In my opinion, these are some of the worst one-line lyrics in U2′s discography (in no order)
1) I’ll do the maximum time for you tonight (Love You Like Mad)
2) The air is heavy, heavy like a truck (Electrical Storm)
3) Grace, it’s the name for a girl (Grace)
What other one-line lyrics would you add to this list?
Last 4 posts by U2isABLE
- Bono's Intro To Dierks No Surprise - April 2nd, 2012
- How Photographer Andrew Macpherson Pictures U2 - March 7th, 2012
- Davy Jones' U2 Connection - February 29th, 2012
- Paul McGuinness and U22 Final Tally - January 21st, 2012
what about elevation’s “a mole digging in a hole”?! worst…ever…
I actually think the Grace line is genius. It is part of the whole point of the song. Also, it means a lot for those of us who have daughters named Grace. I have 3 daughters… Callie, Sadie and Grace. U2 has written songs using two of those names. I am holding out for Callie on the next album!
From Some Days Are Better Than Others: “Some days you can’t stand the sight of a puppy.” And the biggest clunker of them all, from All Because of You: “An intellectual tortoise.”
Numb: Have another grape
Discotheque: You know you’re chewing bubblegum
Well, those are not exactly bad, they’re just funny and makes no sense (to me at least).
You know some places are like your auntie
But there’s no place like Miami, my mammy
…and so on. I really can’t stand Miami. That and Playboy Mansion. The rest of Pop is wonderful, but those two tunes…
Honourable mentions the the Mole in a Hole, the Intellectual Tortoise and the Monkey Stealing Honey. Oh, and “My body grows and grows/it frightens me you know” from Twilight. It just sounds awkward.
I’m definitely going to second the intellectual tortoise for worst ever.
Personally, I hate “With a mouth full of teeth you ate all your friends” from Crumbs from your table.
I can understand that, but that blunder, in my opinion, is made up for by the next line “And you broke every heart thinking every heart mends”. I love that line.
“I’ll give you everything you want
Except the thing that you want”
I can’t tell you how much those words annoy me.
“I’ll give you everything you want
Except the thing that you want”
I can’t tell you how much those words annoy me.
I’ve always taken those words to mean -
“I’ll give you everything you want” - what a parent THINKS they’re child wants or would want, like material things.
“Except the thing that you want” - what the child really wants, ie time, commitment, love.
So I’ve always liked those lines.
Worst line?
An intellectual tortoise (again, redeemed a few lines later with “I’m not broke but you can see the cracks. You can make me perfect again”)
I agree with Doug- there are many awful Bono lines, but the “anything you want except the thing that you want” oxymoron is one of the most logic-defying displays of dumb that yer man has ever coughed up.
I pretty much hate everything about miami and I just don’t really get the “Somedays are better than others” song…i don’t know…they just eek me out…Bono Bono…I love every other line you’ve ever written accept those two songs…
The whole of miracle drug makes me shudder. By far the worst song of recent u2 memory.
Love left a window in the skies and to love I rhapsodize.
There is probably a dartboard somewhere in Eze with Rick Rubin’s photo taped to it.
I actually like the intellectual tortoise line, because it links with “racing with your bullet train”.
“Don’t ape” from Numb
“Eat to get slimmer” from Zooropa
I like all of Original of the Species, Crumbs and Miracle Drug. I don’t think there is a single song I really don’t like at all lyrically. There may be some things that are phrased a little ackwardly, but most of the time I find it ironic or funny, just like the intellectual tortoise.
I think many people miss the point if they take out single lines and don’t look at the context.
I LOVE Miracle Drug and EVERYTHING about the HTDAAB album. I think some of their most beautiful and strong lyrics are in there!
“How can beauty be so kind,
to an ordinary guy?”
from Babyface….just too sweet
“A woman needs a man,
like a fish needs a bicycle”
from Tryin’ to Throw Your Arms Around the World…. not even Bono’s line, why bother stealing that feminist cliche?
The concert version “…like the Edge needs a Handycam”, now that twist is a big improvement.
I like the monkey stealing honey, and the sight of a puppy.
I like most all of they lyrics, but these two just popped into my head.
“Intellectual tortiose” is the biggest turd in the lyric pool, no question.
Miami, however, is le fantastique.
From Staring at the Sun: There’s an insect in your ear, if you can scratch if won’t disappear. Huh?
From Miracle Drug: Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby’s head. Cringe worthy indeed.
From New York: Summers get hot, well into the hundreds. It never gets well into the hundreds here. It just feel like it due to the humidity.
I definitely agree with my mammy from Miami. But I love the line I’ll give you everything that you want, except the thing that you want line from Original. It makes perfect sense!
well i don’t think he meant the well into the hundreds part since he does hav an apartment here, but it defintely feels that way in the summer. i think he gave a pretty good description with that song
Maybe the question should be what song do you not like singing along to.
