itself ("I don't believe in U2"). This isn't just a cheeky postmodern game; it's a reflection on the burden of expectation and the search for meaning beyond the trappings of celebrity. Bono seems to be grappling with the limitations of rock & roll as a vehicle for salvation, acknowledging its seductive power while questioning its ability to truly change the world.

Infamously, amongst U2 fans, the song also contains an attack verse lyric on American biographer Albert Goldman:

I don't believe in Goldman
His type like a curse
Instant karma's gonna get him
If I don't get him first

Bono's lyrical jab at Albert Goldman in "God Part II" is a direct response to the biographer's scathing, controversial portrayals of both Elvis Presley and John Lennon. Bono, a passionate defender of rock and roll's legacy, takes issue with Goldman's reductive and often salacious accounts, which he sees as tarnishing the reputations of these cultural icons. The "instant karma" line, a clear nod to Lennon's own song, adds an extra layer of pointedness to the critique, suggesting that Goldman will ultimately face retribution for his exploitative writings.

This attack on Goldman isn't just a personal vendetta; it speaks to Bono's broader concern about the way media narratives shape our understanding of artists and their work. 

He's wary of the tendency to reduce complex figures to simplistic caricatures, particularly in the pursuit of sensationalism and profit. This theme resonates throughout U2's music, particularly in songs like Elvis Presley and America on The Unforgettable Fire album where Bono laments the exploitation of Elvis's image and the distortion of his legacy in Goldman's Elvis biography.

By twice calling out Goldman, Bono challenges the authority of biographers and critics, asserting the artist's right to define their own narrative and protect their legacy from those who would seek to exploit it.

Additionally, the lyrics allude to Bruce Cockburn's "Lovers in a Dangerous Time", in the lyric 'Heard a singer on the radio late last night/He says he's gonna kick the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight'.

God Part II Lyrics by U2

Don't believe the devil
I don't believe his book
But the truth is not the same
Without the lies he made up
I don't believe in excess
Success is to give
I don't believe in riches
But you should see where I live
I believe in love

Don't believe in forced entry
I don't believe in rape
But every time she passes by
Wild thoughts escape
I don't believe in deathrow
Skidrow or the gangs
Don't believe in the Uzi
It just went off in my hand
I believe in love

Don't believe in cocaine
I got a speedball in my head
I could cut and crack you open
Did you hear what I said
Don't believe them
When they tell me there ain't no cure
The rich stay healthy
The sick stay poor
I believe in love

I don't believe in Goldman
His type like a curse
Instant karma's gonna get him
If I don't get him first
I don't believe that rock'n'roll
Can really change the world
As it spins in revolution
Spirals and turns
I believe in love

I don't believe in the '60s
In the golden age of pop
You glorify the past
When the future dries up
I heard a singer on the radio
Late last night
Says he's gonna kick the darkness
Till it bleeds daylight
I believe in love

I feel like I'm falling
Like I'm spinning on a wheel
It always stops beside a name
A presence I can feel
I believe in love

A new musical direction, precipitated by God Part II?

The song itself is a dark and moody beast and can be seen as a portent to the songs that were developed for U2's Achtung Baby, subtly hinting at the sonic evolution to come. 

The Edge's guitar takes on a harder edge, Clayton's bass throbs with an as yet unvisted urgency, and Mullen Jr.'s drums propel the song forward with a newfound intensity, all elements that would become hallmarks of their later sound. 

Even Bono's vocal delivery, raw and confrontational, foreshadows the more ironic (iconic?) persona he would embrace on Achtung Baby. Essentially a sonic laboratory where U2 began deconstructing their stadium rock sound.

Thematic connections to other U2 song lyrics

While "God Part II" might not be an obvious U2 classic, its themes resonate across their catalog, linking it to songs like "The Fly" with its shared exploration of disillusionment and the search for meaning in a world of fleeting promises. The song's questioning of blind faith and the rejection of false idols connects it to "Acrobat," where Bono grapples with spiritual doubt and the hypocrisy he sees in organized religion.

Finally, both "Wake Up Dead Man" from Zooropa and "God Part II" grapple with disillusionment and a crisis of faith. "Wake Up Dead Man" expresses a desperate plea to Jesus for intervention and guidance amidst a world seemingly devoid of hope, reflecting a sense of spiritual abandonment.

"God Part II" deconstructs the notion of a traditional, benevolent God, questioning his role in a world rife with suffering and injustice. Both songs challenge conventional religious beliefs, expressing doubt and frustration with the perceived absence or indifference of a higher power. They share a thematic thread of spiritual searching and existential questioning, exploring the complexities of faith and the human struggle to reconcile belief with the harsh realities of the world.

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"Heartland" Song Lyrics by U2

"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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Beneath the surface, "Heartland" also touches on themes of disillusionment and yearning. The song hints at the gap between the idealized vision of America as a land of freedom and opportunity and the realities of its challenges and contradictions. As much as it is a love letter to the land, there’s a feeling of searching—both for the soul of America and for a personal sense of belonging. 

Ultimately, “Heartland” blends themes of geography and emotion, using the American landscape as a canvas to explore deeper questions about identity, hope, and the search for meaning.

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.

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