Album: The Unforgettable Fire (1984)

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• (Black flash)
  Black flash over my own love
  Tell me of my eyes
  Black flash come though my own life
  Telling these things
  And I believe them
  And I believe in you
  
  White flash sees the sky
  And it turns its side from you
  She won't turn my back
  And I know you turn so blue
  You know
  And your sky is feeling blue
  And your heart
  So cold when I'm with you
  You feel
  Like no one told you to
  And your time is your side
  And your time with me
  Ah, don't talk to me
  Ah, don't talk to me
  Don't talk to me
  
  You know
  Like no one told you how but you know
  Though the king that howls has howled
  We're like sentimental, but you don't care
  If I just share it in your heart, heart
  (Heart, heart)
  
  Hopelessly, so hopelessly
  I'm breaking through for you and me
  You don't
  Though no one told you to
  And you found out
  Where you were going, where to
  You're through with me
  But I know that you will be back for more
  
  And you know
  And though no one told you so
  And you know, blue sky
  Like a harder shade of blue
  And you walk
  When you want
  To let go
  Me, I'm on the outside, tell me not to fade away
  Drop me down but don't break me
  In your sleep
  
  In your sleep, inside, it's in your heart and mine
  Whole sea is dark, it's in your heart and mine
  
  Sweetly, those will come
  Loving is on your side walking through
  So let me in your heart
  Your beat is like something new
  
  They
  Run
  See, say you're sad and reach by
  So, say you're sad above beside
  Oh, stay sad above beside
  So, stay sad above we said
  
  You know I don't
  And no one told you how
  And you don't
  And you wipe sweat off your white brow, and you care
  And no one told you tried
  And your heart
  Is left out from the side
  
  And the rain beats down
  And the shame goes down
  And this rain keeps on coming down
  And this sky
  Tonight...
  
  Give a S-O-N-G-why
  Your joy to God
  Give a S-O-N-G-why
  Give away some in your life
  Give away some while you're able
  
  You know
  And though no one told you sky
  And you feel
  Like you pretend you can, you say go, you live
  Go live outside of me
  Don't you leave
  Don't leave out part of me, then I can feel
  Like I feel before
  Like it hurt now, and I see the floor
  If you pick me up
  Bits and pieces on this floor Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 21

• Wayne from Toronto OntarioFor me, this song is a masterpiece within their sole masterpiece album. This album is to U2 what OK Computer was for Radiohead
• Jonathan from Milwaukee, WiThis was the worst song recorded by U2 up to that time. This along with the other "Bad" tracks from The Unforgettable Fire album make "October" look like a masterpiece in comparison
• Guy from MelbourneI cannot help but think of U2 as starting with Boy and ending with Zooropa. Whilst only my opinion, it feels unfair (to them); overly condescending and too snobbish by half. After all, post Zooropa, they continued to pour their efforts into making music - but I have tuned out, slowly but surely. Surely, in that time, there has been terrific songs and great albums after Zooropa? If I have missed out on that great art, well.....more fool me. Elvis Presley and America is the apotheosis of a peerless band at the height of their powers. Experimental, suggestive and supremely confident. I have never sought explanatory meaning in the lyrics as the recording already spoke to me of possibilities, some of which continue to come to me as new, nearly 40 years later! Maybe, I'm just a bit slow. Maybe keeping on keeping on has allowed for fresh perspective. Well done lads, the very best bands in history would love to have recorded something half as great as EP&A. Amazingly, The Unforgettable Fire spills over with a handful of great tunes, all of which will easily stand the test of time.
• Mark from IdahoJust listening to Elvis Presley in America as I often do as winter approaches. Decided to check out posts about song. These post brings me tears as this song is my favorite from U2. Faithful U2 follower since 1982
• Keeblerman from Saint Paul, MnThis is by far the best song by U2! It has raw power like Great Gig in the Sky but with more nuance.
• Dersert Rode from TucsonPlay it load. Let yourself go. Listen and fade away with the drumbeat. Actually several songs in one. Beautiful snippets of lyrics. Truly an Unforgettable Fire!
• B Fraz from Atlanta UsaOne of the most haunting, brilliant and genius songs U2 has ever put out. I'm not a massive U2 fan -- but respect Bono highly. Have seen a couple tours (90's and 00's).
  
