According to the One Songfacts, this can be interpreted many ways. It could be about the band, a girl, or an AIDS victim. Bono has said it is "About relationships."
The song reached #7 in the UK charts, and #10 in the US charts, and reached the top of the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. The writing of the song also helped relieve tensions between band members during the turbulent recording sessions for Achtung Baby.
One
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you, now
You got someone to blame
You say one love, one life
When it's one need, in the night
One love, we get to share it
It leaves you, baby, if you don't care for it
Did I disappoint you?
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well, it's too late, tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One...
Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head
Did I ask too much, more than a lot
You gave me nothing, now it's all I got
We're one, but we're not the same
Well, we hurt each other
Then we do it again.
You say love is a temple, love a higher law
Love is a temple, love the higher law
You ask me to enter, but then you make me crawl
And I can't be holding on, to what you got
When all you got is hurt
One love, one blood
One life, you got to do what you should
One life with each other: sisters, brothers
One life, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other.
One (lone)
One...
Make in it, make in it, higher...
The song "One" by U2 reflects on the complexities and challenges of relationships, particularly the misunderstandings and hurt that can arise between two people. The first verse explores the idea of improvement or stagnation in a relationship, questioning whether things are getting better or remaining the same. The line "Will it make it easier on you, now, you got someone to blame" suggests that placing blame on others doesn't make the situation any easier. The lyrics emphasize the importance of unity and sharing one's love: "One love, one life, when it's one need in the night, one love, we get to share it, it leaves you, baby, if you don't care for it." This highlights how love is meant to be nurtured and cared for, and if not, it can be lost.
The second verse continues to explore the dynamics of the relationship. It questions whether the singer has disappointed their partner or left a negative impression, making them act as if they've never experienced love before. The line "It's too late, tonight, to drag the past out into the light" suggests that dwelling on past mistakes or regrets is futile, and that they need to move forward together. The lyrics "We're one, but we're not the same, we get to carry each other" showcase the idea that even though they are united, they still have their individual experiences and burdens. They must support and carry each other through those struggles.
The third verse delves deeper into the relationship by questioning the motivations of the partner. It asks if they have come seeking forgiveness or trying to heal their own emotional wounds. The line "Have you come here to play Jesus to the lepers in your head" suggests a sense of trying to save or fix oneself through the relationship. The lyrics convey a sense of imbalance in the relationship, with the singer feeling like they have given more than they have received. They express that despite the hurt they've experience, they continue to hurt each other, implying a cycle of pain and reconciliation.
The final section of the song emphasizes the concept of love and its significance. The phrase "love is a temple, love a higher law" suggests that love should be honored and respected, considered sacred and above worldly matters. However, the lyrics go on to express the contradictions in the relationship, as the singer is asked to enter but feels forced to crawl, implying a power dynamic or manipulation. The line "I can't be holding on, to what you got when all you got is hurt" illustrates the realization that remaining in a relationship filled with pain and hurt is not sustainable.
Overall, U2's "One" explores the complexities of relationships, the need for unity and care in love, and the challenges of finding balance and understanding in a re
Line by Line Meaning
Is it getting better?
Are things improving?
Or do you feel the same?
Or do you remain unchanged?
Will it make it easier on you, now
Will it provide you with comfort now?
You got someone to blame
You have found someone to hold responsible
You say one love, one life
You proclaim the idea of unity and shared existence
When it's one need, in the night
When it is a single essential requirement, during times of darkness
One love, we get to share it
One affection, we have the opportunity to experience and distribute it
It leaves you, baby, if you don't care for it
It departs from you, my dear, if you do not nurture it
Did I disappoint you?
Did I fail to meet your expectations?
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
Or create an unpleasant sensation within you?
You act like you never had love
You behave as if you have never experienced love
And you want me to go without
And you desire for me to be deprived of it
Well, it's too late, tonight
Well, it is too far into the night, at this moment
To drag the past out into the light
To reveal past events and expose them to scrutiny
We're one, but we're not the same
We are unified, but we are not identical
We get to carry each other, carry each other
We have the privilege and responsibility to support one another, support one another
Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you arrived seeking absolution?
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come with the purpose of reviving the lifeless?
Have you come here to play Jesus
Have you come to embody the role of a savior?
