U2's The Original of the Species

12/4/04 update: I read recently that these lyrics were written by Bono for The Edge's daughter. Another source had a teenager wanting to become a woman as the inspiration for Bono's lyrics. After reading through the lyrics with this knowledge, they seem to be an emotional longing for a loved child to stay young, at least in spirit.

I could swear Bono sings "here's her father" just after the 3:05 point in the song. This would add credence to the theory that the song was written, at least partly, for The Edge's daughter.


This is a great song from U2's newest album. I've been listening to the album a lot over the past week, and some of the songs are really growing on me. Generally, I don't get too excited about songs the first couple of times I hear them. I think that some of these songs are destined to beome U2 classics. I know some critics disagree. Critics seem to always want innovation, or something new out of a band. I am fine with a band doing what they do best, which is what U2 does on this album.

As with most U2 songs, the lyrics are poetic and the music is soulful rock. There are metaphors in Bono's lyrics that I'm sure nobody will intepret correctly. Sometimes I wonder if Bono even knows logically what he is trying to say. He just finds the right words for his feelings. I read that Bono says this album is more personal than political. Some fans have taken exception with that. They think that Bono has a responsibility to make a political statement about the war in Iraq, war on terrorism, Sudan, and other hot-button issues. I disagree. I think the band has every right to be introspective. It will help their growth.

How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
"Original Of The Species"

Baby slow down (Who is he talking to? He is telling them to not take things so quickly.)
The end is not as fun as the start (Don't be in a hurry to get to tomorrow.)
Please stay a child somewhere in your heart ("Be like little children")

I’ll give you everything you want
Except the thing you want
You are the first one of your kind

And you feel like no one before
You steal right under my door
And I kneel ‘cos I want you some more
I want the lot of what you got
And I want nothing you’re not

Everywhere you go you shout it (Bono's singing touches the soul with this part of the song.)
You don’t have to be shy about it (I don't know why, but I picure Jesus with these words.)

Some things you shouldn’t get too good at
Like smiling, crying and celebrity
Some people got way too much confidence baby

I’ll give you everything you want
Except the thing you want
You are the first one of your kind

And you feel like no one before
You steal right under my door
And I kneel ‘cos I want you some more
I want the lot of what you got
And I want nothing you’re not

Everywhere you go you shout it
You don’t have to be shy about it, no

And you’ll never be alone
Come on now, show your soul
You’ve been keeping your love under control

Everywhere you go you shout it
You don’t have to be shy about it, no
Everywhere you go you shout it
Oh my my

And you feel like no one before
You steal right under my door
I kneel ‘cos I want you some more
I want you some more
I want you some more

Oh no, oh no
Oh no, oh no