[war]
"War", explores the futility of war and conflict. Moreover, "War" examines how love and
understanding perseveres in the end of any conflict.
Sunday Bloody Sunday
The idea behind this song was to show people to seek alternative resolutions in settling national problems other than the more easier option of violence. To do this, Bono used the event "Bloody Sunday". According to history there were two "Bloody Sundays". The first occured in Ireland on 21st November 1920 (after the murder of seven army officers, three ex-officers and two members of the Irish Constabulary) where British troops opened fire on a football crowd gathered in Dublin's Croke Park and murdered fourteen people. The second occured in Londonderry on 30th January 1972, three years after British troops had gone into Northern Ireland to restore order and protect the catholics when paratroopers killed thirteen Roman Catholic demonstrators who were on a civil rights march that was prohibited by law. The Edge - "You may be prepared to stand up for your beliefs, but to kill someone then I'd rather die than do that." Adam Clayton - "We realised that would have placed us in a very awkward situation in terms of what we could do after that. I think it started out very vitriolic and became a very humane non sectarian view point, which is the only responsible position...to add to Northern Ireland's divisiveness would be exploiting other people's misfortunes."
Bono - "I get scared when people start saying they're prepared to kill to back up their belief of where a border should be."
New Years Day
The song describes the love between Walesa, a member of the Polish Solidarity Movement, and his wife who were separated when Walesa was imprisoned. Note at the end of the song, Bono states that "Nothing changes on New Year's Day." Adam comments on this saying that "we were just saying that no matter how much people try to change the situation, things are always more or less the same at the start of every new year."
Like A Song
"Like A Song" aims to express the message of encouraging change in society, to make people think more critically about the society they live in and make a stand to rectify any flaws in society. Probably one of their most successful and the most angriest song on the album, the song told people to stand up for what they believe in and challenge their society through words and ideas (and not violence!). As quoted from "U2 A Conspiracy Of Hope" by David Bowler and Bryan Dray, "LIke A Song" became an excellent example of U2 breaking the tradition in Rock 'n' Roll, showing that Rock 'n' Roll can be put to good use, conveying ideas relevant to society and making people think.
Seconds
"Seconds" examines the impact of nuclear technology falling into the wrong hands, in this case terrorists groups. According to the song, once obtained, terrorists can assemble them anywhere even in Times Square. In this song, The Edge takes the lead vocals and conveys the dangers of such weapons "It takes a second to say goodbye."
The Refugee
Describes the conflict and hardship refugees go through when entering America. At first the refugees look to America as a land of opportunity. But then at the end of the song, the idea changes when Bono pronounces the word "Amerika", a country of injustice and corruption.
Drowning Man
"Drowning Man" examines a man's love against all of life's turmoils and hardships.
Two Hearts Beat As One
"Two Hearts Beat As One" examines the theme of love and interrelates this with culture. The result becomes a mockery of society on the views of love. Bono asks the question : "Is this love out of fashion?" a question which conveys that society's view of love seems to be rigid and does not evolve
well due to cultural beliefs. Bono wrote this song when he realised that being married while performing at concerts and writing rock songs did not really fit with the society.
Red Light
"Red Light" explores love towards a person who attempts to cease communication with other people by being part of the city. Eventually there does not seem to be an escape from the wretchedness of the city and the person commits suicide.
Surrender
Explores the dehumanizing aspects of city life. The adverse affects of city life can be shown by Sadie committing suicide who struggles to lead a normal life but cannot cope with the pressures of doing so.
40
A song written from the lines of Psalm 40 in the bible.