It's cold outside
It gets so hot in here
The boys and girls collide
There's music in my ear

I hear the children crying
And I know it's time to go
I hear the children crying
Take me home

A painted face
And I know we haven't long
We thought that we had the answers
It was the questions we had wrong

Hear the children crying
And I know it's time to go
I hear the children crying
Take me home

Sad song, sad song
Sad song, sad song

(La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la)
(La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la)
La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la

Sad song, sad song
Sad song, sad song


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira

11 O'Clock Tick Tock Lyrics as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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11 O'Clock Tick Tock song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    Seems to be a song about innocence and naivety in ways. An early version of City Of Blinding Lights if you will

    Napkinon April 01, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I love the live version of this from red rocks. I think its a very powerful song.

    MiracleDrugon July 26, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think this is an amazing song. The sound resembles a clock (hence the title) the lyrics are hard to directly interpret but as a whole they are so true. Its about youth and their struggles, it sounds kind of dark and cold and is very powerful, i love the sound of the drums in this song, it goes so perfectly with edge's harsh sounding riffs. Then "Sad song, Sad song....." is so cold and beautiful. Its awesome!

    U2girlon April 23, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The live version on the Fire 12"/7" gatefold (and the German R.O.K. 12" & CD single) is much better than the Red Rocks version, in my opinion. I don't like the studio version as much because Martin Hannet's treatment of the drums is a distraction.

    rager1969on March 01, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This is one U2 song I've never quite figured out.. But I think coming from War fits in with those themes... to me, the line, "a painted face and we know we haven't long" refers to military people and camouflage paint.. children crying, etc points to some type of armed conflict happening...

    markeon July 16, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The studio version that Hannet produced is a favorite of the "old school" U2 fans out there. The title came from a note Bono received about his friend Gavin Friday: "11 O' Clock Tick Tock, Gavin called." The single (if you can find it) has the wonderful b-side Touch, which shows a more punk oriented U2. You can get it on Itunes as well.

    dtpon September 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "Call out your name Call out in shame "

    So they did this - years later. They called out Yahweh's name "in shame" Despite warning That it not be associated With anything unholy, Such as false gods, spiritism, Or idolized institutions of man.

    Theresa1on January 04, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is not one of my favorite songs. I don't think it stands out in the album. Though the lyrics are good. I like the line: "We thought that we had the answers It was the questions we had wrong"

    Anne Marieon February 21, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    One of my fav u2 songs, great lyrics from edge

    amahonyon August 03, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is spectacular! But, once again the story is very simple! It talks about one date in which Bono was late, and his date left a note saying "11 o'clock. Tick... tock..."

    But still, it's a bit confusing for me...

    The Big Bad Wolfon August 12, 2006   Link

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