U2 have released so many great songs, and I am a huge fan of their music. Also, I am a fan of Bono as a performer and vocalist. I consider him to be one of the greatest Rock vocalists in history.
My favorite U2 song is “One,” but I freely acknowledge that “With or Without You” is the very probably the most important U2 song for reasons I will go into later. The meaning behind “With or Without You” by U2 is also one of the most interesting of all their songs. So, let’s get down to business and take a look at this brilliant song.
History of U2
U2 was formed in 1976 just as Punk Rock in the UK was getting underway. Despite being formed in the mid-seventies, U2 did not release their first single, the now incredibly hard-to-find “U2-3,” until 1979, but two of the songs also appeared on their debut album, Boy. Consequently, they were touted as a Post-Punk Rock band. However, they very quickly separated themselves from this genre and established themselves as an out-and-out Rock Band.
This Dublin-based group went on to become the most successful Irish band ever And one of the biggest-selling bands in the world. To date, they have sold over 150 million records and are in the Top 30 most commercially successful artists as far as record sales are concerned.
When it comes to live performances…
U2 is highly regarded as one of the best acts in the world. This is born out of the fact that they are the second biggest-grossing live group ever. They have taken in over two billion dollars in ticket sales. And they are only very marginally behind the Rolling Stones.
Given that The Rolling Stones were formed 200 years ago, and the average age of the band members is 250, no doubt U2 will soon displace this group of age-defying geriatrics for ticket sales!
But, I digress…
The line-up has remained unchanged since the first album; the members include Bono as their ridiculously talented frontman and wearing equally ridiculous glasses, The Edge on lead guitar and wearing a stupid hat, and Adam Clayton on bass guitar. And finally, Larry Mullen Jr., who, like Adam Clayton, looks perfectly normal.
Over their stellar career, they have released 33 albums, 83 singles, and 73 music videos. Additionally, they have released 15 exclusive subscriber albums and nine EPs. Plus, when it comes to accolades, they have pretty much won every award you can think of. However, even with 147 awards to their name, the highlights are probably their 22 Grammy Awards which is more than any other artist.
So, how did “With or Without You” fair in this incredible U2 catalog of music? Let’s find out.
Chart Success
“With or Without You” was released in 1987. And although they had already achieved solid success with their previous single and album releases, this was undoubtedly the single to propel them to global fame.
They had already released four incredible studio albums. Namely, Boy, October, War, and The Unforgettable Fire. But, the release of “With or Without You” as their first single from their stunning new album, The Joshua Tree, was a whole new level.
“With or Without You” went to #1 in Ireland, which was no great surprise. But it also went to #4 in the UK, which was its second-best chart position. However, it was the #1 in the US that opened the doors to becoming a huge global musical force.
The single went double-platinum in the UK…
And, the album, The Joshua Tree, went nine times platinum. Across the Atlantic in the US, it went diamond, selling more than 10 million copies. Globally, it sold over 25 million copies, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. When “With or Without You” and The Joshua Tree hit the record stores, U2 would never look back.
Recording “With or Without You”
This song is a wonderful example of a track that builds and builds as it progresses. The tension and intensity rise throughout the song. Although, there is a temporary release towards the end. It is a great piece of writing that is masterfully executed through Bono’s peerless vocal performance.
To achieve this, the song begins with a stripped-back drum beat…
That continues until Bono enters the frame at almost half a minute. Unusually, he sings in a low register which works brilliantly to emphasize the build. He smoothly runs up through the higher notes to ultimately the higher end of his vocal range.
The song keeps on rising until just about the two-minute mark. Then, Larry Mullen starts to increase the ferocity of the drum beat, and The Edge joins the fray with the song’s classic riff that we all now know and love.
Backing vocals then join in with the chorus to further amplify the build until we get the release at around three minutes. That’s when Bono appears to be screaming out in genuine anguish.
If all of this fails to move you, then I honestly don’t know what to say…
We are now towards the end of the song. But, this is just a short reprieve as Bono then hits his highest notes in a falsetto, and the song quickly crescendos for a second time before fading out to the relief of everyone listening.
The songwriting and recording are lessons in how to take someone on a musical journey and play with their emotions without even having to say a word. This is a great example of how to marry the emotions of the lyrics with the music. So, now let’s take a more in-depth look at the meaning behind “With or Without You” by U2.
Lyrics and Meaning
Understandably, there are multiple interpretations of the meaning of “With or Without You.” However, the central meaning of U2’s “With or Without You” revolves around an impossible and torturous relationship. One that seems like it cannot be satisfactorily resolved.
The most obvious interpretation is that this is between a man and a woman. The guy gives it his all, but it is still not enough. And, regardless of what he does, the relationship feels doomed. The result is an overwhelming feeling of despair which is echoed by the song’s crescendo and wailing and screaming toward its end.
Of course, there’s another popular interpretation…
This one sees the person in the song as deeply torn between the love of his existing partner and a third party. It could well be the classic tale of choosing between a good and loyal partner over the lure of a more exciting and provocative woman.
If this is what “With or Without You” means, then he ultimately ends up deceiving both women and pleasing no one. It is a terrible predicament of his own making. And, the consequential torment is like his punishment for his deception.
But there’s one more possible interpretation…
The song could also be the story of Bono’s internal battle between his positive and negative emotional traits. That is loyalty, protectiveness, and responsibility on the plus side against laziness and irresponsibility on the negative side.
Bono has hinted that what “With or Without You” is about reflects part of this internal struggle. It makes sense, and I can see that it could have a part to play. However, I also think that this interpretation is also likely to be woven into one of the two meanings. Or even both that I have just discussed.
Want More Songs About the Trials of the Human Heart?
Well then, check out our thoughts on the Top Songs About Losing Someone, the Best Songs About Falling In Love, the Top Songs About Unrequited Love, the Top Secretly In Love Songs, the Top Songs About Letting Go of Someone You Love, and the Best Songs About Missing Someone You Love for more emotionally engaging song selections.
The Meaning Behind “With or Without You” by U2 – Final Thoughts
I think that “With or Without You” is one of U2’s most fascinating songs. And the depth and intensity of the meaning are what make it so popular. It can mean different things to different people, and that is undoubtedly the sign of a great song.
Therefore, the meaning behind “With or Without You” is not set in stone. It leaves us all with a personal connection to the song and is something different for everyone. Before the song was released, the brilliance of the band was already evident. However, I think this was a breakthrough song for U2 and was the first of many to truly showcase their remarkable talent.
This is a band that will hopefully still be playing in another 20 years. If they are, like many of you reading this, I will be there and ready to share the journey with them.
Until next time, happy listening.
