Love the theme, that simple guitar cry.
Maybe U2's best song ever, (It should be noted that I'm not a real fan)
I am still suprised with the whole 'Time won't let me as I am'-section, but hey...

Love the closing lyrics:
'Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel', cold shivers, and then that final word that I commonly mishear as 'Look away', wich gives me even more cold shivers than 'Luckily', as the song is about looking at a city.

Love. Love. Love this song. Fabulous. So well done. The begining piano and the last piano notes are by far the best ever.....Wow.......Just simply....Amazing....

This one's easy: A totem pole carver in the Mojave desert learns to speak English after being raised by wolves. The city of blinding lights is clearly El Paso, Texas, known for it neon light bulb factories.

This is a beautiful and inspirational love song to New York City. It's a song about how New York with its "neon heart and dayglo eyes" is an inspiration to artists and immigrants all around the world moved by her idealism, creativity and her open arms to different races, cultures and creeds.

This is what "they're advertising in the sky for people like us" refers to. New Yorkers are the fireflies--alive at night, glowing with spirit. As they dance in the moonlight other people are intrigued and drawn in. They want to join. This imagery is evocative of Dionysus' satyrs who drink, dance, sing, fight and fuck to their hearts' content. Artists, dancers, musicians, lovers--they are all alive during the nighttime and this place of freedom and creativity, NYC, is mecca to many people in the world.

But after 9/11, the singer feels that she may abandon all that made her beautiful, authentic and loved. Hence the lines about how she should not fear "looking ugly in photographs" and dismissing the doubts about whether she is in fact still beautiful. The lines about the "clothes (she) made" refer to the doubt that might arise about whether being unique and harboring creative individuals is still a virtue. The singer believes that it is.

I believe that the line "I'm getting ready to leave the ground" means that after the attack and all of the lives lost, it made him requestion his own morality and the meaning of life. This is why at the beginning he says "the more you see the less you know" and also "i knew much more then than i do now". However, despite all that has happened, the singer reaffirms that "time can't take the boy out of the man" meaning he still has hope, still has optimism still holds ideals, despite what he's seen humans can be capable of.

Whenever he sings "Oh you look so beautiful tonight" I believe he is singing directly to the live audience, and I think it holds particular meaning to New Yorkers, or just anyone in the world who still believes she's a haven for artists and lovers of freedom. Many immigrants hold that New York is not just an American city, it's the world's city and Irish immigrants have been coming for decades. I'm sure Bono holds the same feelings as his ancestors and relatives.

I've been trying to figure out if the "City of blinding lights" refers to an earthly city, like NYC, or to heaven itself. I concluded that he believes that the earthly city (not necessarily NYC, but it is of course, a direct influence) is a heavenly city itself, even with its dark rough edges, her seedy night life. And even with her poverty and violence she is a petrie dish for originality and art.

The last lines: “The more you know the less you feel. Some pray for others steal. Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel… luckily” Are about what the singer thinks he has learned from his experiences post 9-11. He knows less about the world, in that he is less certain about what’s right and what’s wrong. The world isn’t black and white. It’s complex and layered. He cites examples of behavior that people believe are praiseworthy and blameworthy—prayer and stealing—neither act, he seems to be stating, are easy to judge as right or wrong, what we need is to understand underlying causes.

The very last line “Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel… luckily” is, to me, highly optimistic. There’s many ways to take this line. Some people will read it as “you can do anything you want, we’re all getting into heaven” or “people can be moral without believing in God”, but I take it as this: Human beings are the creators/authors of blessings, not necessarily a god who may or may not exist. We are capable of our destruction or our success. This is “lucky” because it means we are not doomed to failure by fate. We can write our own histories.

I just watched, on youtube, this song being performed at the Obama concert. Like Bono, I'm not even American, but there was just so much passion, even though it was taking place hundreds of miles away from me.

U2 rules and no matter what theresa says, she cant take it away.
This song is probably about 9/11, I think.

