Desire
U2 U2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lover I'm off the streets
Gonna go where the bright lights
And the big city meet
With a red guitar, on fire
Desire
She's the candle
I'm like the needle
Needle and spoon
Over the counter
With a shotgun
Pretty soon, everybody got one
And the fever when I'm beside her
Desire
Desire
Desire
Desire
Burning
Burning
She's the dollars
She's my protection
Yeah, she's the promise
In the year of election
Ah, sister, I can't let you go
I'm like a preacher
Stealing hearts at a traveling show
For the love or money, money?
Desire
Desire
Desire
Desire
The song "Desire" by U2 was released in 1988 as a part of their album "Rattle and Hum." The song's lyrics appear to be about sexual desire, but they could also be interpreted as a metaphor for political aspirations. In the opening verse, Bono sings about leaving the safety of the streets to pursue a life of adventure. The use of a "red guitar, on fire" signifies the passion and intensity of the desire to achieve one's dreams. The line "She's the candle burning in my room, I'm like the needle and spoon" creates an image of addiction and desire intertwined. The lyrics talk about the promises and protection that come with a new relationship, but then there is a subtle warning that is given in the verse, as Bono mentions a shotgun which everybody soon possesses. This could be seen as a metaphor for the dangers of desire and how it can lead people down a dangerous path.
The chorus emphasizes the intensity and urgency of the desire, with Bono repeatedly singing the word "desire." This repetition emphasizes the power of the desire and how it can consume a person. In the second verse Bono sings, "Ah, sister, I can't let you go, I'm like a preacher stealing hearts at a traveling show" which highlights how addicting desire can be. The last line "For the love or money, money?" reflects a struggle between romantic love and monetary gain. Overall, the song showcases the idea that desire has both positive and negative aspects, but ultimately one can lose themselves in the pursuit of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Expression of agreement or affirmation
Lover I'm off the streets
I have found a new love and I am giving up my wild ways
Gonna go where the bright lights And the big city meet
I am taking my music to the city where I can play to larger audiences
With a red guitar, on fire
My guitar playing is passionate and intense
Desire
A strong feeling of wanting or wishing for something to happen
She's the candle Burning in my room
She is the light in my life that guides me and gives me hope
I'm like the needle Needle and spoon
I have a dependency on drugs and she is the only thing that can make me feel better
Over the counter With a shotgun
I am buying drugs illegally and have to protect myself
Pretty soon, everybody got one
Drugs are becoming increasingly common and accessible
And the fever when I'm beside her Desire Desire
When I am with her, I feel intense passion and desire
Desire Desire Burning Burning
My passion and desire for her is burning hot
She's the dollars She's my protection
She is my source of financial security and emotional support
Yeah, she's the promise In the year of election
She is my hope for a better future during a time of political uncertainty
Ah, sister, I can't let you go
I cannot bear the thought of losing her
I'm like a preacher Stealing hearts at a traveling show
I am charismatic and persuasive, winning people over with my music and personality
For the love or money, money? Desire Desire Desire Desire
I am torn between my desire for love and my need for financial stability
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul David Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@neritank5883
Lover, I'm off the streets
I'm gonna go where the bright lights
And the big city meet
With a red guitar, on fire
Desire.
She's the candle burnin' in my room
Yeah, I'm like the needle
The needle and spoon
Over the counter, with a shotgun
Pretty soon, everybody's got one
I'm in a fever, when I'm beside her
Desire
Desire.
And the fever, gettin' higher
Desire
Desire.
(Burning, burning).
She's the dollars
She's my protection
Yeah, she's the promise
In the year of election.
Sister I can't let you go
Like a preacher stealin' hearts at a travellin' show
For love or money, money, money... ?
And the fever, gettin' higher.
Desire.
@danielsonnv
Hendrix bridged the gap between rock and blues. U2 never gets credit for what they did for music. They bridged the gap between rock, blues, pop, classical, opera, gospel, and middle eastern. This band had the talent of bringing out simplicity of virtually anything, and making it sound great!
@zakarialaouira
Facts
@petedito337
danielsonnv Amen to that!
@elijahshuler9985
When did they do middle eastern?
@theprinceoftides6836
@@elijahshuler9985 Mysterious ways?,,.
@elijahshuler9985
@@theprinceoftides6836 I actually hear it now.
@lee-annkenyon4748
There are two kinds of people in this world: the ones who love U2 and the ones who are wrong.
@juanignacioalvarez3390
xD
@kimclark5736
I guess I'm wrong. They always struck me as bombastic and egotistical, never as good as their press said they were.
@fabioaranha2
"Rattle and Hum" is very underrated. Just to start, "Desire" and "Angel of Harlem" are among U2's greatest songs, in my opinion. The other studio tracks are also strong. "All I Want is You", for instance, is beautiful. I also really like "Van Diemen's Land". And the live part is good too. The covers were well chosen and came out great. U2 was at its peak. Ambitious? Yes. But the result is a fine companion piece to "The Joshua Tree". I think the album aged very well.