"Grace" song lyrics by U2

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Grace is a theme that Bono latched onto in his later years. Grace can have many meanings. The grace of god, someone's name and simply being in someone's 'good graces'.

With this song from All That You Can't Leave Behind, grace is possibly best described as a character that has an empirical quality about them, almost godlike.

Indeed, when Bono's lyric refers to Grace carrying a pearl Bono is referenceing the following passage from the Bible, Matthew 13:45–46:

'Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it'

u2 album cover  all that you can't leave

Of the character in the song, Bono has actually said:

"There are a couple of my favourite people rolled into that lyric but the most important thing is that they personify my favourite word in the lexicon of the English language. It's a word I'm depending on. The universe operates by Karma, we all know that. For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. There is atonement built in: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Then enters Grace and turns that upside down. I love it."

"Grace" song lyrics by U2

Grace, she takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name
Grace, it's the name for a girl
It's also a thought that could change the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything

Grace, she's got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She's got the time to talk
She travels outside of karma, karma
She travels outside of karma
When she goes to work
You can hear the strings
Grace finds beauty in everything

Grace, she carries a world on her hips
No champagne flue for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark no longer stings
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things
Grace finds beauty in everything
Grace finds goodness in everything'

-

U2's "Grace" is a poignant exploration of themes such as redemption, love, and the complexities of human experience. The song serves as a meditation on the concept of grace as a transformative force, highlighting its ability to provide solace and healing amidst life's struggles. Bono’s lyrics evoke a sense of vulnerability and introspection, reflecting on how grace can emerge in unexpected moments, often when one feels most lost or broken. The juxtaposition of strength and fragility is a central motif; the song emphasizes that true grace is not about perfection but rather about embracing one's imperfections and finding beauty within them.

Check out some other song lyrics from All That You Can't Leave Behind, including the mega popular Beautiful Day" the song written for singer Micheal Hutchence, "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" and the live fan favourite "Elevation".

U2's "New York" song lyrics

U2's "New York" song lyrics from All That You Can't Leave Behind


Is it really any surprise that U2 ended up writing a song about New York?

Bono has stated that the song is a tribute of sorts to both Frank Sinatra and Lou Reed.

Bono said, "There used to be a verse at the end about Frank Sinatra, because if I was going to be singing about New York, New York, I felt like I should. It went:

"When I'm down on my luck / I sometimes think of Frank Sinatra / I met him once / He was more than generous / At dinner one evening he found a blue paper napkin ... and he stared at it and said to no one in particular, I remember when my eyes were this blue."

Bono cut this verse as he feared people would misinterpret the lyric as being autobiographical.

New York lyrics by U2:


In New York freedom
Looks like too many choices
In New York I found a friend
To drown out the other voices
Voices on a cell phone
Voices from home
Voices through the hard sell
Voices down a stairwell
In New York
Just got a place in New York

In New York summers get hot
Well into the hundreds
You can't walk around the block
Without a change of clothing
Hot as a hairdryer in your face
Hot as a handbag and a can of mace
New York
I just got a place in New York
New York
New York

In New York you can forget
Forget how to sit still
Tell yourself you will stay in
But it's down to Alphaville

New York, New York, New York
New York, New York, New York

The Irish have been coming here for years
Feel like they own the place
They got the airport, city hall, concrete, asphalt
They even got the police
Irish, Italians, Jews and Hispanics
Religious nuts, political fanatics in the stew
Living happily not like me and you
That's where I lost you
New York

New York, New York, New York
New York, New York, New York
New York

In New York I lost it all
To you and your vices
Still I'm staying on to figure out
My midlife crisis
I hit an iceberg in my life
But you know I'm still afloat
You lose your balance, lose your wife
In the queue for the lifeboat
You gotta put the women and children first
But you've got an unquenchable thirst for New York

New York, New York
New York, New York

In the stillness of the evening
When the sun has had its day
I heard your voice whispering
Come away now

New York

New, New York, New York

-

The lyrics of New York where changed on Elevation Tour, due to the events of September 11, 2001 attacks on New York City. 

As New York was the subject of both the song and the attacks, the lyrics were altered in order to be sensitive to those who lost loved ones such as "In New York you can forget, forget how to sit still / But in New York, you can't break the city's will."

U2's "When I Look At The World" song lyrics

U2's "When I Look at the World" reflects a deep sense of disillusionment and longing for connection amidst the chaos and suffering prevalent in the world. Written during a period marked by political upheaval and social unrest, the song captures the emotional turmoil of witnessing human struggles, injustice, and the complexities of modern life. 

