The greatest aspect of this song is its ambiguity. Sure, Martin Luther King and Jesus are both obvious references here, but I think the unclear lines are meant to refer to others who have died 'in the name of love'. I like the idea that 'One man washed on an empty beach' refers to a soldier at Normandy on D-Day, but that's not the only possible interpretation. In fact, most of this song's lines do not have a clear interpretation one way or another. I think it spoils the song to say that particular lines ONLY refer to specific characters throughout history.
Contrary to what I presume the popular opinion is, I do not believe the song's theme is that Martin Luther King and Jesus died because of their love for society. I think the title, 'Pride (In The Name Of Love)', refers to the 'love' that the assassins strongly felt for their beliefs. As Bono repeats the line 'One More In The Name Of Love' over and over, I can't help but think of all the great leaders who have died or all the wars that have been fought for mistaken ideologies. 'One more' refers to another great leader dying and 'In The Name Of Love' refers to the misguided reasons a person might have for wanting them dead. In many cases such as Mark David Chapman (John Lennon's assassin), the assassin does not even hate their target, they are merely in love with the act of taking another life. Bono laments such an immense loss for misguided love, but proclaims that even that cannot diminish the leader's pride or accomplishments.
I think the lyric "Free at last / they took your life / but they could not take your pride." is one of the greatest in rock history.
I think the lyric "Free at last / they took your life / but they could not take your pride." is one of the greatest in rock history.
@jayschif i believe the song lyric is "what more" in the name of love, not "one man" as you describe in your analysis.
@jayschif i believe the song lyric is "what more" in the name of love, not "one man" as you describe in your analysis.
The same lyrical phrases in the song are inherently ironic and represent contrary positions. "What more in the name of love" refers both to the evil men do while justifying it, and the prices some men have paid in their quest to better humanity.
For instance, both the Loyalists and Republicans in Ireland's struggle for self-determination believe their side is in the right and are willing to die for it. The second verse literally refers to armed conflict. I would consider Ireland's "Troubles" are an example of the kind of conflicts U2 is referring to. In this context, when U2 writes "what more in the name of love," they are criticizing warfare and terrorism and asking how many more people have to die in this needless fashion.
The 3rd verse is obviously about MLKJ. In this context, "what more ..." obviously refers to the price he had to pay as he pursued his just cause.
@jayschif Sorry, didn't post the link . But Pride IS about MLK and Jesus as well
@jayschif Sorry, didn't post the link . But Pride IS about MLK and Jesus as well
Pride (In the Name of Love)" is a song by Irish rock band U2. The second track on the band's 1984 album, The Unforgettable Fire, it was released as the album's lead single in September 1984. Written about Martin Luther King, Jr., the song received mixed critical reviews at the time, but it was a major commercial success for the band and has since become one of the band's most popular songs. "Pride" appeared on the compilation The Best of 1980-1990 as the opening track, and on the 2006 compilation U218 Singles.
The song ranked number 388 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and is included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.[2]
The greatest aspect of this song is its ambiguity. Sure, Martin Luther King and Jesus are both obvious references here, but I think the unclear lines are meant to refer to others who have died 'in the name of love'. I like the idea that 'One man washed on an empty beach' refers to a soldier at Normandy on D-Day, but that's not the only possible interpretation. In fact, most of this song's lines do not have a clear interpretation one way or another. I think it spoils the song to say that particular lines ONLY refer to specific characters throughout history.
Contrary to what I presume the popular opinion is, I do not believe the song's theme is that Martin Luther King and Jesus died because of their love for society. I think the title, 'Pride (In The Name Of Love)', refers to the 'love' that the assassins strongly felt for their beliefs. As Bono repeats the line 'One More In The Name Of Love' over and over, I can't help but think of all the great leaders who have died or all the wars that have been fought for mistaken ideologies. 'One more' refers to another great leader dying and 'In The Name Of Love' refers to the misguided reasons a person might have for wanting them dead. In many cases such as Mark David Chapman (John Lennon's assassin), the assassin does not even hate their target, they are merely in love with the act of taking another life. Bono laments such an immense loss for misguided love, but proclaims that even that cannot diminish the leader's pride or accomplishments.
I think the lyric "Free at last / they took your life / but they could not take your pride." is one of the greatest in rock history.
I think the lyric "Free at last / they took your life / but they could not take your pride." is one of the greatest in rock history.
@jayschif i believe the song lyric is "what more" in the name of love, not "one man" as you describe in your analysis.
@jayschif i believe the song lyric is "what more" in the name of love, not "one man" as you describe in your analysis.
The same lyrical phrases in the song are inherently ironic and represent contrary positions. "What more in the name of love" refers both to the evil men do while justifying it, and the prices some men have paid in their quest to better humanity.
For instance, both the Loyalists and Republicans in Ireland's struggle for self-determination believe their side is in the right and are willing to die for it. The second verse literally refers to armed conflict. I would consider Ireland's "Troubles" are an example of the kind of conflicts U2 is referring to. In this context, when U2 writes "what more in the name of love," they are criticizing warfare and terrorism and asking how many more people have to die in this needless fashion.
The 3rd verse is obviously about MLKJ. In this context, "what more ..." obviously refers to the price he had to pay as he pursued his just cause.
@jayschif songfacts.com/detail.php
@jayschif songfacts.com/detail.php
@jayschif Sorry, didn't post the link . But Pride IS about MLK and Jesus as well
@jayschif Sorry, didn't post the link . But Pride IS about MLK and Jesus as well
Pride (In the Name of Love)" is a song by Irish rock band U2. The second track on the band's 1984 album, The Unforgettable Fire, it was released as the album's lead single in September 1984. Written about Martin Luther King, Jr., the song received mixed critical reviews at the time, but it was a major commercial success for the band and has since become one of the band's most popular songs. "Pride" appeared on the compilation The Best of 1980-1990 as the opening track, and on the 2006 compilation U218 Singles.
The song ranked number 388 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and is included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.[2]