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.
[Verse 1]
Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you, now
You got someone to blame?
[Chorus]
You say one love, one life
When it's one need in the night
One love, we get to share it
Leaves you, baby, if you don't care for it
[Verse 2]
Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
[Chorus]
Well, it's too late tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
[Verse 3]
Have you come here for forgiveness?
Have you come to raise the dead?
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head?
[Chorus]
Did I ask too much? More than a lot
You gave me nothing, now it's all I got
We're one, but we're not the same
Well, we hurt each other, then we do it again
[Bridge]
You say love is a temple, love a higher law
Love is a temple, love the higher law
You ask me to enter, but then you make me crawl
And I can't be holding on to what you got
When all you got is hurt
[Chorus]
One love, one blood
One life, you got to do what you should
One life with each other
Sisters, brothers
One life, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
One
[Outro]
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Oh-ooh
May we, may we, may we get
Higher
Oh, higher
(Ay, yeah, go) higher
(Oh) Higher
Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you, now
You got someone to blame?
[Chorus]
You say one love, one life
When it's one need in the night
One love, we get to share it
Leaves you, baby, if you don't care for it
[Verse 2]
Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
[Chorus]
Well, it's too late tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
[Verse 3]
Have you come here for forgiveness?
Have you come to raise the dead?
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head?
[Chorus]
Did I ask too much? More than a lot
You gave me nothing, now it's all I got
We're one, but we're not the same
Well, we hurt each other, then we do it again
[Bridge]
You say love is a temple, love a higher law
Love is a temple, love the higher law
You ask me to enter, but then you make me crawl
And I can't be holding on to what you got
When all you got is hurt
[Chorus]
One love, one blood
One life, you got to do what you should
One life with each other
Sisters, brothers
One life, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
One
[Outro]
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Oh-ooh
May we, may we, may we get
Higher
Oh, higher
(Ay, yeah, go) higher
(Oh) Higher
Lyrics submitted by spitfirek7, edited by anintellectual, Mellow_Harsher
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it's actually not about love it's about a brotherhood of men, and stuff like that, i heard them say that in an interview
Bono mentioned during the 2010 U2 concert in LA that this song is about the people of the world - despite all of our differences and all the ways we have hurt each other, we must find a way to come together, and accept, love, and help ("carry") each other through all of our troubles.<br /> <br /> One life, With each other, Sisters, Brothers<br /> One life, But we're not the same<br /> We get to carry each other, Carry each other<br /> <br /> Though from the lyrics, it may also seem that this song is about a broken relationship.
@pablo Yes, on a February 14, I heard this one on the radio, just after Lennon\'s "Imagine", and both were mislabeled as Valentine Day songs. Brotherhood songs, I do agree with Bono Vox. So is Bob Marley\'s "One Love/People Get Ready".
I agree with most that this song is about the impending end of a relationship (detailed in the verses). But the lyrics also hint at a hope/want/need for reconciliation so that the singer/receiver and other people in this same situation can make it through life (choruses). My take on the first verse is that the singer is conciliatory...willing to take the blame for whatever went wrong in the relationship, even though s/he may not be at fault. The second and third verses have the same theme when I read them--the denial of love by the receiver (“you act like you never had love/and you want me to go without”/”you ask me to enter/but then you make me crawl”) because of perceived wrongs committed by the singer or issues with the receiver (“…when all you got is hurt”).
The choruses sound a lot like a call for universal love that starts at the individual level. The verses and choruses are very nice interplay between the concepts of local and global love. Local love (between the singer/receiver) magnifies the power of global love. We each do our part and the collective is strengthened.
I truly think you've said it best here out of everyone. It is about both, because we learn about love locally and it expands to globally...first we learn from our parents and family, then through friends, then lovers and then our communities and onward. <3
as gay as that shit is, it's spot on.
What you call 'gay,' I call perspective that has come with age :)
Not every song is about romantic relationships between two people. I think "One" is about a much bigger picture than that. "One" has a world peace, and caring for your fellow man vibe to it.
two people who love each other, but they hurt each other, over and over again. it kind of reminds me of my situation right now so it means a lot to me. especially when it says "you ask me to enter but then you make me crawl.......when all you got is hurt". people say love is great, love is wonderful. but when they get it, they don't treat it the way they should. it sucks, really.
The Ultimate in "I love you but you hurt me" songs.
EH KGANE WAT R U TRYING 2 SY JO WENA
On American Idol, Simon Cowel chose that song for ADAM LAMBERT. Adam said it was the perfect choice because of the lyrics and his controversial lifestyle. He smiled and gestured to his Dad and Mom. So SATISFACTION2000 might be exactly right!! Search Adam Lambert ONE on American Idol and see for yourself!! As for the rest of you....c'mon, a bit childish, cruel, and definitely no class! lol A good challenge is R.E.M.'s "The One I Love" That song is NOT what you think!! :)
"We're one But we're not the same" Great line
"Look, it's a little odd for me when people walk up and say 'We played One at our wedding - thank you so much.' Did you ever hear the lyrics?! The spleen and the bile, and you walked down the aisle to that one, did you?" - Bono in this months MOJO, when talking about odd uses of songs, and no-one listening to the lyrics
it's amazing how after so many years of loving this song (and achtung baby in general), suddenly this song takes on a new meaning for me personally. it's effing devastating. by far, the most beautiful U2 song ever. yes, i agree it is about the band... but NOW, i truly understand the dynamic of those who see this as an "i love you but you hurt me" love song. yikes.
I can't say if it's true,but someone told me it was a song a gay son sings to his father. It surely works on that level if you read the lyrics with that theme in mind."Did I disappoint you..leave a bad taste in your mouth. You act like you never had love and you want me to do without...we're one but we're not the same" etc.
@satisfaction2000 I read that same hypothesis here: entertainment.howstuffworks.com/the-stories-behind-29-u2-songs17.htm. It's interesting to read the lyrics with that interpretation.
reminds me of my 1st love - she loved me, i loved her, but we couldn't be together as she didn't want to get too serious too young....I sat in my room listening to this over and over, trying to lose the pain...still there though.