Numb
U2 Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't move
Don't talk out of time
Don't think
Don't worry
Everything's just fine
Just fine

Don't grab
Don't clutch
Don't hope for too much
Don't breathe
Don't achieve
Or grieve without leave

Don't check
Just balance on the fence
Don't answer
Don't ask
Don't try and make sense

Don't whisper
Don't talk
Don't run if you can walk
Don't cheat, compete
Don't miss the one beat

Don't travel by train
Don't eat
Don't spill
Don't piss in the drain
Don't make a will

Don't fill out any forms
Don't compensate
Don't cower
Don't crawl
Don't come around late
Don't hover at the gate

Don't take it on board
Don't fall on your sword
Just play another chord
If you feel you're getting bored

I feel numb
I feel numb
Too much is not enough
I feel numb

Don't change your brand
Don't listen to the band
Don't gape
Don't ape
Don't change your shape
Have another grape

Too much is not enough
I feel numb
I feel numb

Don't plead
Don't bridle
Don't shackle
Don't grind
Don't curve
Don't swerve
Lie, die, serve
Don't theorize, realize, polarize
Chance, dance,dismiss, apologize

Too much is not enough
I feel numb

Don't spy
Don't lie
Don't try
Imply
Detain
Explain
Start again

I feel numb

Don't triumph
Don't coax
Don't cling
Don't hoax
Don't freak
Peak
Don't leak
Don't speak

I feel numb

Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest
I feel numb
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest
I feel numb

Don't struggle
Don't jerk
Don't collar
Don't work
Don't wish
Don't fish
Don't teach
Don't reach

Too much is not enough

Don't borrow
Don't break
Don't fence
Don't steal
Don't pass
Don't press
Don't try
Don't feel

I feel numb

Don't touch
Don't dive
Don't suffer
Don't rhyme
Don't fantasize
Don't rise
Don't lie
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest

Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest





I feel numb

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to U2's song "Numb" depict a world where conformity is valued above individuality. The song seems to be addressed to someone who is struggling to find their place in society and is being told to stop trying so hard. The recurring line "Too much is not enough, I feel numb" suggests that the person is feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from their emotions.


The verses are filled with a list of things the person should not do, such as "Don't grab, don't clutch, don't hope for too much," and "Don't travel by train, don't eat, don't spill, don't piss in the drain." These instructions reveal a society that values sameness and order over creativity and spontaneity. The chorus "I feel numb" echoes this sentiment, expressing a sense of numbness and disconnection from the world.


The song can be interpreted as a critique of consumer culture, in which people are encouraged to conform and not question the status quo. The repetition of the phrase "Don't project, don't connect, protect, don't expect, suggest" suggests that people should not try to connect with others or challenge the status quo.


Overall, the song "Numb" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of a world where conformity is valued above individuality. It encourages listeners to break free from societal expectations and embrace their own unique identity.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't move
Remain still and do nothing


Don't talk out of time
Don't speak at the wrong moment or inappropriately


Don't think
Stop the mental process of considering or analyzing situations, ideas or possibilities


Don't worry
Do not stress, get upset or panic about anything


Everything's just fine
Despite the above instructions, there is no actual problem


Don't grab
Do not take hold of something or someone quickly and forcibly


Don't clutch
Do not grasp something tightly, especially out of fear or anxiety


Don't hope for too much
Lower your expectations and do not anticipate a lot


Don't breathe
Stop the physical process of inhaling and exhaling air


Don't achieve
Do not succeed in accomplishing a goal or task


Or grieve without leave
Do not mourn or feel sadness without proper authorization to do so


Don't check
Do not examine, verify or monitor anything


Just balance on the fence
Remain impartial and neutral, not taking a position or side


Don't answer
Do not respond to a question or statement


Don't ask
Do not request or inquire about something


Don't try and make sense
Do not attempt to comprehend or make logical sense of anything


Don't whisper
Do not speak softly or in a secretive manner


Don't talk
Remain silent


Don't run if you can walk
Do not hurry or rush, take it easy


Don't cheat, compete
Do not engage in deceptive practices, but instead participate in fair competition


