Bono-isms

I’m not sure how much it’s come out in the blog, but I’m a big U2 man. Love em. I would certainly say that some of my deepest personal worship moments in the past year or so have come at the hands of U2 pumping through the iPod (wow – aren’t I a post-modern cliche). The thing that I love the most about Bono’s lyrics is that I can hear a song a hundred times, then for some reason, in one instance, I’ll hear the most profound line, or just a perfect statement of where I’m at with God, or with the world, or whatever.

So – here it is. A list of some of my favourite Bono-isms. Those lines that just hit the spot. It’s not complete (so feel free to add some in the comments ) and I’m writing this on the train, so it’s even possible that the exact wording may be incorrect, but hear me out nevertheless. My favourite Bono-isms (with Song and Album)

1. Love. The higher law. (“One”, “Achtung Baby”)
2. Grace. It’s a name for a girl. It’s also a thought that changed the world. (“Grace”, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind”)
3. And love is not an easy thing. The only baggage you can bring is all that you can’t leave behind (“Walk On”, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind”)
4. One step closer to knowing. (“One Step Closer”, “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb”)
5. Have you come here to play Jesus to the lepers in your head (“One”, “Achtung Baby”)
6. You become a monster, so the monster will not break you (“Peace on Earth”, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind”)
7. And I must be an acrobat, to talk like this, and act like that (“Acrobat”, “Achtung Baby”)
8. They say they want the kingdom, but they don’t want God in it (“The Wanderer”, “Zooropa”)
9. Feel like trash – you make me feel clean (“Ultraviolet (Light My Way)”, “Achtung Baby”)
10. Wake up dead man. (“Wake Up Dead Man”, “Pop”)
11. But you denied for others, what you demand for yourself (“Crumbs From Your Table”, “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb”)
12. I gave you everything you ever wanted. It wasn’t what you wanted (“So Cruel”, “Achtung Baby”)
13. In the name of love – what more in the name of love? (“Pride (In The Name Of Love)”, “Unforgettable Fire”)
14. Ain’t love the sweetest thing? (“Sweetest Thing”, “Best Of 1980 – 1990″)
15. Will it make it easier on you, now you’ve got someone to blame? (“One”, “Achtung Baby”)
16. We’re one, but we’re not the same (“One”, “Achtung Baby”)
17. I knew much more then, than I do now (“City Of Blinding Lights”, “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb”)
18. I have a brother when I’m a brother in need. I spend my whole time running. He spends his running after me…. But for the first time, I feel love. (“The First Time”, “Zooropa”)
19. You don’t have to always be right. Let me take some of the punches for you tonight (“Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own”, “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb”)
20. Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own (“Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own”, “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb”)
21. What no man can own, no man can take. Take this heart, And make it break (“Yahweh”, “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb) – courtesy of Tim
22. Who’s to know when the time has come around (“Kite”, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind”)
    

Each little snippet has passed without saying anything to me. But likewise, each has at one stage or another, confronted something in me, or uplifted me (or both). These are only a handful, so let me know if you’ve got some other classics. Might even add them on.