“Bad” is a song about addiction. Though not stated explicitly in the song, Bono has made clear many times in interviews and at concerts that it was written about heroin addiction. The lyrics could be coming from several different character’s points of view – the addict themselves, a loved one viewin...
[Verse 1]
If you twist and turn away
If you tear yourself in two again
If I could, yes I would
If I could, I would let it go
Surrender, dislocate
[Verse 2]
If I could throw this lifeless lifeline to the wind
Leave this heart of clay, see you walk, walk away
Into the night and through the rain
Into the half light and through the flame
[Verse 3]
If I could, through myself, set your spirit free
I'd lead your heart away, see you break, break away
Into the light and to the day
Hoo, hoo! Hoo, hoo! Hoo, hoo!
Hoo, hoo! Hoo, hoo! Hoo, hoo!
[Chorus]
To let it go and so to fade away
To let it go and so fade away
I'm wide awake, I'm wide awake, wide awake
I'm not sleeping
Oh no, no, no
[Verse 4]
If you should ask, then maybe
They'd tell you what I would say
True colours fly in blue and black
Blue silken sky and burning flag
Colours crash, collide in blood-shot eyes
Hoo, hoo! Hoo, hoo! Hoo, hoo!
[Verse 5]
If I could, you know I would
If I could, I would let it go
This desperation, dislocation
Separation, condemnation
Revelation, in temptation
Isolation, desolation
[Chorus]
Let it go and so fade away
To let it go, oh yeah, and so fade away
To let it go, oh no, and so to fade away
I'm wide awake, I'm wide awake, wide awake
I'm not sleeping
Oh no, no, no
Bad was written by Bono & The Edge (Guitarist) & Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen Jr..
Bad was produced by Brian Eno & Daniel Lanois.