"A city lit by fireflies" - I guess it means, after 9/11 there were helicopters circling around, with their lights on (wild guess).

"They�re advertising in the skies" - Probably that the asshole bin laden and his followers are using the sky to promote their stupid beliefs.

"Don�t look before you laugh Look ugly in a photograph" - There was a pic that got published here, showing a person standing on the roof of one of the towers having his pic taken, and in the background one of the planesis just about to hit the same tower. Though later, the pic was revealed to be fake, I guess Bono referred to that.

"Oh you look so beautiful tonight In the city of blinding lights" - I guess bono's talking life here, in general. It could mean life, or living seems so beautiful, when (after 9/11) you see so much suffering in front of you.

And btw, Theresa, you wont make U2 fans stop supporting them by reading what you are saying. So stop wasting time, us and yours. Bono is not god, but he's a genius. a true lyrical genius. He's sending a right message out to people. He's seen lot of suffering in the world, and is doing something good. Hail Bono. Hail U2.

"However i would still summise God (if he at all exists) works in mysterious ways" -deankavanagh1234
you have made me realize what the song "mysterious ways" is about
"she moves in mysterious ways" is a metaphor for god moves in mysterius ways

BONO!

Wow. Since when did this song become about God? Some people should really take things less seriously...

Theresa1 none of us regard bono as a god like figure.

What i would say is that he has brought life to a faith that thanks to people like yourself is viewed by most as out dated and out of touch with the contemporary World we live in.

This song just screams classic U2. i love how it builds till the end of the song. The lyrics are so insprational.

No, I DON'T "have anything BETTER to do", since I believe warning people of the truth about God is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THERE IS TO DO, and so I do this in VARIOUS ways, any opportunity I see, any chance I get.

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF CYBER-SPACE HERE FOR WHAT I'VE WRITTEN - so your complaint is merely a further demonstration of just how TRUE Jehovah's words and prophesies ARE - that in these last days, people would show HATE and DISDAIN for what is of God's scriptural truth in needed strength; and would treat messengers of it UNJUSTLY.

Your UNJUST comments above ARE VERY TYPICAL of U2 IDOLATERS, who exhibit this in many places on the web. They get very into a pseudo-spirituality over U2, but when actual and un-watered down scriptural truths (especially anything corrective) are spoken of, all of a sudden that so-called "spirituality" (especially [FALSE] "Christianity" cannot take anything TRULY of God.

I AM a music lover, and I know nearly every word to nearly every old U2 song.

Your retort above is belittling, unjust, and NOT open-minded: It employs falsehoods and other obvious unjust manipulative tactics in order to try to shut out, OPPRESS, and silence speech that YOU - AND THE MAJORITY - DO NOT LIKE.

This is common tactic utililizing falsehood - to speak as though one is the official representative of "EVERYONE", and then to attempt to wield the weight/ pressure of "EVERYONE" against someone speaking a minority opinion.

I keep a collection of hostile, unwarranted insults I've received for speaking things of God's biblical truth, and I write about these things to show others that yes, people's attitudes toward scriptural truth are just what God said they would be in this time of the end. You've provided quite a dandy example.

I have NEVER let the predicted disdainers of Jehovah's words stop me from trying to reach the relative few honest-hearted ones still looking for Jehovah's life-saving, life-giving truth - and I never will.

"For God's wrath is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OF MEN >>> WHO ARE SUPPRESSING THE TRUTH IN AN UNRIGHTEOUS WAY." (Romans 1:18)

You certainly aren't being forced to read my posts.

On the other hand, it is UNJUST of you to make a special project of trying to deny me my freedom of speech because what I say is not to your taste/ liking/ opinion.

If you do not like the content of what I write, simply go read any of the countless posts praising U2 found here and on the world-wide web.

I will continue doing what I do everywhere, every way, every chance I get.