Don't miss the one beat
Do not fail to stay in rhythm or miss an important opportunity


Don't travel by train
Do not use this mode of transport for your journey


Don't eat
Do not consume food or drink


Don't spill
Do not let a liquid escape or overflow from a container


Don't piss in the drain
Do not urinate in an inappropriate place


Don't make a will
Do not create a legal document detailing instructions to be followed after your death


Don't fill out any forms
Do not complete any formal documents requiring information


Don't compensate
Do not make amends or redress a wrong


Don't cower
Do not show submission or fear


Don't crawl
Do not move on your hands and knees like a baby or an animal


Don't come around late
Do not arrive to a meeting or appointment after it has already started


Don't hover at the gate
Do not remain close to an entrance or exit, waiting around


Don't take it on board
Do not accept or absorb something, eschew it


Don't fall on your sword
Do not accept responsibility and take the blame for something that wasn't your fault


Just play another chord
Carry on with a different approach or strategy


If you feel you're getting bored
Switch focus to something more engaging or interesting, if needed


I feel numb
I am emotionally numb, unresponsive and deadened


Too much is not enough
Excess is still lacking or inadequate despite the quantity


Don't change your brand
Do not alter your identity or personality to conform or impress others


Don't listen to the band
Do not pay attention to other people's opinions or advice


Don't gape
Do not stare in wonder or amazement, with mouth open


Don't ape
Do not imitate foolishly or slavishly


Don't change your shape
Do not transform or adapt your form or nature


Have another grape
Relax and enjoy the moment, no need to do anything else


Don't plead
Do not beg or request something insistently or desperately


Don't bridle
Do not show anger or offense at something


Don't shackle
Do not restrain or impede your freedom or independence


Don't grind
Do not perform repetitive, laborious or boring work


Don't curve
Do not bend or deviate from a straight line or path


Don't swerve
Do not avoid or change direction suddenly


Lie, die, serve
Three verbs that have no specific relation to each other or the song, but add intrigue and a poetic license


Don't theorize, realize, polarize
Do not formulate speculations or hypotheses, achieve awareness or cause division between people


Chance, dance, dismiss, apologize
Four random verbs that rhyme and do not particularly elaborate on the previous line


Don't spy
Do not secretly observe or gather information on someone or something


Don't lie
Do not say something that is false with the intention of deceiving


Don't try
Do not make an effort or attempt to do something


Imply
Suggest indirectly or hint at something without stating it explicitly


Detain
Keep (someone) in official custody, typically for questioning about a crime or wrongdoing


Explain
Make (an idea, situation or problem) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts


Start again
Begin anew or afresh, with a clean slate


Don't triumph
Do not celebrate or gloat excessively over a victory or success, remain modest


Don't coax
Do not persuade someone to do something by gentle urging or flattery


Don't cling
Do not hold on tightly to something or someone, especially in a desperate way


Don't hoax
Do not deceive or trick someone, especially through a prank or a false story


Don't freak
Do not panic or behave irrationally, stay calm


Peak
An intentionally rhyming verb that does not directly add to the meaning of the song


Don't leak
Do not allow secret or confidential information to become known or public


Don't speak
Do not talk or verbalize any thoughts or ideas


Don't project
Do not attribute your own thoughts or feelings to others or to the future


Don't connect
Do not establish a relationship, network or continuity between things or people


Protect
Shield or preserve someone or something from harm, damage or change


Don't expect
Do not anticipate or presume something will happen


Suggest
Propose or recommend something for consideration or implementation


Don't struggle
Do not strive or fight with great effort or resistance


Don't jerk
Do not move suddenly, with a sharp or spasmodic motion


Don't collar
Do not grab or seize someone by the neck or the collar of their shirt


Don't work
Do not engage in labor or effort to achieve something


Don't wish
Do not express a desire or hope for something unlikely or impossible


Don't fish
Do not try to get information or resources in a subtle or indirect way


