That song has very strong meaning but the meaning is fairly well understood I believe.
I really don't mean to put down a wonderful song by saying that it's easy to interpret.
It has...the drug thing...I know you consider it Bono just singing meaning less stuff (you told me that some time ago ).
I'm in for Bad...I'll leave my 'review' later today maybe...
OK, I'm going to try and relate the lyrics to the story that Bono tells, his friend dying of Heroin. Keep this image in your mind, Bono has seen what's been happening to his friend, he wishes to free his friend from this addiction, and at the same time, he is tempted and even sometimes persuaded by friends to give it a try...but after what he's seen, he won't be fooled anymore...he's "wide awake" and he's "not sleeping", i.e. not falling for the trick of Heroin.
There is one thing tho...I'm taking the "let it go" as surrendering to the temptation of drugs as that's what seems to go with the chorus...some might take it as letting go of the addiction...maybe we could discuss this a bit...
If you twist and turn away
If you tear yourself in two again
The first two lines describe what a person does to himself when using heroin.
If I could, yes I would
If I could, I would
Let it go
Surrender
Dislocate
This part is Bono resisting the temptation, if he could, he would let go of everything, surrender to the drug and 'dislocate' himself spiritually and mentally...but he can't, after what he's seen.
This part might make better sense if "Let it go" is seen as giving up the addiction, and these lines are from his friend's point of view, he's addicted, he can't let it go, but clearly, if he could, yes he would let it go.
If I could throw this
Lifeless lifeline to the wind
Leave this heart of clay
See you walk, walk away
Into the night
And through the rain
Into the half-light
And through the flame
This is what Bono likes to do, free his friend, free anyone from the addiction, to throw their "lifeless lifeline to the wind", to see them walk through the flame, into freedom.
If I could through myself
Set your spirit free
I'd lead your heart away
See you break, break away
Into the light
And to the day
The same as the previous verse...he wishes to free his friend, through himself, set him free and see him walk into the light, see him break away free of the addiction.
To let it go
And so to fade away
To let it go
And so fade away
Considering the results of the temptation...what if he let go and started using Heroin...it would make him "fade away"...
I'm wide awake
I'm wide awake
Wide awake
I'm not sleeping
Oh, no, no, no
So, knowing what it would do to him...he's now wide awake, he's not sleeping, he's not giving up.
If you should ask then maybe they'd
Tell you what I would say
True colors fly in blue and black
Bruised silken sky and burning flag
Colours crash, collide in blood shot eyes
I'm confused on this verse...the last three lines seem to describe someone who's on drugs, the hallucinations...but the first two lines,...some help Lady G?
If I could, you know I would
If I could, I would
Let it go...
the same discussion applies here...
This desperation
Dislocation
Separation
Condemnation
Revelation
In temptation
Isolation
Desolation
Let it go
He's talking to his friend now...he's asking him to let go of the drugs, to let go of this desperation, dislocation, separation...
And so fade away
To let it go
And so fade away
To let it go
And so to fade away
I'm wide awake
I'm wide awake
Wide awake
I'm not sleeping
Oh, no, no, no
Hi, i have one which has been bugging me, Smile , i just dont know what he is singing about and would be really greatfull for your help as i really love this tune. Thankyou.
Hi there just before we move on to 'Smile' (which I think is a really great idea, but not an easy one)
Can I give my two penny worth on 'Bad'. Sorry I was going to do it earlier but I've been doing the ironing.
I think Ali's explaination of this song is great and I have no doubt that it refers to a person taking drugs. But the only thing that I would say is that I have always understood it to be sung by the person addicted, to his loved one.I think that he is explaining that he wishes that he could release her from all the pain that he is putting her though because of his addiction. And the more I look at the lyrics I think he is wishing he was dead so that she could move on and not be hurt anymore.
To let it go
And so to fade away
To let it go
And so fade away
It's just my way of seeing it
Lady G
How about 'Smile' then?? Is anyone else up for it??
Ok guys - get ready. we've (Me & Mr. G) just been up the garden and had a barbeQ. weather in UK not too bad for once. I'm just going to go and do the washing up and when I've done that I'm going to come back and give you my thoughts on 'Smile'.
Watch this space - won't be long.
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