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U2 — Until the End of the World
Album: Achtung Baby
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3861









Released: 1991
Length: 4:35
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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...)

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
Comments (474)add comment
Incredible song, such power, such -- TRUTH... I recall sitting in Kevin's Jeep Cherokee before we saw them play in Denver at the Pepsi Center; post-9-11 All That You Can't Leave Behind tour, and we were pre-gaming; stoning up, drinking a toast, and this song came on... I had only few hours before had endured yet another soul-crushing talk with the soon-to-be ex-, and then I got to talk with my young son, and I could actually hear her whispering lies and fear into his other ear and prompting him to ask me questions that only further betrayed her evil manipulations to pull him further and further away from me, helping to create a distance that largely and painfully remains to this day... Kevin knew and could relate tp my sufferings; he had already been through a Shawshank Redemption-type muck-crawl with his ex- a decade before, and had since struck solid gold on his second try, and he said, "I think you need this U2 show more than anyone I know... Let's go!" It lives on as the best show either of us has ever seen...
I became a fan in 1983 with War and quickly listened to their first 2 lps. I see people on here critique the bands choice to grow and try different types of music and then dislike them. I am still a huge fan, have seen them live 4 times and appreciate the fact that not every song or album sounds the same. I wish other big bands could follow suit.  Grow and expand. Don't hate them for their talent. I love their earliest stuff, but will listen to anything they record. I am 3/4 Irish, and feel a bond.
 SayHelloHarvey wrote:

Peak u2 🍻



agree. this may be one of my fav U2 albums (the Joshua Tree is probably my first) but after this...i lost interest in how they were growing. but, i respect that they continued to change and be creative. 
 ick wrote:

I love this but I really dislike what they have become.




Still a hell of a LOT BETTER than most of the drivel that you will encounter on FM radio today!
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

Not just great music but the lyrics are full of angst as good as any "poetry"...

   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.


But the catch is... if you go back to the start of the lyrics...

   Haven't seen you in quite a while...

then you realise that she must not have waited for him.

I am sure many of us have felt something like this unfulfilled love and regret.

Bono put the feelings into words so well.

 





I Agree completely!
I love this but I really dislike what they have become.
Very Super Awesome Song!!!
in my opinion the last great U2 song they recorded. Yes, I'm one of those haters that considers Achtung Baby their last great album. 
GREAT TUNE!!  Thanx RP!   
Peak u2 🍻
 Imkirok wrote:

So Jesus spiked someone's drink started kissing people?  :)


No the song is probably from the point of view of Judas.
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

Not just great music but the lyrics are full of angst as good as any "poetry"...

   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.


But the catch is... if you go back to the start of the lyrics...

   Haven't seen you in quite a while...

then you realise that she must not have waited for him.

I am sure many of us have felt something like this unfulfilled love and regret.

Bono put the feelings into words so well.

 




Good analysis. My take was that this was the story of Judas: "We ate the food and drank the wine"..."i took the money"..."In the garden I was playing the tarte, I kissed your lips and broke your heart"..."I reached out for the one I tried to destroy"....I certainly might be wrong but Bono loves to slip in Catholic theology all over the place.
u2 pas terrible.
AoE
Just love this album! 

 muschik wrote:

My English teacher once argued that it was about the last supper :)


So Jesus spiked someone's drink started kissing people?  :)
 muschik wrote:

My English teacher once argued that it was about the last supper :)


They always do that! LOL!

My English teacher once argued that it was about the last supper :)
 reallylost wrote:

This song live is devastating. 



punny
 cavemanleong wrote:

"In my dream, I was drowning my sorrows
But my sorrows, they learned to swim"

What a line! 



"You miss too much these days if you stop to think" ain't bad either.
This song live is devastating. 
 stunix wrote:
. . . I just find this song to be empty, the melody goes nowhere, the lyrics are trite, the guitar fills and solo are just uninspiring.  the only redeeming feature of this song is that it ended .... eventually.

Everybody was having a good time
Except you
(You were talking about the end of the song)
 sashaly1968 wrote:
Good introduction to masterpiece film of Vim Venders :
Until the end of the world!!!
 

Glad I'm not the only admirer of this film. It wasn't well-reviewed but I find so many parts of it have stayed with me over the decades. I can't say that about a lot of movies. Amazing soundtrack, both the songs and the score.
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Not just great music but the lyrics are full of angst as good as any "poetry"...

   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.
But the catch is... if you go back to the start of the lyrics...

   Haven't seen you in quite a while...

then you realise that she must not have waited for him.

I am sure many of us have felt something like this unfulfilled love and regret.

Bono put the feelings into words so well.

