The band formed at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in 1976 when the members were teenagers with limited musical proficiency. Within four years, they signed with Island Records and released their debut album, Boy (1980). Subsequent work such as their first UK number-one album, War (1983), and the singles "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Pride (In the Name of Love)" helped establish U2's reputation as a politically and socially conscious group. By the mid-1980s, they had become renowned globally for their live act, highlighted by their performance at Live Aid in 1985. The group's fifth album, The Joshua Tree (1987), made them international superstars and was their greatest critical and commercial success. Topping music charts around the world, it produced their only number-one singles in the US, "With or Without You" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".
Facing creative stagnation and a backlash following their documentary/double album, Rattle and Hum (1988), U2 reinvented themselves in the 1990s through a new musical direction and public image. Beginning with their acclaimed seventh album, Achtung Baby (1991), and the multimedia-intensive Zoo TV Tour, the band integrated influences from alternative rock, electronic dance music, and industrial music into their sound, and embraced a more ironic, flippant image. This experimentation continued through their ninth album, Pop (1997), and the PopMart Tour, which were mixed successes. U2 regained critical and commercial favour with the records All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000) and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004), which established a more conventional, mainstream sound for the group. Their U2 360° Tour of 2009–2011 is the highest-attended and highest-grossing concert tour in history. The group's thirteenth album, Songs of Innocence (2014), was released at no cost through the iTunes Store, but received criticism for its automatic placement in users' music libraries.
U2 has released 14 studio albums and is one of the world's best-selling music artists in history, having sold more than 170 million records worldwide. They have won 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other band, and in 2005, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone ranked U2 at number 22 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Throughout their career, as a band and as individuals, they have campaigned for human rights and philanthropic causes, including Amnesty International, Jubilee 2000, the ONE/DATA campaigns, Product Red, War Child, and Music Rising.
Foundation: The band originally formed in 1976 when Larry Mullen posted a bulletin in his school asking for musicians to form a rock band. The band then consisted of the four current members plus three additional guitarists, including The Edge’s brother Dick Evans (later a member of Virgin Prunes), Ivan McCormick and Peter Martin. According to legend, Bono originally auditioned as a guitarist but couldn’t play. He auditioned as lead vocals, but really couldn’t sing. He was, however, incredibly enthusiastic about the band, extremely charismatic, a great writer, and was strangely able to reach the audience when the band played, something he is known for still today. Bono will reach out into the crowd and dance or mess with someone in the crowd at every concert. He was kept as a member. The extra guitarists would soon leave the band and the group would go through the names “Feedback ” and “The Hype” before finally settling on U2.
The 70s & 80s: 1978 was a jumping point year for the band, finally finding their sound / voice. U2 won a talent contest in 1978: £500 and funds to make a record. Paul McGuinness became the band’s manager and U2 released an EP called Three and the single Another Day, the following year. U2 went on to release their first album, Boy and then more critically acclaimed albums incl.: October, War, Under A Blood Red Sky, and The Unforgettable Fire (featuring the song PlayMLK dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr). Seen by many as a political band with more charisma than others, they were called “a different kind” of band. After a short break U2 returned with The Joshua Tree & the USA music inspired Rattle And Hum (also a movie of the same name, based on the tour).
The 90s: Promising ”to dream it all up again”, they added industrial and dance styles to their music. Trying to drop a goody two shoes image, they went to Berlin (Germany), supposedly to develop new self-expressions. From there they started to make fun of themselves and had a good time of it in albums like Achtung Baby (meaning ”watch out, baby”, artwork feat. make-up artist Nassim Khalifa) & Zooropa. Bono took on many stage personae such as “The Fly”, “Mirrorball Man” and “Mr. MacPhisto” for the gigantic ZOO TV Tour. Later they continued to make fun of Pop culture and all its extremes with the album Pop and consequent PopMart tour which was announced to be launched at a Kmart store and included a giant golden arch across the stage.
The 00s: At the end of the 90’s into 00’s U2 became less image and more reality. With the death of Bono’s good friend Michael Hutchence, the lead singer of INXS, Bono wrote more songs from the heart surrounding ideas like life and death, children, hope, and the real world past all the pop culture and TV. Some say they’ve returned to a more band-centric sound with albums like All That You Can’t Leave Behind which features a song, Kite, dedicated to Bono’s father who passed away shortly after the album’s conception and 2004’s How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.
