'Song For Someone' song lyrics + meaning by U2

Song for Someone is a track from U2's album, Songs of Innocence.

 
It is one of the more 'soft' songs on the album but features a big rousing chorus and is one of the best tracks from the album.

Produced by Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) and Flood (Flood, you may recall did production duties on the Grammy Award winning Zooropa and beyond such as Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness).

The inspiration / meaning of the song is that it is a love song written by Bono for his wife Ali (refer The Sweetest Thing).

Song for Someone” is a poignant reflection on love, vulnerability, and the longing for connection, encapsulating the essence of deeply personal relationships. In the lyrics, Bono addresses the idea of dedicating a song to someone significant in one’s life, emphasizing the profound impact that love can have on an individual. 

The song’s introspective nature reveals the speaker’s emotional struggles, conveying a sense of yearning for the one who understands and accepts them fully. The lines evoke imagery of companionship and support, portraying love as a sanctuary amidst the chaos of life.

Song For Someone lyrics by U2

You got a face not spoiled by beauty
I have some scars from where I’ve been
You’ve got eyes that can see right through me
You’re not afraid of anything you’ve seen
I was told that I would feel nothing the first time
I don’t know how these cuts heal
But in you I found a rhyme

If there is a light
You can’t always see
And there is a world
We can’t always be
If there is a dark
That we shouldn’t doubt
And there is a light
Don’t let it go out

And this is a song
A song for someone
This is a song
A song for someone

You let me into a conversation
A conversation only we could make
You break and enter my imagination
Whatever’s in there
It’s yours to take
I was told I’d feel nothing the first time
You were slow to heal
But this could be the night

If there is a light
You can’t always see
And there is a world
We can’t always be
If there is a dark
Within and without
And there is a light
Don’t let it go out

And this is a song
A song for someone
This is a song
A song for someone

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

And I’m a long way
From your hill of Calvary
And I’m a long way
From where I was and where I need to be
If there is a light
You can’t always see
There is a world
We can’t always be
If there is a kiss
I stole from your mouth
And there is a light
Don’t let it go out

-

The song also explores the theme of redemption and hope, suggesting that even in moments of doubt and darkness, love has the power to uplift and heal. 

Bono's lyrics reflect a sense of resilience, illustrating how genuine connections can serve as guiding lights through life’s trials. The recurring motif of being "found" implies that love offers a sense of belonging and purpose, ultimately leading to personal transformation.

This intertwining of vulnerability and strength creates a powerful narrative that celebrates the beauty and complexity of relationships. By framing love as both a source of solace and a catalyst for growth, “Song for Someone” resonates as a universal anthem of connection and the longing for meaningful bonds in an often tumultuous world.

Here's an impressive video that goes with the song. Featuring future Star Wars actor, Woody Allen and his daughter Zoe it follows the tale of a man being released from prison.

The song is an introspective piece that showcases the band's talent for blending personal storytelling with universal themes. This song, like many others on the album, is rooted in the band's early experiences, yet it resonates with broader themes of love, hope, vulnerability, and the transformative power of music.

At its heart, "Song for Someone" is a love song, but its simplicity belies a deeper exploration of the complexities of relationships and emotional connection. The lyrics, "You got a face not spoiled by beauty, I have some scars from where I've been," suggest a relationship grounded in reality and acceptance, one that acknowledges imperfections and past hardships. This line reflects a maturity in understanding love, moving away from idealized notions to a more grounded, realistic appreciation of human connection.

The song also delves into the theme of hope and the redemptive power of love. The chorus, "If there is a light, you can’t always see, and there is a world, we can’t always be, If there is a dark, that we shouldn’t doubt, and there is a light, don’t let it go out," serves as a metaphorical beacon of hope. It suggests that even in moments of darkness or uncertainty, the presence of love (the light) offers guidance and reassurance. This message is particularly poignant considering the band's history, as they have often used their music to offer solace and inspiration in times of personal and collective trials.

Vulnerability is another key theme in "Song for Someone." The openness in the lyrics, where Bono sings about revealing his inner self to someone else, is a powerful statement about the strength found in vulnerability. It challenges the conventional notion that vulnerability is a weakness, instead portraying it as a crucial component of deep, meaningful relationships.

The transformative power of music itself is subtly woven into the song. As the title suggests, this is a "song for someone," implying a personal dedication or message conveyed through music. This theme resonates with the larger narrative of "Songs of Innocence," where music is depicted as a powerful medium for expression, connection, and processing experiences.

