Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
U2 Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tough, you think you've got the stuff
You're telling me and anyone
You're hard enough

You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

We fight, all the time
You and I, that's alright
We're the same soul
I don't need, I don't need to hear you say
That if we weren't so alike
You'd like me a whole lot more

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

Say, say, say

I know that we don't talk
I'm sick of it all
Can you hear me when I
Sing, you're the reason I sing
You're the reason why the opera is in me

We're here now
I've still got to let you know
A house doesn't make a home
Don't leave me here alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you that makes it hard to let go
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Sometimes you can't make it




Best you can do is to fake it
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own by U2 is a powerful message of love and support from a father to his son. The song reveals the complex relationship between the two, the ups and downs, and the strain that life can put on any relationship. The father is expressing his unconditional love for his son despite their differences and clashes. He acknowledges that his son is tough and capable, but reminds him that he doesn’t always have to put up a fight and be right all the time. The father offers to take some of the punches for his son tonight and tells him that he doesn't have to go it alone.


The chorus of the song reflects the son looking in the mirror and not seeing himself, but the father. He knows that his father is always there for him, even when he doesn't answer his phone. The father tells him that sometimes you can't make it on your own and that it is okay to ask for help. The son and father fight often, but the father assures him that it is alright because they are the same soul. He doesn’t need to hear his son say that he would like him more if they were not so alike.


The song ends with the father expressing his love for his son, and letting him know that a house doesn't make a home. He doesn’t want to be left alone and wants his son to know that he is the reason why he sings and why the opera is in him. Overall, the song shows that no one is perfect, and sometimes we need help and support from our loved ones. We must cherish the relationships that we have and remember that sometimes, you can't make it on your own.


Line by Line Meaning

Tough, you think you've got the stuff
You're confident in your abilities


You're telling me and anyone
You're vocalizing your confidence


You're hard enough
You're strong and resilient


You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to be defensive


You don't have to always be right
You don't have to prove yourself


Let me take some of the punches
Let me help you out


For you tonight
Right now, in this moment


Listen to me now
Pay attention to what I'm saying


I need to let you know
I want to share something important with you


You don't have to go it alone
You don't have to face things by yourself


And it's you when I look in the mirror
I see you reflected in me


And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
I think of you even when we're not talking


Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Sometimes you need help and support


We fight, all the time
We argue and disagree often


You and I, that's alright
But our differences are okay


We're the same soul
Our similarities outweigh our differences


I don't need, I don't need to hear you say
I don't require you to tell me


That if we weren't so alike
That our differences matter


You'd like me a whole lot more
You'd appreciate me more


Say, say, say
Listen to me


I know that we don't talk
We don't communicate well


I'm sick of it all
I'm tired of this situation


Can you hear me when I
Do you understand me when I


Sing, you're the reason I sing
You inspire me


You're the reason why the opera is in me
You influence my creative expression


We're here now
We're in this moment


I've still got to let you know
I still have to tell you


A house doesn't make a home
A building isn't enough to create a loving environment


Don't leave me here alone
Don't abandon me


And it's you that makes it hard to let go
It's difficult to move on from you


Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Sometimes we need others to help us through life's challenges


Best you can do is to fake it
The only option might be to pretend everything's okay


Sometimes you can't make it on your own
We all need someone to rely on at times




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@darkknight2304

Tough
You think you've got the stuff
You're telling me and anyone
You're hard enough
You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight
Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone
And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
We fight all the time
You and I, that's alright
We're the same soul
I don't need, I don't need to hear you say
That if we weren't so alike
You'd like me a whole lot more
Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone
And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
I know that we don't talk
I'm sick of it all
Can you hear me when I sing?
You're the reason I sing
You're the reason why the opera is in me
Hey now
Still got to let you know
A house doesn't make a home
Don't leave me here alone
And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you that makes it hard to let go
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Sometimes you can't make it
Best you can do, is to fake it
Sometimes you can't make it on your own



@MrPge1970

My Dad died four years ago.

We had a typical Irish Dad/Son relationship for someone in his 70s and me in my 40s (now 50s).

I drove him to Beaumont for treatment for three years and he told me of all the traffic shortcuts (that were wrong!). But he wouldn't be told!

I went to see U2 in Croke Park in 85 when he got me tickets for my inter cert. And in 87, 89 and after that. Even if he didn't approve.

Thanks Dad.



All comments from YouTube:

@StillnessofMind

They say " Time is a great healer..". that is the biggest lie and total fairytale. When you lose someone you love, you do not heal with time .. you learn to live with the loss, because, you have no choice. Love this song .. breaks my heart too. I lost my Dad in November 2020.

@Ellemtee749

@OPENYOUREYES88🌊🗽 Nah mate. Go the hell away please.

@NazriB

Lies again? Bob Porn Ugly University

@jeffdawson1680

Time does help you , until you can handle the pain . Great song!

@fayded99

That's because we never forget them!

@marioluisi44

@@jeffdawson1680 a

64 More Replies...

@Marzosio

I came here today, after reading the chapter in Bono's book: Surrender, in which he talks about the elationship with his father and the creation of this song. I was so moved by this chapter. I had to put the book down.

My father died when I was 13 years old, after a long struggle which he had with cancer. The house was no longer a home. It became empty. I missed him so much and the only place I had to run to was music. Music helped me to deal with the grief.

My oldest brother bought me a DVD of U2's show in Chicago (The Elevation Tour). I would put on that DVD and just shower myself with the music and shower my emotions with the music. I felt hurt and sad. I felt lonely. But the music was always there.

Thank you Bono for sharing a beautiful creation which came out of your grief, with us. Your band will always be my number one. Thank you. Mark

@nelnipper354

❤❤❤❤

@doolally1478

❤❤❤❤

@stevewilson5402

Wow you are there #1 fan I think!​@@doolally1478

More Comments

More Versions