I find it hard to believe that people can, in such a short time say this song has no depth. I will admit it has taken me years to fully appreciate Bono's lyrics but I think I'm getting the hang of it.
I think this song is about the alure and draw of temptation on ones life. Temptation is a meaningless concept to someone that does believe in God but I clearly think that Bono has been driven in his life to find his place in the world that God created for us.
The meaning of this song clicked for me in the bridge, "All this can be yours..." which is a close paraphrase of Matthew 4:9 when Christ is being tempted by satan in the wilderness. All he was asked to do is to bow down and worship satan and everything that they saw would be given to him. But of course... Satan was speaking to the creator so, not much of a deal huh??
Verse 1, "and though your soul it can't be bought your mind can wander" What an image of fighting with what you know to be RIGHT and moral and what you feel will be more fun.
Verse 2, beautiful image of the night sky and the heat of a wild club with many things that a 40 something married man may want to partake in but he decides to step back and ask for the check and head out... the girl with the red nail polish and the guilt inducing imagry of a crucifix hanging around her neck.
and of course the bridge... as mentioned above.
BUT the last verse. when the lights go down the grace and love of God give him something "I can feel"
and
"your love is teaching me how to KNEEL"... in prayer
I think it is an honest struggle to understand the world that we live in as a believer that longs to honor the All Mighty and yet enjoy the world.
The VERTIGO is the not the just the fear of heights but the fear of the FALL, the fall from grace and maybe even the fall into sin.
I agree with what you said :) This is one of my all time favorite U2 songs (so hard to just pick one.) And it was funny I read in "U2 by U2," that "Vertigo" in the song is a pun because in Germany there is a club that is really called "Vertigo." And I wonder if the last part of the song is not only about God but how a loved one can lead a person closer to God dispute feeling vertigo. That would see to mach up with the rest of the album that seems to...
I agree with what you said :) This is one of my all time favorite U2 songs (so hard to just pick one.) And it was funny I read in "U2 by U2," that "Vertigo" in the song is a pun because in Germany there is a club that is really called "Vertigo." And I wonder if the last part of the song is not only about God but how a loved one can lead a person closer to God dispute feeling vertigo. That would see to mach up with the rest of the album that seems to deal a lot with the four love (romantic love, family love, friendship love and God like love) Is it just me or does Bono seem to be a C.S. Lewis fan? :)
Your interpretation of this song is the same one I had and I would say it is more than just an opinion. I would say you have articulated the definitive explanation. Deftly composed expository! Best interpretation of a song I have seen on this site. I've checked out this website for years but never had an account. I created one so I could reply to yours. Have a blessed day!
Your interpretation of this song is the same one I had and I would say it is more than just an opinion. I would say you have articulated the definitive explanation. Deftly composed expository! Best interpretation of a song I have seen on this site. I've checked out this website for years but never had an account. I created one so I could reply to yours. Have a blessed day!
I'd rather light a candle than curse the darkness. - St. Francis
I'd rather light a candle than curse the darkness. - St. Francis
FENtastic interpretation! ;) I also created an account to post a reply to this. Very well considered and done from the same standpoint as the author(s), no doubt. I agree and bear witness to the reality of this in my own life. This is why U2 songs keep me inspired, thinking, pondering, evaluating, even praying. God knows which instruments to use in the lives of his children. Music is chief in mine and Bono has served well.
FENtastic interpretation! ;) I also created an account to post a reply to this. Very well considered and done from the same standpoint as the author(s), no doubt. I agree and bear witness to the reality of this in my own life. This is why U2 songs keep me inspired, thinking, pondering, evaluating, even praying. God knows which instruments to use in the lives of his children. Music is chief in mine and Bono has served well.
@fen
Wow. I was always reminded of that gospel story from the bridge, but I never thought of how that played into the rest of the song. Really great tying the song together, that makes a lot of sense!
@fen
Wow. I was always reminded of that gospel story from the bridge, but I never thought of how that played into the rest of the song. Really great tying the song together, that makes a lot of sense!
@fen
Vertigo is related to the devil tempting him. Again it comes from the bible John 4:
"Then the devil took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, you shall not put the Lord, your God to the test.”
It is a song about Bono being tempted,...
@fen
Vertigo is related to the devil tempting him. Again it comes from the bible John 4:
"Then the devil took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, you shall not put the Lord, your God to the test.”
It is a song about Bono being tempted, and with God's help standing firm.
I find it hard to believe that people can, in such a short time say this song has no depth. I will admit it has taken me years to fully appreciate Bono's lyrics but I think I'm getting the hang of it.