 


 
You might be absolutely right, but I always thought of this song as another one full of veiled Biblical references. This seems like Judas talking to Jesus to me. Just my 2c.
 
Agree w scrub brush - best U2 album and a great by any standard
 ExploitingChaos wrote:
My cousin wants to know why you don't play anything off of Zooropa
 
Bill's nephew said he can play whatever he wants.
The song When You Look at the World, from 2002's All That You Can't Leave Behind, feels like it should have been on Achtung.
https://youtu.be/6Fka7TnwhRw
I'm not sure what's preventing me from just pushing this up to 10. Not this time but soon.
 Proclivities wrote:

I don't think kids "these days" listen to this very much - this song is almost thirty years old.
 
Some of us are into our '2nd childhood' - and enjoying what we still remember! Hard to believe I am this old...
Good introduction to masterpiece film of Vim Venders :
Until the end of the world!!!
A great song from a great album.
This is my absolute favorite U2 album and one of my all time favorite albums of all time.
One of my greatest memories and concerts.  ZOO TV !!!!!!
 ExploitingChaos wrote:
This what the kids listen to these days innit
 
I don't think kids "these days" listen to this very much - this song is almost thirty years old.
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

This is indeed great poetry, but it is not about a girl.
The song is a recounting of the Gospel story of Judas' betrayal of Jesus, identifying to the temple soldiers by kissing him in the Garden of Gethsemane (I kissed your lips and broke your heart") after the Last Supper (the "low-lit room" where they ate "the bread and wine").
It is an incredible examination of the conscience of perhaps the most famous traitor of history. The singer feels damned even against the promise of infinite forgiveness.
Jesus told his disciples he would be with them until the "end of time" which is where the song get its title. 
In concert, Bono often begins this song by screaming "JUDAS!" The live version ends with one of the most intense climaxes of any of their (or anyone's) performances.  
One of the many ingenious devices of U2 is getting us to rock out without realizing we are singing stories from the bible!

Not just great music but the lyrics are full of angst as good as any "poetry"...

   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.
But the catch is... if you go back to the start of the lyrics...

   Haven't seen you in quite a while...

then you realise that she must not have waited for him.

I am sure many of us have felt something like this unfulfilled love and regret.

Bono put the feelings into words so well.

 


 

A month and a half ago.. has it only been that long since The Great Weirdness  really took hold? It seemed like this song wouldn't leave my head. As Covid 19 learned to swim and there wasn't enough liquor to drown or sterilize it, or a paddle big enough to smash it's fingers off the gunnels.
Currently feeling less panicked - but still eying the news each morning wondering what the covidiots would surprise us with next, and waiting...
Best U2 song ever.
Awesome track 🥳
Thanks Eno!
 tanyhon wrote:
Edge’s best solo
 
Lanois plays on this album. Probably him. Sure sounds like him.
 Ohmsen wrote:
One of their best tunes, ever. 
 

No Brainer . Thank you Lanois
For more pleasure...
Watch movie "Until the end of the world" realised by Wim Wenders.
You must like it  
One of their best tunes, ever. 
A less-played, but rippin' tune from U2.
 countyman wrote:
bought this cd for Sax and Violins. Very eclectic array of music and musicians.  Did the movie ever come out?
 
That tune is from Talking Heads. If you want that get the (excellent) soundtrack for the movie with this name.
Would so love to see them crank out one more "edgier" - Eno influenced - work like this one!
My cousin wants to know why you don't play anything off of Zooropa
bought this cd for Sax and Violins. Very eclectic array of music and musicians.  Did the movie ever come out?
U2 at the top of their game.  With the Gesthemene theme and the phat guitar it could be their best song.
 frpeterjackson wrote:
The Beatles ended in 1970, and U2 ended in 1990. Anything thereafter is the "Wings" phase of U2.
 

When will folks think for themselves instead of repeating the same old drivel?
Edge’s best solo
Last good U2 album? No Lanois = OK at best
Some of the best music has come from recording in Berlin.
"In my dream, I was drowning my sorrows
But my sorrows, they learned to swim"

What a line! 
 khardog145 wrote:
One of the best U2 songs.  That guitar is a boiling cauldron.{#Cheesygrin}
 
I agree  A STRONG 8 from me
(but I am saving +8 for even better)
This what the kids listen to these days innit
The Beatles ended in 1970, and U2 ended in 1990. Anything thereafter is the "Wings" phase of U2.
One of the best U2 songs.  That guitar is a boiling cauldron.{#Cheesygrin}
 Günther wrote:

Whole album Achtung baby is just epic. At least for me. :)
 

Me too. An all-time fav.
This movie got a lot right, especially how we'd become narcissistically entranced by technology. 
 kingart wrote:
One of my favorite U2 songs. Maybe one of my fav songs, period.  Very good on its own, directly connected to a decent flick of the same name, and a tune that's synonymous with a premier band. 

