In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Sometimes I feel like I don't know
Sometimes I feel like checkin' out
I want to get it wrong
Can't always be strong
And love it won't be long...
Oh sugar, don't you cry
Oh child, wipe the tears from your eyes
You know I need you to be strong
And the day is as dark as the night is long
Feel like trash, you make me feel clean
I'm in the black, can't see or be seen
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(alright now)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
You bury your treasure
Where it can't be found
But your love is like a secret
That's been passed around
There is a silence that comes to a house
Where no one can sleep
I guess it's the price of love
I know it's not cheap
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
Oh...ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
I remember
When we could sleep on stones
Now we lie together
In whispers and moans
When I was all messed up
And I had opera in my head
Your love was a light bulb
Hanging over my bed
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
Ultraviolet...
[Repeat 4 times]
Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
[Repeat 3 times]
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
Sometimes I feel like checkin' out
I want to get it wrong
Can't always be strong
And love it won't be long...
Oh sugar, don't you cry
Oh child, wipe the tears from your eyes
You know I need you to be strong
And the day is as dark as the night is long
Feel like trash, you make me feel clean
I'm in the black, can't see or be seen
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(alright now)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
You bury your treasure
Where it can't be found
But your love is like a secret
That's been passed around
There is a silence that comes to a house
Where no one can sleep
I guess it's the price of love
I know it's not cheap
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
Oh...ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
I remember
When we could sleep on stones
Now we lie together
In whispers and moans
When I was all messed up
And I had opera in my head
Your love was a light bulb
Hanging over my bed
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
Ultraviolet...
[Repeat 4 times]
Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
[Repeat 3 times]
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
Lyrics submitted by Novartza
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"Ultraviolet" refers to the part of the light spectrum that can't be seen by the naked eye, and an ultraviolet light can illuminate things that would otherwise be invisible. As such, I think this song is about a relationship between a man and woman that started out great, but has come upon hard times. They are both to blame, but the man is asking the woman to help him see the bad parts of himself that he is unable to see for himself so he can make things right.
Concerning the "opera" reference that others mentioned earlier, it's a reference to Bono's father. I remember watching a live show and before singing the song "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" where Bono described how when he was young, his father (who had a strong tenor voice) would take his mother's knitting needles and pretend to conduct an imaginary orchestra while singing opera - hence, the lyric, "You're the reason why the opera's in me..." In Ultraviolet, I think the lyric "When I was all messed up, and I had opera in my head..." is another reference to his father, how they were often at odds, and how his father would get inside his head. During those times, the love of his wife would help him through.