Seriously Theresa1 do have nothing better to do? This site is for fun loving music lovers who want to talk about what a certain song means to them and the songwriter, its an open minded site yes not a bible study site. Im sure everyone will agree with me that your views on God and whateva else is in those big long comments you keep putting on are not needed in this discussion so why don't you take them else where and stop boring us all with irelevant rantings.....

Theresa1 has too much time on her hands

"Thanks", neil, but I was already thinking before your "help"...

What do I say to people who "don't believe in God"? That depends. I try to find out if their real grievance is the world-ruining bad deeds of FALSE religions, which are doing a dandy job for Satan of effectively defaming God to many. If their frustration is due to this, I assure them that God himself is very angry with the spiritual hypocrisy and evil worked by FALSE religion and, outstandingly, FALSE "Christianity." If I have a Bible on me, I have them read Revelation 18:23,24; wherein God states that FALSE religion is spiritistic, and that He himself blames it for the deaths of "all those who have been slaughtered on the earth." I then explain that God, in his justice, will soon be destroying all false religions, removing the wicked from this earth, and then establishing his own kingdom of perfect peace here - a global paradise - where righteousness and TRUE spirituality will dwell. (Revelation 18:4,5,8; 19:11-21; Psalm 37:9-11; Isaiah 9:6,7)

However, if the atheist reveals that they are against God because they do not agree with or want to practice his scriptural standards - such as those pertaining to morality - that is "another animal."

False religionists do the same: They'll deny the value and authority of God's words when it suits their desires too, often opting for more slack, "easygoing" philosophies of man that "allow for" whatever it is that they want. Two popular [false/ out-of-context false] cover-all defenses/ "excuses" are A.) "All you have to do is believe in the Lord"; and B.) "Don't judge." Tell many of them this-or-that about an application of a scriptural command or principle that they do not want to hear, and A or B are frequent responses. In effect, they might as well be honest and claim part-time atheism, full-time hypocrisy.

On the other hand, I've observed atheists that are simply boldly, insolently hostile about the very idea of having to be accountable for their behavior to a Higher Being, who does indeed have standards of right and wrong (which they do not want their desires to be bothered with). It is these same ones who tend to be haughty, unjust, disbarging, and unkindly mocking of any they consider pathetically unenlightened - compared to themself - ones who act or speak of with at least some reverence and concern for what God would want. This is the sort that would sport about a snarling, sabre-tooth fish (Icthus) symbol, to mock the (false) "Christian" use of the simple, though pagan-origined fish symbol.

Jehovah the Creator is now having the whole world urgently warned/informed of the truth about him, his purposes, and his standards - he requirements for those who will be part of his new world here. He is using his faithful human servants to teach their fellow man, from his words. (Matthew 24:14; 28:19,20) Everyone is being given the opportunity to hear of and learn these vital scriptural teachings now before Armageddon - that there IS an option of TRUTH about God and pure worship of him that is DIFFERENT from all of the spiritistic and obviously UNRIGHTEOUS FALSE religions and their teachings about "the Lord"; and that is far beyond the limited, existential, animal-only-like, Maker-Designer-Universal Sovereign denying and defying, hopeless philosophies of atheism which are being promoted as being so elite and "intelligent" (as in grandiose - more "intelligent" than godliness or the Creator himself - compare Romans 1:21,22) and "saving." (It is amazing to realize that "atheists", in effect, actually do worship a god/ gods though - they worship/ render sacred service to "the creation rather than the One who created." (FALSE religionists do this too, along with them.) See Romans 1:18-32.

As for if Jehovah/ Yahweh is "self-conscious about his name", the biggest theme of the ENTIRE BIBLE and the state of the world itself has to do with the re-sanctification of God's holy name: It has been slandered, and mankind has grown into greater and greater ruin on account of believing those lies - which SEEMED to afford them "freedom" to do what people have desired, without regard for what God would have to say about these things.

