Iris
Adam Clayton/Bono/Larry Mullen Jr./The Edge/U2 Lyrics

The star that gives us light
Referring to a loved one who has passed away, and whose light and love the singer still misses.

Has been gone a while
It's been a long time since the loved one has passed away, and the singer is still feeling the pain of the loss.

But it's not an illusion
The singer's feelings of love and loss are real, even though the loved one is no longer physically present.

The ache in my heart
The pain and longing that the artist feels in their heart for the loved one who has passed away.

Is so much a part of who I am
The artist's love for the lost loved one is an integral part of their identity and personality.

Something in your eyes
The singer is looking into the eyes of the person they love, and seeing something important and meaningful there.

Took a thousand years to get here
The love between the singer and their partner is timeless and has been building for centuries.

Hold me close
The artist wants physical comfort and affection from their partner.

Like I'm someone that you might know
The artist wants their partner to know them deeply, intimately, and personally.

The darkness just lets us see
In the darkest times, the true essence of the relationship shines and becomes clear.

Who we are
The true nature of the relationship and the individual identities of the people involved become clear in dark times.

I've got your life inside of me
The artist feels a deep and spiritual connection to their partner, and draws strength from it.

Once we are born
After we are born into the world, we start to forget our true purpose or identity.

We begin to forget
As time passes and we age, we lose sight of what we really are or what we were meant to do.

The very reason we came
Our true purpose for existing or being born is often forgotten as we grow older.

But you I'm sure I've met
The artist feels a deep connection to their partner, as if they've known them for a long time on a soul level.

Long before the night
This connection goes back much further than just the current lifetime or meeting.

The stars went out
Referring to the loss of the loved one, and how it feels as if the stars themselves have gone out.

We're meeting up again
The singer feels a sense of reunion or meeting up again with their lost loved one, even if only in spirit.

The stars are bright
Even though the stars may be shining brightly, they are not aware of the beauty and coldness of the universe.

But do they know
The stars are not conscious beings, and are unaware of their own surroundings or the world at large.

The universe is beautiful but cold
The universe is vast, beautiful, and awe-inspiring, but also indifferent and harsh.

You took me by the hand
The singer's partner led them on a journey or adventure, and showed them things they never knew.

I thought that I was leading you
The artist initially thought they were the one leading the way, but came to realize it was really their partner.

But it was you made me your man
The singer's partner was the one who made the singer feel like a complete and whole person, and helped them become the person they are.

Machine, I dream where you are
Referring to an image or idea that the singer has in their mind, that may not be real or possible.

Iris standing in the hall
Referring to a memory or vision of the lost loved one.

She tells me I can do it all
The artist remembers their lost loved one telling them that they were capable of anything, and this inspires them.

Iris wakes to my nightmares
The artist often dreams about their lost loved one, and this causes them distress or worry.

Don't fear the world
A message from the lost loved one, urging the singer not to be afraid of the challenges and difficulties in life.

It isn't there
The hardships and obstacles in life may seem real and overwhelming, but they are ultimately illusory and temporary.

Iris playing on the Strand
Referring to another memory or image of the lost loved one.

She buries the boy beneath the sand
Imagery of the lost loved one burying the past, or moving on from a difficult time.

Iris says that I will be the death of her
The artist's loved one feels like their deep love for the artist may be causing them harm or distress.

It was not me
The singer feels innocent and detached from the pain or negative feelings of their loved one, and knows that their love is genuine and pure.

She said free yourself to be yourself
The lost loved one advised the artist to find true freedom and fulfillment by being their authentic self.

If only you could see yourself
The singer wishes they could fully understand or appreciate themselves, as the lost loved one did.

Free yourself to be yourself
Reiterating the message that true liberation and fulfillment comes from embracing one's true self.

If only you could see
The singer wishes they could fully comprehend the message and wisdom of the lost loved one.