God Part II
by U2

Album: Rattle And Hum (1988)
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Songfacts®:

  • This song is about John Lennon. It's an answer to Lennon's song "God," where he named things he didn't believe in. Bono followed the pattern by creating his own list.
  • The lyrics, "Don't believe in Goldman" refer to Albert Goldman, who wrote an unflattering biography of Lennon after his death.
  • The line "Kick the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight" is taken from Canadian singer Bruce Cockburn's "Lovers in a Dangerous Time," a #25 hit for him in his home country in 1984. In 1991 Barenaked Ladies covered the song and saw it become their first Top 40 hit north of the border.

    Bono is a big fan of Cockburn, calling him a "zen songwriter."

Comments: 10

  • Jay from Oshkosh B’goshI love the line U2 borrows from Bruce Cockburn’s Lovers In A Dangerous Time: ‘You gotta kick at the darkness ‘til it bleeds daylight” - they were classy to give him a mention/credit in the liner notes
  • AnonymousGreat song that was quietly ripped off by Kylie in I Believe in You.
  • Nïk from FranceOne of those strangely ignored U2 jewels!
    Somewhat the essence of rock to me, be it music or lyrics...
  • Alanb from Vancouver IslandVery well put, Carolyn from Arlington.
  • Leo from Westminster 1, MdAgain, what Bono is writing about here in God Part 2 is the shameful obsession we have with celebrity/Pop Culture/Surreal Reality and the entrapment of nostalgia, something that U2 disowns-"You glorify the past and the Future Dries up!...I don't believe in Goldman/His type like a curse/Instant Karma's gonna get him/If I don't get him first...I Believe in Love!" U2 sure didn't like what Albert Goldman did to John Lennon's memory or Rock's very Soul and Existence by writing Tell-all books. All we have to do is get beyond Hollywood and Celebrity and get on with our American Lives-that's why U2's inspired Heartland Rock is timeless. Bono is a caring and committed frontman/artist who truly Loves America. America is very Lucky and fortunate to have and love U2 because U2 Rock Hard!
  • T from London, United KingdomActually, God Part II hasn't been played live since 1990, so the Goldman to Osama thing is wrong.
  • Carolyn from Arlington, Txoutstanding song--the coolest they've done and that's saying alot....
  • Leon from Waterbury, CtThough rarely ever played live, they include it in their set every once and a great, great while. After 9/11, when the song was sometimes played during concerts, Bono changed "Goldman" to "Osama".
  • Joshua from Twin Cities, MnThe line quoted by Alejandro is actually just one of several self-contradictory lyrics in the song. My personal favorite: "I don't believe in the Uzi - it just went off in my hand..."
  • Alejandro from Mexico D.f., Mexicocontaines the lyric "I dont believe in riches... but you should see where I live"
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