The lyrics convey a feeling of alienation, as the narrator grapples with the disconnect between their ideals and the harsh realities surrounding them. Phrases like "When I look at the world" evoke a sense of introspection, prompting the listener to contemplate the broader human experience and the yearning for something greater.

When I look at the world lyrics by u2

The song's imagery juxtaposes hope and despair, highlighting the tension between the desire for change and the challenges of effecting it. Bono's poignant reflections on love and compassion serve as a reminder of the transformative power of these emotions, even in the face of adversity. Musically, the song blends atmospheric instrumentation with a heartfelt melody, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics. 

Ultimately, "When I Look at the World" encapsulates the struggle to maintain hope and humanity amidst a world often filled with pain and confusion, urging listeners to seek understanding and connection in their shared experiences.

"When I Look At The World" song lyrics by U2

When you look at the world
What is it that you see
People find all kinds of things
That bring them to their knees
I see an expression
So clear and so true
That changes the atmosphere
When you walk into the room

So I try to be like you
Try to feel it like you do
But without you it's no use
I can't see what you see
When I look at the world

When the night is someone elses
And you're trying to get some sleep
When your thoughts are too expensive
To ever want to keep
When there's all kinds of chaos
And everyone is walking lame
You don't even blink now, do you
Or even look away

So I try to be like you
Try to feel it like you do
But without you it's no use
I can't see what you see
When I look at the world

I can't wait any longer
I can't wait till I'm stronger
I can't wait any longer
To see what you see
When I look at the world

I'm in the waiting room
Can't see for the smoke
I think of you and your holy book
While the rest of us choke
Tell me, tell me, what do you see
Tell me, tell me, what's wrong with me


Check out the lyrics to U2's Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" and "Elevation"

"Peace On Earth" Song Lyrics + meaning * U2

Wednesday, August 19, 2009


"Peace On Earth" song lyrics by U2


The lyrics are about the Real IRA Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland on 15 August 1998. The Real IRA were a splinter group who disagreed with the peace accord which meant The Troubles were coming to an end.

The lyrics grapple with feelings of frustration and sorrow, as lead singer Bono expresses a desire for a world free from conflict and suffering.

"Peace On Earth" song lyrics by U2

Peace on Earth lists the names of people (Sean, Julia, Gareth, Anne, and Breda) killed in the Omagh bombing. Similarly, inspiration for the lyric, "She never got to say goodbye / To see the colour in his eye / Now he's in the dirt" comes from the funeral of James Barker, another victim of the bombing.

The song juxtaposes the ideal of peace with the harsh realities of human existence, capturing the emotional toll that violence takes on individuals and communities. Bono's introspective questioning of the possibility of achieving peace resonates deeply, as it reflects a broader concern for humanity and the challenges faced in achieving harmony. 

After the 2001 attacks on America, "Peace on Earth" took on additional meaning and consequently, was used as an encore song in the Elevation Tour, coupled with "Walk On".

Peace on Earth Lyrics:


Heaven on Earth, we need it now
I'm sick of all of this hanging around
Sick of sorrow, sick of the pain
I'm sick of hearing again and again
That there's gonna be peace on Earth

Where I grew up there weren't many trees
Where there was we'd tear them down
And use them on our enemies
They say that what you mock
Will surely overtake you
And you become a monster
So the monster will not break you

And it's already gone too far
Who said that if you go in hard
You won't get hurt

Jesus can you take the time
To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on Earth
Tell the ones who hear no sound
Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on Earth
No whos or whys
No one cries like a mother cries
For peace on Earth
She never got to say goodbye
To see the color in his eyes
Now he's in the dirt
Peace on Earth

They're reading names out over the radio
All the folks the rest of us won't get to know
Sean and Julia, Gareth, Ann and Breda
Their lives are bigger than any big idea

Jesus can you take the time
To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on Earth
To tell the ones who hear no sound
Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on Earth
Jesus sing a song you wrote
The words are sticking in my throat
Peace on Earth
Hear it every Christmas time
But hope and history won't rhyme
So what's it worth
This peace on Earth

Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth

"Wild Honey" Song Lyrics by U2

U2's "Wild Honey", from the All That You Can't Leave Behind album, explores themes of love, longing, and the complexities of human connection through the metaphor of nature. The lyrics reflect a sense of yearning for a simpler, more genuine experience of love, contrasting with the chaos of modern life. The imagery of "wild honey" symbolizes sweetness and the pure, unrefined essence of affection, suggesting that true intimacy is often found in unfiltered moments of vulnerability and spontaneity. 

The song's melodic quality complements its lyrical content, creating a feeling of warmth and nostalgia, as if inviting listeners to reminisce about lost connections and the beauty of fleeting experiences. 

