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.
(Black flash)
Black flash over my own love
Tell me of my eyes
Black flash come though my own life
Telling these things
And I believe them
And I believe in you
White flash sees the sky
And it turns its side from you
She won't turn my back
And I know you turn so blue
You know
And your sky is feeling blue
And your heart
So cold when I'm with you
You feel
Like no one told you to
And your time is your side
And your time with me
Ah, don't talk to me
Ah, don't talk to me
Don't talk to me
You know
Like no one told you how but you know
Though the king that howls has howled
We're like sentimental, but you don't care
If I just share it in your heart, heart
(Heart, heart)
Hopelessly, so hopelessly
I'm breaking through for you and me
You don't
Though no one told you to
And you found out
Where you were going, where to
You're through with me
But I know that you will be back for more
And you know
And though no one told you so
And you know, blue sky
Like a harder shade of blue
And you walk
When you want
To let go
Me, I'm on the outside, tell me not to fade away
Drop me down but don't break me
In your sleep
In your sleep, inside, it's in your heart and mine
Whole sea is dark, it's in your heart and mine
Sweetly, those will come
Loving is on your side walking through
So let me in your heart
Your beat is like something new
They
Run
See, say you're sad and reach by
So, say you're sad above beside
Oh, stay sad above beside
So, stay sad above we said
You know I don't
And no one told you how
And you don't
And you wipe sweat off your white brow, and you care
And no one told you tried
And your heart
Is left out from the side
And the rain beats down
And the shame goes down
And this rain keeps on coming down
And this sky
Tonight
Give a S-O-N-G-why
Your joy to God
Give a S-O-N-G-why
Give away some in your life
Give away some while you're able
You know
And though no one told you sky
And you feel
Like you pretend you can, you say go, you live
Go live outside of me
Don't you leave
Don't leave out part of me, then I can feel
Like I feel before
Like it hurt now, and I see the floor
If you pick me up
Bits and pieces on this floor
Black flash over my own love
Tell me of my eyes
Black flash come though my own life
Telling these things
And I believe them
And I believe in you
White flash sees the sky
And it turns its side from you
She won't turn my back
And I know you turn so blue
You know
And your sky is feeling blue
And your heart
So cold when I'm with you
You feel
Like no one told you to
And your time is your side
And your time with me
Ah, don't talk to me
Ah, don't talk to me
Don't talk to me
You know
Like no one told you how but you know
Though the king that howls has howled
We're like sentimental, but you don't care
If I just share it in your heart, heart
(Heart, heart)
Hopelessly, so hopelessly
I'm breaking through for you and me
You don't
Though no one told you to
And you found out
Where you were going, where to
You're through with me
But I know that you will be back for more
And you know
And though no one told you so
And you know, blue sky
Like a harder shade of blue
And you walk
When you want
To let go
Me, I'm on the outside, tell me not to fade away
Drop me down but don't break me
In your sleep
In your sleep, inside, it's in your heart and mine
Whole sea is dark, it's in your heart and mine
Sweetly, those will come
Loving is on your side walking through
So let me in your heart
Your beat is like something new
They
Run
See, say you're sad and reach by
So, say you're sad above beside
Oh, stay sad above beside
So, stay sad above we said
You know I don't
And no one told you how
And you don't
And you wipe sweat off your white brow, and you care
And no one told you tried
And your heart
Is left out from the side
And the rain beats down
And the shame goes down
And this rain keeps on coming down
And this sky
Tonight
Give a S-O-N-G-why
Your joy to God
Give a S-O-N-G-why
Give away some in your life
Give away some while you're able
You know
And though no one told you sky
And you feel
Like you pretend you can, you say go, you live
Go live outside of me
Don't you leave
Don't leave out part of me, then I can feel
Like I feel before
Like it hurt now, and I see the floor
If you pick me up
Bits and pieces on this floor
Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira
Elvis Presley & America Lyrics as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I am glad I was not in high school meticulously transcribing lyrics when this was released, I'd have gone nuts. I loaded it and many other U2 onto my new iPod, and when it came up in a shuffle play I was blown away all over again. It's like falling in love with a song in a foreign language and not caring about the meaning, the melody is so hypnotic I never really thought about it. So that scratching a 30 year itch by finally reading the lyrics (and comments)brought absolutely no insight was in a way a relief.
Maybe it's a Mondegreen, but I always heard (still do) this
"Like you pretend you can "You say go, you live"
as
"Like pinpricks in your hand You say, 'Oh Julia"
which actually almost makes sense.
This song is perfect for breathing.