Monday, January 21, 2008

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

In the fall of 1984, U2 released "Pride (In The Name of Love)" as the first single of its fourth album, The Unforgettable Fire. Written about Martin Luther King, Jr., the song would become one of the band's signature pieces, appearing later on as a live version on their 1988 album, Rattle and Hum, as well as subsequent greatest hits packages. The song's Wikipedia entry contains an interesting history of the song and subsequent criticism by both musical journalists as well as Bono itself. But as its subject is of relevance on this holiday, I present its lyrics:

"Pride (In the Name of Love")
Written and Performed by U2

One man come in the name of love
One man come and go
One come he to justify
One man to overthrow

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love

One man caught on a barbed wire fence
One man he resist
One man washed on an empty beach.
One man betrayed with a kiss

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love

(Nobody like you)

Early morning, April 4
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I always thought Bono wrote that song about Jesus then added the last verse to make it secular and radio friendly.