Tough, you think you've got the stuff
You're telling me and anyone
You're hard enough

You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

We fight, all the time
You and I, that's alright
We're the same soul
I don't need, I don't need to hear you say
That if we weren't so alike
You'd like me a whole lot more

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

Say, say, say

I know that we don't talk
I'm sick of it all
Can you hear me when I
Sing, you're the reason I sing
You're the reason why the opera is in me

We're here now
I've still got to let you know
A house doesn't make a home
Don't leave me here alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you that makes it hard to let go
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Sometimes you can't make it
Best you can do is to fake it
Sometimes you can't make it on your own


Lyrics submitted by Lyra, edited by joaomendess

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own Lyrics as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own song meanings
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84 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    dang, i hate when that happens. anyway. i'm starting really to savor the lyrics more... and just because i know that's it's really about his father doesn't mean i can't twist it into something else that makes it more special for me. you know? anyway, it seems to really solidify the relationship with one of my friends I don’t need… I don’t need to hear you say That if we weren’t so alike You’d like me a whole lot more

    <b>Listen to me now I need to let you know You don’t have to go it alone </b> i would really like for people to understand this line. it seems that way too many people are TRYING to go through life all alone when there are peple that care about them. anyway i'm done ranting... for now anyway

    U2takemehigheron December 06, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    U2 played this on SNL and it was absolutely amazing. I read an article that said that two of the female cast members were seen in tears because they were so happy/moved by U2. This is definitely an amazing song that i believe is comparable to 'One'. Bono's relationship with his father is very well articulated in the lyrics.

    aayers007on November 22, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I was at the blitz concert in Brooklyn they did before the album was released and at the show he mentioned playing the song at his dad's funeral. The part "You're the reason I sing, You're the reason why the opera's in me", he explained that his dad used to sing for a music society and when people die, he believes they leave things for you. He said his dad left him his voice because he hasn't had a voice that strong in many years.

    meathookon December 07, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I wish Bono was my dad. Every year, he just gets cooler and cooler.

    Bono just has one of the best voices around. Nothing fancy or overly affected, just great.

    While matters of opinion will always be a point of contention, I feel that U2 (with the possible exception of Zooropa) have remained consistent, over the years, which is a rare thing.

    quiffpornon March 12, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    "And its you when I like in the mirror." The physical connection between Bono and his Father.

    "And its you when I don't pick up the phone." This indicates the fighting between Bono and his father.

    "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own." The pain of cancer is too unbearable to be taken by one person. This comment shows how much it affected everyone.

    What do you think?

    Here_2_Hearon July 12, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song was written for Bono's father. U2 performed it at his funeral in 2001.

    Absoluton November 18, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    It was writen to his father after he died of cancer and recently my father was diagnosed with liver syrosis and cancer so it's very scary . eventhough my father doen't show hs pain i know it's thier and i want to thake most of his pain from but i know i can i have to be thier for him. This song just reminds me so much of us and fighting about the smallest things.

    mY_sUgAr_HiGh69on November 24, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    this is a great song, when i heard it was about bono's father i understood it so much.. i love it when he sings "Sing, you’re the reason I sing You’re the reason why the opera is in me…" i think its so momentous and emotional.. such a nice song, his dad will be proud

    freedom-fighteron November 26, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    you know a song is really good when you hear it the first time and like it and this was one of them. beautiful song. now that i know the meaning behind it, it's even more special. 'sometimes you can't make it on your own'

    nessa4488on November 27, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i think this is one of the gems off of 'how to dismantle an atomic bomb. i think this song, more than most (almost all probably) you can actually hear the raw emotion in bono's voice

    U2takemehigheron December 02, 2004   Link

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