Shadows And Tall Trees
by U2

Album: Boy (1980)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by William Golding's book Lord Of The Flies, which is about a group of boys who get stranded on an island and set up their own cruel society. "Shadows And Tall Trees" is the name of the seventh chapter in the book.

    "It's a story about how fear of one another - or fear of 'the other' in a metaphysical sense - can shape our imagination and twist our thinking," Bono wrote in his memoir Surrender. "It's a story about the end of innocence that still shapes my thinking and writing today."
  • One of the first U2 songs, "Shadows And Tall Trees" evolved out of early live sets and was included on their debut album, Boy. It was the only song from U2's first demo to make it on an album.

Comments: 3

  • Trenton from Minneapolis , MnI like the book and this song. Both are awesome.
  • Angela from Hagerstown, Mdactually, it's Ch. 7 Ch. 4 is painted Faces and Long Hair, which doesn't make as good of a title for a song. awesome book. Golding is a genius.
  • Amy Friel from Barrie, CanadaI noticed while doing a literature project that this came from Lord Of The Flies. I've never been fond of the book, but I think the song does a good job with the theme of loss of innocence, or the corruption of youth. A highly underrated song... from an even more underrated album.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

The End Of The Rock Era

The End Of The Rock EraSong Writing

There are no more rock stars - the last one died in 1994.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.