The 10s: U2 went on the U2 360° Tour in 2009 and 2010. This tour set records for the highest-grossing concert tour. The band worked with producer Danger Mouse for their thirteenth album Songs of Innocence, which was released on 9 September 2014 for free to all Apple iCloud users.
The Name: There are many theories as to the origin of the name U2. For example, U2 was an intelligence airplane that was in use by the United States during the Cold War. Other obvious candidates include “You too” and “You two”, etc. Nonetheless the official line on the name’s origins remains unknown. The band has been quoted as saying that they did think of the U2 spy plane, but remain hushed about other reasons… U2
Get Out Of Your Own Way
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get out of your own way, hey, hey
Love hurts
Now you look out, who's left with no words?
Your heart's a balloon, but then it bursts
It doesn't take a cannon, just a pin
Your skin's not covering
Love has got to fight for its existence
The enemy has armies of assistance
The amorous, the glamorous, the kiss
A fist, listen to this, oh
Get out of your own way, oh, I
Get out of your own way, oh, I
I could sing it to you all night, all night
If I could, I'd make it alright, alright
Nothing's stopping you except what's inside
I can help you, but it's your fight, your fight
Fight back
Don't take it lyin' down, you got to bite back
The face of liberty's starting to crack
She had a plan up until she got smacked in the mouth
And it all went south
Like freedom
The slaves are lookin' for someone to lead them
The master's lookin' for someone to need him
The promised land is there for those who need it most
And Lincoln's ghost said
Get out of your own way, oh, I
Get out of your own way, oh, I
I could sing it to you all night, all night
If I could, I'd make it alright, alright
Nothing's stopping you except what's inside
I can help you, but it's your fight, your fight
Get out of your own way
Get out of your own way
Get out of your own way
Get out of your own way
Get out of your own way
Blessed are the arrogant
For there is the kingdom of their own company
Blessed are the superstars
For the magnificence in their light
We understand better our own insignificance
Blessed are the filthy rich
For you can only truly own what you give away
Like your pain
U2's Get Out Of Your Own Way is a timely call to action that examines the human condition amidst a world of turmoil. The song opens with Bono urging listeners to "get out of your own way," a phrase that serves as a metaphor for overcoming one's personal obstacles to achieve success. Bono emphasizes the importance of resisting internal forces that hinder progress while shining a light on the external forces attempting to diminish one's potential.
The lyrics describe love as both beautiful and painful, as it needs to fight for its existence against an army of societal and systemic issues. The song also touches on the idea of freedom, expressing the need for leadership and the search for the promised land, all while reminding us that the fight for true freedom is ongoing.
Bono concludes the song with a reminder that the blessed include the arrogant, the superstars, and the filthy rich – those who have mastered the art of giving to others in a significant way. In line with U2's long-standing social and political activism, Get Out Of Your Own Way seeks to inspire people to turn their frustrations into activism and make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Get out of your own way, hey, hey
The song is emphasizing the significance of giving up one's fears and becoming aware of their potential to create a better future.
Love hurts
Love is complex emotionally, and sometimes, it can contribute to wounds that are hard to get past.
Now you look out, who's left with no words?
The song is questioning the authenticity of love and how it can leave people speechless, especially when a relationship is challenging.
Your heart's a balloon, but then it bursts
Being in love is often compared to having a balloon inside of you that can pop if not handled with care.
It doesn't take a cannon, just a pin
Destructive forces can be significant or small, but they can still disrupt and damage fragile things like our emotions.
Your skin's not covering
We are all vulnerable and exposed to various situations in life that can impact us in either positive or negative ways.
And resistance
In relationships, resistance to change or to one's emotions can create problems that hinder growth and reparation.
Love has got to fight for its existence
Maintaining a relationship takes effort and dedication. Love cannot exist without effort from both parties and adequate support from family and friends.
The enemy has armies of assistance
There are always forces working against love, and it takes two people to fight against them to keep the flame burning.
The amorous, the glamorous, the kiss
The song emphasizes the romantic and affectionate parts of a relationship that most people enjoy.
A fist, listen to this, oh
The song expresses that there can be times that love can be tough, and issues that require attention can be ignored until they can't be anymore.
