It is, like the rest of the record, quite a heavy track, full of menace and punch. Bono's very personal lyrics lament his mother who passed away when he was in his teens, and, like alot of other U2 songs, has religious undertones. No other artists samples were used in this track, all loops, samples and beats were created by the band and their producers.
The single (Mofo Remixes) has a variety of remixes by producers such as Roni Size and Romin; several different versions of the single were released on vinyl and CD. Also the electronica band Underworld recorded a remix, during sessions with the band in 1997, but the sessions were abandoned as the tour took off and this remix was never released; information on that can be found here.
Mofo
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lookin' in the places where no flowers grow
Lookin' for to fill that God shaped hole
Mother
Mother sucking rock and roll
Holy dunc spacejunk comin' in for the splash
White dopes on punk staring into the flash
Mother
Mother sucking rock and roll
Mother
Mother sucking rock and rock and rock and roll
Mother (mother, mother, mother, mother)
Mother
Mother am I still your son
You know I've waited for so long to hear you say so
Mother you left and made me someone
Now I'm still a child
But no one tells me no
Lookin' for a sound that's gonna drown out the world
Lookin' for the father of my two little girls
Got the swing got the sway got my straw in lemonade
Still looking for the face I had before the world was made
Mother
Mother sucking rock and roll
Bubble poppin' sugar droppin' rock and roll
Mother
Mother
Mother
Mother
Mother
Mother
Mother
Mother
Soothe me mother
Rule me father
Move me brother
Woo me sister
Soothe me mother
Rule me father
Show me mother
Show me mother
Show me mother
Show me mother
Show me mother
Show me mother
The U2 song "Mofo” is a complex song that touches on several themes such as faith, identity, and rock and roll music. The song is about the search for salvation and the role music plays in that search. The first verse, "Looking for to save my soul, looking in the places where no flowers grow, looking for to fill that God-shaped hole, mother,” suggests a desperate and vain search for salvation in unconventional and unfamiliar places. The line “Mother sucking rock and roll” can be interpreted as a metaphorical reference to the power and influence of rock and roll music in providing a sense of relief or absolution.
The second verse “Holy dunc spacejunk comin’ in for the splash, White dopes on punk staring into the flash, Lookin’ for baby Jesus under the trash” is interpreted to suggest the destructive and chaotic nature of rock and roll music, a rebellion against social norms and conventions. The chorus of the song is a repetition of the word, “Mother,” and emphasizes the powerful role of music, especially rock and roll.
The final verse “looking for a sound that’s gonna drown out the world, looking for the father of my two little girls, got the swing, got the sway, got my straw in lemonade, still looking for the face I had before the world was made” further emphasizes the search for meaning and identity in the turbulent world, and how the right sound and music may provide a way out.
Line by Line Meaning
Lookin' for to save my save my soul
Searching for salvation
Lookin' in the places where no flowers grow
Looking in unconventional places for guidance
Lookin' for to fill that God shaped hole
Searching for purpose and meaning in life
Mother
Addressing a maternal figure
Mother sucking rock and roll
Using music as an escape or source of comfort
Holy dunc spacejunk comin' in for the splash
Non-sensical, garbled phrase possibly referring to the chaos and unpredictability of life
White dopes on punk staring into the flash
People searching for meaning or enlightenment in self-destructive ways
Lookin' for baby Jesus under the trash
Searching for salvation in unlikely or unconventional places
Mother am I still your son
Questioning one's relationship with a parental figure
You know I've waited for so long to hear you say so
Seeking validation from a parent
Mother you left and made me someone
Feeling abandoned or neglected by a parent
Now I'm still a child
Feeling immature or unprepared
But no one tells me no
Feeling free from authority or restrictions
Lookin' for a sound that's gonna drown out the world
Seeking a distraction from the troubles of life
Lookin' for the father of my two little girls
Searching for a romantic partner or father figure
Got the swing got the sway got my straw in lemonade
Feeling carefree and relaxed
Still looking for the face I had before the world was made
Longing for a simpler time or identity
Bubble poppin' sugar droppin' rock and roll
Using music as a source of happiness or pleasure
Soothe me mother
Desiring comfort and reassurance from a maternal figure
Rule me father
Desiring guidance and structure from a parental figure
Move me brother
Desiring motivation or inspiration from a sibling
Woo me sister
Desiring affection or attention from a sibling
Show me mother
Continuing to seek guidance and comfort from a maternal figure
Show me mother
Repeating the desire for guidance and comfort
Show me mother
Repeating the desire for guidance and comfort
Show me mother
Repeating the desire for guidance and comfort
Show me mother
Repeating the desire for guidance and comfort
Show me mother
Repeating the desire for guidance and comfort
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paperweight57
All hail the criminally underrated POPMART!
@Zontar82
The best, greatest latest album they ever made, no one will change my mind
@Andresvideo
@@Zontar82 You are speaking THE TRUTH, sir!!!
@stefanorunnertube
Like docking in a space station
@abeltonia
This should have been the first single. One of their most amazing songs ever.
@SNoone89
The best thing they've done
@EFunkRock
Agree!!
@MiniPouss
LEGENDS 🙌🙌🙌
@andrealisi5514
Maybe it's time for U2 to reevaluate Pop, a true masterpiece
@mysticedge4
No they should leave it as it is it’s a very underrated album