The Fly

U2

About The Fly

"The Fly" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the seventh track from their 1991 album, Achtung Baby, and it was released as the album's first single on 21 October 1991. "The Fly" introduced a more abrasive sounding U2, as the song featured danceable hip-hop beats, industrial textures, distorted vocals, and an elaborate guitar solo. Lead vocalist Bono described the song as "the sound of four men chopping down The Joshua Tree", due to its departure from the traditional sound that had characterised the band in the 1980s. Bono described the song's subject as that of a phone call from someone in Hell who enjoys being there and telling the person on the other end of the line what he has learned. The lyrics are written as a series of aphorisms that Bono collected during the album's recording. The song and its video were also a showcase for "The Fly", a persona that Bono adopted for the Zoo TV Tour, in which he played the part of a stereotypical leather-clad rock star known for wearing large wrap-around sunglasses and strutting around the stage. The song became the band's second number-one single in the UK and was successful among alternative rock radio audiences. 


Year:
1991
4:29
80 
#5

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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

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U2

U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono (vocals and guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums and percussion). U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music. Throughout the group's musical pursuits, they have maintained a sound built on melodic instrumentals, highlighted by The Edge's timbrally varied guitar sounds and Bono's expressive vocals. Their lyrics, often embellished with spiritual imagery, focus on personal themes and sociopolitical concerns. more »

10 fans

Written by: David Howell Evans, Paul David Hewson, Adam Charles Clayton, Larry Jr. Mullen

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Creation
"The Fly" is a song by U2 from their 1991 album "Achtung Baby". It was released as the album's first single.
Band Alteration
The song represented a dramatic shift in U2's musical style, which was characterized by heavier, industrial sounds and layered, distorted guitars.
Inspiration
The track was supposedly inspired by a buzzing fly in the recording studio during sessions in Berlin.
Persona Adoption
Bono, U2's lead vocalist, took on the alter-ego of "The Fly" during the band's Zoo TV Tour, showcasing a more exaggerated, flamboyant performance style.
Recording
The song evolved from a lighthearted, jamming session amongst the band members. The distinctive guitar sound was supposedly discovered by accident.
Chart Performance
"The Fly" was not only a commercial success but it also topped the charts in the UK and Ireland, and it reached the top 2 in Australia, Iceland, and New Zealand.
Lyrics Interpretation
The lyrics are a metaphor for the overload of information that became prevalent with the advent of the worldwide web, as stated by Bono.
Awards
The "Zoo TV Live" version of the song won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video in 1994.
Remixes
Several remixes of "The Fly" have been produced, including "The Lounge Fly Mix" which became part of numerous U2 singles and compilations.
Reception
Although not initially popular among U.S. audiences, it eventually gained an enduring fan-base and critical acclaim for its experimental sound.
B-side
"Alex Descends into Hell for a Bottle of Milk/Korova 1" was the B-side for "The Fly". This moody instrumental piece was used by Bono for the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "A Clockwork Orange".
Videography
The music video, directed by Ritchie Smith and Jon Klein, features rapid, MTV-style editing with overlays of cryptic phrases from the song's lyrics. It was shot mainly in black and white, with occasional color shots for emphasis.

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    The Fly

    1.9M
    8,572     232

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1991

    Billboard #61


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