Happy Birthday
U2 (Bono and The Edge) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
'Cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you
It couldn't fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
(Repeat)
I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would
Be set aside for his recognition
Because it should never be
Just because some cannot see
The dream as clear as he
That they should make it become an illusion
And we all know everything
That he stood for time will bring
For in peace our hearts will sing
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
(Repeat)
Bridge
Why has there never been a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
all throughout the world
The time is overdue
For people like me and you
You know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all God's children
It should be a great event
And the whole day should be spent
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of
all people
So let us all begin
We know that love can win
Let it out don't hold it in
Sing it loud as you can
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
(Background Stevie)
Happy birthday Ooh yeah
Happy birthday,
To you
We know the key to unity of all
People
Is in the dream that you had so
Long ago
That lives in all of the hearts
Of people
That believe in unity
We'll make the dream become
A reality
I know we will
Because our hearts tell us so
In "Happy Birthday", U2 sings about the significance of people's birthdays and the lack of recognition and celebration for important figures who've fought for peace, justice, and equality. The first verse talks about how it doesn't make sense for anyone to take offense at someone's birthday, and that there should be a specific day to show how much we love and appreciate them. The song then turns to the idea that it's strange how there isn't a holiday for peace and unity in the world, and how it's overdue for people to celebrate and recognize the efforts of those who've worked to bring about a better world.
The lyrics also allude to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream for a more united and peaceful world. The song asks why there isn't a holiday for him, and points out that the dream he fought for still lives on in the hearts of people who believe in unity. The song ultimately calls for people to work towards actualizing that dream and making it a reality.
The message of the song is simple: birthdays should be celebrated, but so should the people and ideas that have contributed to making the world a better place. The world needs more reminders of the power of love and unity, and we should never forget or neglect the sacrifices people have made to fight for peace and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
You know it doesn't make much sense
It is illogical to protest someone's celebration
There ought to be a law against
There should be condemnation for those who take offense
Anyone who takes offense
Individuals who object to the day of celebration are disagreeable
At a day in your celebration
Objecting to one's birthday celebration is absurd
'Cause we all know in our minds
It is evident to us all
That there ought to be a time
There should be a specific moment
That we can set aside
Reserved for this purpose
To show just how much we love you
Illustrating our affection towards an individual
And I'm sure you will agree
I am confident you concur
It couldn't fit more perfectly
It could not have been more fitting
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be
Celebrating the occasion worldwide is the ideal way to commemorate it
Happy birthday to you
Best wishes for your birthday
I just never understood
I was perplexed
How a man who died for good
How a person who died for a noble cause
Could not have a day that would
Isn't allotted with a day
Be set aside for his recognition
For remembrance
Because it should never be
It is unacceptable
Just because some cannot see
Since some are unable to see
The dream as clear as he
The dream which was lucid to him
That they should make it become an illusion
It should not be turned into a delusion
And we all know everything
We all know
That he stood for time will bring
He advocated a cause that will be carried forward
For in peace our hearts will sing
When there is harmony, we will express joy
Why has there never been a holiday
Why hasn't been declared as a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
Where the focus is on cherishing tranquility
all throughout the world
Everywhere in the world
The time is overdue
It's high time
For people like me and you
It's for individuals like us
You know the way to truth
You are aware of the path to veracity
Is love and unity to all God's children
The key is love and unification of every human being
It should be a great event
It deserves to be a grand occurrence
And the whole day should be spent
The entire day should be utilized
In full remembrance
In reverential memory
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of all people
People who died and lived for the unity of everyone
So let us all begin
We should all start
We know that love can win
We are aware that love can triumph
Let it out don't hold it in
Express it, don't withhold
Sing it loud as you can
Sing as loudly as possible
Happy birthday
Happy birthday!
(Background Stevie)
Background vocal sung by Stevie
Ooh yeah
Oh yeah!
We know the key to unity of all people
The key to unification of everyone is familiar to us
Is in the dream that you had so long ago
Lies in the vision you had years ago
That lives in all of the hearts of people
Which resides in every person's heart
That believe in unity
Believing in oneness
We'll make the dream become a reality
We'll materialize the vision
I know we will
I'm confident we'll succeed
Because our hearts tell us so
Because our hearts affirm it
Contributed by Claire I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thomasedsall7699
My Dad is a huge fan of U2, so on his birthday I sent this to him
@marinamesserotti4153
🎉🎉today is my birthday❤❤❤thank you U2 ❤ love you since 1983❤🎉🎉
@Marcelo2009907
Happy Birthday Bono ... and thank you, really thank you for everything and U2 as well ... thanks for a lifetime of emotions
@lucianne4763
I always listen to this on my birthday :) (that is today)
It makes me so happy!
@kaliaragorn
same here. today :)
@mysticedge4
Every year on my birthday I come back to this video rock on people ✌🏻
@brandonpolansky9724
Happy 60th Birthday Bono!!!
@31415equalspi
This shows that edge actually has talent he could do a lot on acoustic to. Thumbs up if you agree.
@rafaelalira87
Happy birthday, dear Bono! Long life for you and U2 that make up the soundtrack of my life. I love you so much and love you always. (:
@tutuille
Happy Birthday "Hermesetas"!!! What a better way to start your day that with your favorite group. You're a great friend. May God always fill your life with many blessings.