"Wild Honey" Song Lyrics by U2

Additionally, the repeated call to embrace life's imperfections resonates with the universal desire for authenticity and the search for meaningful relationships in a world that often feels superficial. Overall, "Wild Honey" captures the bittersweet nature of love, celebrating both its joy and its transient qualities while urging listeners to cherish the wild and unpredictable moments that define human connections.

"Wild Honey" Song Lyrics by U2

In the days when we were swinging from the trees
I was a monkey stealing honey from a swarm of bees
I could taste, I could taste you even then
And I would chase you down the wind

You could go there if you please, wild honey
And if you go there, go with me, wild honey

Did I know you, did I know you even then
Before the clocks kept time, before the world was made
From the cruel sun you were my shelter
You were my shelter and my shade

If you go there go with me, wild honey
You can do just what you please, wild honey
Yeah, just blowing in the breeze, wild honey
Wild, wild, wild

I'm still standing, I'm still standing where you left me
Are you still growing wild with everthing tame around you
I send you flowers, cut flowers for your hall
I know you're garden's full but is there sweetness at all

Oh oh oh, love me with your soul

If you go there go with me, wild honey
Won't you take me, take me please, wild honey
Yeah, swinging through the trees, wild honey
Wild, wild, wild

"In A Little While" Song Lyrics by U2

The lyrics refer to a "lovestruck hangover", in the vein U2's "Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World," which describes a similar theme. Bono has noted in live performances that it became a gospel song after he heard that Joey Ramone, singer of The Ramones, listened to this song as his final one on his deathbed.

"In A Little While" Song Lyrics by U2

The lyrics convey a journey through emotional turmoil, where the speaker expresses a desire for solace and connection amidst life's uncertainties. The phrase "in a little while" embodies a sense of anticipation and the belief that better times are just around the corner, suggesting that current struggles are temporary. This optimistic refrain contrasts with feelings of isolation and despair, creating a poignant tension that resonates deeply with listeners. 

The song’s imagery evokes a sense of wandering, as the speaker seeks reassurance and clarity, encapsulating the universal experience of navigating moments of doubt and yearning for comfort.

"In A Little While" Song Lyrics by U2


In a little while surely you'll be mine
In a little while I'll be there
In a little while this hurt will hurt no more
I'll be home, love
When the night takes a deep breath and the daylight has no air
If I crawl, if I come crawling home will you be there

In a little while I won't be blown by every breeze
Friday night running to Sunday on my knees
That girl, that girl, she's mine
Well I've known her since
Since she was a little girl with Spanish eyes
When I saw her in a pram they pushed her by
My how you've grown
Well, it's been, it's been a little while

Slow down my beating heart

A man dreams one day to fly
A man takes a rocketship into the skies
He lives on a star that's dying in the night
And follows in the trail, the scatter of light
Turn it on, turn it on, you turn me on

Slow down my beating heart
Slowly, slowly love
Slow down my beating heart
Slowly, slowly love
Slow down my beating heart
Slowly, slowly love

"Kite" Song Lyrics + meaning - U2

The idea for the song came from a kite-flying outing on Killiney Hill overlooking Dublin Bay that Bono attempted with his daughters. The outing went quickly awry when the kite crashed and one of the girls asked to go home and play a video game.

"Kite" Song Lyrics + meaning - U2

So the Kite was probably at first written with Bono's daughters in mind, or more generally, about a kite as a metaphor for someone or something escaping one's realm of control. The Edge assisted Bono in writing the lyrics and has suggested that they were actually about Bono's emotionally-reserved father, Bob Hewson, who was dying of cancer at the time. 

When Bob did die, the lyric 'last of the rock stars' was changed to 'last of the opera star's when sung live, reflecting Bob's past opera career.

"Kite" Song Lyrics + meaning - U2

Something is about to give
I can feel it coming
I think I know what it is
I'm not afraid to die
I'm not afraid to live
And when I'm flat on my back
I hope to feel like I did
'Cause hardness, it sets in
You need some protection
The thinner the skin
I want you to know
That you don't need me anymore
I want you to know
You don't need anyone, anything at all

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know which way the wind will blow
Who's to know when the time has come around
Don't wanna see you cry
I know this is not goodbye

In summer I can taste the salt in the sea
There's a kite blowing out of control on a breeze
I wonder what's gonna happen to you
You wonder what has happened to me
I'm a man, I'm not a child
A man who sees the shadow behind your eyes

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know where the wind will blow
Who's to know when the time has come around
I don't wanna see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye

Did I waste it
Not so much I couldn't taste it
Life should be fragrant
Rooftop to the basement
The last of the rockstars
When hip-hop drove the big cars
In the time when new media
Was the big idea
That was the big idea

Bono would go onto to write Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own with his father in mind.