I could sing it to you all night, all night
The song suggests that listening to these words is imperative and one should never ignore them.
If I could, I'd make it alright, alright
The song conveys that love is not perfect and requires effort from both parties to work things out.
Nothing's stopping you except what's inside
The song stresses the importance of not letting fear or internal conflicts get in the way of the pursuit of a better life and love.
I can help you, but it's your fight, your fight
The song implies that battle to achieve love is not an individual fight and requires support from people around you.
Fight back
The song calls for people to fight for love and never give up easily.
Don't take it lyin' down, you got to bite back
The song encourages people to retaliate and to fight for what they believe is right.
The face of liberty's starting to crack
The song suggests that there are have been some cracks in society's norms and the concept of freedom that need to be addressed before things deteriorate further.
She had a plan up until she got smacked in the mouth
Many people have plans and ideas that they must abandon either due to sudden violence or unexpected outcomes.
And it all went south
Something that seems good can sometimes end up terrible due to unexpected outcomes, and life can be full of surprises.
Like freedom
Freedom is a concept that needs to be protected or fought for at all costs.
The slaves are lookin' for someone to lead them
Slaves or expatriates are consistently searching for people who can help them escape from difficult situations, indicating that leadership is critical.
The master's lookin' for someone to need him
Likewise, even underpowered people, such as slaves, often end up seeking powerful partners, such as slave owners.
The promised land is there for those who need it most
The song suggests that there is a better future ahead for those who need it the most.
And Lincoln's ghost said
The song creates an impression of hope and optimism for a better future when the world seems bleak.
Blessed are the arrogant
The song suggests that vanity or the self-confidence that comes from being called magnificent is one advantage that wealthy people possess.
For there is the kingdom of their own company
The song conveys that the wealthy have the option of being independent and self-sufficient, which can be a significant advantage.
Blessed are the superstars
Being a superstar or a celebrity is a privilege associated with wealth, and it comes with its unique advantages and privileges.
For the magnificence in their light
The song indicates the notion that superstars can both shine and magnify the light of their audience, providing enjoyment or amusement through their performances.
We understand better our own insignificance
We are better placed now to recognize that we are insignificant and are only tiny pawns of a more significant cosmic scale that we often fail to grasp.
Blessed are the filthy rich
The song celebrates the wealthy and affluent as having a particular and privileged position in society, given their ability to impact and make substantial changes in the world.
For you can only truly own what you give away
One can only experience the true essence of wealth by giving it away or sharing it, which is contrasted with material ownership.
Like your pain
The song suggests that sharing one's deepest pain with others can create an understanding of how wealth and pride are fleeting and superficial compared to love.
Get out of your own way
The song emphasizes the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone, letting go of fears and prejudices, and striving for what they feel is right.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul David Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
민주
Get out of your own way, hey, hey
Get out of your own way, hey, hey
Love hurts
Now you're the girl who's left with no words
Your heart's a balloon, but then it bursts
It doesn't take a cannon, just a pin
Your skin's not covering
And resistance
Love has got to fight for its existence
The enemy has armies for assistance
The amorist, the glamorous, the kiss
A fist, listen to this, oh
Get out of your own way, oh, I
Get out of your own way, oh, I
I could sing it to you all night, all night
If I could, I'd make it alright, alright
Nothing's stopping you except what's inside
I can help you, but it's your fight, your fight
Fight back
Don't take it lyin' down, you got to bite back
The face of liberty's starting to crack
She had a plan up until she got smacked in the mouth
And it all went south
Like freedom
The slaves are lookin' for someone to lead them
The master's lookin' for someone to need him
The promised land is there for those who need it most
And Lincoln's ghost said...
