With Or Without You Lyrics Meaning

This is a song about a relationship that has gone through a lot of challenges and trials. "Through the storm we reached the shore".) The woman is unhappy and probably resentful and angry because of all the sacrifices she's made for the relationship. ("See the stone set in your eyes, see the thorn twist on your side.") She has given all that she can give, but he still wants her to keep giving or wants more from her -- perhaps a new level of sacrifices and adjustments to his success. ("You give it all but I want more.") In Bono's personal life, his partner took care of him when they were pre-teens, and when he was struggling as a musician. She could not pursue her own dreams during that time, then the pressures of Bono's success demanded new sacrifices from her. He took for granted that she would stay and keep on giving; he never thought that she would actually leave, he never saw it coming, perhaps he was just too busy to see what was happening, or wasn't paying attention to the signs and warnings, or her actual words. She might have gone to "visit her parents", but the short visit might have turned into a longer absence, a 'break" from the relationship and his new lifestyle. ("Sleight of hand and twist of fate").

Even though her departure might look like a temporary break', he can tell that she wants out of the relationship. ("You give yourself away"). She cannot hide her unhappiness from other people, and he cannot hide his agony; everyone can see that their marriage is in trouble.

He waits in agony for her decision. ("On a bed of nails she makes me wait.")

He can't do anything, it's not up to him now ("My hands are tied"); and he blames himself and beats himself up for the situation. ("My body bruised"). But he knows that the relationship he wants to save is already broken ("nothing to win and nothing left to lose.")

Both he can't live with either outcome -- with, or without her.