As truth about Jehovah/ Yahweh is made known, as his name, "HE CAUSES TO BECOME" is exalted in all the earth as uniquely representing THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD, the Creator and good and rightful Universal Sovereign that is naturally owed gratitude, love, reverential "fear", and obedience by those he has created; lies pertaining to him disintegrate. Individuals are left facing their God, their Maker, for who he is, He who is quite alive and real, and by whom life and the entire universe breathes and ticks. They are left to make their choice about what they are going to do as regards this God with a personal name that could not truly belong to/ fit any other besides the Creator himself, who alone has the power to CAUSE anything he purposes TO BECOME.

After the global preaching work regarding God's kingdom blessing and warning messages - which includes making God's name and the truth about it known in all the earth - is completed to God's satisfaction (which will be soon), then "the end" will come. (Matthew 24:14)

That will be the end of Satan's entire defunct, unjust, and evil world system and all persons stubbornly supporting it rather than the righteous purposes of the One True God Jehovah, who will have made his Way for survival clear to all the righteousness-loving ones of the earth by means of the signal of his unique Holy name. (Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13-15; Malachi 1:11; Psalm 83:18; John 17:26; Isaiah 43:10; and so much more.)

Then, Jehovah/ Yahweh (or as the same Tetragrammaton is naturalized into the many languages of the peoples of the earth) will be the only God exalted and held as Sovereign in all the earth (and universe) again. Human society will become free of God-rebellious badness and the suffering and trouble that comes from that. People and the earth will heal.

Everything will be set right again, like at the beginning in Eden; because God's NAME will have been restored, re-exalted, and re-sanctified - made holy again - respected and honored everywhere, by everyone alive, as it naturally and rightly should be. "Our Father, who art in heaven, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done; On earth as it is in heaven." (Taken from Matthew 6:9,10; this is what that world-famous, classic prayer REALLY MEANS! ["Hallowed" means "sanctified" - made or kept holy.] )

It will have been PROVEN FOREVER, CLEARED of the defamation/ charges Satan unjustly made against the One True God of this name (and that he got many others to beLIEve) - of Jehovah being an inferior, inane, unloving, bad God and a liar; one that did not deserve to be worshiped and obeyed. God chose to let a great prededent-setting lesson run itself out, once and for all time, for all of his intelligent beings to learn what comes from listening to any such lies about him and so choosing a course of rebellion against him/ independence from him, using such lies as their "excuses" for doing so.

The lesson's basically over! Jehovah/ Yahweh and his name have been exonerated - all evidence truthfully considered. Now it's just a matter of seeing who left of mankind will rightly listen, learn, and admit to "the lesson" and humbly submit to this One Just and True, Holy God named Jehovah. They need to hurry up and do so though, because God has justice to carry forth through the earth. With all of the evil, injustice, and suffering, this world is not up to his standards or purposes for earth and mankind - there is no way he, by justice, would allow these situations to continue indefinitely.

He has well-described, in his Bible, the events and situations, signs and times, that would warn and mark that his time of patience with mankind, his time of providing life-sustaining "BLESSINGS" meant for everyone - was about to end - that his time to bring Divine destruction/ just retribution and vengeance upon a corrupt, hurtful, damaging Satanic world system and those non-listening, disinterested, insolent persons serving it instead of Him (God) was imminent. That time is NOW.

Hey, theresa1, what if God doesn't exist? What do you say to people who do not believe in God. And i doubt that God, assuming there is one, is so self-concious of His/Her name that He/She must "not allow the wicked ones to disrespect His name"

And by the way i'm confused, how does a bible-beater come to like and listen to U2? I thought most U2 fans questioned their reality and were open minded, that is also just a generalization, however.

To give you a new perspective on the line, "Blessings aren't just for the ones who kneel-luckily" i think you could question the teaching and belief of free will that we, humans, have been given. For example, you say, 'Why? It has been true that God has let it rain, let sun shine, let crops grow, etc. for both "those who kneel" (those who revere, obey, and pray to him) and those who don't" Well if it weren't for those who don't as well, then why would there be free will. If the earth was only created for those who are saints, or if the earth is soon to be cleansed of all evil, then there is no free will. There must be good to be bad

I hope i made you think

"Blessings aren't just for the ones who kneel" is misled and misleading.