U2 are a great band, because everyone can sing along most of the time.
Miracle Drug makes me sick when I try sing along.
Oh the irony.
Moi said,
May 5, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
I actually like the intellectual tortoise line, because it links with “racing with your bullet train”.
“Don’t ape” from Numb
“Eat to get slimmer” from Zooropa
the zooropa lyrics are from a TV commercial - as are all of those at the begining of Zooropa - Bono didn’t write them —
but i think he used them effectively
All of the above are good contenders for worst lyrics, but the absolute worst has to be:
“The last of the rock stars, when hip hop drove the big cars, in the time when new media was the big idea”
In my mind, that absolutely ruins an otherwise excellent Kite
Runner up - all of DGPFYCC
Any line from HTDAAB. Completely uninspired and forced lyrics.
I think Love and Peace or else is a great track musically speaking, but I believe Bono should have worked a bit more on the lyrics, I can’t really stand all that “I’ll call or you’ll phone bit”, it sounds a bit cheap compared to the big message of the song….Not to mention the “Where is the love?” line, every time I hear it I can’t help thinking about that Black Eyed Peas song!
I love “If God will send his Angels” beautiful song, however the line in it that always makes me cringe is “Jesus’ sister’s eyes are a blister”.
Totally agree about Miami being a terrible lyric. I really like Species and Zooropa lyric. I think every lyricist has written a bad one.
One of the best U2 lyrics is from “So Cruel”: “I gave you everything you ever wanted, it wasn’t what you wanted…”
In “Origin of the Species” it sound like Bono was trying to re-hash that line with “I’ll give you everything you want, except the thing that you want,” but it doesn’t work nearly as well in that song. But I understand where it’s coming from.
“The air is heavy, heavy as a truck” from “Electrical Storm” certainly makes me cringe.
I have never liked the line from Window in the skies:
“I know I hurt you and I made you cry . . .
Did everything but murder you and I . . .”
The murder part really seems like (ahem, pun only partially intended), overkill! To use murder as a way of referring to injuring a relationship seems melodramatic to the extreme. Maybe I just don’t like the sound of it. Weird.
The good thing about this discussion is the fact that there are some lyrics that are hated and loved at the same time. I think that is the mark of a good lyricist. .
From my side the “Intellectual Tortoise” is a definite winner. followed closely by the “Mole in a Hole”
I do love however the begining of Zooropa. Sets the mood for the entire album. Couldnt be more ironic with Zoo TV being all for the use of mediatic resources, and then they open the album with a shot at all of this commercial punch lines. Amazing.. Just amazing
“the air is heavy, heavy as a truck”-electrical storm duh, there are so many better analogies you could use
“i’m alone in this world, and a fucked up world it is too.”- Wake up dead man
it just sounds non-intellectual, like bono was out of ideas, so he had to resort to swear words. it sounds like a lyric from some stupid young punk rock band like paramore who can’t write eloquent lyrics
other than the very occasional lapse, bono is one of the best lyric writers of all time. he can be very expressive and even poetic. it’s one of the things that makes U2 really stand out from the crowd
oh, but i do love the lyrics of “acrobat”. it seems like nobody’s ever heard of the song, but it’s great. “i’d join the movement if there was one i could believe in, i’d break bread and wine, if there was a church i could recieve in” “i must be an acrobat, to talk like this and act like that” great
I like “An intellectual tortoise” it’s kind of surreal so it stops it from being an earnest lyric like “Some days you can’t stand the sight of a puppy.” - man that’s bad
Love left a window in the skies and to love I rhapsodize - is god damn awful! Such a shame thata nd “I know I hurt you and I made you cry . . .
Did everything but murder you and I . . .”.
Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby’s head - he he, absolute cr*p!
Buy all you Miami haters, why I oughta come to your house and pee on your carpet!
None the lyrics warrant this scrutiny. they are all fine within their form. Bono is no
EE Cummings and I am sure U2 will be the first to agree. It’s only rock-n-Roll, but I like it! keep up the good work gents!
The “intellectual tortoise” line makes me cringe every time.
“The air is heavy, heavy as a truck hope the rain will wash away our bad luck.” just seems really forced and cliche
“Freedom has the scent like the top of a newborn baby’s head” Bono seems to love this line, but I think it’s the most idiotic line ever
Most of the lyrics from Zooroopa are a little excentric, but most of them fit the style/mood of the album. DGPFYCC really pushes the barrier though
And everyone seems to be bashing recent lyrics. what about classic lines like:
“Mrs. Brown’s washing is always the same” (Shadows and Tall Trees)
“When I was 3 I thought the world revolved around me, I was wrong” (Party Girl) — Wow, that’s deep… not
“Boy, girl. When a boy meets a girl. Boy, girl.” (Boy-Girl)
“Oh, and where do we go, where do we go from here, where to go?” (With a Shout) — ok, we get the picture
…and finally the Daily Double:
“Hello hello” (Vertigo and Stories for Boys) — Bono might have redeemed it in Vertigo if he intentionally linked it to Stories for Boys, but someone else (I think Lanois or Lillywhite) pointed that out to him
But taking into consideration U2′s huge catologue, it’s impressive that there aren’t really that many lyrical blunders.
