Traditionally, I feel that many people give U2 songs too much religious merit. While a good many U2 songs are clearly religious in nature, I feel a good deal of them aren't. October is probably U2's most spiritual album, and I think this is one of their most religious songs, ranking right up there with "40" and "Gloria".
Like many songs U2 produced in the early '80's, I think this song deals with the band's (especially Larry's) struggle to decide between God and the rock and roll lifestyle they were rapidly becoming involved in. In a way, they felt their Rock lifestyle went against their religious views and so they were torn between their two greatest loves: Music and God.
I think this song is Bono saying he's happy with his religious standing and he's happy with God, but he's wondering if being happy with God and accepting God is all his life gets to have a dedication to. He's asking God in the repetitive line "Is that all", if accepting God is the only path he can choose. He's asking God in this song if it is ok for him to want more, to want to be a musician and a man of God simultaneously.
Traditionally, I feel that many people give U2 songs too much religious merit. While a good many U2 songs are clearly religious in nature, I feel a good deal of them aren't. October is probably U2's most spiritual album, and I think this is one of their most religious songs, ranking right up there with "40" and "Gloria".
Like many songs U2 produced in the early '80's, I think this song deals with the band's (especially Larry's) struggle to decide between God and the rock and roll lifestyle they were rapidly becoming involved in. In a way, they felt their Rock lifestyle went against their religious views and so they were torn between their two greatest loves: Music and God.
I think this song is Bono saying he's happy with his religious standing and he's happy with God, but he's wondering if being happy with God and accepting God is all his life gets to have a dedication to. He's asking God in the repetitive line "Is that all", if accepting God is the only path he can choose. He's asking God in this song if it is ok for him to want more, to want to be a musician and a man of God simultaneously.