Check out U2's lyrics to Beautiful Day.

"Walk On" Song Lyrics by U2

U2's "Walk On" is a song of resilience and perseverance, deeply inspired by the life of Aung San Suu Kyi, but its message extends universally. 

It is written in the form of a supporting, uplifting anthem, praising her for her activism and fighting for freedom in Burma. This support from U2 reflects their ongoing commitment to Amnesty International.

In a disappointing turn, Suu Kyi failed as a leader and U2 was forced to declare their disappointment in her failure to support all the people of Myanmar. 

The repeated metaphor of "baggage" in the lyrics suggests that, as we move through life, we must let go of material possessions, superficial concerns, and emotional burdens. The only "baggage" worth carrying is what can't be left behind—core values like love, hope, and integrity. Love, though challenging, is essential, and it’s the one thing that sustains us through darkness and separation. The song encourages the listener to be strong and push forward, even when facing adversity, heartbreak, or doubt, reminding them that their intrinsic worth cannot be taken away or diminished.

"Walk On" Song Lyrics by U2


The lyrics also emphasize the idea of "home" as a metaphor for inner peace or a state of belonging, which may be elusive or undefined, but is something we all strive for. The line "Home, hard to know what it is if you've never had one" reflects a longing for comfort or a place of emotional safety. 

Yet, the song insists that to reach this place of peace, we must leave behind the trappings of material success and societal expectations. Ultimately, "Walk On" is about endurance, the courage to continue on one's journey even when the path is uncertain, and the importance of staying true to one's beliefs and self in the face of life's challenges.  


"Walk On" Song Lyrics by U2

And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage you can bring
And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for one second you turn back
Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on
What you got they can't steal it
No, they can't even feel it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight

You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been
A place that has to be believed to be seen
You could have flown away
A singing bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom

Walk on, walk on
What you've got they can't deny it
Can't sell it or buy it
Walk on, walk on
You stay safe tonight

And I know it aches, how your heart it breaks
You can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

Home, hard to know what it is if you've never had one
Home, I can't say where it is but I know I'm going home
That's where the hurt is

And I know it aches and your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on

Leave it behind
You've got to leave it behind
All that you fashion
All that you make
All that you build
All that you break
All that you measure
All that you feel
All this you can leave behind
All that you reason
It's only time
All that you bear
No more than a feeling on my mind
All that you see
All that you wear
All that you sense
All that you scheme
All you dress up
All that you've seen
All you create
And all that you wreck
All that you hate

The place of Walk On after 9/11

Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, U2's "Walk On" resonated profoundly with many Americans, transforming into a powerful anthem of resilience and unity during a time of national crisis. The lyrics echoed the collective sentiment of a nation grappling with grief, fear, and uncertainty, calling for strength and solidarity in the face of adversity. 

U2's performance of the song at the 2002 Grammy Awards, where it won Record of the Year, further amplified this message, serving as a poignant reminder of the importance of hope and perseverance in difficult times. The band's ability to connect with audiences emotionally was underscored by their willingness to address the complexities of human suffering while simultaneously inspiring a sense of communal strength. 

Through this renewed meaning, "Walk On" became a clarion call for healing, encouraging individuals to rise above the darkness and stand together as one, reinforcing the idea that love and resilience are essential in overcoming the profound challenges posed by such tragedies.

"Elevation" song lyrics by U2

If any rock band could make a hit song that featured the lyric "A mole living in a hole,
digging up my soul"
it would be U2 as they made it their 16th number-one single in their native Ireland.

"Elevation" by U2 is a song that fuses exuberance with a deeper exploration of the human spirit, balancing between earthly pleasures and spiritual transcendence. On the surface, the lyrics evoke passion and sensuality, capturing the physical intensity of desire through imagery such as "the orbit of your hips" and the speaker being shot from a gun. 

This hints at a physical connection that propels the individual out of a mundane, earthbound existence toward an elevated, transcendent state. 

The imagery of flight, particularly "I can fly so high," symbolizes a break from inertia, where human passion acts as a catalyst for personal transformation and transcendence. 

Bono said of Elevation:
It is about sexuality and transcendence, a playful piece about wanting to get off, or, in this case, to literally get off the ground. I can’t actually remember writing it. It was all over in minutes, which is probably not the greatest admission to make in a song about sex.

The song also carries a more spiritual, introspective dimension, a theme common in U2's work

"Elevation" song lyrics by U2

The phrase "the goal is soul" from Bono's reflections signals that beneath the playfulness of the music, the lyrics delve into the quest for spiritual elevation. 