“Babyface, babyface, slow down child let me untie your lace.”
Worst U2-song ever. Worst U2-lyrics ever.
I really like Zooropa and Pop lyrics. I am kind of surprised at the dislike of “Miami”‘s lyrics. I they are fun.
All the lyrics from New York and Wild Honey…
I am so glad that someone pointed out the similar lyric from “OOTS” with “So Cruel” - - I don’t think either lyric defies logic, but rather is a lesson.
“I gave you everything you ever wanted . . it wasn’t what you wanted.”
and
“I’ll give you everything that you want . . except the thing that you want.”
I think both lyrics display the TRUTH, that sometimes, we want what we don’t really (know yet) that we don’t want . . . and other times, we don’t want the things we should want, and will eventually want.
We sometimes just . . want the wrong things. And those who love us try to provide us with what we should want or will come to realize we really wanted. And if done from a point of love and interest in our lives, that can be a real protection, but like in ‘So Cruel,’ if we reject it - - it can cause heartbreak.
Can someone . . . anyone PLEASE explain to me the lyric from ‘Peace on Earth,’ “Where I grew up, there weren’t many trees, where there were, we tore them down, and used them on our enemies.”
WHAT??
I always (now) envision that scene from “Lord of the Rings” when I hear that lyric, ha ha!
It’s funny how some people hate lyrics with a passion that others LOVE.
Like, I love the “When I was 3″ lyric and also the “Last of the Rock Stars” line from Kite.
However, I agree that Playboy Mansion and Miami can be erased from my memory and I would be ecstatic!! If U2 ever does re-record ‘Pop,’ I pray they replace both of those monstrosities.
(And I say this at risk of someone coming to my house and peeing on my carpet, ha ha!)
~JJ
It amazes me how people just take a line from a song and say it’s horrible. ‘Intellectual tortoise’ is hated by many, just because you’re too lazy to understand that it belongs with the next lyric, ‘Racing with your bullet train’. How is that bad?!
Also, the hate-on for Miami is completely unjustified. People who say things like ‘I wish it was never recorded’ or ‘their worst song ever’ obviously don’t get what U2 was trying to accomplish with POP. Yes, it’s different, but that’s the point. A trip-hop beat, drum machines, and a unique bass line combined with lyrics revolving around his perception of the city, made for unique listening. Plus, it was good live, tied in with the Pop Mart tour nicely. All I can say is, heaven forbid they stretch your musical tastes a bit. I bet all you people who knock it are keeping your fingers crossed waiting for another ‘safe’ album from them. Don’t get me wrong, I love the ‘safe’ stuff too, but not liking music because it’s different is just plain BORING.
The one that really bothers me is “Early morning, April 4″
I’m sorry, but King was assassinated in the late-afternoon/early evening. I don’t know whether that was laziness or confusion, but still, it bothers me.
for me it is New York, “Hot as a handbag and a can of mace” Handbag?
I will have to say I don’t really “get” miami either, but I saw them preform it live on the pop tour and Bono did the whole pull the girl up on stage thing, I have to say it was one of the sexist and most amazing songs live, many of the lyrics were morphed to fit the day of the show, that might have made the difference, but when I here the song I think about the live version, I wish there was one out there, but then we tend to be oversaturated with u2 concert vidios and I guess it is one of reasons to get to a u2 show to see something original.
I just have one more comment on the line about “you know your chewing bubblegum” I think that line is perfect for the song, one of the ideas behind the whole Pop and Discotheque things was to make fun of bubble gum pop music.
@ Jenn jam - Can someone . . . anyone PLEASE explain to me the lyric from ‘Peace on Earth,’ “Where I grew up, there weren’t many trees, where there were, we tore them down, and used them on our enemies.”
Bono grew up just outside a notorious Dublin council estate and (suffice to say) there weren’t many trees (just houses and flats mainly), and the reference to using them on their enemies refers to ‘The Troubles’. Irish protestors fighting with sticks and barricading the streets with bonfires against British involvement in Northern Ireland.
Oh, and I just peed on your carpet while you were reading this
Im so bring when it comes to chossing bad lyrics… i just love them all… even the air is heavy like a truck thing…
Miami is one of my fav U2 songs. Very Unique
ha ha ha, The Dude - seriously, that’s wrong. HA HA!!
You’re funny . . . and can I borrow your carpet cleaner??
Thank you for that explanation of the ‘Peace on Earth’ lyrics - - they make TOTAL sense now. I appreciate it.
