Vertigo
U2/Way Out West 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 to U2/Way Out West's song Vertigo are about being lost in a world of chaos and confusion. The opening line of "unos, dos, tres, catorce" which translates to "one, two, three, fourteen" is a metaphor for the disorientation and lack of rationality that can come with feeling lost. The line "the jungle is your head, can't rule your heart" suggests being overwhelmed by overwhelming thoughts and emotions. The theme of searching for meaning in a chaotic world is also seen in the lyrics "The night is full of holes 'Cause bullets rip the sky of ink with gold." The language in the song is also suggestive of a physical feeling of movement or vertigo; there are several references to swinging and the repetition of the word "yeah."

Throughout the song, the singer is seeking answers to their questions, and they find it in the power and intensity of the music itself. The strong beat and guitar riffs are an anchor in a sea of uncertainty, providing a sense of control and direction in a chaotic world. From the lyrics "Except you give me something, I can feel, feel" to the line "Your love is teaching me how to kneel," the singer is finding meaning and purpose in the energy of the music.

Line by Line Meaning

Unos, dos, tres, catorce
Counting off to start the song.

Turn it up loud, captain
Asking the person in charge to raise the volume.

Lights go down, it's dark
The lights turn off, it becomes dark.

The jungle is your head, can't rule your heart
Your thoughts are like a jungle and you can't control your feelings or emotions.

A feeling's so much stronger than a thought
Emotions are more powerful than mere thoughts.

Your eyes are wide and though your soul, it can't be bought
Your eyes are open wide and although you can't buy your soul, you can't help feeling something.

Your mind can wander
Your thoughts can drift aimlessly.

Hello, hello (hola)
Greeting someone in two languages.

I'm at a place called Vertigo (¿dónde está?)
Referring to being in a state of confusion, excitement, or dizziness and asking where it is.

It's everything I wish I didn't know
It is a place where everything you wish you didn't know is revealed to you.

Except you give me something
However, you give me something.

I can feel, feel
I can feel something emotionally intense.

The night is full of holes
The night is filled with gaps or emptiness.

'Cause bullets rip the sky of ink with gold
Because gunshots make holes in the sky filled with stars.

They twinkle as the boys play rock and roll
The stars shine as the boys play music.

They know that they can't dance, at least they know
The boys know that they can't dance, even if they try.

I can't stand the beat, I'm asking for the check
The music is too loud, I want to pay and leave.

Girl with crimson nails has Jesus around her neck
A woman with red nails wearing a cross necklace.

Swinging to the music, swinging to the music (whoa, whoa) (Whoa, whoa, whoa)
Dancing to the music with enthusiasm and energy.

Checkmated
Being stuck or blocked from making a move in a game of chess.

Just fun
It's just about having fun, nothing serious.

She made it in, yeah
Someone made it to a place or event successfully.

All of this, all of this can be yours
Everything you see can be yours.

Just give me what I want and no one gets hurt
Give me what I am asking for and nobody will be harmed.

Hello, hello (hola)
Greeting someone again in two languages.

We're at a place called Vertigo (¿dónde está?)
Still referring to being in a state of confusion, excitement, or dizziness and asking where it is.

Lights go down, and all I know
The lights turn off and all that is left is a feeling.

Is that you give me something
The only thing I am sure of is that you are giving me something.

I can feel your love teaching me how
I am feeling your emotions and they are teaching me something about love.

Your love is teaching me how
Your love is teaching me how to do something.

How to kneel
How to show respect or submission by kneeling.

Kneel
A command to kneel, perhaps in worship or submission.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Repeating the word 'yeah' eight times for emphasis.

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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