My New Take on the Vertigo Lyrics

[Miggy D]

So far, I've only seen it translated as:

Lights go down, it's dark
The jungle is your head
Can't rule your heart
I'm feeling so much stronger
Than I thought, your eyes are wide
And though your soul, it can't be bought
Your mind can wander
etc etc

After listening to this song many times, and not really 'getting' those lyrics, I listened to it again, very closely, and realized the interpretation is all wrong. The lyrics are actually:

Lights go down, it's dark
The jungle is your head
Can't rule your heart
A feeling's so much stronger
Than a thought
Your eyes are wide and though your soul
It can't be bought, your mind can wander
etc etc

'A feeling's so much stronger than a thought' makes a lot more sense within the context of this verse, and in relation to Bono's other lyrics in other songs. Take 'Beautiful Day' for example:

"What you don't have, you don't need it now. What you don't know you can feel it somehow."

Here, again, Bono is emphasizing the importance of feelings over thoughts, or more specifically, spirituality over 'rationalization.' What he's saying is what's here ::taps chest:: is more accurate than what's up here. ::taps noggin::

So anyway - that's my peace. Just thought I'd share a personal lyrical revelation.

-Mike

 

[AussieU2fanman]

that totally makes more sense dude. Thanks alot for clearing that up.

 

[Aardvark747]

I'd been singing that anyway....but wondering if it was right!

 

[starsgoblue]

Yeah, I wrote that in one of the threads on my thoughts on the song...

I have always seen it as a central character at a crossroads inbetween deciding in faith or whatever the rejection of that option takes him...

 

[tomtom]

Absolutely right on, man. And it makes perfect sense too. Great job.