Check out the lyrics to The Miracle which is also from Songs of Innocence.

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What's in an album name? Innocence and Experience

What's in an album's name? Songs of Innocence and Experience

Now that the dust has settled somewhat with the release of U2's Songs of Innocence, we can take the opportunity to ponder the album's title. 

What's in a name?

Where did it come from and what was the inspiration? 

A little bit of literary digging reveals the title to be a reference to William Blake's work, Songs of Innocence and Experience. 

What was this work about?

It was a collection of poems that reflected on how the state of childhood 'innocence' was influenced by the world cutting in on childhood as 'experience'.

These being influences such as corruption, oppression by religious movements, state domination and the machinations of the dominant classes.

So why is this relevant to U2?

Bono has centered several songs of the album's lyrics around growing up in Ireland.

He said in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine:

"We wanted to make a very personal album... Let's try to figure out why we wanted to be in a band, the relationships around the band, our friendships, our lovers, our family. The whole album is first journeys—first journeys geographically, spiritually, sexually"

Iris is about the early loss of his mother.

 Cedarwood Road is about childhood friends that group up with Bono in the street.

The Miracle reflects the influence of the band that The Ramones had on them as young men and even This is Where You Can Find Me Now is an ode to The Clash's Joe Strummer - a man whose songs greatly inspired them.

Raised by Wolves covers a car bombing in Ireland that Bono personally felt close to - real world experiences creeping in as he and his band mates become men.

The effect of William Blake on Bono's song writing subjects has not been a recent observation. For a 1997 review of the 'Pop' album, poet Brendan Keneally noted when discussing that album's lyrics:

"We live in an age when sexuality and spirituality are usually treated as completely separate realities despite the fact that down through the ages some of the greatest poets and song-writers identified the presence of the one in the other. Think of Blake's 'Songs of Innocence and Experience', D. H. Lawrence's poems, stories and novels, and some of W. B. Yeats's greatest poems."

Light and dark? She wore lemon, but never in the day light...

Interestingly, Bono was proclaimed the album was going to be called Songs of Ascent which I think was a reference to the Psalms of the Christian bible.

But that's not the half of it

The Joshua Tree album was originally intended to open with a track called "Beautiful Ghost".

Bono was to recite "Introduction to Songs of Experience" but the recording was dropped in favour of the album opening with Where the Streets have no name, a wise choice.

None-the-less it's clear Blake's writings have been on Bono's mind for some time.

In amongst the madness of the release of Songs of Innocence Bono revealed the existence of a second album U2 intended to release, Songs of Experience.

Released some 3 years after SOI, it acts as a direct companion album to Innocence - presumably in the same way the Grammy award wining Zooropa was a very close cousin to U2's career highlight, Achtung Baby.

Perhaps this second album will tell the kind of tales that Blake thought changed children - it would not be new territory for Bono. Indeed, the official word from U2 described the album's lyrical meaning as:

'While Songs of Innocence charted the band’s earliest influences and experiences in the late 1970s and early 80s, the new album is a collection of songs in the form of intimate letters to places and people close to the singer’s heart; family, friends, fans, himself

Check out the Songs of Innocence album on Amazon and the new single from Songs of Experience, You're The Best Thing About Me and the ripper of a track, The Blackout.

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Review of U2's Songs of Experience

U2's Songs of Experience album review

This album has been a long time coming. When Songs of Innocence 'fell out of the sky' from nowhere, Bono was quick to mention U2 had actually recorded two albums and would be releasing a companion album as a fast follower.

Well, no one listens to Bono so when he said it was coming in 2016, we knew he meant 2019 so it's with some listening pleasure we are reviewing Songs of Experience in late 2017.

And it is a  genuine companion album to Songs of Innocence by several means.

The inspiration is of course William Blake's book of poetry which casts life into the two groups of innocence and experience, the lyrics of Bono which are hugely introspective of his life (every song could be about himself or his wife) and by way of two songs taking musical cues from Volcano and Song for Someone from the first album.

So, here's our review on a track by track basis:

Love is all we have left

A mild opening track which sets a sombre tone for the album. Atmospheric and it largely works except for the ridiculous vocal manipulation done midway through. Could not be more of a different album opener than Discotheque if you tried. There's clearly going to be no tounge in cheek or village people on album.

Lights of Home

Woah, a bomb track straight off the board. Bland, uninspiring, how the heck did this song get through the band's internal vetting processes?