I don’t want this thread to turn ugly, but I do want to respond to what I consider Mikeboy’s over-the-top response about people’s dislike (including mine) of “Miami.”
Not liking the song does NOT mean (a) “we” don’t ‘get’ Pop or (b) that “we” don’t like “Miami” because we don’t like ‘different’ and hope for ‘safe.’ Those are just irrational arguments, without merit.
I don’t dislike ‘Miami’ b/c it’s different - - I dislike it b/c it’s . . . stupid.
“We” don’t have to like every “different” song on the planet or live in fear of being Stepford people. Why is it so unfathomable that not everyone likes the same songs, and there will be some songs that more people dislike ‘the most.’
SO?
A number of people not liking “Miami” doesn’t indicate that they/we have flawed musical tastes . . . it indicates that we all have VARIED musical tastes, none of which are superior to another, which is an important point, actually.
We are not ‘required’ to like *all* music, or all of the “different” songs that exist - - so the ‘safe’ accusation is completely unfounded and kind of silly, really.
One of the things that makes U2 so great is their ability to make EACH album sound truly different, while linking ‘something distinctively-U2′ into each, so that even a casual listener is likely to identify them as from the same band. It’s an amazing talent.
Now, I’ll grant you that ATYCLB and HTDAAB sound more ‘similar’ than any other two U2 albums, but your ‘arguments’ still don’t add up to your accusations.
I get ‘Pop.’
I love ‘Pop.’
I hate ‘Miami.’
All are mutually exclusive.
Ther bubble gum lyric I always thought was a metaphor for “Ectasy” drug taken at clubs. the dangers of the club druggin culture I always thought. It’s a song about clubbing so the bubble gum seems to me the drugs. knowing your taking it and knowing it’s damaging.
bowieno, that makes sense, b/c it also makes people ‘lovey-dovey,’ doesn’t it?
Well, at least removes a lot of inhibitions . . . I suppose - I don’t know from experience, ha ha!
Call me whatever you want, but I consider Miami and Playboy Mansion among the strongest lyrics ever written by Bono.
The banks - they like cathedrals
I guess casinos took their place…
Impudent, ironic and perfect.
What do I really hate is dumb and primitive lyrics of the past 2 albums. Such boring, plane and predictable… Almost every line is a complete disaster.
Only A Man And A Woman stands out a bit.
You may disagree, but personally I’m sure that as a poet Bono have died in late 90′s…
Jenn Jam, let me just say that your criticism of Miami really made me think. I’ve never had someone sway my opinion the way yours did. I thought Miami was unique and interesting, not one of those ‘by the numbers’ kind of songs. I gave all these reasons as to why I thought it was good , but your in-depth/intellectual response really put me in my place. “It’s…stupid.” Wow. You’re one heavy human being. I guess that means I’m…stupid. Please, I’m begging you, leave some more of your insightful thoughts on music. I’m begging you. How about this for Playboy Mansion: “It…sucks.” Does that put me in the same echelon (look it up) as you? I hear Rolling Stone needs a new music critic. You’ve got my vote!
BTW, I never said not appreciating music a little different than the norm is ‘flawed’, I said it’s boring . That’s just my opinion, which really means nothing. Flawed suggests that there’s something wrong with you. There’s nothing wrong with being boring. If you’re going to comment on what I said, at least get your facts straight.
I don’t know what the freak you guys are talking about! Almost all of what you guys listed are practically genius. Oi.
I can’t stand though the insect line from Staring at the Sun. It even bugs me so much I always fast forward, good rest of the song though. And in Mofo, I freakin love that song, but what the freak is a “God shaped hole”?!!!
Gloria - I can’t find the door the door is open , the door is either there or not!!
Maybe it’s just me on this one!
And by the way Gloria is one of my favourite u2 songs!!!
@Candy - And in Mofo, I freakin love that song, but what the freak is a “God shaped hole”?!!!
Bono says it refers to 2 things
1) The hole his mother left when she died.
2) The hole he leaves his family with whilst on tour. Describing himself as ‘God-shaped’ comes from the way the media portray him in his role working for world charities. It’s meant in a humourous way.
what a great discussion!
I am not going to consider anything from the 78-83 years for this. Age and lost notes can allow some forgiveness…
I just want to know if anyone slagging OOTS has children. That song is crystal clear to me because i have a 13 month old.
With 99% of Bono’s lyrics, if i didn’t “get” them i enjoyed looking up what he was trying to get at. In the end i appreciate his creativity.
Sooo…poopy lyrics? The air truck line Electrical storm for sure. Unlike the rest of the clunkers stated here, it lacks that redeeming follow up line. Rain washing away bad luck is in itself a tad cliché. With that song we also have to consider that it was a b-side turned single used to promote a greatest hits album. It didn’t surprise me with genius.
