The meaning of the lyrics of the song "When I Look at the World" by the artist "U2"

Contents

1. The meaning of the lyrics of the song "When I Look at the World" by the artist "U2"
2. The original lyrics of the song - "When I Look at the World"

The meaning of the lyrics of the song "When I Look at the World" by the artist "U2"

In the song "When I Look at the World" by U2, the lyrical protagonist reflects on his faith and struggles to find meaning in a world filled with suffering and injustice. He addresses an unknown recipient, possibly God or a person of unwavering faith who is able to see beauty and hope even in the darkest corners of the world.

The opening lines immediately pose the main question: "What do you see when you look at the world?". The protagonist sees people searching for something false that ultimately destroys them ("brings them to their knees"). He contrasts this vision with an image of purity and truth that the addressee embodies.

The lyrical hero admires this person's ability to find light in the darkness and strives for the same: "Yes, I try to be like you, / Try to feel the same". However, without the faith that the addressee possesses, the world seems gray and meaningless to the protagonist.

In the second part of the song, the protagonist describes a world full of pain and despair: sleepless nights, oppressive thoughts, "mess" and "crippled people." He wonders how the addressee can remain indifferent to suffering: "Would you not blink? / Would you turn away?"

Despite the despair, the protagonist does not lose hope of seeing the world through the eyes of the addressee. He refuses to wait until he becomes "stronger" and prays for enlightenment: "Tell me, tell me / What do you see? / Tell me, tell me / What's wrong with me?".

In the end, the song does not provide definitive answers, leaving the listener with questions about faith, hope, and the meaning of life.

The original lyrics of the song - "When I Look at the World"

When you look at the world

What is it that you see?

People find all kinds of things

That bring them to their knees

I see an expression

So clear and so true

That changes the atmosphere

When you walk into the room

So, I try to be like you

Try to feel it like you do

But without you, it's no use

I can't see what you see

When I look at the world

When the night is someone else's

And you're tryin' to get some sleep

When your thoughts are too expensive

To ever wanna keep

When there's all kinds of chaos

And everyone is walking lame

You don't even blink now, do you?

Don't even look away

So, I try to be like you

Try to feel it like you do

But without you, it's no use

I can't see what you see

When I look at the world

I can't wait any longer

I can't wait till I'm stronger

Can't wait any longer

To see what you see

When I look at the world

I'm in the waiting room

I can't see for the smoke

I think of you and your holy book

When the rest of us choke

Tell me, tell me

What do you see?

Tell me, tell me

What's wrong with me?

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