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Who the iconic ballad "With or Without You" by U2 is really dedicated to

"There were two people fighting within me, each pursuing their own goal - fame and family happiness. I thought that this tension would destroy me, but in fact it turned out that this tension is what makes me an artist...".

U2's song "With or Without You": history, meaning, facts

Song U2 "With or Without You" - One of the most beautiful classic melodies about a breakup. On par with Harry Neilson's "Without You" or Bill Weathers' "Ain't No Sunshine", it's one of those magical records that seems to tell you exactly what you need to hear at the perfect moment... Well, or it needs to be heard by your thought-ridden brain, as in the case of the Bono?

At first glance, the song sounds like a typical ballad about melancholy love.. However - it's much, much more complicated than that... In his book, Bono (the leader of the group) explains:

"The protagonist of this song is not just talking to another person - he's having a dialogue with himself. There are two different personalities in him, and each one is fighting for dominance. And I'm familiar with that. At one point in my life, I turned into two different people. I was simultaneously a person who is so responsible, so committed... And a vagabond and a slacker who just wants to run away from responsibility! I thought this tension would destroy me..."

A band on the cusp of greatness

Bono as a young man
Bono as a young man

Once upon a time. Bono said:

"I believe that art should work in a way that is divisive..."

And those words certainly seem appropriate for himself. And for his band! Despite the fact that he has U2 With millions of devoted fans and still selling tonnes of records and concert tickets, it certainly has its detractors. However, in the mid 80's, the band had to go through an incredible transformation from respected alternative rockers with a significant fan base to the one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the world. in the world!

U2's "The Joshua Tree" album cover.
U2's "The Joshua Tree" album cover.

And the album was supposed to help them do that "The Joshua Tree" - one of their most iconic records: chart topping, diamond status in the US, multi-million dollar worldwide circulation... Yes, this album completely turned U2's career around, making them to the monsters of rock.

The first single from the album, "With or Without You"The whole band felt that this was a special song. The whole band felt that this was a special composition. That's why they had high hopes for it! And as we can judge - not in vain.

A true lyrical sense inspired by Bono's inner tension

Bono
Bono

It was during the recording session "Joshua Tree." The members of U2, who still had a relatively average level of fame compared to how loud their name would eventually become, began to feel the pressure of the title of true rock icons... But no one felt the pressure more than the Bonowho suddenly found himself trying to reconcile two contradictory aspects of his life.

In his book, the rocker reveals that, although the lyrics. "With or Without You" sound like they revolve around fidelity in a relationship, in fact they play up an issue in his life that he thought was a "pure torment.": how to stay "true" to both his music and his wife Alison, his childhood sweetheart, whom he married in 1982.

Bono and his wife
Bono and his wife

While touring, Bono wondered if he'd be prevented from home life to become an artist. He recalls:

"There were two people fighting within me, each pursuing a different goal - fame and family happiness. I thought that this tension would destroy me, but in fact it turned out that this tension is what makes me an artist...".

Bono continues:

"I have someone in my life that I love more than life, but I wonder if the reason I'm writing is because I'm now a tame animal. I just remember thinking, 'Is this the life of an artiste?' Am I going to have kids and settle down and eventually betray my gift, or am I going to betray my marriage?"

Bono realised that he had two versions of himself - rock star and husband - and feared that one would dominate the other. But he soon realised that although the two sides of his personality could not be definitively reconciled, the friction between them ultimately defined him as an artist and became the basis of his creative abilities.

And it all started with "With or Without You"which hit the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1987 and stayed there for three weeks, effectively becoming the record that cemented U2's reputation in the US as one of the greatest rock bands of the era. It remains a classic in the making and one of their signature songs, consistently appearing on their set lists to this day.

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