U2: With Or Without You Meaning
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With Or Without You Lyrics
see the thorn twist in your side
i wait for you
Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait without you
With or without you
With or without you
Through the storm we...
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1TOP RATED
anonymous Sep 27th 2007, 21:31 report
I can see why everyone relates this song to a christian with lines like "See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side" that however is not enough in my opinion to support that. I believe this song is more related to a woman. "Sleight of hand and twist of fate" Sleight of hand is another way of saying trickery twisting fate. Talking about a love deceiving him/whoever. "You give yourself away" is saying to me she is with another man and he/or whoever the song is about doesn't want that. Now that she has been with another man you get "I can't live
With or without you" He is still waiting wishing things had been different. However, fate is set and he now feels that he cannot live without her as it has always been yet now he cannot live with her always thinking about the other lover she had chosen over him. Their is a lot more in the song to support this. Also suppose that "See the stone set in your eyes" is relating to her decision to chose another man. You can say I am wrong but this is how this song relates to me because I have lived with this situation for many years. -
2TOP RATED
anonymous Nov 13th 2006, 05:54 report
This song is simply about a person who can't live with or without a person. If they live with them - they cause grief "thorn twist in your side" & "you give it all but I want more" relates to him always finding faults in the person they love. Its about a girl that gives all she can....But was never enough for the man.....Now he is lost without her....He has nothing left. Dvr
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3TOP RATED
anonymous Sep 20th 2006, 16:11 report
Hi guys,
This song has always seemed to be about somebody proposing to his wife.
See the stone set in your eyes = he's looking at the reflection of the diamond ring in here eyes. Also "setting a stone" refers to how a diamond is placed in/on the ring
See the thorn twist in your side = refers to the "bride" being unsure. You could also say it refers to twisting a ring to fit on a finger if the ring is too small.
I wait for you = waiting for her to answer
Sleight of hand and twist of fate = another reference to holding her hand and twisting the ring onto a finger.
On a bed of nails she makes me wait = nails, another hand refence. Also on a bed of nails means he's nervous.
And I wait without you = she hasnt said yes yet, so he waits alone.
With or without you = he's in limbo. He's taken a step but she hasnt said yes or no yet.
Through the storm we reach the shore
you give it all but I want more = they have been through tough times together and even though she loves him, he wants more, for her to be his wife.
I can't live
with or without you = he just wants an answer
my hands are tied = tie the knot
make sense? -
anonymous Apr 22nd, 16:13 report
I see it more as a person that’s so in love with someone yet it seems like the woman keeps hurting him so like for example I think the woman is a prostitute needing money and it keeps hurting him because she’s giving her love away to other men and so he doesn’t know how to deal with the facts that it’s so torturous of her choices that he truly wants to leave her but he loves her so much he feels like he can’t live without her but at the same time he knows he can’t live like this being in love with who won’t let him help through her money problems just seem like she’s stubborn and yet even though they fight he still loves her so much he feels like he’ll die without her and lose the best love he’s ever felt
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anonymous Jun 25th 2012, 20:46 report
This song is one of the best songs written in the hole 80`s.
However, Bono is not willing to explain much what the lyrics really is about.
To me and what I have understood, is "and you give yourself away" how he feels about giving him self to the press, it is also about how he could hurt the band. Damage made to the band in the way they are giving to much of them self without really now the cons. of it.... -
anonymous Jun 7th 2012, 18:01 report
Guys.
You got it all wrong!
the song is about the emerald island, Ireland! Think out of the proverbial box! -
anonymous Mar 13th 2012, 02:31 report
The song is about a woman who does not want/afraid to commit.
"See the stone set in your eyes" Cold and firm in that she won't commit but 'the thorn twisting in her side" is that she loves him and is struggling to maintain her safe distance from him.
"Sleight of hand and twist of fate" in life's irony he has fallen madly in love with a woman who won't give her heart totally to him. He waits...hoping that she will give him, her heart.
"Through the storm we reach the shore" Despite the tempestuous situation of being at such odds, they reach an understanding. She gives what she can, but it is not enough for him.
