Until The End Of The World
by U2

Album: Achtung Baby (1991)
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  • Haven't seen you in quite a while
    I was down the hold just passing time
    Last time we met was a low-lit room
    We were as close together as a bride and groom
    We ate the food, we drank the wine
    Everybody having a good time
    Except you
    You were talking about the end of the world

    I took the money
    I spiked your drink
    You miss too much these days if you stop to think
    You lead me on with those innocent eyes
    You know I love the element of surprise
    In the garden I was playing the tart
    I kissed your lips and broke your heart
    You
    You were acting like it was the end of the world

    Love, love, love
    Love
    Love, love
    Love, love, love
    Love (love)
    Love, love

    In my dream I was drowning my sorrows
    But my sorrows, they learned to swim
    Surrounding me, going down on me
    Spilling over the brim
    Waves of regret and waves of joy
    I reached out for the one I tried to destroy
    You, you said you'd wait
    'Til the end of the world Writer/s: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul David Hewson
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 16

  • Kar from United StatesI blast this song every Maundy Thursday. Love the last line, how Christ is waiting to be united with Judas, his loved one.
  • Justin Devereux from Auckland, New ZealandAn incredibly powerful song and truly amazing lyrics. After the ecstatic guitar solo with it's sweeping sonic climaxes we hear Judas calling out to Jesus with longing and regret, and then we hear a gravely and slithery/poisonous voice of Judas (not unlike Johnny Cash at points) speak his testimony.

    In my dreams I was drowning my sorrows...but my sorrows they learn to swim
    Surrounding me...going down on me...spilling over the brim (alcohol washing over him - but with a hint of sexual innuendo)
    Waves or regret and waves of joy
    I reached out for the one I tried to destroy
    You...you said you'd wait until the end of the world...

    And then the drums and bass (and the previous sea analogy) pound Judas into madness and oblivion
  • Daniel from BerlinAlthough it was not a single, an official video was made for it with footage of the film and also of the band using the same special effects used for the film directed by Wim Wenders, of course. U2 never released this video in any if their video compilations. They used a live version instead.
  • Sarah from Tampa, FlIn response to Leon, Waterbury CT: I believe the song IS indeed repressing Judas' screaming/crying. I knew there was some sort of struggle in the song during the guitar riffs when I watched the 2001 Elevation Boston concert. Bono and The Edge almost had this sort of "battle". Bono was trying to push The Edge "back" on stage. Very interesting.
  • Jose from Guadalajara, MexicoIn my dreams I was drowning my sorrows, but my sorrows they learned to swim.

    Strong, my favorite sentence in this song.
  • Eric from Cincinnati, Oh"Until the End of the World" is also the name of a 1991 film. Bono wrote this song for use in the movie.
    In the "Achtung Baby" album booklet, after this song's lyrics, is the comment, "for Wim Wenders." He is the director of that film, and (I have read) a friend of Bono.
  • Larry from San Francisco, CaWow....I loved this song before, but knowing it's true origin gives it a power I didn't realize it had
  • Leon from Waterbury, CtI agree with Matthew - terrific song live. I saw them live in December (2005) and this was their opening song for their ZooTV set. I've heard somewhere that the opening guitar is suppose to represt Judas' screaming/crying - does anyone know if that's true?
  • Matthew Doroshow from Philadelphia, PaGreat song when performed live- this song seems to find it's way into each tour's set list one way or another... classic intro... one of their best songs
  • Acrobat from Adelaide, AustraliaWhen I found out what this song was about.. It awed me, I always loved this song before, byt the depth and complexity of the story covered, but brought so easily to light in one small song... truly awe inspiring.
  • Thomas from Chicago, IlThere is a different (and in my opinion better) version of this song on the sound track for the movie of the same name. The differences are subtle, you really need to listen to them back to back to catch most of them.
  • Cal from Portrush, EnglandI cannot believe none of you know about this song and its parallels between itself and the edges divorce. That is what many fans believe the song is based on
  • Leon from Waterbury, CtA truly great song.
  • Daniel from BrasÃ?lia, BrazilI never knew what the song was about. Beautiful interpretation by Bono, and beautiful lyrics also.
  • John from Madison, WiIan you are very correct this is a truly great song!
  • Ian from Weymouth, EnglandA conversation between Judas and Jesus in the afterlife detailing his betrayal of Jesus.

    1st verse is about the last supper, 2nd about Judas identifiying Jesus to the guards with a kiss on the lips in the garden of Gethsememe and the 3rd about Judas' suicide after becoming overwhelmed with guilt.

    Top song writing!
see more comments

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