The first single (Staring at the Sun) features two b-sides, "North and South of the River" written by Bono and Christy Moore and "Your Blue Room" by U2 and Brian Eno as Passengers from their 1995 album Original Soundtracks 1.
The Second single (Staring At The Sun) features NASOTR and several drum and bass remixes of the title track.
Staring At The Sun
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Summer dresses pass
In the shade of a willow tree
Creeps a crawling over me
Over me and over you
Stuck together with God's glue
It's going to get stickier too
It's been a long hot summer
Don't try too hard to think
Don't think at all
I'm not the only one
Starin' at the sun
Afraid of what you'd find
If you took a look inside
Not just deaf and dumb
Staring at the sun
Not the only one
Who's happy to go blind
There's an insect in your ear
If you scratch it won't disappear
It's gonna itch and burn and sting
Do you want to see what the scratching brings
Waves that leave me out of reach
Breaking on your back like a beach
Will we ever live in peace?
'Cause those that can't do often have to
And those that can't do often have to preach
To the ones staring at the sun
Afraid of what you'd find
If you took a look inside
Not just deaf and dumb
Staring at the sun
I'm not the only one
Who'd rather go blind
Intransigence is all around
Military still in town
Armour plated suits and ties
Daddy just won't say goodbye
Referee won't blow the whistle
God is good but will he listen
I'm nearly great
But there's something I'm missing
But I'm feeling like duty free, ah
You never really belonged to me
You're not the only one
Starin' at the sun
Afraid of what you'd find
If you stepped back inside
I'm not sucking on my thumb
I'm staring at the sun
Not the only one
Who's happy to go blind
Ah ah I
Ah ah I
Ah ah I
Ah ah I
The song "Staring At The Sun" by U2 is a commentary on the struggles and anxieties of modern life. The opening lyrics describe the lull of a hot summer day and the feeling of being trapped in a stagnant situation. The singer acknowledges that they are not the only one feeling this way and expresses a desire to escape their current state of mind.
The second verse introduces the metaphor of an insect in the ear, representing the nagging, persistent worries that plague us. The chorus reinforces the idea that many people are "staring at the sun" and trying to avoid looking inside themselves for fear of what they may find. The singer identifies with this feeling, but also recognizes the futility of such avoidance.
The final verse touches on themes of politics and powerlessness, describing a tense situation in which military forces are present and a person of authority (likely a father figure) is refusing to let go. The singer acknowledges their own shortcomings and sense of incompleteness, but also suggests that perhaps this is a universal feeling.
Overall, the lyrics of "Staring At The Sun" paint a picture of the struggle to find meaning and belonging in a world that often feels chaotic and unforgiving.
Line by Line Meaning
Summer stretching on the grass
The warm, sunny season is lingering as I sit on the grass
Summer dresses pass
People are walking by in light, summer clothing
In the shade of a willow tree
Underneath the branches of a willow, where it's cooler
Creeps a crawling over me
I feel a bug crawling on me
Over me and over you
The bug is crawling on both of us
Stuck together with God's glue
We're bonded together like we're meant to be
It's going to get stickier too
This bond is only going to get stronger and stickier
It's been a long hot summer
This season has been going on for a while and it's hot
Let's get undercover
Let's take some cover from the heat
Don't try too hard to think
Don't overthink things
Don't think at all
Just be present and don't worry about thinking
I'm not the only one
There are others like me
Starin' at the sun
Gazing at the bright sun
Afraid of what you'd find
Scared of what you might discover about yourself
If you took a look inside
If you examined yourself more closely
Not just deaf and dumb
Not lacking in intelligence
Staring at the sun
Continuing to look at the sun
Not the only one
Others share this behavior
Who's happy to go blind
Who are content with not seeing clearly
There's an insect in your ear
Something is bothering you or distracting you
If you scratch it won't disappear
If you try to fix it, it won't go away
It's gonna itch and burn and sting
It will cause discomfort and pain
Do you want to see what the scratching brings
Do you want to experience the outcome of trying to fix it
Waves that leave me out of reach
Experiences that make me feel unreachable
Breaking on your back like a beach
Like the waves crashing on a shore
Will we ever live in peace?
Will we ever find true harmony and contentment
'Cause those that can't do often have to
People who are unable to do something are forced to rely on others
And those that can't do often have to preach
Those who cannot act themselves tend to preach to others
To the ones staring at the sun
To those who are looking at the sun
Afraid of what you'd find
Scared of discovering something undesirable
If you took a look inside
If you scrutinized yourself
Not just deaf and dumb
Not lacking in intelligence or awareness
Staring at the sun
Watching the bright sun
I'm not the only one
There are others like me
Who'd rather go blind
Who would rather remain unaware or be blinded to the truth
Intransigence is all around
There is stubbornness and refusal to change everywhere
Military still in town
The military is still present
Armored plated suits and ties
People in positions of power and authority
Daddy just won't say goodbye
Someone is holding on or unwilling to let go
Referee won't blow the whistle
No one is stepping in to resolve an issue or situation
God is good but will he listen
A question about faith and if it truly matters
I'm nearly great
I'm almost successful or accomplished
But there's something I'm missing
But I still feel like something is lacking
But I'm feeling like duty free, ah
But I have a sense of freedom or liberation
You never really belonged to me
You were never really mine
You're not the only one
Others feel the same
Starin' at the sun
Looking at the bright sun
Afraid of what you'd find
Scared of what you might come across
If you stepped back inside
If you returned to yourself
I'm not sucking on my thumb
I'm not helpless or naive
I'm staring at the sun
I'm watching the sun
Not the only one
There are others like me
Who's happy to go blind
Who are content with not seeing the truth
Ah ah I
Vocalization with no clear meaning
Ah ah I
Vocalization with no clear meaning
Ah ah I
Vocalization with no clear meaning
Ah ah I
Vocalization with no clear meaning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DaFuqBoom
Windmill windmill for the land... ;D
@Jonathan-hy3pv
I see you're not the only one who found staring at the sun and feel good inc similar
@haraldbuit4215
Another highlight from the underrated and misunderstood Pop-album
@gabrielsegurado
best album ever
@mifuerzamorales
Yes...best album!!In that decade of the 90's U2 had three presentations ... Achtum Baby, Zooroppa, Pop; great inventors !!!
@philipstearn4743
@@gabrielsegurado better than the Joshua tree ❓ or Achtung baby ❓
It's not even as good as Songs of Innocence.
@markmcauleymcauley9287
@@philipstearn4743 everyone is entitled to their opinion,maybe it defines a period in their life
@philipstearn4743
@@markmcauleymcauley9287 completely true. But, and it's a big but, Pop, as an album, is not coherent. It just seems like a few songs that happened to crop up at the same time in a "we've got to put out an album, oh, this'll do" sort of a way. Even the band admit that Pop was never finished to their satisfaction.
@1largelaw
This album shows you how little attention one should give the "critics". It is insanely creative and fun.
@workingZen
Such a great U2 song from an underrated album. Every song on that album was so good. A soundtrack to my 1997 life.