You're The Best Thing About Me

The first single, and a great U2 track. A zippy chorus that gets better and better with each listen. This song is kind of almost by-the-numbers single but U2 has always had better numbers than any band.  It's comparable to Magnificent from No Line on the Horizon in that sense.

Get Out of Your Own Way

Another single, that promises much when it evokes the opening of Where The Streets Have No Name but doesn't get quite to that level of glory. A firm track to back up the first single and a real grower with each listen.

American Soul

The one with Kendrick Lamar marshaling comment on rich people and maybe Donald Trump. Another American love letter from the band to America. They sure do write a lot about the US of A!

The chorus is a direct lift from Songs of Innocence's Volcano and easily improves on what was a weak track from that album.

Summer of Love

Another stray from the rescue home. Could have done with a bit more TLC before being released back into the wild. Has a nice melody.

Red Flag Day

Now we are talking. The first genuinely brilliant song with a chorus hook to die for. A classic song in the sense that it's a upbeat song where the lyrics focus on the utterly depressing subject of Syrian refugees. The structure and feel also harks back to very early U2 tracks found on Boy and War. Excellent drumming. 

The Showman (Little More Better) 

If ever U2 were ever to write a proper Irish song that could be song across pubs around the world when the punters are up for a tune, this is it. 

This one of the best songs U2 have written in a decade. With a wonderful melody and a sing along chorus to die for. 10 out of 10. Instantly goes into my top 5 U2 songs.

Would have loved to have seen how this would have gone as the first or second single released.

Reminds me of a glorious pop song of the sixties that I just can't recall. 

The Little Things that give you away

A love ballad in pace, with lyrics that seem to be about Bono reflecting on his past life. The way Bono sings it is almost confessional. A potential live favourite. 

Landlady

A clear love note from Bono to his wife Ali. Slow and plodding but builds nicely. 

The Blackout

The rocker song on the album, this has STADIUM written all over it. A filthy base line from Adam Clayton and his best in many an album. Strong echoes of Achtung Baby and Zoo Station. 

Love is bigger than anything in its way

A filler track, but better than Lights of Home. Like many tracks on this album, a slow starter that land quite well at the end. 

13 (There is a light)

The most beautifully haunting song on this album. Borrowing heavily from the wonderful Song for Someone this is U2's equivalent of Metallica's Unforgiven II.

Simply superb and it continues U2's song tradition of really good album closing tracks. 

Review Summary

U2 will never record another Achtung Baby but we can still expect them to record cracker songs and a handful of those have been delivered with this album.

A genuine surprise that the Lights of Home is so genuinely bad but that can be quickly over looked by the big singles and sing-a-long tracks that far outweigh any complaints.

Despite Bono's rhetoric' about American President Donald Trump being the basis for a lyrical rewrite on many songs, the effect is negligible - maybe there's a dig about him as a dinosaur in The Blackout and a bit of a sledge in American Soul but that would be about it. 

A strong effort from U2 and they should be proud that they have made a true companion album.

Many bands are afraid to try new things so as to not upset the gravy train but yet again the biggest band in the world has got their hands dirty.  

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'Songs of Experience' album lyrics + meaning by U2

Songs of Experience is the companion album to the Songs of Innocence album that U2 released to the world for free en-mass via Apple’s Itunes in 2015.

What a wild ride that was...

Prior to the release of that album, many U2 fans had expected the album to be called Songs of Ascent. This was based on comments from Bono in the lead up to the release. It never happened and this duo of albums appeared from the ether.

U2's Songs of Experience serves as a poignant reflection of the band’s evolution, channeling personal and universal themes that resonate with both the struggles and triumphs of life. Following the release of Songs of Innocence, this album represents a maturation of ideas, a meditative exploration of the dichotomies of innocence and experience inspired by William Blake's illustrated poems.

As Bono himself noted, the album is a deeply personal project, framed as a collection of letters addressed to people and places that hold profound significance for him. This thematic approach allows for an intimate dialogue not only with loved ones but also with the broader tapestry of human experience, imbuing each track with layers of meaning that extend beyond mere nostalgia.

The opening track, “Love Is All We Have Left,” introduces the overarching theme of vulnerability and resilience, echoing the sense of urgency that permeates the album.

The lyrics encapsulate a search for meaning amid chaos, a sentiment that feels particularly resonant in today’s tumultuous world. Bono's near-death experience and subsequent heart surgery undeniably influenced this quest for depth.

