Holey moley, U2 in ‘worst lyrics ever’ chart

U2’s ‘mole’ has made it into the BBC 6 worst lyrics chart after a public vote. Sitting uncomfortably at #10 in this dubious list, among clunkers by Snap, Black Sabbath and Toto, are the following lines from Elevation:

“I’ve got no self control, Been living like a mole now, Going down, excavation, High and high in the sky, You make me feel like I can fly, So high, Elevation”

I can’t say I object. What are your worst-U2-lyrics-ever picks?

56 thoughts on “Holey moley, U2 in ‘worst lyrics ever’ chart

  1. It’s not quite as “heavy as a truck”, but it’s up there. 😉

    I still pretend it’s “heavy as a _drug_”… awesome song though, love ’em both.

  2. It’s not quite as “heavy as a truck”, but it’s up there. 😉

    I still pretend it’s “heavy as a _drug_”… awesome song though, love ’em both.

  3. A mole. Digging in a hole.

    seriously? from the same guy who wrote, “Is it too late, tonight, to drag the past out into the light?”

  4. A mole. Digging in a hole.

    seriously? from the same guy who wrote, “Is it too late, tonight, to drag the past out into the light?”

  5. “Miami, my mammy” really grates on my nerves. I don’t understand why Bono used that word given the offensive racial connotations. I’d like the song if that wasn’t in it…

  6. “Miami, my mammy” really grates on my nerves. I don’t understand why Bono used that word given the offensive racial connotations. I’d like the song if that wasn’t in it…

  7. Apart from the “heavy as a truck” line, I love Electrical Storm’s lyrics, especially:

    “Coffee’s cold, but it’ll get you through,
    Compromise, that’s nothing new to you”

    But the truck line … ugh. This is better:

    “The air is heavy, heavy as a *drug*,
    We need the rain, to wash away our bad *love*”

    “Intellectual tortoise” makes me laugh. I appreciate the Aesop analogy, but it just cracks me up (you can hear Bono laughing sometimes when he sang it on the Vertigo tour; hate his lyrics, but you can’t hate the man’s ability to laugh at himself).

    The mole lyrics … meh, Elevation is a throwaway pop/rock song that doesn’t take itself seriously, and shouldn’t be taken seriously.

    I don’t mind the odd zircon if it means getting diamonds like One, Stay (Far Away, So Close!), Until The End Of The World, Kite, Beautiful Day, I Still Haven’t Found, All I Want Is You, and so many others. Compromise, it’s nothing new to me. 🙂

  8. Apart from the “heavy as a truck” line, I love Electrical Storm’s lyrics, especially:

    “Coffee’s cold, but it’ll get you through,
    Compromise, that’s nothing new to you”

    But the truck line … ugh. This is better:

    “The air is heavy, heavy as a *drug*,
    We need the rain, to wash away our bad *love*”

    “Intellectual tortoise” makes me laugh. I appreciate the Aesop analogy, but it just cracks me up (you can hear Bono laughing sometimes when he sang it on the Vertigo tour; hate his lyrics, but you can’t hate the man’s ability to laugh at himself).

    The mole lyrics … meh, Elevation is a throwaway pop/rock song that doesn’t take itself seriously, and shouldn’t be taken seriously.

    I don’t mind the odd zircon if it means getting diamonds like One, Stay (Far Away, So Close!), Until The End Of The World, Kite, Beautiful Day, I Still Haven’t Found, All I Want Is You, and so many others. Compromise, it’s nothing new to me. 🙂

  9. drealynn42 says:
    ‘”Miami, my mammy” really grates on my nerves. I don’t understand why Bono used that word given the offensive racial connotations. I’d like the song if that wasn’t in it…’

    ‘Mammy’ is what Irish boys call their mother. It’s not racially offensive in Ireland.

  10. drealynn42 says:
    ‘”Miami, my mammy” really grates on my nerves. I don’t understand why Bono used that word given the offensive racial connotations. I’d like the song if that wasn’t in it…’

    ‘Mammy’ is what Irish boys call their mother. It’s not racially offensive in Ireland.

  11. I just recently got back into ATYCLB and, although I adore the vibe I get from Elevation, the lyrics… oh, man. BBC 6 definitely got it right!

  12. I just recently got back into ATYCLB and, although I adore the vibe I get from Elevation, the lyrics… oh, man. BBC 6 definitely got it right!