I think october and Boy have the finest lyrics out of U2′s discography. Being a teenager myself, all the songs (particulary on Boy) relate to the things you face in life. You adults should think back to when you were teenagers
The worst lyrics for me have to be from Vertigo. The most popular rock song of 2004 was written by Bono, and seriously under-rated his otherwise very deep lyrical writing. There are ways in which you can combine “pure rocking” guitar noises and fantastic lyrics, R.E.M. managed it with their Monster album in 1994, so why couldn’t Bono in Vertigo? They had the drums sorted, the fantastic bass riff and Edge’s sexy chords - but I think Bono ruined the song by making it too commercial and very poor lyrics wise. Native Son should’ve been released instead, and would make a BRILLIANT opening for the “War and Peace” themed Vertigo Tour and go back to their rock roots of Boy and War.
That’s actually the only U2 song that I really cannot listen to. My favourite ever U2 song is Twilight: “A teacher told me why, I laughed when old men cry” is all about coming out as gay to your parents (well in my interpretation), and Bono’s lyrics are strong and clear.
CuthyB said- “I think october and Boy have the finest lyrics out of U2’s discography. Being a teenager myself, all the songs (particulary on Boy) relate to the things you face in life”
Gotta agree there, as another teenager. Songs like “A Day Without Me” and “Another Time, Another Place” might not have the most eloquent lyrics, but they certainly were relevant to Bono at the time, and they’re relevant to me now. For lyrics written by a then-teenager, they’re very good.
And I think the Vertigo lyrics have great imagery, but they lack the poetry U2 lyrics are renowned for. There’s some powerful lines, and they suit a powerful song- but let’s face it “Hello hello, I’m at a place called Vertigo” is no “Love is a temple, love the higher law”
Maybe this is a commentary on my one-track mind, but I thought ‘god-shaped hole’ referred to a woman’s nether regions. I’m kind of disappointed to hear otherwise.
As for OOTS, I took ‘I’ll give you everything that you want, except the thing that you want’ as meaning he’s giving his all towards a woman, but she doesn’t feel the same way about him. I think it’s a song about the worship/obsession of another person, and that person takes advantage of it (You steal from right under my door’.
I agree about Vertigo. He played it safe with those lyrics. Type in ‘Native Son U2′ on YouTube, and you’ll see what Vertigo was originally going to be, different lyrics and all. My guess is that they knew the music was going to appeal to the masses, but lyrically they had to make it more accessible. We’ve all been to a club that we don’t like, calling/texting (Hello! Hello!) a person that we wish was there. I’m probably talking out of my ass, but that’s my humble opinion.
As for Electrical Storm, I think all he had to do was replace ‘as a truck’ with ‘as our hearts’, and it would have been a lot better. Yeah, it doesn’t rhyme very well (and it’s simple), but neither does ‘truck’. Just my opinion.
On the contrary, I think Vertigo is a much better piece of songwriting that Native Son. Looking through Native Son you’ll find unrealized metaphors and confused perspectives, very Unforgettable Fire, yes, but it was unfinished. Vertigo on the other hand is a genius metaphor: the dizzy addiction of fame and fortune at the top of the celebrity ladder, juxtaposed with the images of Jesus on the top of the temple and being tempted. “All of this, all of this could be yours…” is a paraphrase of what Satan whispers to Jesus. The last chorus is a brilliant piece of nifty weaving that knits the two images together, revealing that it’s the love of Christ that keeps Bono on his knees, which, as anyone knows, is the best way to fight an onslaught of vertigo.
Add to that the clever ironic sly reference to the criticisms about Pop(“the boys play rock and roll, they know that they can’t dance, at least they know”) and imho it’s a song right up there with the likes of The Fly or Zooropa.
Mikeboy- As for Electrical Storm, I think all he had to do was replace ‘as a truck’ with ‘as our hearts’, and it would have been a lot better. Yeah, it doesn’t rhyme very well (and it’s simple), but neither does ‘truck’. Just my opinion
Might I just say, in all seriousness, that is brilliant. I’d been trying to think of something to replace ‘truck’ with, and you seem to have come up with the perfect line. Who cares about the rhyme, it’s a great image…I love it.
The Native Son lyrics are probably superior to the Vertigo lyrics, but not as catchy. The “Hello Hello” is unmistakable. I think it’s clear that Bono was going for a ‘burn your house down’ rock song, instead of the angry, political appraoch of Native Son. While the lyrics are not his best, there’s no arguing the reaction Vertigo gets from the crowd- and that’s what it’s about in the end. At least to me.
God-shaped hole is ambiguous. It could be the search for faith, the loss of a loved one, a family connection or a double entendre. That’s the beauty of good lyrics. Different people see them different ways.
And immediately after my last post, Yukona has changed my mind on Vertigo. I picked up on the Pop references, but your view of the last chorus made me think about it more. The Biblical references are subtle but powerful, particularly the “All of this can be yours”…And thinking about it now, lines like “A feeling’s so much stronger than a thought” and “Bullets rip the sky of ink wth gold” are very good.