Don't teach
Do not impart knowledge or skills on a subject to someone else


Don't reach
Do not extend your arm or hand in a certain direction or for something specific


Don't borrow
Do not take or use someone else's property temporarily, with the intention of returning it


Don't break
Do not damage or separate something into pieces


Don't fence
Do not enclose an area with a barrier or fence


Don't steal
Do not take someone else's property without their permission, illegally


Don't pass
Do not move past an obstacle or a person, especially in a race, a line or a vehicle


Don't press
Do not push down on something, squeeze or compress it


Don't feel
Do not experience emotions or sensations physically or emotionally


Don't touch
Do not come into physical contact with something or someone


Don't dive
Do not jump headfirst or plunge deeply into water or other substances


Don't suffer
Do not experience pain or hardship, either voluntarily or involuntarily


Don't rhyme
Do not match or sound together in a similar or patterned way


Don't fantasize
Do not indulge in sexual or unrealistic thoughts or dreams


Don't rise
Do not move up or upward in altitude, status, or importance




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul David Hewson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@thiagomartins3415

Don't move
Don't talk out of time
Don't think
Don't worry
Everything's just fine
Just fine
Don't grab
Don't clutch
Don't hope for too much
Don't breathe
Don't achieve
Or grieve without leave
Don't check
Just balance on the fence
Don't answer
Don't ask
Don't try and make sense
Don't whisper
Don't talk
Don't run if you can walk
Don't cheat, compete
Don't miss the one beat
Don't travel by train
Don't eat
Don't spill
Don't piss in the drain
Don't make a will
Don't fill out any forms
Don't compensate
Don't cower
Don't crawl
Don't come around late
Don't hover at the gate
Don't take it on board
Don't fall on your sword
Just play another chord
If you feel you're getting bored
Don't change your brand (Gimme what you got)
Don't listen to the band
Don't gape (Gimme what I don't get)
Don't ape
Don't change your shape (Gimme some more)
Have another grape
(Too much is not enough)
(I feel numb)
(Gimme some more)
(A piece of me, baby)
Don't plead
Don't bridle
Don't shackle
Don't grind (Gimme some more)
Don't curve
Don't swerve (I feel numb)
Lie, die, serve (Gimme some more)
Don't theorize, realise, polarise (I feel numb)
Chance, dance, dismiss, apologise (Gimme what you got)
(Gimme what I don't get)
(Gimme what you got)
(Too much is not enough)
Don't spy (I feel numb)
Don't lie
Don't try
Imply
Detain
Explain
Start again (I feel numb)
Don't triumph
Don't coax
Don't cling
Don't hoax
Don't freak
Peak
Don't leak
Don't speak (I feel numb)
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest
(I feel numb)
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest
(I feel numb)
Don't struggle
Don't jerk
Don't collar
Don't work
Don't wish
Don't fish
Don't teach
Don't reach
(I feel numb)
Don't borrow
Don't break (I feel numb)
Don't fence
Don't steal
Don't pass
Don't press
Don't try
Don't feel
(Gimme some more)
Don't touch
Don't dive
Don't suffer
Don't rhyme
Don't fantasize
Don't rise
Don't lie
(I feel numb)
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect (I feel numb)
Don't expect
Suggest
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect (I feel numb)
Don't expect
Suggest



All comments from YouTube:

@sonyold5457

4:00 that's how 90's girls looked like. God, how I miss them..

@PoppieLand

they were doing selfies then too

@josetijerino5198

THE EDGE: In the "can we take a selfie" business since 1993. Gotta love THE EDGE y'all!

@ESL-O.G.

He's great

@petersmithyy4556

I guess selfies were always there even with disposable cameras LOL

@celieboo

@@petersmithyy4556 exactly. I remember doing them in the 90's with your finger in the picture almost every time. Lol .

@anngulliver5964

​@@celiebooI once took a photo of my eye because I had the camera the wrong way around 😂

@eugeneshadwell6596

I truly believe this is one of the finest music videos ever.

@bholmes00

Oh yeah.

@tiagofreitas66

No doubt about it

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