He expressed a desire to confront mortality head-on, emphasizing that the album's emotional gravity necessitated an upbeat tempo, juxtaposing the heavy themes with a defiant joy. This juxtaposition is particularly evident in “The Blackout,” where the raw energy of the music contrasts with a lyrical introspection that reflects on personal and collective struggles.

 
The album artfully navigates the interplay between innocence and experience, echoing the philosophical underpinning of Blake's work.

Songs like “You're the Best Thing About Me” and “American Soul” capture the fervor of love and identity against the backdrop of broader societal issues, blending the personal with the political. Here, Bono's letters act as vehicles for connection, addressing not just intimate relationships but also the complexities of nationality and faith.

The track “Get Out of Your Own Way” serves as a rallying cry for self-acceptance and liberation from internal and external obstacles. The lyrics challenge listeners to overcome their limitations, resonating with the album's aim to find joy in defiance amidst adversity.

Ultimately, Songs of Experience emerges not only as an exploration of personal narratives but also as a testament to the band’s enduring relevance. Bono's approach of writing as if he were already gone, inspired by the wisdom of Irish poet Brendan Kennelly, invites a fearless honesty that permeates the album.

Lyrics to U2’s Songs of Experience album

1. Love is all we have left
2. Lights of Home
3. You're The Best Thing About Me
4. Get Out of Your Own Way
5. American Soul
6. Summer of Love
7. Red Flag Day
8. The Showman (Little More Better) 
9. The Little Things that give you away
10. Landlady
11. The Blackout
12. Love is bigger than anything in its way
13. 13 (There is a light)

The bonus tracks for the deluxe vinyl edition include:

• Ordinary Love
• Book of Your Heart
• Lights of Home (St Peter's String Version)

The album was released on 1 December 2017.

What was the subject of Blake’s work? 

It was a collection of poems that reflected where the state of childhood 'innocence' was influenced by the world cutting in on childhood as 'experience. These being influences such as corruption, oppression by religious movements, state domination and the machinations of the dominant classes.

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"Lucifer's Hands" song lyrics by U2

Along with The Crystal Ballroom, "Lucifer's Hands," is an additional track from U2's album "Songs of Innocence," released as part of the deluxe edition, delves into a blend of personal history, spiritual struggle, and the quest for redemption. This song, like many others in U2's repertoire, intertwines the band's personal narratives with broader, more universal themes, allowing listeners to find their own meanings in the lyrics.

One of the primary themes of "Lucifer's Hands" is the struggle between good and evil, both externally and within oneself. The title itself, invoking the name of Lucifer, a symbol of temptation and fallen grace in Christian theology, sets the stage for a narrative about confronting inner demons and moral challenges.

The lyrics, "I was chasing down the days of fear, chasing down a dream before it disappeared," suggest a journey through difficulties and uncertainties, metaphorically represented by 'Lucifer's hands' trying to take control.

The song also explores the theme of liberation and rebirth. 

The lines, "I got out from under Lucifer's hands, and I can dance, I can dance," indicate a triumphant escape from the grip of negative forces, whether they be personal struggles, doubts, or external challenges. 

"Lucifer's Hands" song lyrics by U2

Punk rock party in a suburban home
Everybody’s famous here but nobody’s known
We got no music ‘cause the speaker’s blown apart

The spirit’s moving through a seaside town
I’m born again to the latest sound
New wave airwaves swirling around my heart

You no longer got a hold on me
I’m out of Lucifer’s hands
You no longer got a hold on me
You’re no longer in control of me
I am

The NME is spitting from an inky page
St. John the Divine is gonna take the stage
Like a talent show where your talent is your rage
I’m in

Prayers of fire on a raindog night
Young men see visions beyond sound or sight
The Velvets beginning to see the light
Amen

You no longer got a hold on me
I’m out of Lucifer’s hands
You no longer got a hold on me
You’re no longer in control of me
I am

Yes, I can change the world
Yes, I can change the world
The poor breaking bread
That’s made out of stone
The rich man won’t eat
He’s eating alone
That’s easy
But I can’t change the world in me

You no longer got a hold on me
I’m out of Lucifer’s hands
You no longer got a hold on me
You’re no longer in control of me
I am

-

This theme of liberation is not just about physical freedom, but also about spiritual and emotional awakening. The ability to dance, in this context, symbolizes joy, freedom, and the reclaiming of one's spirit after being under a dark influence.

