"I Will Follow" was written approximately three weeks before U2 entered the studio to record Boy. Bono has said that he wrote the song from his mother's perspective and was about the unconditional love a mother has for her child.
"I Will Follow" had a second single release as a live version in the Netherlands and Germany in 1981, and a third release in the U.S., lifted from the Under a Blood Red Sky album, in 1983.
I Will Follow
U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was on the outside when you said
You said you needed me
I was looking at myself
I was blind, I could not see
A boy tries hard to be a man
If he stops to think he starts to cry
Oh why
If you walk away, walk away
I walk away, walk away, I will follow
If you walk away, walk away
I walk away, walk away, I will follow, I will follow
I was on the inside
When they pulled the four walls down
I was looking through the window
I was lost, I am found
Walk away, walk away
I walk away, walk away, I will follow
If you walk away, walk away
I walk away, walk away, I will follow
I will follow
Your eyes make a circle
I see you when I go in there
Your eyes, your eyes, your eyes, your eyes
If you walk away, walk away
I walk away, walk away, I will follow
If you walk away, walk away
I walk away, walk away, I will follow
I will follow
I will follow
I will follow
I will follow
I will follow
"I Will Follow" by U2 is a song that reflects the band's early years and their journey as a band. The lyrics express the band's loyalty and commitment towards each other and their music. The song opens with Bono reminiscing about his early days with the band when he was an outsider, and how the words of encouragement from his bandmates gave him the courage to keep going. The first stanza of the song also shows the growth and transformation of the singer from a boy to a man.
The second stanza of the song talks about the demolition of a building in which the singer might have felt trapped. The demolition of the building represents rebirth and hope. The phrase "I was lost, I am found" in the lyrics also emphasizes this point. The chorus of the song "If you walk away, walk away, I will follow" echoes the band's solidarity and promises to stand by each other even in difficult times.
The song's lyrics are often interpreted as a promise of loyalty and love between friends, lovers or even the band and their fans. The repeating chorus of "I will follow" reinforces the idea of loyalty and commitment. Throughout the song, Bono's vocals are emotive and passionate, conveying the message of the song with a sense of urgency and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
I will follow
I will stick with you and follow you wherever you go
I was on the outside when you said
You said you needed me
I was looking at myself
I was blind, I could not see
I was emotionally distant and ignored your calls for help until I realized my own issues were preventing me from being there for you
A boy tries hard to be a man
His mother takes him by his hand
If he stops to think he starts to cry
Oh why
A son strives to grow up too fast without realizing his own limitations, and can only cry when he realizes he needs guidance from those who care for him
If you walk away, walk away
I walk away, walk away, I will follow
Even if you leave me, I will still stand by you and be with you
I was on the inside
When they pulled the four walls down
I was looking through the window
I was lost, I am found
I was stuck in my own personal prison until it was destroyed, and finally found direction when I saw the world through your eyes
Your eyes make a circle
I see you when I go in there
Your eyes, your eyes, your eyes, your eyes
When I look into your eyes, I see a reflection of myself and am reminded of my commitment to follow you
I will follow
I will follow
I will continue to stand by you and follow you no matter what happens
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul David Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
I will Follow...
I was on the outside when you said
You said you needed me
I was looking at myself
I was blind, I could not see
A boy tries hard to be a man
His mother takes him by his hand
If he stops to think he starts to cry
Oh why
If you walkaway, walkaway
I walkaway, walkaway...I will follow
I was on the inside
When they pulled the four walls down
I was looking through the window
I was lost, I am found
Your eyes make a circle
I see you when I go in there
Your eyes, your eyes...
@patrickrabion9473
Saw them in a small club in Madison, WI. in 1981. I knew they’d be big. After the show, all the band members came out to sign autographs, I still have my ticket with all their signatures. How cool was that?
@joanneboyd3519
I saw them in Albany NY 1981 at a college Mayfest. For 5 bucks. They were incredible .
@robertoferrigato1998
Lucky boy
@lauramayfield5410
priceless!!
@Deshard62
Hitsville in Passaic, New Jersey in '81. Oh to be 19 again and slam-dancing to this like a brainwashed maniac.
@gabrielbalbec883
It must have been cool indeed.
@wmtaylor6705
The Guitar tone that was heard around the world! Love the Edge's sound!
@lordvader6512
So he got that sound from a Les Paul plugged into a Fender Dual Showman going through a Marshall cab? Magic sauce indeed.
@curly_wyn
Tbf, he wasn’t the very first, as Keith Levene and John McGeoch also had the tone.
@keithshaw1780
The King of delay.