  13. The whole ‘Dali-supermarkettrolley-fish-needs-a-bicycle’-extravaganza (?) in TTTYAATW gives me ithcy outbreaks in hard to reach places, yikes, what a load of you-know-what! But would I like that song if that wasn’t in it? Er…NO!

  14. The whole ‘Dali-supermarkettrolley-fish-needs-a-bicycle’-extravaganza (?) in TTTYAATW gives me ithcy outbreaks in hard to reach places, yikes, what a load of you-know-what! But would I like that song if that wasn’t in it? Er…NO!

  15. I think that for first, we would have to understand what Bono wanted to say with his lyrics….and it can be said just by him….

  16. I think that for first, we would have to understand what Bono wanted to say with his lyrics….and it can be said just by him….

  17. Nobody has mentioned that the lyric that the BBC quotes is wrong. The correct lyric is “I and I”, not “high and high” (which makes little to no sense).

    While this does not give any help to the poor excavating mole, it at least gives the rest of the lyric a bit of meaning…

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_and_i

  18. Nobody has mentioned that the lyric that the BBC quotes is wrong. The correct lyric is “I and I”, not “high and high” (which makes little to no sense).

    While this does not give any help to the poor excavating mole, it at least gives the rest of the lyric a bit of meaning…

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_and_i

  19. A mole- not necessarily the animal? As in a mole srategically placed on someone’s body??

    The BBC has it wrong, it is “I and I”, in the biblical sense of “I Am”- “I and I” is Rasta speak and often in reggae lyrics “I and I will see you through.. (Jammin’).”

    Calling Alphabet City “Alphaville” in ‘New York’ is sloppy, reference to the Titanic/ iceberg a bit lame.

    “Rocketship/He lives on a star that’s dying in the night”? Staring at the sun is hard, living on one is impossible. If it’s meant from a kid’s perspective it’s one thing, but it doesn’t match the sentiment of the song.

    Freedom has a smell? Hell, victory smells like napalm…

    Some of the better lyrics are the ones that are inaudible- J.Swallow is great for its mood.

  20. A mole- not necessarily the animal? As in a mole srategically placed on someone’s body??

    The BBC has it wrong, it is “I and I”, in the biblical sense of “I Am”- “I and I” is Rasta speak and often in reggae lyrics “I and I will see you through.. (Jammin’).”

    Calling Alphabet City “Alphaville” in ‘New York’ is sloppy, reference to the Titanic/ iceberg a bit lame.

    “Rocketship/He lives on a star that’s dying in the night”? Staring at the sun is hard, living on one is impossible. If it’s meant from a kid’s perspective it’s one thing, but it doesn’t match the sentiment of the song.

    Freedom has a smell? Hell, victory smells like napalm…

    Some of the better lyrics are the ones that are inaudible- J.Swallow is great for its mood.

  21. Not that I dispute that they are horrible lyrics, but the least the BBC could do is “go the extra mile” and research the actual lyrics, which are: “I and I, in the sky…” It’s a Rasta-thing…

  22. Not that I dispute that they are horrible lyrics, but the least the BBC could do is “go the extra mile” and research the actual lyrics, which are: “I and I, in the sky…” It’s a Rasta-thing…

  23. I would have to agree with above posters that the “truck” lines from “Electrical Storm” are some of the worst U2 lines ever.

    The “intellectual tortiose” lines in “All Because of You” bothered me at first, but I don’t mind them much now as they show that U2 isn’t as uptight as some people think. But the use of the word “squashed” is still a little questionable to me. But “All Because of You” is a lighthearted song anyway, so I think it’s excusable.

  24. I would have to agree with above posters that the “truck” lines from “Electrical Storm” are some of the worst U2 lines ever.

    The “intellectual tortiose” lines in “All Because of You” bothered me at first, but I don’t mind them much now as they show that U2 isn’t as uptight as some people think. But the use of the word “squashed” is still a little questionable to me. But “All Because of You” is a lighthearted song anyway, so I think it’s excusable.

  25. top of anew born babies head is one of B’s favorite lyrics from the album i think i read somewhere…
    best line from Dismantle>> Where you live should not decide whether you live or whether you die…”

  26. top of anew born babies head is one of B’s favorite lyrics from the album i think i read somewhere…
    best line from Dismantle>> Where you live should not decide whether you live or whether you die…”

  27. I completely forgot “The Playboy Mansion”- every lyric is forgettable. The only thing that registers in the memory bank is the (Byrds?)sample.

