U2 – Original of the Species

"Original of the Species" as written by and Dave Evans Adam Clayton....
Baby, slow down
The end is not as fun as the start
Please stay a child somewhere in your heart

I'll give you everything you want
Except the thing that you want
You are the first one of your kind

And you feel like no-one before
You steal right under my door
I kneel 'cause I want you some more
I want the lot of what you got
And I want nothing that you're not

Everywhere you go you shout it
You don't have to be shy about it

Some things you shouldn't get too good at
Like smiling, crying and celebrity
Some people got way too much confidence, baby, baby

I'll give you everything you want
Except the thing that you want
You are the first one of your kind

And you feel like no-one before
You steal right under my door
I kneel 'cause I want you some more
I want the lot of what you got
And I want nothing that you're not

Everywhere you go you shout it
You don't have to be shy about it, no
Oh, oh no
Sugar, come on!
Show your soul
You've been keeping your love under control

Everywhere you go you shout it
You don't have to be shy about it
Everywhere you go you shout it, oh my my

And you feel like no-one before
You steal right under my door
I kneel 'cause I want you some more
I want you some more, I want you some more
Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no


Lyrics submitted by Lyra

"Original of the Species" as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Original of the Species song meanings
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60 Comments

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  • +1
    My InterpretationHonestly, I am surprised that only one person in this entire forum has even considered the idea that the Original of the Species is Christ. Yes, Bono may have been inspired The Edge's daughter, and wrote the song for her, but one of my favorite things about a lot of U2's songs is their ambiguity. Many of their songs have both secular and spiritual interpretations; this has allowed them to spread songs with biblical roots in their lyrics all over the world, like "Yahweh", whose title bears the Hebrew name for God. But back to Original of the Species--I do not believe my interpretation is out of place, considering how U2 has included many Christian themes in their lyrics over the years.

    I think the song is told from the perspective of Mary speaking to baby Jesus. Trust me, it all fits. At this point, Mary knows that this baby is to become to savior of the world according to the message she received from an angel, and wants to cherish this time with her son while he is still a child (see the first verse).

    Mary will give her baby everything she's got, but she knows that she cannot complete for him the purpose for which he was sent to this Earth: the die on the cross for the sins of humanity. Jesus was the first of his kind, "like no one before", a true Original of the Species, which contrasts quite well as an opposite of Darwin's work, "Origin of the Species".

    Everywhere Jesus went, he "shouted", not literally, but with his life: healing the sick and the lame, bringing new life to everyone he touched, and never giving in to "celebrity": He could have entered this world as a king, or a full-grown man, but instead came through his mother’s womb as a baby who would grow up in a poor community.

    So, besides being his mother, Mary “kneels” (U2 often uses the image of kneeling as a way of referring to prayer) because she wants a different kind of relationship with him—a spiritual one, not just as her own son, but as the son of God. And “she wants [him] some more.” What a beautiful song.
    Dboaon January 19, 2009   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General CommentThe new album isnt out yet, so its no surprise nobody's commented on the new songs yet (except Vertigo) Well anyways, I just heard the whole album online because it has been leaked 2 weeks early, and I must say this is my favorite song on the album. No clue what its about lol, i just thought id state what an awesome song this is.
    2861U2on November 06, 2004   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Commenti would agree that this is one of the best songs on the album.

    i dont quite know what it means, but the chorus of it sounds a lot like another song... anyone know what the song is that im thinking of? i dont think its by U2...
    BBnet3000on November 08, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is song dedicated by Bono to the Edge's daughter.
    Webslingeron November 14, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentYeah i can agree that its about Edge's daughter. Its a great song written and performed with a lot of emotion. I read something that once it was recorded and the Edge listened to the finished version he sat there and wept while it was playing. so this song obviously means a lot to him. An awesome song and an instant U2 classic.
    aayers007on November 17, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentDefinitely one of the best songs of the album.

    Still don't understand why anyone should get to good at smiling.
    tomateon November 21, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti think he is saying dont smile so much that it becomes fake.
    archmastermindon November 21, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment..that makes sense.
    Daughter name I think is Eve.
    tomateon November 23, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI was listening again to the interview disc from Pop and in that Bono call the Edge 'The Origional of the species'. I could not believe it.
    Uncle Chop Chopon November 23, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentEve is Bono's younger daughter. Edge's elder daughter, the one this song is partly about, is Holly. And no, I don't remember this stuff by heart, that'd be sorta creepy :).
    Lyraon November 25, 2004   Link

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