Additionally, "Lucifer's Hands" touches on the journey of finding one's voice and identity. This is particularly evident in the line, "I was playing with fire, not feeling the heat," which can be interpreted as a young person's experimentation with danger and risk, not fully understanding or acknowledging the consequences. This recklessness is a part of the search for identity, a common theme in U2's work, especially in "Songs of Innocence," which largely reflects on the band's formative years.

The song's lyrics also reflect a sense of nostalgia and reflection. References to the band's early influences, such as Joe Strummer and The Clash, connect the song to U2's musical roots and their journey as artists. This aspect of the song links personal growth and transformation to the wider context of their musical journey and influences.

Check out Song for Someone, also from Songs of Innocence.

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'Sleep like a baby tonight' song lyrics by U2

In "Sleep Like a Baby Tonight," U2 confronts one of the darkest and most harrowing subjects imaginable—the predatory behavior of a pedophile priest. 

Bono’s lyrics are stark and unsettling, painting a portrait of a man cloaked in the trappings of sanctity but hiding monstrous guilt beneath. The priest's casual morning routine, with toast, tea, and sugar, contrasts grotesquely with the horror of his crimes, making his nonchalance more chilling. 

The line, “Tomorrow dawns like someone else’s suicide,” is the emotional gut-punch, hinting at the devastating aftermath for his victims. As they crumble under the weight of their abuse, the priest’s lack of accountability is reinforced by his unsettling ability to “sleep like a baby,” insulated in his dreams from the destruction he has caused. 

The song takes on added gravity when seen through the lens of the scandals that shook the Catholic Church, particularly in Ireland, where Bono's childhood memories were likely shaped by the church’s overwhelming presence in daily life.

Bono’s falsetto in this track—strained and almost childlike—mirrors the voice of the victim, a fragile echo of innocence that stands in painful contrast to the predator's comfortable, dream-filled sleep. The layering of the falsetto with the unsettling themes gives the song an eerie vulnerability.

 It speaks to how the pain of the abused goes unheard, while the abuser continues to move unscathed through life. Lyrics like, “Where the church is where the war is,” and “no one can feel no one else’s pain” indict a larger system of complicity, where the spiritual institution that should provide solace and hope instead becomes a battleground of hidden trauma. 

There’s no ambiguity here—this is U2 at their most confrontational, peeling back layers of silence to expose a truth too long buried. Bono’s words, combined with The Edge’s haunting composition, create a song that is both a personal and institutional indictment, one that remains profoundly resonant today

'Sleep like a baby tonight' song lyrics by U2

Morning, your toast

Your tea and sugar

Read about the politician’s lover

Go through the day

Like a knife through butter

Why don’t you

You dress in the colours of forgiveness

Your eyes as red as Christmas

Purple robes are folded on the kitchen chair




You’re gonna sleep like a baby tonight

In your dreams everything is alright

Tomorrow dawns like someone else’s suicide

You’re gonna sleep like a baby tonight




Dreams

It’s a dirty business, dreaming

Where there is silence and not screaming

Where there’s no daylight

There’s no healing, no no




You’re gonna sleep like a baby tonight

In your dreams everything is alright

Tomorrow dawns like a suicide

But you’re gonna sleep like a baby tonight




Hope is where the door is

When the church is where the war is

Where no one can feel no one else’s pain


You’re gonna sleep like a baby tonight

In your dreams everything is alright

Tomorrow dawns like a suicide

But you’re gonna sleep like a baby tonight

Sleep like a baby tonight

Like a bird, your dreams take flight

Like St. Francis covered in light

You’re gonna sleep like a baby tonight

-

From the Songs of Innocence album released September 9 2014. That date is poignant for U2 as that is the date Bono's mother Iris died.

Read the lyrics to The Miracle.

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'Raised by Wolves' song lyrics by U2

In "Raised by Wolves," U2 confronts the brutal memory of the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings, a searing trauma etched into Bono's psyche since his near-brush with death on that fateful day. The track opens with vivid imagery of a man lying face down in "a pool of misery," while Bono, observing from the safety of a "white van," describes the carnage of a city street transformed into a bloody, chaotic scene. 

The metaphorical "red sea" becomes a biblical deluge of violence, drowning the innocence of the people cut down in the bombings' aftermath. 

Here, Bono captures not only the immediate horror of the event, but also the emotional wreckage that followed—his disillusionment palpable in the repeated refrain, "I don’t believe anymore." 

