U2: Bad Meaning

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Bad Lyrics

If you twist and turn away
If you tear yourself in two again
If I could, yes I would
If I could, I would
Let it go
Surrender
Dislocate

If I could throw this
Lifeless lifeline to the wind
Leave this heart of clay
See you walk, walk...

1.  

   ElaineU2fan

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   Oct 24th 2012, 12:33 report

   
   

   I was actually at U2 concert in April 1985 where prior to performing Bad, Bono mentioned the song was written for a friend of his that was addicted to narcotics. So, it is indeed a song about addiction.

   
   
   
   

2.  

   anonymous

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   Aug 26th 2012, 00:11 report

   
   

   Sometimes the true meaning can be found in the actions of others in ones life. The drugs are a good possiablity. ...But look at love that may be lost between two people. One has trouble dealing with how they may want to move on with their life. They want to leave. But the other person is so attached they will do anything to hold on. "I'd lead your heart away", love so strong, they just can't let go.

   
   
   
   

3.  

   anonymous

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   May 19th 2012, 17:42 report

   
   

   The song is specifically about free base crack! Trust me I know, I was there at the time

   
   
   
   

4.  

   anonymous

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   Apr 16th 2011, 08:35 report

   
   

   First portion is everything; it is about going against your beliefs & commitment; "thus the tearing in two" the "dislocation", "surrendering" the settings in exchange for the "I would"
   
   Ultimately, the song appears to be about a relationship he desires with his flawed "heart of clay" but he knows he can't have due to his commitments.
   
   And if "through himself, he could set her spirit free, then he would" but he can't because she desires him even more.
   
   He is "wide awake" in his desires for her, she ask those that surround him about the beauty she brings him, the "true colors fly in blue and black, blue silken sky" and yet the mess he is with the controversy with being with her "the burning flag, colors crash, collide in blood shot eyes". The flag being his State, colors crash (can't accept the colors she brings).
   
   And so, "this desperation, dislocation, separation, condemnation, revelation, in temptation, isolation, desolation"
   
   But ultimately, he has not selected her, and "so fade away" but he isn't at peace with this decision (not sleeping).

   
   
   
   

5.  

   anonymous

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   Mar 30th 2011, 20:06 report

   
   

   The song is from the point of view of a drug addict singing to the person who is trying to save him.

   
   
   
   

6.  

   magsieboy

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   Mar 15th 2010, 03:21 report

   
   

   It was written about a friend of Bonos from Dublin who overdosed on heroin on his 21st Birthday, its a song about addiction and Bono sis telling his friend if he could he would take it away, Probably one of U2 greatest songs and just so Passionate and Stellar when performed live.

   
   
   
   

7.  

   MiracleDrug

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   Nov 11th 2006, 16:26 report

   
   

   This song has had so many different interpretations is crazy. Some say it's about the friend on heroin, others say it's about love, and others say it's about religion. Bono had trouble in his life trying to find god and it was mentioned by him before that this song has a deep religious meaning. But now that I think about it, maybe it has to do with his friend on herion is having trouble with this addiction and perhaps bono is trying to tell him that maybe he should seek something more powerful than drugs, like god. I dunno...

   
   
   
   

8.  

   anonymous

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   Jun 13th 2006, 16:50 report

   
   

   I think when he says "if I could, I would let it go" he's talking about letting go of caring about his friend. He sends out the lifeline to him, but the friend does the drugs anyway, which makes the lifeline 'lifeless' - useless. Even though, he wishes he could walk away, he can't let go of the love he has for his friend despite the fact that the friend is an addict, and turns away from the help he is offering. On the other side, the friend can't let go of the addiction. It's almost like he's singing the song from two perspectives. The addict, and the friend.

   
   
   
   

9.  

   anonymous

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   Apr 25th 2006, 10:33 report

   
   

   This song is about a guy the band knew that was pretty close with, he destroyed his life on heroin, I am not sure if it killed him or not though.
   
   'If I could, you know I would, let it go'
   
   if he could, he would get off the drugs... He couldn't

   
   
   
   

10.  

    anonymous

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    Nov 13th 2005, 19:13 report

    
    

    I think his heart is breaking for someone close to him suffering through a drug addiction. He's begging them to "surrender", "let it go". If he could, he would do it for him, but he can't.