Silver And Gold by U2

Album: Rattle And Hum (1988)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Bono wrote this after going on a relief mission in Ethiopia. It's an anti-apartheid song, but the lyrics make a broad political statement about how money seems to be more important than personal freedoms in the eyes of many world leaders.
Bono was part of Little Steven Van Zandt's 1985 Artists United Against Apartheid collaboration, which brought attention to the racist policy in South Africa and to the plight of Nelson Mandela. Over the years, Bono has been part of many causes as he uses his celebrity status to gain access to political leaders and raise money for relief organizations.
This was first released as an acoustic song on the compilation Artists United Against Apartheid, with Keith Richards and Ron Wood from the Rolling Stones sitting in with Bono. Little Steven put Artists Against Apartheid together with the intention of releasing just one song - "Sun City." Some of the artists offered other songs, so they were able to release a full album.
Bono got the lyric "I have seen the comings and goings, the captains and the kings," from Irish poet Brendan Behan. The line, "I am someone" came from a quote by US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson.
Before The Edge's guitar solo, Bono says: "OK Edge, play The Blues."
This appeared on the 7" single that also included "Where The Streets Have No Name" and "Sweetest Thing."

Comments: 5

U2fanIn the Rattle and Hum video, right as edge hits his solo, Bono unplugs his guitar so he can jam with edge but since he can't play, no one can hear.
Peter from Buffalo, NyAfter doing a project for my 10th grade global class, i came to realize that Bono wrote this song to remind the world of the Apartheid that was going on in South Africa. It was written in 1988, just before the "iron curtain" was lifted from Europe and the Berlin Wall was taken down. Bono wanted to remind the people of the world that there were still human rights violations going on around them, and even though the Soviets had just about split up and the troubles in Europe were just about over. Nelson Mandela had been arrested for his Anti-Apartheid actions in the ANC in the 1960. He was imprisoned for 27 years, which would have him coming out in 1987. Being written in 1988, this song is about him. On the album rattle and hum, the song is preformed live. at the end, bono explains the significances of the song.

"This is a song written about a man in a shanty town outside of Johannesburg. A man who's sick and tired of looking down the barrel of white South Africa. A man who is at the point where
he is ready to take up arms against his oppressor. A man who has lost faith in the peacemakers of the west while they argue
and while they fail to support a man like bishop Tutu and his request for economic sanctions against South Africa."

this is what Bono says after preforming the song. He really wanted the world to rememeber Mandela. and in 1994, Mandela became the 1st Black president of the new South Africa, that was NOT under apartheid. Bono and U2 have always been good for songs about human rights violations and this time it paid off
Marius from LÃ¼neburg, GermanyAmy, don't you confound that with "desire"?!
Amy Friel from Barrie, CanadaI like the "Money, money, money, money" line. It's very bitter, almost mocking. Kudos to U2 for having the balls to tackle apartheid.
Ted from Los Angeles, NyThis is a remake of the Burl Ives hit sung by Sam the Snowman in "Rudolph the Reindeer."

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Silver SpringsFleetwood Mac

Stevie Nicks got the title for the Fleetwood Mac song "Silver Springs" from the city of Silver Spring, Maryland, but the song has nothing to do with the city - it's a message to her bandmate Lindsey Buckingham following their split.

StayLisa Loeb

"Stay" by Lisa Loeb was the first #1 hit by an unsigned artist. It got a boost from Ethan Hawke, who got it into a movie he starred in called Reality Bites.

Coming HomeDiddy - Dirty Money

"Coming Home" by Diddy - Dirty Money was originally iwritten for for T.I., who was getting out of prison at the time.

We're Going To Be FriendsThe White Stripes

The White Stripes song "We're Going To Be Friends" is very innocent, but Jack White feared it would be interpreted cynically. It wasn't, and was even adapted into a children's book.

Rockin' In The Free WorldNeil Young

"Rockin' In The Free World" is a very pro-America title, but the song takes on politicians who are indifferent to the poor and disenfranchised.

The Air That I BreatheThe Hollies

The Hollies hit "The Air That I Breathe" was written in part as a reaction to the smog in Los Angeles.

Editor's Picks

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.