"You give it all but I want more"
Still he waits and hopes the situation will change.
"With or without you"
He doesn't feel that she is 'with' him because she has not fully committed and feels he is 'without' her because she is not fully committed.
She 'gives' of herself to others she is not committed to as well. Giving herself 'away' rather than to him.
His hands are tied because the decision to commit to him can only be made by her. His body bruised, hurting because he is waiting for her to make this decision to finally commit to him.
He's done all he can, now he truly has nothing left to win and nothing left to lose, because although they are a couple, he doesn't feel that she is really 'with him'. -
anonymous Mar 6th 2012, 00:13 report
This song is about sin, which Bono personifies in the feminine. And though Bono believes in the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ, he is unable to break his connection with sin. The song opens with Bono First addressing his connection to Christ with a reference of the stone set in your eyes providing a powerful image of both a stone placed over the eyes of the crucified Christ to cover them for burial, and the thorn twist in your side referencing the spear jabbed into Christ's side to ensure he was dead.
Then Bono proceeds to the power of sin and temptation...slight of hand and twist of fate...on a bed of nails she makes me wait. Bono is agonizing over his temptation to sin.
Return again to Christ in the next verses...Bono turns to his savior to fight back the sin with the powerful and familiar image of Christ calming the stormy seas and bringing the ship to shore.
Bono exclaims with or without you...with or without you...i cant live with or without you. He knows he cant live with sin, but he cant give it up either. His desire is too strong. You give yourself away being an increasing reference to his enslavement to sin, a common Biblical analogy.
Now the conclusion...my hands are tied my body bruised...he is loosing the battle to sin. Jesus tells Peter that his hands would be bound and he would be taken away to death. Death is the ultimate consequence of sin. You give yourself away to sin...she leaves you with nothing To win, and nothing left to lose.
He cant live with sin, but he cant let go of it either. -
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anonymous Feb 27th 2012, 05:47 report
I see it in a few ways, but this one makes most sense.
''I can't live, with or without you''
It could mean he can't live with her 'cause they had a wrong place and a wrong time, they couldn't be there fo each other, him for her example if he was really depressed and for that reason couldn't show her how much he really loved/ cared for her, and she tried to reach out for him but couldn't get through.. And that hurt her so much that she left from this situation and now she's gone with someone else which explains the line ''and you give yourself away'' ..
.. and ''can't live without you'' means he still loves her freaking badly and he's lost without her love and going mentally crazy.
''see the stone set in your eyes'' she's had enough of it and doesn't care nomore so her eyes become emotionless, cold.
''see the thorn twist in your side'' cause she doesn't care anymore he's unable to hurt her no longer.
''I wait for you'' He's waiting a time to get a hold of himself so that he could win her back. -
anonymous Dec 15th 2011, 22:33 report
This song is from the perspective of someone in a situation where they are unable to be with the woman they love, yet they can't live without her.
However, I see how there are biblical references in the lyrics. I heard once that the Edge thought the song would be played in churches, of all places! -
anonymous Nov 10th 2011, 19:10 report
This is the song somebody I love posted the day after I ended it with him. Coincidence or not I have no idea , but it seems to fit our situation.
He lives in another country , and he is only 20 , I am 35. I am also in a relationship with another man and have a child . I fell for this younger guy but I wish had never met him. He really is like a drug : no good for me but so hard to give up. I'm not sure I can ever really forget him , only time will tell.
For me this song is about impossible love : being so in love with somebody but knowing that being with them just won't work, because of the circumstances , but being without them is just as inconceivable because you love them so much.
'See the stone set in your eyes' : when I met him in the summer , I was with my boy friend . I saw him searching my eyes for a clue but I had made up my mind that I would not leave my boy friend for him. He is too young, it just wouldn't work .
'See the thorn twist in you side.. I wait for you ' : he can see I am not 100% happy in my current relationship. He waits for me to make a decision , ' sleight of hand etc ' , he thinks because I wont leave my bf I am using, deceiving him , that I can't really love him.
'On a bed of nails she makes me wait' , the waiting is torture. He tries to get close to me but I keep him at arms length :( He waits without me , he is alone.