On a different subject, the “Have another grape” line in Numb has always annoyed me. It’s not bad, as such, it just doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the song. You’re getting into it, then suddenly; “Have another grape” . What? Where did that come from?
Bono’s lyrics have dropped off in quality since the zenith of Achtung Baby. Until the End of The world is absolutely his greatest lyric no question. Just brilliant.
Also One, Mysterious Ways, The Fly etc etc. It could only go one way from Achtung Baby.
sorry me again! also have to mention the magnificent Running to Standstill, definately right up there and With or Without You as well. The man can write a classic.
I gotta agree with Steven. I can’t really listen to the lyrics of Miracle Drug, because I don’t seem to get what their point is. He’d give it all up for a miracle drug sounds so junkie to me.
Re: Electrical Storm: I always understood it as “the air is heavy / heavy as a trough / I need the rain / to wash away our bad love”, which seems quite fitting to the brooding sounds of the underlying instrumental track.
Re: Zooropa: Eat to get slimmer is courtesy of the advertising world - almost the whole of Zooropa’s lyrics are a patchwork of advertising slogans from the time when the album was made. I guess you have to have been there at the time to like the song.
Hey CuthyB “You adults should think back to when you were teenagers”
I think we remember what it was like. After all it wasn’t that long ago
Usually what annoys me in lyrics more than the content is a particular rhyme. Like “Jesus’s sister’s eyes are a blister”, in my opinion it’s a corny rhyme that goes in the same category as “Miami my mommy”. Rhyming happy with puppy? That’s a 5 year old’s rhyme. Of course, that’s just my opinion.
I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone
Worst lyrics ever, not really thought out or imaginative.
Yukona, I think you’re searching for religious meaning, in Vertigo, that really isn’t there.
I saw U2 outside of Much Music (Canada) talking to fans, in 2001. Bono said to everyone, “All of this can be yours”, pointing to the Much Music building. Surprising that he incorporated that lyrically, 3 years later? No. He likes repeating himself. I just think he believes anyone is capable of achieving anything they want, regardless of their intentions. His next comment was, “When you’re 16, you think you can change the world. Sometimes your right.”, referring to himself. Referencing Satan? I don’t think so. Tongue-in-cheek humour? Yes
.
A song that starts off with one, two, three, fourteen (in Spanish) tells me it’s a toss-off kind of song, or the result of too much to drink one night, as Bono has stated. I guess you see religious meaning in that, too.
Mentioning ‘the boys play rock and roll, they know that they can’t dance, at least they know’ as some kind of heavy, ironic POP reference is stretching it a bit. He then goes on to say ‘I can’t stand the beats, I’m asking for the cheque, girl with crimson nails, with Jesus around her neck, swinging to th music.’ I’m sorry, but that does not conjure up visions of religious subtext (or the album POP), to me (oh wait! He said Jesus!). Ok, the sight of a crucifix MIGHT make him reflect on where he is, or where he wants to be , but all that metaphorical nonsense? It just tells me he’s at a place called Vertigo, thinking of something (or someone) else, and he doesn’t want to be there.
Hello! Hello!-Edge says ‘Hi!’ back- ‘Hola!’
I’m at a place called Vertigo!-Edge says ‘donde esta!’ or ‘ Where is that?!’
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had many drunken cell phone conversations/texts that start off in that manner.
‘Your love is teaching me how to kneel’ is not a whole diatribe on his relationship with Christ. I look at it as he’s saying that his love for her is teaching him to be humble and appreciate when they are together (unlike a place called Vertigo), and that’s it.
Yes, there is some religious influence in their music (especially earlier in their career), but to dissect Vertigo into some commentary on Satan/Christ is just ridiculous. They’re allowed to write a couple of fun songs, but there will always be guys like you that find hidden meaning in everything.
Yukona is just presenting her view on the lyrics, which is no more or less valid than anyone else’s. Personally, I can see both sides of the arguement, as I stated before. Vertigo is a fun, powerful rock song, but there’s meaning behind every song if you look for it. It’s open to interpretation. There’s probably references in there a listener might pick up on that Bono wasn’t aware he was making. Undoubtedly, it is about being somewhere you don’t want to be, thinking of someone or somewhere else. But the first impression is not the only one.
My opinion- Vertigo is an awesome rock song. Make of the lyrics what you will, I think we can all agree on that.
And a side note relating to Scott’s comment about ISHFWILF- during the Vertigo Tour, Bono often sung the last verse “Carried the cross/ Took my shame/ You took the blame”, which, personally, is a vast improvement on the original. Often, the lyrics Bono alters during live shows are better than the studio version.
I have always believed that;
‘i give you everything you want,
except the thing that you want…’
means that he gives her everything possible but she always wants more or that certain thing isnt right.
