October by U2 - Songfacts

Album: October (1981)

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The title track to U2's second album, "October" shares its name with the month the album was released, which served as symbolism for Bono's lyric. He explained the inspiration behind the title in the band bio U2 by U2: "It was the idea that we were born in the '60s, a time when materialism was in full bloom. We had fridges and cars, we sent people to the moon and everybody thought how great mankind was. But the '80s was a colder time, materialism without any idealism, the sun without any heat, winter. It was after the fall, after the harvest."
The lyrics reflect the Christian beliefs Bono, The Edge, and Larry Mullen as they were struggling as members of a devoutly religious group. They considered breaking up the band as they felt it may conflict with their faith.
The Edge played the piano part, which Bono quite liked. Bono wrote in his book Surrender: "'October' carries the gentle power of Edge, the ache of his loneliness, that longing to belong. The song became a location for a meditation on impermanence. On faith."
This was used on the soundtrack to the 1982 French film They Call It An Accident.
This was included as a hidden track on U2 greatest hits album The Best Of 1980-1990. It comes on about a minute after "All I Want Is You" on track 14.
"October" wasn't released as a single but became one of U2's most popular songs. The band played it live throughout the '80s and revived it in 2015 for their Innocence + Experience tour.

Comments: 10

Nickster from Minneapolis, Mn, UsaI don't know how anyone can interpret this song without reference to Jesus. Whether you're a believer or not, the line "kingdoms rise, and kingdoms fall, but you go on...and on" seems pretty straightforward to me!
Wintermut3 from Austin, TxEven though "Tomorrow" is the song that is about Bono's mothers death in September '74, I cannot help but feel "October" resonates some of the vibe of "Tomorrow" in it, emotionally. Consider this, His mother passed on the 10th of September, the first month he was without his mother was October, and the month is 10th...and "Tomorrow", is followed by "October" on the Album playlist.... just grist for the mill...
Steve from Torrance, CaBono, from the book "Touch the Flame": "October is transitional - it's just a phrase, an interlude. I liked the sound of the word - it's very Germanic and has the feeling of industry about it. Plus it's a colder word and a strong symbol."
Dan from Gales Ferry, CtAlso refers to Bono's disillusionment with the world. "October, and the leaves are stripped bare..." refers to the feeling in the beginning of the 80s that though previous generations and glorified the spread of democracy and the space race, now there was mass unemployment and that the "october harvest" had left them with nothing to work with ("the trees are stripped bare")
Leon from Waterbury, CtSongs take on different means to everyone. To me, the song always spoke of depression and being completely apathetic about yourself and what occurs around you.
Norma Jean from Seabrook, NhI believe the song was actually written about Bono's mother passing away.
Rich from Commack, NyIt's surre a very short song, (exactly 2:22) but the Edge has some talent playing the piano. Good job, guys!
Jordan from Springfeild, Arthere IS something like that you crazy jane...ask bono and check your facts...
Bimali from Colombo, Icelandyou crazy joe.. there's nothing like it
Jordan from Springfeild, Arout of U2's 10 studio albums 5 have been released in october i tell ya bono has something for October

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