The Refugee
by U2

Album: War (1983)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is an attempt to contrast the experience of Irish-American immigrants with African Americans. It's a lesser-known track from the group's third album, War, which was their American breakthrough. U2 never played it in concert.
  • Fellow Irishman Bill Whelan is credited as producer, although Steve Lillywhite, who produced their first two albums, also worked on it. Whelan would go on to produce Riverdance.

Comments: 5

  • Spike from Ct, UsaI always wondered about this song. It seems to be a complaint about the desire of some Irish females to connect up with members of the American military and start a life in the US. My dad was on an American submarine, And he mentioned something about this, when his sub was in port in Scotland. Some of the women there would try to marry American sailors quickly. I never knew that this was much of a problem in Ireland.
  • Anonymous from CaliforniaIt's about a girl who was sex trafficked. The potential fall out was being explained and explored in the lyrics.
    Can't swear to it, but I think I've read that the sound affects were changed from time to time.
  • Douglas from Staten Island , Nythe drums on this album were recorded under a staircase to get that echo sound.

    Fantastic album!!!!!!!
  • Sammy from New York, NyThis is a good song and should get it's props. I think it's filled with great anger and energy. Also contains a great guitar part from The Edge, but obviously a given!
  • Marty from Perth, AustraliaThey did'nt sing this song at Live Aid. They did Sunday Bloody Sunday, then Bad.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

In The Cards

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.

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.