This expression of faith lost and innocence shattered reverberates through the track, channeling the anguish and confusion of a teenager who could have easily been one of the victims.

The song's chorus, "Raised by wolves / Stronger than fear," suggests a generation hardened by violence and distrust, growing up amidst the sectarian tensions that tore through Ireland. The wolf imagery signifies not just survival, but a kind of brutal, feral conditioning—an upbringing in which fear was ever-present, yet ultimately something to be overcome. 

Bono taps into a deeper commentary on how belief systems, when twisted by hate, justify the worst atrocities, as emphasized in the lines, "The worst things in the world / Are justified by belief." The recurring imagery of running wild, of an unleashed chaos and terror, underscores how these traumas are carried forward, haunting the victims and survivors alike. 

In a final wrenching moment, Bono sings, "If I open my eyes, you disappear," as if willing the nightmare to vanish, yet knowing it is imprinted on his soul. "Raised by Wolves" stands as a visceral indictment of both the personal and political fallout of violence, an anthem of resilience in the face of terror, but also a lament for the faith and innocence that died on that blood-stained street.

Raised by Wolves song lyrics by U2

Face down on a broken street
There’s a man in the corner
In a pool of misery
I’m in white van
As a red sea covers the ground

Metal crash
I can’t tell what it is
But I take a look
And now I’m sorry I did
5:30 on a Friday night
33 good people cut down

I don’t believe anymore
I don’t believe anymore

Face down on a pillow of shame
There are some girls with a needle
Tryin’ to spell my name
My body’s not a canvas
My body’s now a toilet wall

I don’t believe anymore
I don’t believe anymore

Raised by wolves
Stronger than fear
Raised by wolves
We were raised by wolves
Raised by wolves
Stronger than fear
If I open my eyes
You disappear

Running wild
Running wild

Running wild
Boy sees his father
Crushed under the weight
Of a cross in a passion
Where the passion is hate
Running wild
Blue mink Ford
I’m gonna detonate in your den
Running wild
Blood in the house
Blood in the street
The worst things in the world
Are justified by belief
Running wild
Registration 1385-WZ

Running wild
I don’t believe anymore
Running wild
I don’t believe anymore

Raised by wolves
Stronger than fear
Raised by wolves
We were raised by wolves
Raised by wolves
Stronger than fear
If I open my eyes
You disappear

Running wild
Running wild
Running wild
Running wild
Running wild

-

On Songs of Innocence, U2 explores themes of trauma, loss, and the fragility of belief, drawing from their personal experiences and the tumultuous history of their homeland. Three songs that echo the thematic depth of "Raised by Wolves" are:

• "Iris (Hold Me Close)" reflects Bono’s deep grief over the loss of his mother, Iris, when he was just fourteen. Much like the existential disillusionment in “Raised by Wolves,” “Iris” expresses how early trauma scars the soul, leaving an emotional void that shapes the rest of one’s life. 
• “Cedarwood Road” similarly revisits Bono's youth, but through the lens of the tensions and violence that marked his Dublin neighborhood. Cedarwood Road becomes a metaphor for a place where survival required vigilance, much like being “raised by wolves.” Here, the fear and anger of a divided community mirror the disillusionment of witnessing senseless acts of violence. 
• Finally, “The Troubles” tackles the pervasive, haunting aftershocks of conflict on a personal level. The “troubles” of the song evoke both the Northern Ireland conflict and internal struggles with personal demons. Bono’s recurring line, “Somebody stepped inside your soul,” suggests how fear and trauma can take root, much as the wolves in "Raised by Wolves" come to symbolize the darker forces that shape identity. These songs form a triptych that captures U2’s exploration of trauma, resilience, and the complex relationship between personal history and collective memory.

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'Cedarwood Road' song lyrics meaning by U2

In "Cedarwood Road," Bono transports listeners back to his childhood home in Dublin, crafting a vivid landscape that mirrors the emotional tumult of his formative years. The lyrics pulse with the tension between fear and hope, friendship and isolation, painting Cedarwood Road as both a physical and psychological battleground. 

The cherry blossom tree—an image of fleeting beauty and renewal—stands as a gateway to something transcendent, a momentary escape from the harsh realities of teenage life in a neighborhood darkened by skinhead culture and the looming specter of violence. 

