The Fly
U2 Lyrics


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Oh, baby child

It's no secret that the stars are falling from the sky
It's no secret that our world is in darkness tonight
They say the sun is sometimes eclipsed by a moon
You know I don't see you when she walks in the room

It's no secret that a friend is someone who lets you help
It's no secret that a liar won't believe anyone else
They say a secret is something you tell one other person
So I'm telling you, child

A man will beg
A man will crawl
On the sheer face of love
Like a fly on a wall
It's no secret at all

It's no secret that a conscience can sometimes be a pest
It's no secret ambition bites the nails of success
Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief
All kill their inspiration and sing about their grief

Over love

A man will rise
A man will fall
From the sheer face of love
Like a fly from a wall
It's no secret at all

Love, we shine like a
Burning star
We're falling from the sky
Tonight

A man will rise
A man will fall
From the sheer face of love
Like a fly from a wall
It's no secret at all

Oh, yeah!
It's no secret that the stars are falling from the sky
The universe exploded 'cause of one man's lie




Look, I gotta go, yeah I'm running outta change
There's a lot of things, if I could I'd rearrange

Overall Meaning

The Fly by the band U2 was released in 1991 as a single from their Achtung Baby album. The song is a reflection of the identity crisis the band was going through at the time. The opening line, "Oh baby child" is Bono's attempt to create a new persona that was neither the old Bono nor the new experimental Bono. The song is known for its distorted guitar riff and dark lyrics that deal with themes of love, truth, ambition, and identity.


The opening lines of the song, "It's no secret that the stars are falling from the sky, it's no secret that our world is in darkness tonight" sets a somber mood for the song. Bono then goes on to talk about how the truth is often hidden behind lies and how we as a society need to find our way out of the darkness. He sings about the dangers of ambition and how it can lead to the destruction of inspiration.


The lyrics are very cryptic and open to interpretation. The song seems to be about the alienation and isolation that comes with success both in terms of personal relationships and artistic practice. There are references to the death of inspiration, the cannibalization of other artists' work, and the importance of authentic communication with close friends.


Overall, The Fly is a song about the masks we wear, the lies we tell, and the things we hide from the world in order to protect ourselves.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, baby child
Introspective greeting to one's inner self.


It's no secret that the stars are falling from the sky
Acknowledgment of the chaotic state of the world.


It's no secret that our world is in darkness tonight
Admission of the depressing state of the world at the time.


They say the sun is sometimes eclipsed by a moon
Quoting a common idiom that implies unexpected darkness.


You know I don't see you when she walks in the room
Addressing someone who sometimes goes unnoticed.


It's no secret that a friend is someone who lets you help
Defining the characteristics of a true friend.


It's no secret that a liar won't believe anyone else
Calling out the stubborn nature of a dishonest person.


They say a secret is something you tell one other person
Citing the social convention on keeping a secret.


So I'm telling you, child
Breaking the rules by confiding in someone else.


A man will beg
Acknowledgment of one's vulnerability and humility.


A man will crawl
Admission of one's weakness and need for help.


On the sheer face of love
Describing how love can be overwhelming and dangerous like a cliff.


Like a fly on a wall
Comparing oneself to a small, insignificant observer.


It's no secret at all
Reinforcing the idea that everything is out in the open.


It's no secret that a conscience can sometimes be a pest
Acknowledgment of the inner moral compass that can be annoying.


It's no secret ambition bites the nails of success
Stating how being driven for success can also be self-destructive.


Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief
Commenting on how creativity can be fueled by the works of others.


All kill their inspiration and sing about their grief
Acknowledgment of how depression can lead to creative output.


Over love
Summarizing how love can be both exhilarating and devastating.


A man will rise
Acknowledgment of one's capability to overcome challenges.


A man will fall
Acknowledgment of one's susceptibility to failure.


From the sheer face of love
Reiterating how love can be dangerous.


Like a fly from a wall
Comparing oneself to a helpless, insignificant observer.


Love, we shine like a
Exalting the radiance of love.


Burning star
Describing the intense passion felt in a loving relationship.


We're falling from the sky
Acknowledgment of the tumultuous nature of such passion.


Tonight
Indicating the immediacy of events.


Oh, yeah!
Exclamatory phrase expressing a positive emotion.


It's no secret that the stars are falling from the sky
Reiterating the chaotic state of the world.


The universe exploded 'cause of one man's lie
Offering a hypothetical cause for such chaos.


Look, I gotta go, yeah I'm running outta change
Sudden interruption of the thoughtful tone with a mundane event.


There's a lot of things, if I could I'd rearrange
Final admission of one's powerlessness to change the world.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Howell Evans, Paul David Hewson, Adam Charles Clayton, Larry Jr. Mullen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@gmr7494

U2 in its absolute creative prime. Achtung Baby was their greatest album ever.

@OberynTheRedViper

Uh, what? It's great, but it doesn't top Joshua Tree.

@kellethomas7808

Best Album Hands Down!!!!

@bernicerogers2383

Dave Evans aka The Edge really stands out in this band IMO.

@artlover4668

I don't think anyone can fully understand how radical and revolutionary this album was in 1991. When I first heard the opening riffs of "The Fly" on the radio, I was like thinking......is this "f"ing U2????? You can dislike Bono all you want, but admit, his Fly persona was pure genius

@ipiap

It feels much more radical and revolutionary now. But nobody is listening.

@Io-Io-Io

Bono is one of the greats. That's just a fact. To say otherwise is just the expression of envy and resentment

@ericn1450

I think the album is really good but revolutionary it is not. I mean the dance elements are straight Up Happy Mondays rips per the Pills, Thrills and Bellyaches album.

@tommyz9910

It was pure fun!

@iliasmess

Exactly. The opening riff from this is so satisfying and shows a group so much more mature than Rattle and Hum, willing to explore new paths but always influenced by the giants before them... Bowie, Zeppelin ( Edge's pants pay homage to Page's dragon suit here) are stronger influences than ever on this one. Colossal album, cannot be topped

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