Get out of your own way, oh, I
Get out of your own way, oh, I
I could sing it to you all night, all night
If I could, I'd make it alright, alright
Nothing's stopping you except what's inside
I can help you, but it's your fight, your fight
Get out of your own way
Get out of your own way
Get out of your own way
Get out of your own way
Get out of your own way
[Kendrick Lamar:]
Blessed are the arrogant
For there is the kingdom of their own company
Blessed are the superstars
For the magnificence in their light
We understand better our own insignificance
Blessed are the filthy rich
For you can only truly own what you give away
Like your pain
fabiana paulina da silva
Soul parsifal / legião urbana
Ninguém vai me dizer o que sentir
Meu coração está desperto
É sereno nosso amor e santo este lugar
Dos tempos de tristeza tive o tanto que era bom
Eu tive o teu veneno
E o sopro leve do luar
Porque foi calma a tempestade
E tua lembrança, a estrela a me guiar
Da alfazema fiz um bordado
Vem, meu amor, é hora de acordar
Tenho anis
Tenho hortelã
Tenho um cesto de flores
Eu tenho um jardim e uma canção
Vivo feliz, tenho amor
Eu tenho um desejo e um coração
Tenho coragem e sei quem eu sou
Eu tenho um segredo e uma oração
Vê que a minha força é quase santa
Como foi santo o meu penar
Pecado é provocar desejo
E depois renunciar
Estive cansado
Meu orgulho me deixou cansado
Meu egoísmo me deixou cansado
Minha vaidade me deixou cansado
Não falo pelos outros
Só falo por mim
Ninguém vai me dizer o que sentir
Tenho jasmim tenho hortelã
Eu tenho um anjo, eu tenho uma irmã
Com a saudade teci uma prece
E preparei erva-cidreira no café da manhã
Ninguém vai me dizer o que sentir
E eu vou cantar uma canção pra mim
fabiana paulina da silva
Por enquanto / legião Urbana
Mudaram as estações
E nada mudou
Mas eu sei
Que alguma coisa aconteceu
Está tudo assim tão diferente
Se lembra quando a gente
Chegou um dia a acreditar
Que tudo era pra sempre
Sem saber
Que o pra sempre
Sempre acaba
Mas nada vai
Conseguir mudar o que ficou
Quando penso em alguém
Só penso em você
E aí então estamos bem
Mesmo com tantos motivos
Pra deixar tudo como está
E nem desistir, nem tentar
Agora tanto faz
Estamos indo de volta pra casa
Ana Risano
Music and bands are dynamic, ever-changing. U2 has changed and taken inspiration from the current times, and I think it’s GREAT. Absolutely fantastic. I don’t understand why there has to be so much hate here, just live and let live. Keep rocking U2!
Ana Risano
I'm not exactly "supporting" the "false propaganda", but I am not going to hate on someone going against the mainstream way of thinking. Rock music has always stirred problems because people couldn't handle a new way of thinking, just like it is now. It has ingeniously caused people to watch, listen, and respond to it.
Gigi*
Os meninos do U2 estão de parabéns. Esse álbum tá demais! ♡
Evangelos Vlachos
I know that the song is mostly political, but I cannot help but associating it with my daughter. When they played the song in the Statue of Liberty, Bono said it was "to their daughters". At that time I start dreaming of singing this song to my daughter... I think that it would bring such a nice message to her. Few months later we got pregnant with a baby daughter. I was so happy, ready to teach her to "get out of her own way". Sadly, she was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease. "Nothing is stopping her, except what is inside". "We had a plan" to save her, until "we got a smack in the mouth and all went south". 28 days after she was born, her little heart failed her. "Heart is a balloon and then it bursts. It doesn't take a cannon, just a pin, your skin's not covering". "If I could a make it all right, I could sing to you all night". But I can't. And every time I hear this song I tear down, it now shakes me from inside out. Since that, I think of this song (at least part of it), as an anthem for all those fighting (whether they won or not) congenital heart diseases. The babies, their parents, their families, their doctors. In few days, there is CHD awareness week, which for us coincides with the first anniversary of her death. "It is their fight, but we CAN help them".
illwinable
🙏💓
Dave Smith
Wow, what a heartbreaking story (sorry, I don't know a better way to put it). But what a way to turn something so sad into something positive. My condolences to you and your family, and my admiration to your spirit.
Oliver Cooksey
I believe the song was partly written for Bono's daughter
Greg Wiseman
This comment touches my heart when I need it. Thank you and I'm so sorry for your loss
hannah france
That was beautiful. Thank you for sharing that piece of you with us, now when I hear this song I too will think of your daughter and all the others too. ♡
Álvaro Armeloni
O U2 é Uma Das Melhores Bandas de Todos os Tempos!! 👏👏👏💥💥💯💯💯🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