Vertigo
BEDROOM - U2 Lyrics


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Unos, dos, tres, catorce
Turn it up loud, captain

Lights go down, it's dark
The jungle is your head, can't rule your heart
A feeling's so much stronger than a thought
Your eyes are wide and though your soul, it can't be bought
Your mind can wander

Hello, hello (hola)
I'm at a place called Vertigo (¿dónde está?)
It's everything I wish I didn't know
Except you give me something
I can feel, feel

The night is full of holes
'Cause bullets rip the sky of ink with gold
They twinkle as the boys play rock and roll
They know that they can't dance, at least they know
I can't stand the beat, I'm asking for the check
Girl with crimson nails has Jesus around her neck
Swinging to the music, swinging to the music (whoa, whoa)
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

Hello, hello (hola)
I'm at a place called Vertigo (¿dónde está?)
It's everything I wish I didn't know
But you give me something
I can feel, feel

Checkmated
Just fun
She made it in, yeah

All of this, all of this can be yours
All of this, all of this can be yours
All of this, all of this can be yours
Just give me what I want and no one gets hurt

Hello, hello (hola)
We're at a place called Vertigo (¿dónde está?)
Lights go down, and all I know
Is that you give me something
I can feel your love teaching me how
Your love is teaching me how
How to kneel
Kneel





Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Vertigo" by U2 delve into themes of confusion, desire, and surrender, set against a backdrop of a chaotic and intense experience. The song begins with the counting off of "Unos, dos, tres, catorce," which translates to "One, two, three, fourteen" in Spanish, adding to the sense of disorientation and excitement. The command to turn up the volume loud indicates an urge to amplify the intensity of the moment, as if seeking an escape from reality.


As the lights go down and darkness envelops, the lyrics describe the jungle as a metaphor for the complexity and wildness within one's mind. The contrast between the head and the heart reflects the internal struggle between reason and emotion. The mention of the inability to buy one's soul suggests a resistance to external influences and a yearning for genuine experiences that cannot be purchased. The line "Your mind can wander" hints at a sense of exploration and freedom in the midst of chaos.


The chorus shifts to a greeting of "Hello, hello" in English and Spanish, placing the listener in a location called Vertigo, which symbolizes a state of confusion and uncertainty. The singer acknowledges that this place holds knowledge they may have preferred not to possess, yet there's a contradictory feeling of being given something tangible to feel amidst the overwhelming sensations. The imagery of bullets ripping the sky and boys playing rock and roll emphasizes a sense of danger and recklessness, contrasting with the singer's discomfort with the music's beat.


The final verses of the song introduce a sense of negotiation and power dynamics, as the singer demands to be given what they want in exchange for safety. The repeated refrain of "Just give me what I want and no one gets hurt" suggests a struggle for control and a willingness to submit to avoid harm. The song concludes with a plea for love to guide and teach, hinting at a vulnerability and a willingness to learn how to surrender and kneel in the face of overwhelming emotions. The repeated affirmations at the end echo a sense of urgency and intensity that permeates the entire song.


Line by Line Meaning

Unos, dos, tres, catorce
Counting down to the start of something exciting


Turn it up loud, captain
Letting loose and embracing the moment


Lights go down, it's dark
Entering a space of uncertainty and vulnerability


The jungle is your head, can't rule your heart
Feeling overwhelmed by chaotic thoughts and emotions


A feeling's so much stronger than a thought
Recognizing the power of emotions over rational thinking


Your eyes are wide and though your soul, it can't be bought
Seeing the world with clarity and authenticity


Your mind can wander
Allowing thoughts to drift freely and explore new horizons


Hello, hello (hola)
Greeting a new experience or feeling


I'm at a place called Vertigo (¿dónde está?)
Exploring the unknown and unfamiliar


It's everything I wish I didn't know
Confronting uncomfortable truths or realities


Except you give me something I can feel, feel
Finding solace or connection in the midst of chaos


The night is full of holes
Feeling a sense of emptiness or uncertainty in the darkness


'Cause bullets rip the sky of ink with gold
Violence and conflict overshadowing beauty and light


They twinkle as the boys play rock and roll
Finding joy and escape through music and entertainment


They know they can't dance, at least they know
Acknowledging limitations but still enjoying the moment


I can't stand the beat, I'm asking for the check
Feeling out of place or disconnected from the rhythm


Girl with crimson nails has Jesus around her neck
Symbols of faith and power intermingling in unexpected ways


Swinging to the music, swinging to the music (whoa, whoa)
Letting go and moving with the flow of life


Checkmated
Feeling trapped or defeated in a game


Just fun
Embracing joy and light-heartedness in the moment


She made it in, yeah
Overcoming obstacles and achieving success


All of this, all of this can be yours
Realizing the potential for ownership and control


Just give me what I want and no one gets hurt
Asserting power and control to meet personal desires


We're at a place called Vertigo (¿dónde está?)
Acknowledging the disorienting nature of the moment


Lights go down, and all I know
Entering a state of uncertainty and vulnerability


Is that you give me something I can feel your love teaching me how
Finding comfort and guidance through love and connection


Your love is teaching me how How to kneel Kneel
Learning humility and vulnerability through love and relationships


Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing enthusiasm or energy in the moment




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@lmg6845

00:00:01 City of Blinding Lights
00:06:35 Vertigo
00:11:48 Elevation
00:16:51 I Will Follow
00:20:46 The Electric Co.
00:26:52 I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
00:30:44 Beautiful Day
00:38:32 Miracle Drug
00:43:33 Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own
00:48:43 Love and Peace or Else
00:53:48 Sunday Bloody Sunday
01:01:30 Bullet the Blue Sky
01:09:40 Miss Sarajevo
01:14:57 Pride (In the Name of Love)
01:19:30 Where the Streets Have No Name
01:28:54 One
01:34:45 Ol' Man River
01:36:15 Walk On (acoustic)
01:41:04 Fast Cars
01:46:46 People Get Ready (ft. Bruce Springsteen & Patti Scialfa)
01:54:38 With or Without You
02:00:43 All Because of You
02:04:26 "40"



All comments from YouTube:

@travistravinyle4207

Pretty incredible footage of Bruce and Patti have never seen this. Thanks for posting

@TheU2BlueRoom

https://youtu.be/uPOXtSwamOE

@sergeyb6071

proudly filmed on a blackberry 😆

@musicalsteve82

This was my 100th concert. I was in the back. Bruce was a great surprise. And that night and for the next three years I actually thought that was the last one.

@michaelweinman9051

wow

@yurieu5872

When I saw these dudes onstage during JT tour... it was something out of this world. I wish they were forever.

@laurengaldo6101

So needed this!!

@michaelweinman9051

Awesome!!! Seen them many times. LA Forum was most recent. 2018 Got a tour T shirt. Wear it proudly.

@VivaU2

Fast Cars !! We got that at Boston 4, too. Was fantastic.

@seantobin8028

I was there. Great show

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