From "Into the Heart" Bono says, "'Crumbs From Your Table' is one of the most vicious songs ever. It's full of spleen about the church and its refusal to hear God's voice on the AIDS emergency." He describes the recording, the band in full flow in the studio, when a call comes through from a friend. She's full of good humor and heart. Hard to believe that she's in a hospital in Africa, taking care of AIDS patients, where they're packed in, three to a bed. It's Sister Annie, an Irish nun, and she's looking for a favour. Actually, by calling just then, she's done him one. "You're going into the song." he tells her. And so she does, a symbol of those who give generously and don't count the cost to themselves. Unlike the Catholic Church, or fundamentalist Christian groups in the U.S. who, says Bono, have failed the AIDS challenge. "I went to speak to Christian groups in America to convince them to give money to fight AIDS in Africa. It was like getting blood from a stone," he recalled. "I told them about a hospice in Uganda, where so many people were dying they had to sleep three to a bed. Sister Anne, who I mention in the song, works at that hospice. Her office is a sewer."
He goes on to talk about how most of the song was written during a late night of drinking. I've always thought of the two of them sitting around with Bono pouring out all the shit he sees in Africa and his frustration with the church and Edge turning it into to music. Very cathartic. It's a good thing that Bono has people close to him that he can dump that shit on because if had to carry that alone it would probably do him in.
As for Vertigo/Native Son, while I think Native Son was a fine song I think what it boiled down to was that Bono had tried to write about a specific issue and unfortunately it was an issue that while important, was not as near and dear to his heart enough for him. Steve Lillywhite has said that when he first got the band to replay the song in preparation to re-record it Bono got on the mic and after about 30 seconds just stopped dead and said I can't sing this song for two years. Steve comments that he felt Bono was imagining singing the song live and realized that he couldn't put himself into it the way he needs to to be able to perform. I am a firm believer that if Bono can't believe in the song it will not work. As for those who think Vertigo is light and meaningless all I can say is that you haven't touched more than the surface of the song. It's about love and faith and temptation and surrender, all the usual deep subjects that Bono constantly ponders.
So that's my take anyway.
Dana