'Through the storm we reach the shore' We meet where he works , on a beach , and I am with my boy friend and child. I guess he realizes he wants more , all of me , not a shared love.
'You give it all , but I want more' I do everything I can to show how much I care about him , that I love him , but it's not enough , he wants all of me but I can't give him that , so he cant live with me , or without.
'My hands are tied' , he feels powerless. It's a no win situation.
'And you give your self away .' I guess he thinks I am using him , that I just want him for one thing .
Well he is wrong. I love him with a passion I have never felt for any one else. If he was older , or I was younger , then yeah , no problem. They say age doesn't matter , but after two years of knowing him I can see it does matter. And it wouldn't last. I'm afraid of getting hurt I guess, so I make do with a half love.
Or may be I'm reading too much into this song ! -
samsam12 Oct 6th 2011, 16:55 report
The lyrics ostensibly describe a troubled relationship between two lovers, although the lyrics have been interpreted in religious contexts. The Washington Post interpreted the song as both an acerbic love song and a tune lamenting the moral contradictions one faces with their religious faith.[12] Toby Creswell echoed these sentiments, saying it "can be read as a song about either marital romance or spiritual need".[13] Bono explained that the lyrics had romantic intentions, saying, "there's nothing more revolutionary than two people loving each other. One, 'cause it's so uncommon these days, and two, 'cause it's so difficult to do."[13] In 1987, Bono explained that "And you give yourself away" lyric refers to how he sometimes feels exposed being in U2, and that his openness, both to the public and music press, can do damage to the group. Author Niall Stokes interpreted the line as encompassing the theme of "surrendering the ego" to one's love and spiritual faith.[14]
According to Bono, the song was heavily influenced by Scott Walker's album Climate of Hunter -
anonymous Jun 3rd 2011, 13:05 report
The guy is in love with the girl. And the guy is married. The woman chose to be with someone else. He gives it all. But no matter what he does, it's still not enough. He wants more. Meaning he wants to marry the girl. And so he waits. He wishes that fate will be somehow different. So that they can be together somehow. And I know how it feels coz I'm on the same boat.
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anonymous May 15th 2011, 23:37 report
I think this song is about a battle between drugs and God just as it was said to be. He is having to make a choice between the two. "She" drugs. "You" is God.I think he has had a long battle between the two and this songs represents remission into drug use and trying to return to his faith. From the beginning of the song "see the stone set in your eyes" directly refers to God, but "see the thorn twist in your side" is his way of saying that it hurts God to see what he has become. He says that he is waiting because he doesnt want to live the life of drugs but he feels torn between the two, waiting for God to save hime from himself."Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait without you" is referring to something bad happening in his life turning him back to drugs although he doesnt want to, "on a bed of nails she makes me wait" shows his hatred of what he is doing but he feels that he is out of control of the situation. This one line means that he knows what he is doing is destroying him (bed of nails) but he cant resist. "Through the storm we reach the shore" means that he had a chance at regaining his faith after a long fight with drugs. When he says that You give it all but I want more, it is referring to God giving everything but he still turned to drugs needing more. Towards the end "my hands are tied, my body bruised, shes got me with nothing to win and nothing left to lose" is referring to the way drugs are making him feel hopeless later stating that "You give yourself away" showing that God is willing to accept him although he abandoned him and turned to drugs. Finally "i cant live with or without you" is his way of showing how he feels torn between his faith and drugs. He feels like he needs drugs leaving his faith behind, but he also feels like he needs God and he cant have both. So he feels like he cant have his faith because he is so far gone for saving but needs it at the same time to pull him out of his self destruction. -
anonymous May 3rd 2011, 20:13 report
The song is about christ and the church. See the thorn twist in your side (trials that work faith,patience and perfection) stone set in your eye (no man has seen god) on a bed of nails she makes me wait (jesus crucified justifying everyone who comes to him no matter when or where until the time of completion comes) you give yourself away (unbelievers never really find themselves or know who they really are and give themselves to the lies and deceits of the devil)
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anonymous Apr 16th 2011, 08:11 report
I believe its about being married; the "twist of faith" is that when they were dating she was intimately eager to share the "bed", now she makes him wait on a "bed of nails"; and all he can do is wait, the nails are the resentful paybacks for his clumsiness before and during the marriage; thus the "stone sets" in her eyes is the resentment towards him.