Yet, this road is more than a memory lane. It becomes a metaphor for the complexities of growing up, where the "foolish pride" that drives us out into the world can also lead to wounds that never fully heal. Bono reflects on the tension between holding onto the "hurt you hide" and the "joy you hold," a paradox that defines not just his upbringing, but the human condition at large.

U2 getting old...

As the song unfolds, the familiar streets of Bono’s youth blur into the broader realities of life—fear, identity, and the scars left by a fractured society. 

The line "It was a warzone in my teens" carries a dual meaning, touching on both the personal struggles of adolescence and the external strife of a city grappling with sectarian violence and economic hardship. This sense of a world at odds with itself is underscored by the symbolic clash of "bibles smashing" and the chaotic images of a world painted by opposing forces. 

The song’s conclusion—"And a heart that is broken / Is a heart that is open"—transcends the autobiographical, speaking to the universal truth that vulnerability and pain are inextricable from the possibility of redemption. "Cedarwood Road" becomes not just a reflection of a time and place, but an exploration of how the past, with all its scars, continues to shape and haunt our present selves.

'Cedarwood Road' song lyrics meaning by U2

I was running down the road
The fear was all I knew
I was looking for a soul that’s real
Then I ran into you
And that cherry blossom tree
Was a gateway to the sun
And friendship, once it’s won
It’s won, it’s one
Northside
Just across the river to the Southside
That’s a long way here
All the green and all the gold
The hurt you hide
The joy you hold
The foolish pride
That gets you out the door
Up on Cedarwood Road
On Cedarwood Road
Sleepwalking down the road
Not waking from these dreams
‘Cause it’s never dead
It’s still my dead
It was a warzone in my teens
I’m still standing on that street
Still need an enemy
The worst ones I can’t see
You can, you can
Northside
Just across the river to the Southside
That’s a long way here
All the green and all the gold
The hurt you hide
And the joy you hold
The foolish pride
That sends you back for more
Up on Cedarwood Road
On Cedarwood Road
If the door is open it isn’t theft
You can’t return to where you’ve never left
Blossoms falling from a tree
They cover you and cover me
Symbols clashing, bibles smashing
Paint the world you need to see
Sometimes fear is the only place
That we can call our home
Cedarwood Road
And a heart that is broken
Is a heart that is open
Open, open

Check out the lyrics to U2's Volcano which can also be found ripping it up on Songs of Innocence.

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U2's 'Songs of Innocence' song lyrics + meaning

U2's Songs of Innocence is a deeply personal excavation of the band's origins, an album that drips with both nostalgia and reflection, harking back to the Boy through War era. 

In a bold stylistic pivot, Bono’s lyrics channel a vivid recounting of his formative years in Dublin, merging youthful abandon with the painful wisdom of adulthood. Tracks like “The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)” are a love letter to the raw power of rock 'n' roll that saved him, portraying music not just as an art form but as a spiritual lifeline. Bono’s voice alternates between reverence and defiance, honoring the punk revolution while simultaneously acknowledging its impact on his personal and creative evolution. 

His lyrics speak of salvation, suggesting that the music of Ramone didn’t just inspire a career—it resurrected his sense of self. 

This sentiment of transformative discovery echoes throughout the album, from the anthemic calls to freedom in “Every Breaking Wave” to the aching vulnerabilities of “Iris (Hold Me Close),” where Bono lays bare the wounds of losing his mother at a young age, seeking closure through lyrical catharsis.

A change of pace and style from No Line of the Horizon, Songs of Innocence is not merely a dive into autobiography; it wrestles with the collective and cultural ghosts that shaped the band’s psyche. “Raised By Wolves” recounts the visceral horror of the Dublin car bombings, capturing the tension between innocence lost and the scars left behind. 

Bono's lyrics tread the line between memory and trauma, conveying a powerful indictment of violence while holding space for reconciliation.

 Similarly, “Cedarwood Road” acts as a metaphorical journey through his childhood neighborhood, where the streets of Dublin become symbolic of an internal landscape fraught with anger, yearning, and ultimately, a search for redemption. 

Bono said on the album's release date of 9 September 2014: 

"Remember us? Pleased to announce myself, Edge, Adam and Larry have finally given birth to our new baby… Songs of Innocence. It’s been a while. We wanted to get it right for you/us."

U2's Songs of Innocence album lyrics


• The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)
• Every Breaking Wave
• California (There Is No End To Love)
• Song For Someone
• Iris (Hold Me Close)
• Volcano
• Raised By Wolves
• Cedarwood Road
• Sleep Like A Baby Tonight
• This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now
• The Troubles

Also, the deluxe version of the album features two additional songs, Lucifer's Hands and The Crystal Ballroom.

