Way back in the nineties, I owned a copy of U2’s Achtung Baby on compact disc. I for sure wasn’t the only one. The album was wildly popular and has a bunch of great U2 songs that were destined to become classics; One, Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Mysterious Ways, Tryin’ To Throw Your Arms Around The World and Ultra Violet (Light My Way) are all from this album.
I listened to it quite a bit until one day a schoolmate asked if I wanted to trade it for his copy of the Temple of the Dog album. I agreed, and I haven’t heard the album since.
Seemingly unrelated, I happened upon a fabulous Jack White song decades later that completely blew my mind. The lyrics were exquisite! I remember telling Albert recently that I believe Jack White is one of the most brilliant lyricists of all time (the BLOAT, if you will) as we listened to what I know realize is his cover of Love Is Blindness.
Yes, it turns out that in this case the mind blowing lyrics were written by Bono of U2 long, long ago.
Love Is Blindness is the closing track on Achtung Baby. I’m not sure how the song fell from my mind, but it did. I’m almost embarrassed to admit it. I blame it on being a teenager; who knows what I was thinking?
Fellow U2 band member, the Edge, has said he believes Love Is Blindness is probably one of Bono’s finest lyrics. Jack White obviously agrees, and he’s the BLOAT. I agree as well.
I really dig the Jack White cover, but the U2 original is also premium, so I’ve provided links to experience them both. Regardless of which version you prefer, there can be no denying that these lyrics are top-notch. Poetry at its finest set to starkly different musical styles. I’ll take them both, please!
Love Is Blindness by Bono
Love is blindness
I don't wanna see
Won't you wrap the night
Around me?
Oh my heart
Love is blindness
In a parked car
In a crowded street
You see your love
Made complete
Thread is ripping
The knot is slipping
Love is blindness
Love is clockworks
And cold steel
Fingers too numb to feel
Squeeze the handle
Blow out the candle
Love is blindness
Love is blindness
I don't want to see
Won't you wrap the night
Around me?
Oh my love
Blindness
A little death
Without mourning
No call
And no warning
Baby, a dangerous idea
That almost makes sense
Love is drowning
In a deep well
All the secrets
And no one to tell
Take the money honey
Blindness
Love is blindness
I don't want to see
Won't you wrap the night
Around me?
Oh my love
Blindness
What are your thoughts on these lyrics? Which version of the song do you prefer? I’d love to hear from you!