    If Adam had consulted on the lyrics, from the perspective of someone who’s actually been, there might have been a song. OJ more than a juice? Fe in the irony.

  28. I completely forgot “The Playboy Mansion”- every lyric is forgettable. The only thing that registers in the memory bank is the (Byrds?)sample.

    If Adam had consulted on the lyrics, from the perspective of someone who’s actually been, there might have been a song. OJ more than a juice? Fe in the irony.

  29. Kobayashi Maru, it’s actually “Then your face caught up with your psychology”, but you’re also only quoting a part of it, within the context of the the whole verse it makes sense:

    “You were pretty as a picture
    It was all there to see
    Then your face caught up with your psychology
    With a mouth full of teeth
    You ate all your friends
    And you broke every heart thinking every heart mends”

  30. Kobayashi Maru, it’s actually “Then your face caught up with your psychology”, but you’re also only quoting a part of it, within the context of the the whole verse it makes sense:

    “You were pretty as a picture
    It was all there to see
    Then your face caught up with your psychology
    With a mouth full of teeth
    You ate all your friends
    And you broke every heart thinking every heart mends”

  31. Caroline – Thanks, I can let Bono off the hook after all these years! That lyric doesn’t translate at all I’m afraid, so I might still cringe a bit. It’s like when he says “nigger” in Elvis Ate America and the Elevation Boston dvd. My non-U2 friends who watched Elevation Boston were really offended until I explained the reference, which most people wouldn’t be familiar with. Some things really do not translate to a general audience, so it just boggles my mind that he even goes there.

    And that “heavy as a truck” line, don’t even get me started! “Hmmm, what can I rhyme with ‘luck’…Darn, I’ll just have to go with truck, even though it’s really clunky and irritating.”

  32. Caroline – Thanks, I can let Bono off the hook after all these years! That lyric doesn’t translate at all I’m afraid, so I might still cringe a bit. It’s like when he says “nigger” in Elvis Ate America and the Elevation Boston dvd. My non-U2 friends who watched Elevation Boston were really offended until I explained the reference, which most people wouldn’t be familiar with. Some things really do not translate to a general audience, so it just boggles my mind that he even goes there.

    And that “heavy as a truck” line, don’t even get me started! “Hmmm, what can I rhyme with ‘luck’…Darn, I’ll just have to go with truck, even though it’s really clunky and irritating.”

  33. Wow, I must be exhausted, because I actually did know that those are the lyrics to “Crumbs”. My apologies. But I stand by my assertion that they’re bad… especially the forced cadence of “psychology”. My argument wasn’t that they didn’t make sense… in fact, one problem with Bono lately is that his lyrics tend to be a little too transparent and straightforward. Granted, opaqueness isn’t a virtue unto itself (too many bands nowadays think this), but Bono could stand to be a little more, you know, eloquent and challenging in his lyrical chops. Oh well, maybe those days are long gone.

  34. Wow, I must be exhausted, because I actually did know that those are the lyrics to “Crumbs”. My apologies. But I stand by my assertion that they’re bad… especially the forced cadence of “psychology”. My argument wasn’t that they didn’t make sense… in fact, one problem with Bono lately is that his lyrics tend to be a little too transparent and straightforward. Granted, opaqueness isn’t a virtue unto itself (too many bands nowadays think this), but Bono could stand to be a little more, you know, eloquent and challenging in his lyrical chops. Oh well, maybe those days are long gone.

  35. Kobayashi, I agree with your observation about Bono’s recent lyric writing. It took me a while to figure out why “Crumbs” annoyed me, but you hit it on the head. I liked his lyric writing on Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby because you could read the lyrics like poetry, where you have to really study it to open up all the complex meanings. I’ve heard of English classes actually studying lyrics from the Joshua Tree because of the complexity and depth of meaning contained in them. I don’t think the last album was written on that level, which is probably why I really loved it at first (because the music sounds great) but eventually lost interest because the lyrics didn’t challenge me to think deeper. I think Bono still has it in him, since he’s such an eloquent speaker, so I’m hoping Rick Rubin can draw it out. I have a lot of faith in Rick Rubin actually, since he’s produced some of my favorite albums.

