track

With Or Without You - Remastered

1987Released
4:55

Did You Know?

Interesting facts and trivia about With Or Without You - Remastered. By Songfacts®.

In this song, Bono describes a tortured relationship that he can't escape. The lyric can be interpreted many ways; Bono explained that he wanted to write a love song that dealt with real issues.

In 1987 Bono explained that everybody in the group knows what the line "and you give yourself away" means: "It's about how I feel in U2 at times - exposed. I'm not going to do many interviews this year. Because there's a cost to my personal life, and a cost to the group as well." In 2005 Bono called the refrain most important part of the song because it signifies a release of mental tension, "which is when the 'Aah-aah' comes out. That is what giving yourself away is, musically."

This was U2's breakout hit in America, where they had only modest success until The Joshua Tree album. They had long been stars in their native Ireland, and with their previous album, The Unforgettable Fire, they broke through in the UK, but until "With Or Without You" their biggest US hit was "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" at #33. When they did conquer America, they did so swiftly and thoroughly; "With Or Without You" went to #1, and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" followed to the top spot.

Song Analysis

Key, BPM (tempo) and time signature of With Or Without You - Remastered.
DKey
MajorMode
4/4Time Signature
110BPM

Album

The album With Or Without You - Remastered is released on.

Released By

The record label that has released With Or Without You - Remastered.
Universal Music Group
© 2007 Universal-Island Records Ltd.
℗ 2007 Universal-Island Records Ltd.

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