I think this song is about the alure and draw of temptation on ones life. Temptation is a meaningless concept to someone that does believe in God but I clearly think that Bono has been driven in his life to find his place in the world that God created for us.
The meaning of this song clicked for me in the bridge, "All this can be yours..." which is a close paraphrase of Matthew 4:9 when Christ is being tempted by satan in the wilderness. All he was asked to do is to bow down and worship satan and everything that they saw would be given to him. But of course... Satan was speaking to the creator so, not much of a deal huh??
Verse 1, "and though your soul it can't be bought your mind can wander" What an image of fighting with what you know to be RIGHT and moral and what you feel will be more fun.
Verse 2, beautiful image of the night sky and the heat of a wild club with many things that a 40 something married man may want to partake in but he decides to step back and ask for the check and head out... the girl with the red nail polish and the guilt inducing imagry of a crucifix hanging around her neck.
and of course the bridge... as mentioned above.
BUT the last verse. when the lights go down the grace and love of God give him something "I can feel"
and
"your love is teaching me how to KNEEL"... in prayer
I think it is an honest struggle to understand the world that we live in as a believer that longs to honor the All Mighty and yet enjoy the world.
The VERTIGO is the not the just the fear of heights but the fear of the FALL, the fall from grace and maybe even the fall into sin.
Of course that's just my opinion.
I LOVED your last paragraph (the one about fearing the fall). Great comment.
I LOVED your last paragraph (the one about fearing the fall). Great comment.
I agree with what you said :) This is one of my all time favorite U2 songs (so hard to just pick one.) And it was funny I read in "U2 by U2," that "Vertigo" in the song is a pun because in Germany there is a club that is really called "Vertigo." And I wonder if the last part of the song is not only about God but how a loved one can lead a person closer to God dispute feeling vertigo. That would see to mach up with the rest of the album that seems to...
I agree with what you said :) This is one of my all time favorite U2 songs (so hard to just pick one.) And it was funny I read in "U2 by U2," that "Vertigo" in the song is a pun because in Germany there is a club that is really called "Vertigo." And I wonder if the last part of the song is not only about God but how a loved one can lead a person closer to God dispute feeling vertigo. That would see to mach up with the rest of the album that seems to deal a lot with the four love (romantic love, family love, friendship love and God like love) Is it just me or does Bono seem to be a C.S. Lewis fan? :)
Your interpretation of this song is the same one I had and I would say it is more than just an opinion. I would say you have articulated the definitive explanation. Deftly composed expository! Best interpretation of a song I have seen on this site. I've checked out this website for years but never had an account. I created one so I could reply to yours. Have a blessed day!
Your interpretation of this song is the same one I had and I would say it is more than just an opinion. I would say you have articulated the definitive explanation. Deftly composed expository! Best interpretation of a song I have seen on this site. I've checked out this website for years but never had an account. I created one so I could reply to yours. Have a blessed day!
I'd rather light a candle than curse the darkness. - St. Francis
I'd rather light a candle than curse the darkness. - St. Francis
FENtastic interpretation! ;) I also created an account to post a reply to this. Very well considered and done from the same standpoint as the author(s), no doubt. I agree and bear witness to the reality of this in my own life. This is why U2 songs keep me inspired, thinking, pondering, evaluating, even praying. God knows which instruments to use in the lives of his children. Music is chief in mine and Bono has served well.
FENtastic interpretation! ;) I also created an account to post a reply to this. Very well considered and done from the same standpoint as the author(s), no doubt. I agree and bear witness to the reality of this in my own life. This is why U2 songs keep me inspired, thinking, pondering, evaluating, even praying. God knows which instruments to use in the lives of his children. Music is chief in mine and Bono has served well.
Thanks fen. God bless you. :)
Thanks fen. God bless you. :)
@fen Wow. I was always reminded of that gospel story from the bridge, but I never thought of how that played into the rest of the song. Really great tying the song together, that makes a lot of sense!
@fen Wow. I was always reminded of that gospel story from the bridge, but I never thought of how that played into the rest of the song. Really great tying the song together, that makes a lot of sense!
@fen Vertigo is related to the devil tempting him. Again it comes from the bible John 4: "Then the devil took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, you shall not put the Lord, your God to the test.” It is a song about Bono being tempted,...
@fen Vertigo is related to the devil tempting him. Again it comes from the bible John 4: "Then the devil took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, you shall not put the Lord, your God to the test.” It is a song about Bono being tempted, and with God's help standing firm.