“I have a lover, a lover like no other” always bugged me, but then again I love the line “With a mouth full of teeth, you ate all your friends.” I imagine someone who is superficially happy (smiling), but steps on those that helped them get to where they are.
I interpret the much-discussed “I’ll give you anything you want/ Except the thing that you want” as he would give anything to his child, except the thing that all teenagers want - to be left alone!
That particular Species lyric has always been great to me, as a parent. I’ve always interpreted it to be about growing up. What the child really wants is to grow and, ultimately, grow away from us parents. We’ll give them everything but that, because it’s too painful to watch them leave, and too painful a statement about our own age and mortality. I always imagined the first part of the song’s “slowing down” theme to be about the hurry children are in to get big and do big things, while we need (in so many ways) for them to stay small. That lyric is actually my favorite part of one of my favorite songs.
But, the “days we were swinging in the trees” and the “monkey stealin’ honey from a swarm of bees” (“Wild Honey”) have to be a couple of the worst lyrics. I admit, though, that whimsy sort of fits into the spirit of the song.
I agree, PiressVoxx. The interpretation of lyrics is up to the individual. I didn’t mean to state otherwise. It just gets a little tiring, however, when people put SO much meaning in to song, when I don’t think that was the intention
Bono could write a song about going to the bathroom, and people would find religious meaning in it. I can just see it now-”The lyric about Bono releasing his bowels is a metaphor for him ‘relieving’ himself of his sins, and the lyric about flushing the toilet is about sending our sins down to Satan. Lastly, the euphoria Bono writes about afterwards conjures up images of Jesus on the cross, and the subsequent resurrection.” Think I’m going overboard? I don’t think so.
Let’s go play all those Beatles albums backwards so we can here all those murderous messages, that aren’t really there, again!
i`m not a fan of miracle drug, i always thought it was a bit too sappy but there are probably a great number of people who disagree with me on that one
althouuugh i do happen to love `freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby`s head` and i thought that anyone who has ever smelled a baby`s head would understand this hahahaa
i was laughing so hard when i first heard the `the air is heavy, heavy as a truck`lyric. its great lol. obviously bono was not taking himself too seriously with that line.
and what about i still havent found what i`m looking for…i always thought it meant he`s found god but it`s not enough because he wants to know god more and ultimately wants to be with Him in heaven…..or maybe i`ve been sniffing too many babies..
I agree about the Grace lyric. It seems very 7th grade-like. As though he was trying to force it to work.
Sorry guy. You’ve got enough genius moments though. (As though he gives a *^&%! LOL
You guys will just have to forgive and overlook Mikeboy - he’s obviously never learned how to play in the sandbox without throwing sand at people. It’s the sign of a negative and insecure person.
For everyone else, interested in true discussion/thought-sharing - - Yukona, I loved what you wrote.
I always thought there was a bit of ‘the search for redemption’ in Vertigo - - that the song is about the ‘pull’ toward temptation and indulgence, juxtaposed with a conscience and foundation in religious beliefs.
Particularly these lyrics speak that to me:
“the jungle is your head, can’t rule your heart” - - this shows a ‘pull’ toward a frenzied desire to indulge, but you resist giving in b/c your heart is telling you otherwise.
(“a feeling’s so much stronger than a thought” ties into this as well - that your feeling/knowing ‘the right thing to do’ is stronger in the end, and the temptation is overcome);
“your eyes are wide, and though your soul, it can’t be bought, your mind can wander,” - - again, clear to me that this is a ‘fight’ of heart v. mind - - the tug of indulgence v. resistance to temptation. You can allow your mind to entertain the thoughts/ideas, and they widen your eyes, but your soul remains unpurchased, toward the indulgence;
“at a place called Vertigo” - - the vertigo is the topsy-turvy feeling of the ‘fight’ - - the pull between temptation and resistance to it. He wishes he didn’t know it, and realizes in the end that “you” (I take this to mean “God”) gives what is “real” and can be felt, so the sincerity and genuineness of what can be ‘felt’ is preferred over the temporary pleasure of indulgence;
“I can’t stand the beats, I’m asking for the check, girl with crimson nails, has Jesus ’round her neck,” - - I mean, this just SCREAMS that as he’s trying to pay and ‘get outta there’ to avoid the temptations that surround him, he’s looking at the juxtapositions again, right in front of him - - the girl with crimson nails and a cross on her neck, swinging to the music, the crimson nails tempting him to stay and indulge (not ‘in her,’ but in the scene/the temptations of life) - not to leave - - and the cross, swinging to the music, again, a pendulum like his thoughts - - the Clash’s “Should i Stay or Should I GO??” - - he’s dizzy from all of the mixed messages, invading his brain, pelting his judgment, watering down his resistance . . . it’s VERTIGO - it’s madness;
“All of this can be yours” - this has already been stated before on this thread, but the clear temptation announcement - - “give in” - - and it’s all good. No one gets hurt. You know you want to! Even the rhythmic repetition of the line is hypnotic - - all re-inforcing the metaphoric pull toward indulgence.