Why? It has been true that God has let it rain, let sun shine, let crops grow, etc. for both "those who kneel" (those who revere, obey, and pray to him) and those who don't (wicked ones, who aren't even grateful). However, very soon, when Jehovah/ Yahweh God is done giving everyone alive on earth their chance to learn his scriptural will so as to be able to obey it (Matthew 24:14); then blessings WILL become ONLY for those who will have chosen to "kneel." God's toleration of the wicked will come to an end - by Divine justice, he will soon end their lives by Armageddon.

Many have been mistaught that God has "unconditional love" - but that is wishful thinking, not a Bible teaching. God has principled love, compassionate love, merciful love, affectionate love, patient love, parental love, loving kindness, etc. But God's love is also shown in his JUSTICE: He will NOT CONTINUE to let wicked ones dishonor and disrespect him and his name, rebel against his rightful Sovereignty, disobey his righteous decrees, esteem his Son's sacrifice of his life as of "ordinary value", or ruin the world and cause suffering to "those who kneel" and worship Go on his terms, "with spirit and truth" (those for whom God has LOYAL love).

Thankfully, the global preaching work is nearing completion. Everyone alive will soon have made their choice - to be one who humbly "kneels" to God, in grateful submission; to serve him, obey him, and do his will ~ or ~ to be among the predicted majority who will continue to be self/ Satan-worshiping; and disregarding, disobedient, and presumptuous towards their own Maker, the Creator.

"Then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)

Those who were too proud, self-centered, "busy", full of idolatry, etc. to bother listening to God's scriptural warnings and to learn and meet his requirements for survival into God's new world system here (his kingdom come) will be gone, removed from this earth (dead). (Psalm 37:9,10)

Then, blessings will pour down from the heavens until there is no more want. Jehovah/ Yahweh will satisfy the right desires of every living thing here. (Psalm 145:16)

Hope it all comes to pass very, very soon. Wisely be found among "those who kneel."

o yeah, and my favorite verse is:

neon heart dayglo eyes
a city lit by fireflies
they're advertising in the skies
for people like us

this song ttly reminds me of "where the streets have no name" especially since they both have really long musical intros w/ no singing

"they're advertising in the skies, for people like us"
i thot "they" refered to the fireflies, since when fireflies blink, they are, in a sense, advertising for other things like themselves. like the lights of a city, beckoning other people to come and join them.
sry if someone's already said that.
i love this song, one of the songs tied for favorite off of how to dismantle an atomic bomb.

awesome song!!! i love u2, i cant wait for the new rick rubin produced album

I live in New Zealand and U2 was finally coming. It was going to be on St Pat's day, which would have been awesome because of the Irishness but it was postponed. When it was on i was kind of disapointed because my family and I were way at the back, but I convinced my older sister to come with me and sneak into a restricted area. We got through and ran and got away and pushed and pushed through people. Then we got chosen to got to a restricted area and we got right up by th band. IT WAS AMAZING!!! Then they played City of Blinding Lights and the whole crowd went wild! It was so incredible. Bono is such a brilliant porformer, one of the best. That was my first real concert and I will never forget it. ROCK ON U2!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful song. I like the part when Bono sings: "Don�t look before you laugh Look ugly in a photograph Flash bulbs purple irises
The camera can�t see". Simply Beautiful.

I love U2 and everything, but I have to call them on this one- nobody mentions it, but this is a reworking of an old Kraftwerk song.

This song is so amazing. It has so much life to it and is very moving. It seems to me that it's growing up and missing someone you love.

this song is def about NYC. i saw them 4 times on the Vertigo tour (3 in MSG, 1 in Philly). One of the times in MSG, Bono told the crowd at the beginning of the song something along the lines of ,"you should like this one new york, it's about you, after all."