The speaker's plea to be lifted from "these blues" and his faith in the transformative power of love suggests a journey not just out of despair, but toward a deeper truth or spiritual awakening. 

The song thus operates on two levels, celebrating the joy of human connection while reaching for something more profound—a union of body, soul, and spirit that elevates the listener beyond the ordinary.


"Elevation" song lyrics by U2

High, higher than the sun
You shoot me from a gun
I need you to elevate me here
At the corner of your lips
As the orbit of your hips
Eclipse

You elevate my soul
I've lost all self-control
Been living like a mole
Now, going down, excavation
I and I into the sky
You make me feel like I can fly so high
Elevation

A star lit up like a cigar
Strung out like a guitar
Maybe you can educate my mind
Explain all these controls
Can't sing but I've got soul
The goal is elevation

A mole living in a hole
Digging up my soul
Going down, excavation
I and I into the sky
You make me feel like I can fly so high
Elevation

Love, lift me out of these blues
Won't you tell me something true
I believe in you

A mole living in a hole
Digging up my soul
Going down, excavation
I and I in the sky
You make me feel like I can fly so high
Elevation
Elevation
Elevation

The version of the song released as a single was entitled the "Tomb Raider Mix" (mixed by Paul Leary of the Butthole Surfers), differing significantly from the album version in that it was a heavier guitar and drums version.

The single featured a live version of Pop's Last Night on Earth and a cover of Johnny Cash's Don't Take Your Gun to Town.

Want more lyrics from All That You Can't Leave Behind? We've got them all,  the Joey Ramone love song "In a Little While", the almost throwaway track "Wild Honey" and the chilling "Peace on Earth".

"Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of" song lyrics by U2

Bono has remarked that the lyrics were  inspired by a fictional conversation he had with late friend Michael Hutchence about suicide. Bono characterized the song as a fight between friends, which he felt guilty for never having with Hutchence.

"It's a row between mates. You're kinda trying to wake them up out of an idea. In my case it's a row I didn't have while he was alive. I feel the biggest respect I could pay to him was not to write some stupid soppy fucking song, so I wrote a really tough, nasty little number, slapping him around the head. And I'm sorry, but that's how it came out of me." - Bono, in Rolling Stone Magazine

stuck in a moment you can't get out of cd cover art image

Bono's lyrics evoke a sense of being caught in a cycle of despair or indecision, where the speaker feels paralyzed by their circumstances, unable to move forward. Phrases like "stuck in a moment" suggest a longing for liberation from a painful or stagnant state, emphasizing the human tendency to grapple with moments of crisis or vulnerability.

 The repeated yearning for resolution highlights the internal conflict between hope and despair, as the speaker grapples with feelings of isolation and the desire for connection. 

"Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of" song lyrics by U2

I'm not afraid of anything in this world
There's nothing you can throw at me
That I haven't already heard
I'm just trying to find a decent melody
A song that I can sing in my own company

I never thought you were a fool
But darling, look at you
You gotta stand up straight, carry your own weight
These tears are going nowhere, baby

You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment and you can't get out of
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it

I will not forsake the colours that you bring
But the nights you filled with fireworks
They left you with nothing
I am still enchanted by the light you brought to me
I still listen through your ears
And through your eyes I can see

And you are such a fool to worry like you do
I know it's tough and you can never get enough
Of what you don't really need now, my oh my

You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it
Oh love, look at you now
You've got yourself stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it

I was unconcious, half asleep
The water is warm till you discover how deep
I wasn't jumping, for me it was a fall
It's a long way down to nothing at all

You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it

And if the night runs over
And if the day won't last
And if our way should falter
Along the stony pass
And if the night runs over
And if the day won't last
And if our way should falter
Along the stony pass
It's just a moment, this time will pass

-

Thematically, the song addresses the human tendency to become trapped by our struggles, losing sight of the broader picture. The refrain, "You've got to get yourself together, You got stuck in a moment, And now you can't get out of it," serves as both a lament and a call to action. It acknowledges the difficulty of moving past a particularly challenging experience, while also encouraging resilience and the pursuit of hope.

The song is imbued with a sense of urgency and compassion, reflecting the idea that intervention and support can be crucial in times of need. It's a reminder that sometimes, an external perspective can provide the clarity and encouragement needed to move forward. In essence, "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" is a poignant commentary on the nature of despair and the power of hope and human connection to transcend the darkest of times. This thematic exploration contributes to the song's enduring impact, resonating with those who have faced their own moments of being 'stuck' and found the strength to emerge on the other side.
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