U2, have also followed up with Songs of Experience. This album thematically complements Songs of Innocence and is inspired by the works of William Blake.

The album cover of Songs of Innocence is a stark, black-and-white image featuring U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. embracing his son, Aaron Elvis Mullen, (the name is surely a nod to the great man himself). The photograph, taken by Glen Luchford, depicts Larry shirtless, standing protectively behind his equally bare-chested son, who clutches his father’s waist. This intimate, vulnerable pose reflects the album's deeply personal themes, as well as the notion of innocence being sheltered by experience. The cover's minimalist design—absent of text or elaborate imagery—invites viewers to contemplate the emotional weight of the image itself, encouraging a connection to the familial and protective bonds it evokes.

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Iris (Hold Me Close) song lyrics by U2

Iris should not be confused with the popular 1990's song 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls. 

You could be forgiven for this though as that song also appeared on the City of Angels soundtrack with U2's If God Will Send his Angels.

Iris is directly inspired by Bono's mother, Iris Hewson. Bono has previously referenced Iris in Tommorrow from the October album.

The song contains contains a cute reference to Kraftwerk. Bono said 'My mother [died] just as I was discovering girls. One of the girls I was discovering was Ali... she arrived at Mount Temple in the same month. The first lover’s gift I gave Ali was a Kraftwerk album called The Man Machine. So I referred to that.' with the line "It was you made me your man/Machine.’

Songs of Innocence was released, through sheer coincidence, 40 years to the day that Iris died.

Bono also noted to Rolling Stone Magazine that he was later inspired to rewrite part of the song after being deeply moved by the late ISIS hostage James Foley's letter to his family. "I realized," Bono says, "that we will all be remembered, and we remember our loved ones, by the least profound moments. The simplest moments. In the letter he says to his brother, 'I remember playing werewolf in the dark with you.'

Iris (Hold Me Close)  song lyrics by U2

The star that gives us light
Has been gone a while
But it’s not an illusion
The ache in my heart
Is so much a part of who I am

Something in your eyes
Took a thousand years to get here
Something in your eyes
Took a thousand years, a thousand years

Hold me close
Hold me close and don’t let me go
Hold me close
Like I’m someone that you might know
Hold me close
The darkness just lets us see
Who we are
I’ve got your life inside of me

Iris, Iris

Once we are born
We begin to forget
The very reason we came
But you I’m sure I’ve met
Long before the night
The start went out
We’re meeting up again

Hold me close
Hold me close and don’t let me go
Hold me close
Like I’m someone that you might know
Hold me close
The darkness just lets us see
Who we are
I’ve got your life inside of me

Iris, Iris

The start are bright
But do they know
The universe is beautiful but cold
You took me by the hand
I thought that I was leading you
But it was you made me your man
Machine, I dream where you are
Iris standing in the hall
She tells me I can do it all
Iris wakes to my nightmare
Don’t fear the world
It isn’t there

Iris playing on the strand
She buries the boy beneath the sand
Iris says that I will be the death of her
It was not me

Iris, Iris
She said free yourself to be yourself
If only you could see yourself
Free yourself to be yourself
If only you could see

-

The song, steeped in emotional vulnerability, reveals Bono’s persistent grappling with the absence of maternal presence in his life. Through the repetition of the phrase “Hold me close,” Bono reflects the deep-seated desire for closeness, both physical and emotional, that never had the chance to mature due to his mother’s early death. The verses are laced with rich imagery, from the “freezing rain” that mirrors the numbness of loss, to the light his mother represents, a beacon guiding him through the darkness. The juxtaposition of grief and longing with the ethereal imagery of light and stars creates a tension that underscores the paradox of losing someone so intimately tied to your sense of self, yet still feeling them in every corner of your existence.

The song also functions as an exploration of memory’s power to both heal and haunt. 

Bono navigates the complex terrain of reconciling his life without Iris, while acknowledging the indelible mark she left on his spirit. In lines like “The ache in my heart is so much a part of who I am,” there’s an acceptance that his pain and identity are inextricably linked. The Edge’s shimmering guitar work, with its delicate reverb, serves as an echo of that emotional longing, almost as if the music is searching for resolution, much like Bono’s heart. 

U2 have written a of songs which make references to parents. A notable effort was Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own from the  All That You Can't Leave Behind album.

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