  36. Kobayashi, I agree with your observation about Bono’s recent lyric writing. It took me a while to figure out why “Crumbs” annoyed me, but you hit it on the head. I liked his lyric writing on Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby because you could read the lyrics like poetry, where you have to really study it to open up all the complex meanings. I’ve heard of English classes actually studying lyrics from the Joshua Tree because of the complexity and depth of meaning contained in them. I don’t think the last album was written on that level, which is probably why I really loved it at first (because the music sounds great) but eventually lost interest because the lyrics didn’t challenge me to think deeper. I think Bono still has it in him, since he’s such an eloquent speaker, so I’m hoping Rick Rubin can draw it out. I have a lot of faith in Rick Rubin actually, since he’s produced some of my favorite albums.

  37. to sum a suicidal tendency up as

    “you’ve got to get yourself together
    you got stuck in a moment
    now you can’t get out of it”

    has got to be the most trite semtiment Bono has ever put to paper. i know it comes from a good place and whatever, but on top of that horrible, sing song melody it makes me want to break my stereo. “you mean, you’re stuck? like really, stuck? stuck, and can’t get out? not just a little bit stuck?”

    GOD. HATE SO MUCH.

  38. to sum a suicidal tendency up as

    “you’ve got to get yourself together
    you got stuck in a moment
    now you can’t get out of it”

    has got to be the most trite semtiment Bono has ever put to paper. i know it comes from a good place and whatever, but on top of that horrible, sing song melody it makes me want to break my stereo. “you mean, you’re stuck? like really, stuck? stuck, and can’t get out? not just a little bit stuck?”

    GOD. HATE SO MUCH.

  39. I also agree that there’s still hope: I hear hints of that same Joshua Tree eloquence in “Smile” and even “Xanax & Wine”/”Fast Cars”. (Curse them for not releasing the former!) And you’re right, it’s so frustrating because THE BAND IS SO PARTICULARLY TIGHT NOWADAYS! I mean, “Crumbs” and “Original of the Species” are melodic and gorgeous, but weighed down by lazy lyric writing… he throws away that whole second verse of “Original” and lets the song rest on the (admittedly excellent) bridge and chorus. Criminal!

    I keep telling myself that it’s not because Bono is so involved in worthy extra-curriculars, but I’m really beginning to feel that the man needs to come up with a system to hand off the reins of his charity work temporarily whilst working on an album so that he can focus and, like, PROOFREAD.

  40. I also agree that there’s still hope: I hear hints of that same Joshua Tree eloquence in “Smile” and even “Xanax & Wine”/”Fast Cars”. (Curse them for not releasing the former!) And you’re right, it’s so frustrating because THE BAND IS SO PARTICULARLY TIGHT NOWADAYS! I mean, “Crumbs” and “Original of the Species” are melodic and gorgeous, but weighed down by lazy lyric writing… he throws away that whole second verse of “Original” and lets the song rest on the (admittedly excellent) bridge and chorus. Criminal!

    I keep telling myself that it’s not because Bono is so involved in worthy extra-curriculars, but I’m really beginning to feel that the man needs to come up with a system to hand off the reins of his charity work temporarily whilst working on an album so that he can focus and, like, PROOFREAD.

  41. Hmmm Elevation isnt that bad.. it is a great fun song you dont really focus on the lyrics too much.. but “mole” could also be linking to the “mole” as in an undercover spy etc.. since its linked in with the lara croft film.. but its just an idea. lol

  42. Hmmm Elevation isnt that bad.. it is a great fun song you dont really focus on the lyrics too much.. but “mole” could also be linking to the “mole” as in an undercover spy etc.. since its linked in with the lara croft film.. but its just an idea. lol

  43. For me, definitely: “Some days you can’t stand the sight of a puppy” from Some Days Are Better Than Others. Good grief.

  44. For me, definitely: “Some days you can’t stand the sight of a puppy” from Some Days Are Better Than Others. Good grief.

  45. I think on TTTYAATW, Bono was quoting a famous feminist (famous, but I forget what her name was) when he wrote “fish-needs-a-bicycle”

  46. I think on TTTYAATW, Bono was quoting a famous feminist (famous, but I forget what her name was) when he wrote “fish-needs-a-bicycle”

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