Album: Achtung Baby (1991)

Charted: 1 61

License This Song 

• Oh, baby child
  
  It's no secret that the stars are falling from the sky
  It's no secret that our world is in darkness tonight
  They say the sun is sometimes eclipsed by a moon
  You know I don't see you when she walks in the room
  
  It's no secret that a friend is someone who lets you help
  It's no secret that a liar won't believe anyone else
  They say a secret is something you tell one other person
  So I'm telling you, child
  
  A man will beg
  A man will crawl
  On the sheer face of love
  Like a fly on a wall
  It's no secret at all
  
  It's no secret that a conscience can sometimes be a pest
  It's no secret ambition bites the nails of success
  Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief
  All kill their inspiration and sing about their grief
  
  Over love
  
  A man will rise
  A man will fall
  From the sheer face of love
  Like a fly from a wall
  It's no secret at all
  
  Love, we shine like a
  Burning star
  We're falling from the sky
  Tonight
  
  A man will rise
  A man will fall
  From the sheer face of love
  Like a fly from a wall
  It's no secret at all
  
  Oh, yeah!
  It's no secret that the stars are falling from the sky
  The universe exploded 'cause of one man's lie
  Look, I gotta go, yeah I'm running outta change
  There's a lot of things, if I could I'd rearrange Writer/s: Adam Charles Clayton, David Howell Evans, Larry Jr. Mullen, Paul David Hewson
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 13

• U2fanMR. MacPhisto is a future version of the Fly and the main on the phone
• Chris from Germany Shock for fans in 1991. When they released it everything changed. Great video too.
• Eddie from East Islip, NyBeing at the foot of the stage and watching Edge play the opening and the solo of The Fly was the greatest moment of any concert id ever been to.
• Shawn from Frostburg, MdSomeone suggested that the Gulf War started while they were recording this. This is not true. I was in the Gulf War and remember listeing to this album constantly while in the Gulf.
• Matt from Galway, IrelandI hate it when people think U2 suck. Of course, we all agree that some of their stuff is truly awful, and Bono is annoying. But Achtung Baby is an awesome album, and the guitar work in this is amazing! Plus, as I said, Bono is an annoying guy, but also happens to be one of the best singers in music all time!
• Danleichty from Rochester, MnThis song is about the end of the world.
• D from New York, NyBono said this song is about a man calling from hell on a pay phone about all of the things he's learned: "Hey I gotta go, yeah I'm running out of change . . ."
• Ale from Necochea, ArgentinaWether Lou From NY is waay too good for guitar or Jack Lee is Lying: "first song I learned to play on guitar" vs. "The opening guitar riff proves how good The Edge can be"...
  :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
• Jack Lee from Nottingham, EnglandThe opening guitar riff proves how good The Edge can be
• Ryan from Albion, Nythis is a strange thing,i know; whenever i listen to that solo in the fly, tears come to my eyes..maybe because that solo is the next closest thing to being in Heaven..awesome song
• Bethan from Bristol, England"The Fly" knocked off Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)" from the #1 spot, after a consectutive run of 16 weeks at the top spot.
  
  "The Fly" single was only released for three weeks in the UK, before it was deleted.
• Alejandro from Mexico D.f., Mexicothe live zootv version is quite better than the elevation tour version...
• Lou from New York, NyThis song is awesome, first song I learned to play on guitar. Bono is also at his best, I think when he's the Fly, it's such a cool person he takes on.

More Songfacts:

White IversonPost Malone

Post Malone came up with "White Iverson" after getting braids in his hair and thinking they looked like basketball legend Allen Iverson's signature cornrows.

Strawberry Letter 23The Brothers Johnson

"Strawberry Letter 23" by The Brothers Johnson was written by Shuggie Otis, whose girlfriend would send him letters written on strawberry-scented paper.

SkyscraperDemi Lovato

Demi Lovato recorded a Spanish version of her song "Skyscraper," but she doesn't speak Spanish. She performed it on a Latin music awards show with help from a teleprompter.

Baby Got BackSir Mix-A-Lot

"Baby Got Back" isn't just a booty song. According to Sir Mix-A-Lot, it's about "Lack of acceptance by Hollywood of the African-American body."

Blame GameKanye West

Chris Rock appears on the Kanye West track "Blame Game."

Rebel RebelDavid Bowie

When David Bowie sings, "We like dancing and we look divine" in "Rebel Rebel," it's a reference to a famous drag queen known as Divine.

Editor's Picks

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.