U2

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
And so she woke up
Woke up from where she was lyin' still
Said I gotta do something
About where we're goin'
Step on a steam train
Step out of the drivin' rain, maybe
Run from the darkness in the night

[Chorus]
Singing ah, ah la la la de day
Ah la la la de day
Ah la la la de day

[Verse 2]
Sweet the sin
Bitter the taste in my mouth
I see seven towers
But I only see one way out
You gotta cry without weeping, talk without speaking
Scream without raising your voice
You know I took the poison from the poison stream
Then I floated out of here

[Chorus]
Singing, ah la la la de day
Ah la la la de day
Ah la la la de day
[Bridge]
Ooh hoo
Ooh hoo
Ooh hoo

[Verse 3]
She runs through the streets
With her eyes painted red
Under a black belly of cloud in the rain
In through a doorway
She brings me white golden pearls
Stolen from the sea
She is raging, she is raging
And the storm blows up in her eyes

[Chorus]
She will suffer the needle chill
She's running to stand still

[Harmonica Solo]

U2 is undeniably one of the most iconic rock bands of all time. They have produced a range of classic songs over the years, but one track in particular, "Running to Stand Still," stands out as a relatable and deeply emotional ballad. This song was one of the standout tracks on the band’s 1987 album, The Joshua Tree. "Running to Stand Still" strikes a chord with fans due to its poignant lyrics and the beautiful, minimalist instrumentation that accompanies them.

About Running to Stand Still

"Running to Stand Still" is a slow ballad that's based on a combination of piano and guitar. The song's lyrics detail the struggles of a heroin-addicted couple who are living in Dublin's Ballymun flats. This location has become inextricably linked to the song in the years since its release. Interestingly, the music for the song was largely improvised during a recording session for The Joshua Tree. While there was a great deal of time dedicated to perfecting the lyrics, the music came together more organically.

U2 was focusing heavily on American music during the time they were recording The Joshua Tree, and "Running to Stand Still" is a great example of how the band incorporated these influences into their own sound. The song has a clear folk rock feel to it, with some acoustic blues influences thrown in for good measure. This unique blend of styles and U2's signature sound come together perfectly to create a deeply affecting piece of music that still resonates with listeners today.

The lyrics of "Running to Stand Still" are deeply personal and emotional, adding to the power of the song. The lyrics were written by Bono, who has a reputation for being one of the greatest lyricists in the industry. He clearly poured his heart and soul into this song, and that emotional resonance comes through clearly in every line. The song describes the hopes, dreams, and struggles of the couple Bono sings about, and it's impossible not to feel their pain as the song progresses.

Despite the heavy subject matter, "Running to Stand Still" manages to maintain a sense of hopefulness throughout. The song is ultimately a tale of perseverance in the face of adversity, and it's a message that's much needed in today's world. U2's ability to blend profound lyrics with beautiful music is on full display in this track, making it one of their most beloved and timeless songs.

In short, "Running to Stand Still" is a masterpiece of a song that showcases U2's talents perfectly. The combination of emotional lyrics, improvised music, and expertly blended influences make it a track that will continue to hold a special place in fans' hearts for many years to come.

• Release Date: March 9, 1987
• Artist: U2