Ultraviolet (Light My Way) by U2

Album: Achtung Baby (1991)

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In the band's 2005 autobiography, U2 by U2, Bono calls the song "a little disturbed." He explained: "'There's a silence that comes to a house when no one can sleep' is a great line, and I can say that with all modesty because I stole it from [fiction writer] Raymond Carver. My apologies. It is an epic U2 song but again the key of it left my voice in a conversational place and allowed a different kind of lyric writing. It has almost a Motown chorus: 'Baby, baby, baby, light my way.' This was the peak, the mountain top of babies. But it disguises very dark content: 'Your love is a secret that's been passed around.' Jealousy. Infidelity. Love rears its ugly head again."
"The Fly" evolved out of the recording sessions for this song.
On U2's Zoo TV tour (1992-1993), Bono sang part of Frank Sinatra's My Way along with this song. In 1993, Bono sang "I've Got You Under My Skin" on Sinatra's Duets album.
During recording, Larry Mullen dropped a drumstick midway through. After much debate, they decided to use the take to preserve it's spontaneity.

Comments: 14

Aj from IrelandThis amazing song is about the invisibility of God's love. I listen to it when I'm feeling down and for over 20 years it has inspired me to go on. When Bono says 'Baby' I think he means 'Jesus' and once you make that substitution you will start to understand this sublime song . A work of art hidden in seemingly meaningless rock lyric. That is the genius of U2. "I'm in the black, can't see or be seen" / "light my way".
Danleichty from Rochester, MnI love this song. It might sound like a love song but it is not. It is a song about bono's reltionship with god. He is only using romantic metaphors in this song. I think that this song has a very good meaning to it.
Brian from Boston, MaAwsome song from an An awsome underrated album.The best abum of 1991
Adam from Boyce, VaGreat Song.....Love its use in the movie "Click"
Marius from LÃ¼neburg, GermanyI admire this song. You can turn it on anytime you feel confused, beated, sad, bright... It is so unique, a true gem of music itself.
And it has the same, if not stronger, energy when U2 is playing it live.
The song bribes by distinctive sound and beautiful heartrending lyrics - THANKS so much for recording it!
John from Boston, MaI second everything Grant says. This is one of U2's finest, most evocative songs.
Tisaya from Lodz, PolandLeon, I guess Larry drops the drumstick towards the end of the song. Check out 3:10 - 3:14. :)
Leon from Waterbury, CtCan someone tell me the exact moment where Larry drops the drumstick?
Rick from Humboldt, IaI love the achtung baby song "Acrobat" even more than this. The last few songs on Achtung baby are very dark sounding.
Real from Atlanta, GaNot a huge U2 fan because their 'sound' gets a bit old after a while and when they do change it up a bit, it just doesn't work for me. But Achtung Baby did work for me. The sound wasn't too repetitive, nor too conceptual. Just a collection of quality pop songs. Ultraviolet is a killer track, and I especially like the bass and how well it works with the emotional vocals.
Grant from Annandale, Va"I remember when we could sleep on stones / But now we lie together in whispers and moans" is one of the best things Bono's ever written. Underrated gem off an album that admittedly has a ton of other highlights. Has an intense "dark" sound about it, to me it completely reflects nighttime.
Amy Friel from Barrie, CanadaThis song is yet another of Bono's responses to "trying to be a Christian." The lyrics are absolutely beautiful. One of the most interesting lines in this song has to be "When I was all messed up and had opera in my head/ Your love was a lightbulb hangin' over my bed." The imagery is so powerful.
Ace from Thousand Oaks, CaI'd always heard it as ultraviolet light... hard to tell.
Ryan from Albion, NyIn the background,the edge starts singing ultraviolet LOVE...love is hard to hear,but u can just make it out

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