Yet, he loves her, and so he waits; but deep within he knows it can't continue, so he knows that sooner or later he will have to stop this cycle, thus the "can't live with you" resonates within his soul... like a wolf howling at the moon...
Billy Madison's mom and my grandma were right, "she's of the debbo"! =)
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anonymous Feb 16th 2011, 09:16 report
It's the same old story, aint? I cant read up any reason why this should be a "love song" in seek of engagement...very hollywoodish interpretation to me.
Its the struggle between each other. One loves more than the other does. One gives everything even gives himself up - which still isnt enough from the other point of view. one breaks up as a rational consequence - the other is hurt deadly.
You part with each other but still desire the lost part. It hurts if you see her and if she's away. With or without her.
You think you cannot live anymore after a really emotional break up. time will heal. I know.
The extra lines "shine like stars in the summer nights..." show the highly idealized imaginations of love, which are even good because they feed your desire but also can comfort you.
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anonymous Dec 13th 2010, 02:26 report
This is one of my favourites. But now i got a totally new interpretation for this one i heared about, when i was talking to our drummer: It could be about a man falling in love with a prostitute.
"See the stone set in your eyes"
She already is broken in her heart. He can see the look in her eyes.
"See the thorn twist in your side"
He can see how she is suffering, of course she don't like doing this.
"Slight of hand..." it was his fault it came to this... "twist of fate..." This is really a bad situation, especially when you are married or already togeter with someone.
"Trough the storm..." .. don't need to explain this, do I?
"You give it all but i want more" -
And of course he wants more, but this is all she can give him. He wants love - she gives him all she can....only a job.
"You give yourself away.." speaks for itself.
"My hands are tied..." he already had a relationship.. ?
"My Body bruised she got me with" of course she's got him with that! Its her job!
"I can't live With or without you" - He can't live with her - remeber her profession, state of heart - she don't even LOVE him - she only act for an hour or so that she does. And he can't live without her because he admires her and always come back.
I think this is a really nice and also sad interpretation. -
anonymous Dec 9th 2010, 09:06 report
This song to me is about a relationship between two lovers that has fallen appart. She has an affair, but he loves her so much still. But how can the relationship survive the affair. He loves her too much to let her go, but he can't go on with her anymore either, the pain is too great.
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anonymous Nov 23rd 2010, 09:30 report
I dont beleive it has anything to do with marriage or proposal, a bed of nails is not a hand reference! Nails that you hammer into a wall, not that you have on the end of your fingers!
And the phrase 'my hands are tied' doesnt refer to tying the knot, it's a common phrase used to describe when you have to make a decision, but you cant.
^^Those just seemed like misunderstanding but the rest of the stuff you put just doesnt make sense... -
anonymous Nov 23rd 2010, 09:22 report
I think this song is about one-sided love.
The words 'And you give yourself away' refer to her flirting with other men, almost selling herself and just leading people on.
Secondly the Chorus, and the repeated line 'With Or Without You' is talking about how with or without her, he's always going to be there and he'll always love her, whether she's with him or not.
I think the 'bed of nails' refers to the fact that if he walks away, or tries to alter his situation, he's just going to get hurt, so he has to lie there and wait for her to help him up. As when you lay something or someone on a bed of nails, it doesn't hurt until you move or get up without assistance.
In verse 3- 'through the storm we reach the shore/you give it all but I want more/and I'm waiting for you'
I interpret this as they've been having trouble, he's somehow admitted he's unhappy with their relationship and they've finally reached a middle ground where she gives him all the attention of a relationship, but she's still sort of distant and flaunts herself to other men, so what they have doesn't feel real.
In the final verse it seems -to me at least- that he is stuck in his situation and he can't make the decision whether to stay or go. He's got nothing to win by staying and he's probably given everything up to be with her.
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