I actually see quite a strong theme with this album.
Just the equation of personal and social issues being parralled and dealing with these issues are difficult no matter how big. Personal and global issues alike.
Vertigo represents the uneasy global climate we live in where you never know what could happen. 9/11 hits one day and the world is uneasy about their neighbours and everything.
I think Bono equates this with the 'dizziness' he felt from losing his father. An uneasyness, like the balances of life had been tipped, losing a loved one is tramatic and puts you off balance for a while.
Miracle Drug is the personal story of a boy and his mother, and their struggle to communicate with eachother, and the love that helped this impaired boy become a poet and and individual.
On the other hand, I think this song addresses the plight in Africa, we need to show our love and put our faith in Africa. We need to give them a miracle drug. Whether it is love or antibiotics, preferably both. Africa is strugglin to survive, but do we hear them when they call?
Sometimes... Obviously a personal song for Bono. About a difficult personal relationship.
Perhaps also a call to nations, feuding nations (US, and Iraq, for example), who fight with one another. Bono asks them to realize, "okay, we don't always get along, but sometimes you can't make it on your own." We, as a global community should help eachother, put our differences in the past and move foreward to make it through the difficulties that life throws at us.
Love and Peace or Else A political stomp that calls us to put down our guns.
But also, I think it is a personal message, Bono's anger with or at his Father, not necessarily mad at him, just mad that they had the relationship they had. And now he's demanding love and peace...or else.
City of Bliding lights More a personal reflection, a loss of innocents that is brought on by personal experiences or global catastrophies like 9/11, the Tsunami, of Huricane Katrina.
All Because of you A nod to God, or a parent, or the who! lol! Thanking someone you feel is responsible for the person you have become.
A Man and A woman Again, more personal as the album shifts to a more intimate introspection. From fear to faith, as Bono described it...from vertigo to yahweh
Crumb from your table politics hit home and get personal as Bono reflects on some of his more personal experiences in Africa.
One step closer Again, personal focused on as a result of the political awareness by the A side of this album. Bono said something to the effect of, "when something like 9/11 happens, you expect to record a political album, but instead his focus was on family, relationships, the things you take for granted, the things you gravitate toward in times of confusion and fear."
Origional of the Species with the previous said about One Step CLoser, Bono takes a moment to revel in the innocence and beauty that is being a child. Also addressed in songs like City of Blinding lights, and All because of you. A concern for innocence, and perhaps it is times of political turmoil that makes people consider their innocence, or loose their innocence. What do todays children think about 9/11, Africa, etc... it makes one envious of the innocence they posses, and makes one want to protect their innocence, because one it is gone, it is gone.
Yahweh Finally, a prayer for both the personal and political issues addressed throughout the album. A glimmer of hope that shines through the pains of life that we have to endure on a personal or global scale. Closure, as well as hope is offered in the sparkling song, providing imagery of a better place, if we have faith.