The Fly
U2 / U2 Lyrics
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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
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
The song The Fly by U2 starts with the lines “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”. The opening lines of the song depict a scene of chaos and confusion, perhaps indicating the political or social turmoil of the time. The band members' use of their personal experiences of fame and success is evident throughout the song. The reference to stars falling from the sky could be an analogy for the downfall of celebrities, particularly those who self-destruct. The song goes on to talk about the role of secrets in our lives, and how sometimes they are not really secrets at all. A friend who lets you help, for example, is not keeping a secret but is still a valuable asset in life.
The chorus shows Bono's powerful vocals, which are slightly distorted to create a new sound that is very much of its time. The line “A man will beg, a man will crawl on the sheer face of love like a fly on a wall” suggests the vulnerability and desperation that can arise from our love for another. The song then delves into darker themes like the pressure to succeed and the sacrifices that artists make to produce their best work. The lines “Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief. All kill their inspiration and sing about their grief” indicates that while artists may produce great art, they often do so at the expense of their emotional health. Finally, the song ends with the line “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.” This could be the band's way of addressing the negativity in the world and the desire for change that underpins much of their music.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, baby child
Introducing a new idea or person in a loving manner
It's no secret that the stars are falling from the sky
Acknowledging that something is wrong with the world, that things are not as they should be
It's no secret that our world is in darkness tonight
Stressing the point that things are not right, that darkness is all around us
They say the sun is sometimes eclipsed by a moon
Recognizing that even in the natural order of things, the light is sometimes blocked out and darkness prevails
You know I don't see you when she walks in the room
Admitting to a lack of focus or attention, being distracted or misled
It's no secret that a friend is someone who lets you help
Defining a true friendship as one in which you can help each other, be there for one another
It's no secret that a liar won't believe anyone else
Pointing out the folly of a liar, that they can't believe even the truth spoken by others
They say a secret is something you tell one other person
Defining what a secret is, traditionally understood to be told to just one chosen or trusted confidant
So I'm telling you, child
Expressing a desire to confide in someone, to share a secret, to be open and honest
A man will beg
Making a statement about the desperation and vulnerability of men in general, how they may be forced to beg for what they need or desire
A man will crawl
Acknowledging how men may have to go to great lengths, even crawling on the ground, to achieve their goals, especially in matters of the heart
On the sheer face of love
Describing the steep and difficult path that love can take, how it involves risk and effort and courage
Like a fly on a wall
Using the image of a fly on a wall to suggest the idea of someone observing secretly, without being seen or heard
It's no secret at all
Emphasizing that these truths are universal, that they apply to everyone, that there is nothing hidden about them
It's no secret that a conscience can sometimes be a pest
Acknowledging that sometimes our own conscience can be a nagging or annoying presence, reminding us of our faults and failings
It's no secret ambition bites the nails of success
Describing how ambition can lead to anxiety and insecurity, even when you achieve your goals, because you never feel completely satisfied or secure
Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief
Making a provocative statement about the role of creativity, how it often involves borrowing or stealing from others, using their ideas or perspectives to create something new
All kill their inspiration and sing about their grief
Suggesting how even the most inspired and creative people can suffer from self-doubt, frustration, and pain, and that often their best work comes from channeling those feelings into their art
Over love
Suggesting that much of this creative energy is fueled by the powerful force of love, whether romantic, spiritual, or artistic in nature
A man will rise
Describing how men can also rise to great heights, achieving their desires and fulfilling their dreams, through the power of love or other motivators
A man will fall
Recognizing that sometimes even the most successful or confident men can stumble or fall, failing in some way or experiencing a setback
From the sheer face of love
Emphasizing how love is still the driving force behind many of life's struggles and triumphs, how it is a powerful and often inscrutable force
Like a fly from a wall
Returning to the earlier image of a fly observing but not interfering, suggesting that ultimately we are all at the mercy of forces greater than ourselves
Love, we shine like a
Acknowledging the power and beauty of love, using the image of a shining star to suggest its radiant and transformative nature
Burning star
Stressing the idea of the star as being fiery and passionate, suggesting that love is an intense and even overwhelming feeling at times
We're falling from the sky
Returning to the earlier sense that things are not quite right in the world, that there is a general sense of instability or uncertainty
Tonight
Emphasizing that these feelings are happening right now, in the present moment
It's no secret at all
Repeating the refrain from earlier, that these truths are universal and undeniable
Oh, yeah!
An exclamation of excitement or passion, perhaps reflecting the intensity of the emotions being expressed in the song
The universe exploded 'cause of one man's lie
Offering a grandiose and almost cosmic explanation for the problems of the world, suggesting that even something as basic as truth-telling can have enormous consequences
Look, I gotta go, yeah I'm running outta change
Introducing a new voice, perhaps suggesting that the earlier speaker is a different character or persona, indicating a break or shift in the narrative
There's a lot of things, if I could I'd rearrange
Expressing a sense of regret or dissatisfaction, wishing that things had gone differently or that they could be improved in some way
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
@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