This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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
Thirty three 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
Boy sees his father
Crushed under the weight
Of a cross in a passion
Where the passion is hate
Blue mink Ford
I'm gonna detonate in your den
Blood in the house
Blood on the street
The worst things in the world
Are justified by belief
Registration 1385-WZ
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
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
Thirty three 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
Boy sees his father
Crushed under the weight
Of a cross in a passion
Where the passion is hate
Blue mink Ford
I'm gonna detonate in your den
Blood in the house
Blood on the street
The worst things in the world
Are justified by belief
Registration 1385-WZ
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
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One of the verses is clearly about a horrific Dublin bombing in 1974 - according to the Wikipedias:
"The second of the Dublin car bombs went off at about 17:30"
"The bomb car was a metallic blue mink Ford Escort, registration number 1385 WZ."
The rest of the horrific account of the bombing can be found here - not for the faint of heart, quite graphic and sad:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin_and_Monaghan_bombings
@kimjongsurge I think this, and the realization that he grew up during such a difficult, war-torn time in his country, are what brought this song into being. Raised by wolves...raised in a time where people are tearing each other apart. <br /> <br /> I’m gonna detonate in your den...I think this is an amazing image of how war and conflict are brought right into the home, through media, etc, but also through civilian bombings and raids. It's as if we can't be satisfied just killing other soldiers...we aren't serious until we've walked into your safe places and destroyed them.<br />
I know it's referencing an unsolved/unpunished car bombing from the late 70s. This song (the acoustic version, in particular) removes any doubt of Bono's ability to command a song these days. What a rock voice!
This interpretation doesn't fit all the lyrics but I wondered if Raised by wolves refers to the Fabian Society whose symbol is the sheep in wolves clothing. They have given us a whole heap of social change programs leading to a very socialist society. Or maybe U2 is referring to bad clergy as the bible does.
I don't know what this song means or is referring to; I've never heard of U2 until October when Verizon downloaded their full album for free on my iPhone when I purchased my phone that month but love this song and The Troubles. I wish us brown Americans were into rock music. This group is the first rock group whom I'm a fan of. No I don't listen to cRAP, just mostly soul, jazz, r&b (1960s-2000s) and now I embrace rock.
@juniore1l That is really cool. :)
@juniore1l Welcome to the genius of U2 music & lyrics.<br /> <br /> Here's my take based on articles I've read and some of my own interpretations.<br /> <br /> As already stated above this is set during a set of horrific events that took place in Dublin (and Monaghan) in 1974, there were a series of 4 bombs set off around the same time, obviously being a terrorist attack it was planned to cause maximum damage to innocent people, "Thirty three good people cut down".<br /> <br /> Although the song is about one of those particular bombs, but it's also about a good friend of Bono's at the time who was in a white van with this father. This father stopped to help and the boy exited the van to see the full horror of the situation, seeing his dad going through the rubble and body parts to try to find survivors. Most of the songs on "Songs of Innocence" are about firsts, in this case his friend loosing faith after what he saw "I don’t believe anymore" and also being as it's U2 there are other layers, so questions about people using faith to justify anything "The worst things in the world. Are justified by belief".<br /> <br /> I think Bono's friend ended up turning to and addicted to drugs as an effect of what he witnessed, well at least it probably had a big influence. I think this is the person that "Bad" was written about all the way back on "Unforgettable Fire".<br /> <br /> songmeanings.com/songs/view/36811/<br />
to understand bono's lyrics you have to understand he was raised by political strife and a religious upbringing.
the wolves symbolize people that are inclined to hate by belief whereas their victims are the people that were raised by them.
so if you have a family member or guardian that is like a wolf, you can get into trouble bc of your family bc you are more sheepish.
makes sense since if you are raised by a shepherd then they will take care of your sheepish self that is more humble and good but if your raised by wolf society or a wolf family your probably in jeopardy.
the whole wolf stereotype comes from the teachings of jesus. wolves in sheep clothing, meaning they mingle in society as "good people" but inwardly are raveounous wolves.
@GrungyBeatle
@GrungyBeatle The song refers to the car bombs that happens in the 70's in Dublin. Bono explains it in an article for The Rolling Stones magazine.
I may get some vitriol for this, but I feel the meaning of this song fits extremely well. At the same time, I haven't heard Bono confirm the basis of this publicly - so I may be completely wrong.
This song is about a man (Bono) losing his faith in God and religion.
First verse: Maybe the Omagh bombing or other.
Second verse: It's about the Dublin bombing and ends with how "33 good people cut down" and goes into the line - "I don't believe anymore"
Third verse: Girls suffering from prostitution/drug use. Again, ends with the line "I don't believe anymore"
These all have to do with evil triumphing without recompense or intervention from a God. It speaks of human suffering. Both of these are the main reasons people lose their god belief - the idea of a benevolent, all-knowing, powerful, loving God who seems absent from so many tragedies. And the suffering that many people go through.
Chorus: "Raised By Wolves" This is more along the lines of "Raised by wolves in Sheeps clothing" He's talking about religion and the church which tends to prey on the weak and sells the fear of damnation.
He goes on to sing "If I open my eyes, you disappear." The lyrics are wrong here. He actually says "if I open my EYE, you disappear." Eye of course means "Mind." so it reads "If I open my mind, you disappear." Basically, he saying, "If I really think about it, god doesn't exist."
The song goes on with religious symbolism.
"Of a cross in a passion Where the passion is hate"
"The worst things in the world Are justified by belief"
etc.
It should be noted that other songs on this album also speak negatively against religion.
That's my take. I feel it fits pretty well, but again, I haven't heard Bono coming out of the religious closet, as it were.
@jonrchamberlin very insightful and interesting <br /> .