 
Whole album Achtung baby is just epic. At least for me. :)
Classic.  I have a feeling that if this song was was written and played by another band in exactly the same way it would be way more known and loved than it is.  By U2 it gets overshadowed because it's a little more conventional than some other things they were doing.
Truly at the top of their game
  7 ->     8 - Most Excellent  
This is simply U2! Thanks for passing it right way when I most needed to listen to it.
One of my favorite U2 songs. Maybe one of my fav songs, period.  Very good on its own, directly connected to a decent flick of the same name, and a tune that's synonymous with a premier band. 
I always feel compelled to read the comments surrounding any U2 song, as the band is more prone to haters than most on RP. That said, this is a good song and the haters hate less on this song than most other U2 songs on RP. So that has to mean something, right?
The story of Jesus and Judas the night of the Last Super.
ugh this song is my life
One of my ALL TIME favorite songs!  Never gets old.  And always makes me fondly think of the Wim Wenders film of the same title.  I've owned the VHS copy (US short edit) ever since it was available.  Wish it would become available on DVD or BluRay.  Last year I finally had an opportunity to watch a special screening of the 4 hour version —WOW, blew my mind.  So fun to watch it with a theater full of fans, seeing it on the big screen.  All the extended scenes really put a whole new spin on the story I THOUGHT I already knew inside and out....
Is the narrator of the song Judas?
 

Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Not just great music but the lyrics are full of angst as good as any "poetry"...

   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.


But the catch is... if you go back to the start of the lyrics...

   Haven't seen you in quite a while...

then you realise that she must not have waited for him.

I am sure many of us have felt something like this unfulfilled love and regret.

Bono put the feelings into words so well.

 



 

 LowPhreak wrote:

Well here's some news: there aren't so many guitarists or guitar solos that don't have some kind of effect or processing going on. Try playing this lead totally straight with all amp effects and pedals turned off and nothing done on the engie side. It would sound pretty dry and boring, as many famous or very good solos would have.

I'm not a huge fan of Edge but this track is decent.

 
Yes, I agree.  The criticism of him - or any guitarist - using "too many effects" is kind of silly anyhow.  Oddly enough, that was occasionally a criticism of Jimi Hendrix years ago, though not much these days.  Should everyone just record acoustic guitars into microphones? 
Everyone I know is every time BLOWN AWAY by THIS SONG! Oh my God it is an incredible testament to the talent and mastery of U2
 Exactly. Edge isn't Hendrix, never claimed he was. In fact, he was originally considered one of the post-punk rock guitar anti-heroes in the day. I love the sounds he makes. And U2 in Philly two weeks ago was simply phenom.{#Boohoo}{#Guitarist}

trailhead wrote:

Watch the movie "It might get loud" and he will show you.  Yes, it is just what you expect - simple chords.  He isn't trying to hide anything.  His use of effects is as much technique as using his fingers.  It still takes skill.

 


 Shmelo wrote:

I don't eve know what he sounds like without his wall of post-processed echoes and reverb. blech.

 
Watch the movie "It might get loud" and he will show you.  Yes, it is just what you expect - simple chords.  He isn't trying to hide anything.  His use of effects is as much technique as using his fingers.  It still takes skill.
Not just great music but the lyrics are full of angst as good as any "poetry"...

   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.


But the catch is... if you go back to the start of the lyrics...

   Haven't seen you in quite a while...

then you realise that she must not have waited for him.

I am sure many of us have felt something like this unfulfilled love and regret.

Bono put the feelings into words so well.

 


Reminds me so much of high school.  Thanks for playing!!!
Going to see U2 tomorrow!! So excited!!
 coloradojohn wrote:
I am one who is inclined to think that both this album AND Joshua Tree are amazing records; each different, but both incredibly fervent.
 
Twenty six years?!?!?  The fervency and sheer energy is still there.
I can't believe it's been 26 years since this gem was released. This is my favorite U2 album.
 coloradojohn wrote:
I am one who is inclined to think that both this album AND Joshua Tree are amazing records; each different, but both incredibly fervent.

 
I saw them at Mile High when they came through and the energy was pump'n.  I guess mile high is not on the recent tour schedule.

 
one of their best trx ever!!
I am one who is inclined to think that both this album AND Joshua Tree are amazing records; each different, but both incredibly fervent.
 black321 wrote:

the little fella's got glaucoma.  This album is U2 at their peak. 

 
Inclined to agree. Great energy is what I think of while listening.

However, Joshu Tree was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the US Library of Congress in 2014 and selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry.

