[achtung baby]
"Achtung Baby" explores the themes of relationships but on an even
darker, more sinister level than "The Joshua Tree".
Zoo Station
"Zoo Station" describes the "Zoo Station" in Germany, where trains stopped to take passengers on board from the east to the west. In using this setting, the song calls for the letting go of the past and replace such thoughts with what the future might offer.
Even Better Than The Real Thing
"Even better than the real thing", examines spiritual and sexual themes and the relationship between them.
One
"One" introduces the situation where a homosexual man, infected from AIDs lies in his bed dying, while his father, who does not approve his son's lifestyle, cannot bring himself to forgive. In "U2 A Conspiracy Of Hope", "One" was classified as a "acid" love song. In the song, the dying son vents his frustration at his father, blaming him for contempt and hate. On the other hand, his father tries to make
peace despite his past prejudices against his son's life. "One" can be classified as a song which conveys love as a very sacred entity in nature, where even differences do not matter "We're one, but
we're not the same". Nevertheless, it's not surprising that all profits from this single went to AIDs research. Even the cover was designed by someone infected by AIDs - a artist named David Wojnarowicz.
Until The End Of The World
"Until The End Of The World" describes Juda's betrayal towards Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Who's Going To Ride Your Wild Horses
Another song based on relationship, this time stating that people become more attracted to those that would hurt the most. At the end of the relationship, the song states that it would be hard to forget about being together.
So Cruel
"So Cruel" describes a fatal attraction in which the singer becomes the victim. When the person he loves leaves, everything he had given her leaves him. Even though he admits that parting will benefit him, he still thinks life without her would be impossible.
The Fly
"The Fly" describes the carnal behaviour of humankind. The Fly symbolises a entity of lust, hatred and evil and also plagued mankind. The song represents this battle between The Fly and evil against the good conscience as indicated by the high voice and the low voice.
Mysterious Ways
"Mysterious Ways" matches sexuality with God and spirituality. This can be shown through the lyrics and the Zoo TV performance where Bono can never reach his desire, the belly dancer.
Tryin To Throw Your Arms Around The World
"Tryin To Throw Your Arms Around The World" communicates the theme of male inadequacy in the face of changing times. This can be shown in the song when a man needs a woman just as a fish needs a bicycle.
Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
"Ultra Violet" looks at a person's compulsive desire for the other, even after their relationship has ended. The song describes the woman's love as a secret, yet he cannot walk with her since she has consumed her existence. He has seen her as a person whom he can depend on as shown in the chorus.
Acrobat
The main theme of "Acrobat" would be betrayal in terms of moral ambiguities. In many ways this song describes U2 when people misinterpreted them as heroes, thus placing them on a pedestal. The song also calls for people to have faith in themselves, rather than putting all the burden on one person. To extend this idea of faith further, the song also suggests that faith should be used in fulfilling a person's dreams and desires.
Love Is Blindness
"Love Is Blindness" aims to convey the deceptiveness of love and how damaging love can be if the right choices were not taken. Furthermore, the song shows love as a emotion that can damage self esteem and confidence once the relationship ends