Stories For Boys
U2 Lyrics

There's a place I go
The singer has a secret place they go to escape from reality

And I am far away
In this place, the singer can distance themselves from their problems and feelings

There's a TV show
The singer has an outlet in watching TV to help them grow and learn

And I can grow
They can gain knowledge and wisdom from the content they watch

Sometimes the hero takes me
The artist can identify with the artist of their shows, and can be transported by their stories

Sometimes I don't let go
They can become so ingrained in the stories they see that they can't come back to reality easily

Hello hello
This is a recurring phrase giving emphasis to the importance of these stories in the singer's life

There's a picture book
The artist also finds solace in reading picture books, specifically those with colorful photographs

With colored photographs
The artist finds beauty and joy in the imagery of the picture book

There's a comic strip
The artist also finds amusement in reading comic strips

That makes me laugh
These comics bring humor and lightheartedness to the singer's life

Sometimes the lady takes me
The artist believes they can also relate to female protagonists in stories, and can be transported by their stories

Sometimes I don't let go
Once again, the singer finds it difficult to leave this alternative world when they become so attached

(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
This is a repeated phrase that emphasizes the theme of the song

(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
By repeating this phrase, it reinforces the importance of these stories to the singer, as well as draws attention to the fact that these stories may be particularly important to boys.

(Stories for boys)
The song is ultimately about the important role that stories play in shaping our identities and our emotional landscapes.

There's a place I go
This is repeated from earlier to close the song, leaving the listener with a sense of how significant this place of escapism is to the artist.

And it's a part of me
This place has become integral to the singer's wellbeing and sense of self

There's a radio
The singer also finds comfort in listening to the radio

And I will crawl
This line implies that the artist may feel weakened or vulnerable at times, and that sometimes the stories they turn to are their only refuge

Sometimes the hero takes me
This is a repeat from earlier, further emphasizing the importance of heroism and escapism to the artist.

Sometimes I can't let go
Again, the artist acknowledges how powerful these stories can be, even when they try to return to reality.

Hello hello
Once again, emphasizing the importance and pervasiveness of these stories in the singer's life.

(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
A repetition of the phrase to close the song, leaving the listener with a clear understanding of its lyrical importance

(Stories for boys, stories for boys)
Another repetition of the phrase, which makes it clear that, whatever gender the listener is, these stories are for everyone, a form of escape that we all need.