  This block of lyrics always give me chills -- Bono's expression of emotion in these lyrics is nothing short of greatness:
  
  See, say you're sad and reach by
  So, say you're sad above beside
  Oh, stay sad above beside
  So, stay sad above we said
  
  Brilliant singer Bono is. Only wish the new stuff had this kind of magic.
• Erin from ColumbusThis song is my #1 U2 song of all time, and I am thrilled that others see the utter beauty in it like I do. It has gotten me through some very difficult times with it’s haunting music and brooding lyrics. I’ve always loved the fact that it was a one off riff for Bono and that he came at it with such feeling to match the track. Selfishly, I find my own meaning in several stanzas, even if the song is about Presley, and I think the band would be fine with that. I adore the acoustic guitar, the jangling guitar, and the drum beat. I believe wewould be hard pressed to find another song (non Unforgettable Fire).
  
  “Drop me down but don’t break me”
• Clem from Phoenix, AzThis song embodies the advent of the real U2 sound and catches of glimpse of how they record almost every album - especially with Eno and Lanois. The Bongolese is present in every U2 song at it's very beginning and provides the vocal structure which Bono then endeavors to go back and write lyrics for at a the end of the recording... Then re-record. Another song very much like this one but with less ambient beauty is "Desert of Our Love" - an outtake from The Joshua Tree which has Bono doing much of the same. Vocally, however, "EP&A" is so powerful and interesting that it draws you in and keeps you hooked throughout the entire song until the final crescendo where you ask... "What was that?". At least, I did back in1984 at the age of 15...
• Scott from Los AngelesIt's their acoustic song. It's also the culmination of and ultimate destination of Edge's guitar style so far at that point.
  
• Scott from Los AngelesI once found the exact setting for both the keyboards and the "bass petals" for this song on my Korg Keyboard. I used to spend hours playing along with this song.
• Ron from New York, NyMark, I was once fortunate enough to meet U2, and I did exactly as you suggested. I asked Bono about "Elvis Presley and America". Knowing that the song is one of a few of U2's that the band have never played live, I asked Bono whether he thought they'd ever do so. He pulled back with some astonishment and said, "That'd be pretty hard to do. It's a song with a dark mood, and it would really hard to replicate that live". Amid the hysteria of meeting the band, that all I recall him saying. Of all possible things to say or ask, that is what I asked because I'm with the rest of the posters here who believe the song is beautiful and brilliant. We probably aren't going to hear it live, but we don't need to.
• Shawn from Frostburg, MdMark, I agree with your comment totally. This song shows the bands musical genius. It has that early U2 sound that is also found in other early songs such as "40" Drowning Man and Promenade to mention a few. . This sound seems to have given the band the ability to touch the soul. In my opinion their newer stuff, while still great, does not have this ability.
• Mark from Houston, TxThis song is absolutely genius. it's an example of U2's early genius that has been less and less evident with each album, especially the albums after 2000. Maybe a lot of credit goes to Eno and Lanois for this.
  
  When i was a college student and i first had the unforgettable fire album, i viewed this song as B side filler, then it started to grow on me. eventually it became one of my all time favorite songs and i can't believe how beautiful it is. A hidden gem, if u don't know it, or dont like it, give it a chance, might take many listens. if i ever met the guys from U2, the first song i would want to talk about is Elvis Presley and America.
• Ian from Halifax, CanadaThe Unforgettable Fire was one of my first tapes and I listened to it almost every night on my walkman before going to sleep, longing for a special girl who lived 1000 miles away. This song always touched me with its hypnotic drums and passionate vocals. I still think of her when I hear it.
• Andy from LiverpoolPatrick, can you understand what Mozart or Wagner or Vangelis is saying?
  
  The Unforgettable Fire is one of U2's best albums, and I'm sure you already know, they've made some absolutely great albums.
  Andy, Liverpool
• Patrick from Humboldt, IaI just can't get into the unforgettable fire. It's ok, but nothing compared to any of their other albums that I own. This song is just so weird and you can't understand what he's saying. I guess that's my only problem with it.
• Emily from Abingdon, VaI'm glad there are others who can see the true beauty of this song. There are so many wonderful metaphors in the lyrics and the melody is absolutely haunting. "Unforgettable Fire" is one of the best albums U2 ever recorded, but sadly it is often overshadowed by th success of "Joshua Tree" a few years later. By the way, the worst song in U2 history is "Man and a Woman" on "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Nice album, absolutely atrocious song.
• Katie from Memphis, TnTo hear the back track of the song in its original speed, simply play the LP at 45 speed.
• Mark from San Francisco, DcTo me, this one of the best U2 songs in their catalog. It is atmospheric, exaltant, ethereal, mesmerizing, enthralling, anthemic and an aberation.
  
  It is truly a beautiful, beautiful piece of music. I remember trying to make out what the lyrics were from repeated listens.
• Alejandro from Mexico D.f., Mexicosome people says that this is the worst song in U2 history

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