So what do I know? Just enjoy the music. 
 Shmelo wrote:

I don't eve know what he sounds like without his wall of post-processed echoes and reverb. blech.

 
Well here's some news: there aren't so many guitarists or guitar solos that don't have some kind of effect or processing going on. Try playing this lead totally straight with all amp effects and pedals turned off and nothing done on the engie side. It would sound pretty dry and boring, as many famous or very good solos would have.

I'm not a huge fan of Edge but this track is decent.
 Steely_D wrote:
Probably the last song for which I'd give them credit as "great."

 
Drake a nerd dancing
And it's so danceable! 
 NorthernLad wrote:
Edge is in top form indeed

 
I don't eve know what he sounds like without his wall of post-processed echoes and reverb. blech.


Hot Song...Enjoying it !!
 flyboy wrote:
Four U2 songs in 24 hours.  Probably at least three too many.

 
You'll always have NPR-is. 
Four U2 songs in 24 hours.  Probably at least three too many.
Probably the last song for which I'd give them credit as "great."
Edge is in top form indeed
 marcedeleon wrote:
Back when U2 made good music!  ; )
 
hear hear! {#Cheers}
 Proclivities wrote:

From the days before Bono had those sunglasses surgically attached.

 
the little fella's got glaucoma.  This album is U2 at their peak. 
Desert island album.
 marcedeleon wrote:
Back when U2 made good music!  ; )
 
From the days before Bono had those sunglasses surgically attached.
Love this song.... What a rock in bass line. Will always remind me of when I was stationed in Germany when this CD came out.
You miss too much these days if you stop to think.

I think this applies even more today (almost 30 years later), to the "social media generation".
 coloradojohn wrote:
Amazing, the orchestral fills and swells of sound that Edge gets out of his mad guitar; I never get tired of freaking out to the power in it! 

 
phaaaah, hell man, thats funny but now I've spilt my coffee!   I just find this song to be empty, the melody goes nowhere, the lyrics are trite, the guitar fills and solo are just uninspiring.  the only redeeming feature of this song is that it ended .... eventually.
cool movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg6mzRlgVWo
Amazing, the orchestral fills and swells of sound that Edge gets out of his mad guitar; I never get tired of freaking out to the power in it! 
While The Joshua Tree is considered their greatest work Achtung Baby is a very very close second! I still like their music they produce today, but those two albums are very special!
Great thundering bass and Celtic drumbeats, what an amazing start to a song! (like so many of their best ones, too) and IT SIZZLES...
U2 in a Minor Key
Achtung Baby is definitely one of those forgotten albums, like Beatles for Sale, but it was a corker then and it's always welcome now.
Back when U2 made good music!  ; )
Great song. {#Bananajam}
Ah U2 from the "Are they still around years"
 KaraokeVox wrote:

soundtrack to the movie with william hurt, "until the end of the world" directed by that german guy...um...he did paris, texas.
 
Wim Wenders: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Until_the_End_of_the_World

This song was also used in the trailer for "Proof of Life", maybe in the film as well...v 
 scrubbrush wrote:


what sountrack are y'all talking about?

 
soundtrack to the movie with william hurt, "until the end of the world" directed by that german guy...um...he did paris, texas.
 birdland wrote:

There is a soundtrack - I used to own it and it had the mix in question. Difficult to find.
 

 

what sountrack are y'all talking about?
{#No}
Hasn't this been on every day this week?  Please stop the madness!!
A great version of Holy Thursday and The Last Super.
 vaos wrote:
Achtung Baby is my personal favorite of U2 albums. Their first really new U2 style, sadly also the last "good/inventive/fresh" album.

Great song, lots of memories. 

 
What he said!  {#Arrowu}

Except for the favorite album bit, I'm more a Joshua Tree guy.
This reminds me of being the girl at the party in the 80s who thought it was important to talk about real stuff at frat parties and gatherings and such but then there was also a Cold War on ... there's always a war on somewhere ... I digress ... Love this song!
This is the only U2 song I can stand. Even gave it a 7. But ONLY because the movie and soundtrack were both great.
  Marr wrote:

It was a great soundtrack. Unfortunately my copy was a cassette tape and I played that thing until it crapped out. :(

Lovely song.  
 
My cassette tape still works and also the player!! Not a bad song!
 birdland wrote:

There is a soundtrack - I used to own it and it had the mix in question. Difficult to find.
 

 
It was a great soundtrack. Unfortunately my copy was a cassette tape and I played that thing until it crapped out. :(

Lovely song.  
Didn't know Daniel Lanois produced this.
Dnaiel Lanois Playing
I like *everything* he does: check out Spyboy by Emmylou Harris.