Miracle Drug
by U2

Album: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (2004)
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Songfacts®:

  • Bono wrote this about an Irish writer with cerebral palsy named Christopher Nolan. Said Bono, "When we were leaving school, this character arrived called Christopher Nolan, and he couldn't move a muscle. Only his eyes were just so sharp and so awake. He was born without any oxygen for two hours. But his mother so believed in the look in his eyes she used to read to him, she taught him. And then they found this little pill that allowed him to move his neck by about an inch. And then they put a thing to his head like a little unicorn and they taught him how to type. It turns out he had all these poems in his head."

    Nolan had his first book published at around 15. Bono wrote this song from the perspective of Christopher's mother and about her faith in her son. It is a song about the strength of love.

Comments: 9

  • Stephanie from London, United KingdomI adore this song. And it's incredibly versatile. It can relate to so many people and so many issues.
  • Jen from Silver Spring, MdPersonally, when I hear this song it reminds me of a few of my closest friends: Carrie, Norma, Mary, Maheen, and Melissa. They are my miracle drug especially because of everything that they have helped me through. When I hear the part Beneath the noise/Below the din/I hear voice/ It's whispering/In science and medicine/ "I was a stranger you took me in". This song I think is about a friendship between people who you rely on and vice versa.I always will be happy that these 5 friends are in my life.
  • Jesus from Guadalajara, MexicoThis song was used in a Mexican produced movie named "Siete Dias" (Seven Days) telling the story of a fictional concert producer who would be killed by the mob if he does not get U2 to play in Monterrey. In coincidence (?), the film was released shortly before U2 stopped in Mexico during the Vertigo Tour. The movie wasn't very good, but this song was played during the final sequence and gave a nice touch of emotion that made worth the ticket.
  • Madalyn from Greensburg, Pathe meaning of this beautiful song will forever be touching to my heart
  • Uzoma from Kano, Otheru2 will always remain the best thing that has happened to popular music. miracle drug always sounds new.
    -uzoma, nigeria
  • Lily from Godrics Hallow, Englandyes such a moving song!
  • Sean from Sartell, Mn"Freedom has a scent, Like the top of a newborn babies head"
    "Beneath the noise, below the din, I hear you voice it's whispering, In science and in medicine, I was a stranger you took me in."

    2 of my favorite lines from this song.
  • Jackie from Virginia Beach, VaMy daughter has speech apraxia, and is finally (at age 7 1/2) able to get a few "words" (grunts and signs) to form a sentence. I know there is no drug for her, just time and hard work, but I've wanted to know what's behind her eyes since she was born. I know what *is* there, when it's finally revealed, will surprise me.
  • Rose from Gisborne, New ZealandI was reading recently what this song meant and really related to it. I have a teenage son with Autism who is non verbal and struggles with life every day.People with this disorder suffer often suffer from sensory overload. His tenacity never ceases to amaze me and he never gives up. "I want to trip inside your head, spend the day there......To hear the things you haven't said and see what you might see. I want to hear you when you call. Do you feel anything at all? I want to see your thoughts take shape and walk right out" I've thought those thoughts so many times. Bless U2 for one of the most moving songs I've ever heard. I'm waiting for that Miracle Drug!
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