“Your love is teaching me how . . . to kneel” - - as has been discussed already, yes - - to overcome the temptations, you find value in “the real” like what you can genuinely feel - - “you give me something I can FEEEEEEEEELLLLL” - - that deep value is what pulls him away from it all - - God’s love, teaching him how to kneel b/c he WANTS to, not because he has to.
It’s like a song about submission, in a way - - surrendering yourself to something genuine and sincere - - and ‘better.’ But the fight will rage on, to cause the vertigo that wants to pull you back.
We all know that U2′s writing process is layered. “Lemon” isn’t only about Bono’s mother, but it is. “OOTS” isn’t only about Edge’s daughter, but it is. The inspirations that cause these songs are there, and they inter-mingle and they mix and they transform, but at their core, they are what they are, although that’s not ALL that they are.
It seems that some people on here are having trouble diversifying their beliefs - - and accepting that everything NOT black and white. With the inspiration of U2′s music and lyrics, there is a LOT of gray.
Band members don’t always agree what a song is about, and after years of discussion, Bono himself will sometimes change the discussion about what a particular song is about (to him or to them while they were writing it).
I believe that “Vertigo” is another multi-layered song, with multiple inspirations (including the indulgence of alcohol, LOL!) and a ‘fun’ surface with a deeper foundation than the orignial stance shows.
This, to me, is genius, b/c it’s one more way to promote the ‘tug’ - - the meaning and message that (in my opinion) inspired the song.
Great discussion, Yukona and PiressVox!
“The air is heavy, heavy as a truck” by far.
Also this part in Miracle Drug, sounds like Cruise and Travolta as guest lyricists
I am you and you are mine
Love makes no sense of space
And time will disappear
Love and logic keep us clear
Reason is on our side, love…
“freedom has the scent of the top of a new born baby’s head”
-a repellent line indeed.
“Its the stuff, the stuff of country songs.” (IGWSHA)
“Freedom has a scent, like the top of a newborn baby’s head.” (Miracle Drug)
Yikes. freedom does NOT smell like the top of a baby’s head, people
I don’t understand why people hate “intellectual tortoise.”
It does not refer to a tortoise that is clever! It refers to someone whose intellect is slow. I am an “intellectual tortoise”, meaning my brain is slow, “racing with your bullet train” (fast thinking intellect)…..
I don’t see the problem with this line. I think it is genius!
One that does annoy me is in “Even Better Than The Real Thing.”
Your heart is where it’s always been
Your head is somewhere in between
In between what and what? You only mentioned the heart!!! LOL
PLEASE - keep these posts civil and to the topic of the lyrics. Personal attacks against people will not be tolerated and posts will be deleted. Previous posts where some of this has already transpired have been edited.
This is a family-friendly public blog where the entire world is able to access it. Please keep this in mind with the tone you take with your responses, and keep it to the topic at hand.
From who’s gonna ride your wild horses: “Who’s gonna fall at the foot of thee?”
i mean come on bono, “thee”???
Thanks, Jenn jam
That’s what I mean- Vertigo is just a ‘burn your house down’ rock song, but it’s not. There’s meaning to be found if you open your eyes, and it won’t be the same to everyone. But I loved your view of things, and, as I see it, you’re pretty close to the mark and managed to say what I’d been struggling to put into words.
Moving on the other lyrics- there’s one verse in Tryin to Throw your Arms…that I can’t stand
I dreamed that I saw dali
With a supermarket trolley
He was trying to throw his arms around a girl
He took an open top beetle
Through the eye of a needle
He was tryin to throw his arms around the world
I just don’t like it. And it depends on my mood how I feel about the “Woman needs a man…” part. I like Bono’s live alterations- “A woman needs a man like Clayton needs a handicam. And I guess I’m always gonna need the Edge”
Regarding the references to “intellectual tortoise”, I can only speak for myself, but the reason I dislike it is not because I don’t get the imagery but because he used tortoise (or tor - toyce) to rhyme with choice and voice. I think that if Bono had kept the actual pronunciation of that word in the song, I wouldn’t have such a problem with it every time I hear it.
In Britain and Ireland, tortoise is usually pronounced tor-toyce, or at least is in my experience. Being Irish, that could be how Bono’s been saying it his whole life.
That being said, I might be wrong
Well, then…..that just goes to show how much we have to learn about each other. I never have heard tortoise pronounced any other way than “tortus”. If it’s pronounced that way in Britain and Ireland, then the lines make a lot more sense. Thanks for enlightening me. I wonder how many of the folks that dislike the lyric are from the US……
The whole HTDAAB is abysmal. This band has not written decent lyric since POP. ATYCLB was a “Safe” album after Pop. This band needs a kick in the ass. Hope No line is better. I have been a fan since WAR.