Happiness – English Lyrics

• By: U2
• Album: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the complexities of joy with U2's 'Happiness,' a rediscovered gem from their 'How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb' era. This song offers a unique opportunity to delve into the band's exploration of profound themes and nuanced emotions, all while revisiting their classic rock sound. Discover lyrical highlights and the story behind this unreleased track.

[English]

Yeah

Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)

Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)

Love has got a hold on me

Takin' all control of me

It's got the very soul of me

Soul, soul, soul, soul

Want to take you next to me

Don't wanna be your enemy

Don't think this world was meant to be

No, no, no, no

(Ah) and happiness is for those who don't really need it

Stop talkin'

I'm talkin' to you

Keep walkin'

We'll make it through

It's hot here

Not even a breeze

Tryna make friends of my enemy

Can't hear you

There's an echo on the line

I'm not near you

You're on my mind

I'm in the desert

But I won't be long

I'm here for the atomic bomb

(Yeah) uh-huh

(Yeah) yeah

Teacher, I'ma have to pray

We heard what things you have to say

But do we have to do what we want today?

The boy that's sitting next to me

Cleverness, the enemy

Tell me why there needs to be 21st century

(Ah) hold on (hold on), hold on (oh, no), hold on

(Ah) happiness is for those who don't really need it

Stop talkin'

I'm talkin' to you

Keep walkin'

We'll make it through

It's hot here

Not even a breeze

Tryna make friends of my enemies

I can't hear you

There's an echo on the line

I'm not near you

But you're on my mind

I'm in the desert

But it won't be long

We're here for the atomic bomb

Tonight we can be friends

Let's get down on our knees

The world won't have to end

Not tonight

Sugar, please

Please baby, please baby, please

Please baby, please

(Please baby, please baby, please)

(Yeah)

...

Stop talkin'

I'm talkin' to you

Keep walkin'

We'll make it through

It's hot here

Not even a breeze

Tryna make friends of my enemies

I can't hear you

There's an echo on the line

I'm not near you

But you're on my mind

In the desert

It won't be long

We're here for the atomic bomb

...

Key Grammar Structures

• Love has got a hold on me

  ➔ Present Perfect with 'has got'

  ➔ The phrase 'has got' is used to describe a state that began in the past and continues to the present. Here, it emphasizes that love has a lasting grip on the speaker.

• Don't wanna be your enemy

  ➔ Contraction with 'wanna'

  ➔ 'Wanna' is a colloquial contraction of 'want to'. It is used in informal speech to express desire or intention.

• Happiness is for those who don't really need it

  ➔ Present Simple with 'is'

  ➔ The present simple with 'is' is used to state a general truth or a fact. Here, it suggests a universal statement about happiness.

• Stop talkin' / I'm talkin' to you

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The imperative mood is used to give commands or instructions. 'Stop talkin'' and 'I'm talkin' to you' are direct commands or statements.

• Tryna make friends of my enemies

  ➔ Colloquial Contraction 'tryna'

  ➔ 'Tryna' is a colloquial contraction of 'trying to'. It is used in informal speech to express an attempt or effort.

• I'm in the desert / But it won't be long

  ➔ Present Continuous / Simple Future

  ➔ The present continuous ('I'm in the desert') describes an action happening now, while the simple future ('But it won't be long') refers to an action that will happen in the future.

• We're here for the atomic bomb

  ➔ Present Continuous with 'be' for purpose

  ➔ The present continuous with 'be' is used to express purpose or reason. Here, it indicates the reason for being in the desert.

• Please baby, please baby, please

  ➔ Repetition for Emphasis

  ➔ Repetition is used to emphasize the plea or request. Here, 'please' is repeated to intensify the urgency of the request.