Music Review: U2 "City Of Blinding Lights"
U2
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City Of Blinding Lights
Album: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Year: 2005
Bono realizes how deeply he loves his girlfriend while traveling in the grateful ballad "City Of Blinding Lights."
Thoughtful guitars and a doting piano start the song, setting an affectionate tone. In the first verse, Bono says people become disillusioned and their vision is clouded by own their biases. As a result, they don't view the complete picture. People get stuck in their ideas and thoughts. Soon, they see their beliefs are right and won't give the other side a chance. He notes he wishes he was open to new ideas like when he was a child.
He continues to say that his girlfriend is as alive as the city. Her heart is as big and bright as the signs. Her eyes shine, like the fireflies which are found throughout the city. He notes the fireflies are like guides, directing them to the city's hidden gems.
In the pre-chorus, he says she's a part of him. When she's not there, he's lonely. She makes him incredibly happy unlike anyone else in his life.
In the chorus, he compliments her on her wondrous beauty. The lights illuminate her appearance, allowing her warmth and kindness to show.
In the second verse, he tells not to be self-concious about how she laughs. He reassures her that she can be himself with him. Even when she's dressed in mangy sweats and a stained t-shirt, she's still beautiful. The camera can't capture the light in her eyes.
He continues to say that she's brave and creative. He wonders why she'sdating him. He feels as though he doesn't deserve a woman as wonderful as her. He thinks of how used to be hopeful and accepting. He wishes he had it now.
The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.
In the bridge, he says as he gets older, he won't remain the same. It could change him into a man he wouldn't recognize. He vows that time won't steal his ideas about love.
In the final chorus, he says that people lean on deities and others take to receive love. He’s thankful that agnostics like him still are able to find great things in life.
Like old 80s U2 songs, Bono compares his romance to a city or nation. In this case, the city possibly could be New York. It's a backdrop, revealing how strong and complex his love is for her. It also works as a metaphor. He calls her imaginative and courageous at one point, which could New York after 9/11. She inspires him to be a better man.
Out of the later U2 songs, "City Of Blinding Lights" most resembles the traditional sound. The arrangement is soaring and introspective. Bono's vocals are impassioned and fluid. He is able to create his romantic history with her and express his self-doubts without it being stilted.
"City Of Blinding Lights" s yet another excellent ballad from the band.
Album: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Year: 2005
Bono realizes how deeply he loves his girlfriend while traveling in the grateful ballad "City Of Blinding Lights."
Thoughtful guitars and a doting piano start the song, setting an affectionate tone. In the first verse, Bono says people become disillusioned and their vision is clouded by own their biases. As a result, they don't view the complete picture. People get stuck in their ideas and thoughts. Soon, they see their beliefs are right and won't give the other side a chance. He notes he wishes he was open to new ideas like when he was a child.
"The more you see the less you know/The less you find out as you grow/I knew much more then than I do now."
He continues to say that his girlfriend is as alive as the city. Her heart is as big and bright as the signs. Her eyes shine, like the fireflies which are found throughout the city. He notes the fireflies are like guides, directing them to the city's hidden gems.
"Neon heart, day-glo eyes/The city lit by fireflies/They're advertising in the skies/For people like us."
In the pre-chorus, he says she's a part of him. When she's not there, he's lonely. She makes him incredibly happy unlike anyone else in his life.
"And I miss you when you're not around/I'm getting ready to leave the ground."
In the chorus, he compliments her on her wondrous beauty. The lights illuminate her appearance, allowing her warmth and kindness to show.
"Oh oh oh/Oh oh oh/Oh you look so beautiful tonight/In the city of blinding lights."
In the second verse, he tells not to be self-concious about how she laughs. He reassures her that she can be himself with him. Even when she's dressed in mangy sweats and a stained t-shirt, she's still beautiful. The camera can't capture the light in her eyes.
"Don't look before you laugh/Look ugly in a photograph/Flash bulbs, purple irises the camera can't see."
He continues to say that she's brave and creative. He wonders why she'sdating him. He feels as though he doesn't deserve a woman as wonderful as her. He thinks of how used to be hopeful and accepting. He wishes he had it now.
"I've seen you walk unafraid/I've seen you in the clothes you've made/Can you see the beauty inside of me?/What happened to the beauty I had inside of me?"
The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.
In the bridge, he says as he gets older, he won't remain the same. It could change him into a man he wouldn't recognize. He vows that time won't steal his ideas about love.
"Time, time, time won't leave me as I am/But time won't take the boy out of this man/Oh you look so beautiful tonight/Oh you look so beautiful tonight/Oh you look so beautiful tonight."
In the final chorus, he says that people lean on deities and others take to receive love. He’s thankful that agnostics like him still are able to find great things in life.
"In the city of blinding lights/The more you know/
The less you feel/Some pray for, others steal/Blessings not just for the ones who kneel, luckily."
Like old 80s U2 songs, Bono compares his romance to a city or nation. In this case, the city possibly could be New York. It's a backdrop, revealing how strong and complex his love is for her. It also works as a metaphor. He calls her imaginative and courageous at one point, which could New York after 9/11. She inspires him to be a better man.
Out of the later U2 songs, "City Of Blinding Lights" most resembles the traditional sound. The arrangement is soaring and introspective. Bono's vocals are impassioned and fluid. He is able to create his romantic history with her and express his self-doubts without it being stilted.
"City Of Blinding Lights" s yet another excellent ballad from the band.