This song was written by Bono for The Edge’s daughter Holly. Bono is Holly’s Godfather.
The Edge said in an interview with Q Magazine (Nov. 2014) that the last time he cried was listening to this song and that Bono had likely reflected back on his 20s while writing it.
[Verse 1]
Baby, slow down
The end is not as far as the start
Please stay a child
Somewhere in your heart
[Pre-Chorus]
I'll give you everything you want
Except the thing that you want
You are the first one of your kind
[Chorus]
And you feel like no one before
You steal right under my door
I kneel 'cause I want you some more
I want the lot of what you got
And I want nothing that you're not
Everywhere you go you shout it
You don't have to be shy about it
[Verse 2]
Some things you shouldn't get too good at
Like smiling, crying and celebrity
Some people got way too much confidence, baby
Baby
[Pre-Chorus]
I'll give you everything you want
Except the thing that you want
You are the first one of your kind
[Chorus]
And you feel like no one before
You steal right under my door
I kneel 'cause I want you some more
I want the lot of what you got
And I want nothing that you're not
Everywhere you go you shout it
You don't have to be shy about it, no
Oh no, oh no no, oh
[Pre-Chorus]
Do-do do-do, do-do do-do
Do-do do-do, do-do do-do
Do-do do-do, do-do do-do
Do-do do-do, do-do
Sugar come on, show your soul
You've been keeping your love under control
[Chorus]
Everywhere you go you shout it
You don't have to be shy about it
Everywhere you go you shout it
Oh my my
And you feel like no one before
You steal right under my door
I kneel 'cause I want you some more
I want you some more, I want you some more
Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no
Original of the Species was written by Bono & The Edge (Guitarist) & Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen Jr..
Original of the Species was produced by Steve Lillywhite.
U2 released Original of the Species on Mon Nov 22 2004.