To the lepers in your head
To the outcasts residing within your mind
Did I ask too much, more than a lot
Did I make excessive demands, surpassing what was reasonable
You gave me nothing, now it's all I got
You provided me with nothing, and now it is the sole possession I possess
Well, we hurt each other
Well, we cause pain to one another
Then we do it again
Then we repeat the same actions
You say love is a temple, love a higher law
You declare that love is a sacred place, governed by a superior principle
Love is a temple, love the higher law
Love is a sanctuary, love the supreme rule
You ask me to enter, but then you make me crawl
You request my involvement, but then you degrade me and reduce me to crawling
And I can't be holding on, to what you got
And I am unable to cling onto what you possess
When all you got is hurt
When all that you possess brings pain
One love, one blood
A single love, a single lineage
One life, you got to do what you should
A single existence, you must act responsibly
One life with each other: sisters, brothers
A shared life, with one another: as sisters, brothers
One life, but we're not the same
A single life, yet we are not identical
We get to carry each other, carry each other
We have the privilege and responsibility to support one another, support one another
Make it higher
Elevate it
Contributed by Lily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
LMewdowlark
Baby, baby, baby, I know I'm not alone
Ha, ha, ha
Oh, it's not a hill it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
You see, for me, I've been shouting
Let's shout into the darkness, squeeze out sparks of light
You know we're gonna go crazy, you know we'll go crazy
You know we'll go crazy, if we don't go crazy tonight
Oh, slowly
Oh
Hold me slow
Again, these are the wrong lyrics. They are not the lyrics for 'One' but a different song. I pasted the correct lyrics in my other comment.
LMewdowlark
And there's a part of you that wants me to riot
Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit
Every sweet-tooth needs just a little hit
Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?
Oh, change of heart comes slow
It's not a hill, it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
Do you believe me or are you doubting?
We're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight
Every generation gets a chance to change the world
Pity the nation that won't listen to you boys and girls
Is the sweetest melody the one we haven't heard?
Is it true that perfect love drives out all fear?
The right to be ridiculous is something I hold dear
Oh, but change of heart comes slow
It's not a hill, it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
You see, for me, I've been shouting
But we're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight
Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you now
You got someone to blame?
You say, one love, one life
When it's one need in the night
One love, we get to share it
Leaves you, baby, if you don't care for it
Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well, it's too late tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
Have you come here for forgiveness?
Have you come to raise the dead?
Have you come here to play Jesus?
To the lepers in your head
Did I ask too much? More than a lot
You gave me nothing, now it's all I got
We're one but we're not the same
Well, we hurt each other then we do it again
You say love is a temple, love a higher law
Love is a temple, love the higher law
You ask me to enter but then you make me crawl
And I can't be holdin' on to what you got
When all you got is hurt
One love, one blood
One life, you got to do what you should
One life with each other
Sisters, brothers
One life but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
One
@pas2933
"One life with each other: sisters, brothers.
One life, but we're not the same.
We get to carry each other, carry each other."
So true... Just try just a second to imagine a world were all people were the same...
No, we are not the same, and all the wealth come from mixing such differences.
Mixing, not conflicting...
obscurantism and hate will NEVER win
Knowledge and tolerance will DEFINITIVELY win
In memory of Samuel Paty
@keithwente5930
Nobody should say anything about Bono anyways.
The guy is a prolific humanitarian who cares about people.
He's helped more people than most can imagine.
And he's inspired and touched more people in the past..
The present..
And still will in the future.
@ericvalls2685
Lyrics | U2 - One
Is it getting better?
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you now?
You got someone to blame
You say, one love, one life
When it's one need in the night
One love, we get to share it
Leaves you baby if you don't care for it
Did I disappoint you?
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well it's too late tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One!
Have you come here for forgiveness?
Have you come to raise the dead?
Have you come here to play Jesus?
To the lepers in your head
Did I ask too much? More than a lot
You gave me nothin' now it's all I got
We're one but we're not the same
Well we hurt each other then we do it again
You say love is a temple, love a higher law
Love is a temple, love the higher law
You ask me to enter but then you make me crawl
And I can't be holdin' on to what you got
When all you got is hurt
One love, one blood
One life, you got to do what you should
One life, with each other
Sisters, brothers
One life but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
One
@lisadeluxemusic4625
My dad passed away 2weeks ago, he loved this song ever since i was little, now i listen to his music with his picture in my hands to think about all memories we had❤❤❤
@biancabotha5355
From Germany a BIG hug !
@soniagomessantos5939
🎉Love it! ❤I me Sorry❤
@johncollins4402
Stay strong friend.I know it's hard.let the tears out.God bless
@countloco5362
Keep ya head up sister! I know hurts like hell but the pain will get better! I lost my dad a little over 1 and a half years ago...it still hurts but not like it did when he passed away! Hugs and much love to ya!!!
@Adroyo
Sorry for your loss
@amykaaa3570
Que la liberté des Lumières perdure..... que l'Egalité perdure enfin que la Fraternité perdure ....🇫🇷 Adieu Monsieur PATY, vous étiez et vous resterez un représentant de la connaissance, nous ne vous oublierons jamais 😪⚘⚘⚘🤲
@luciennesanchez8146
Hommage au professeur victime de tous nos renoncements