U2's first song to hit the Top 100 in America, "New Year's Day," has lyrics that, according to Rolling Stone, Bono made up on the spot: "We improvise, and the things that came out, I let them come out," he said.
Songfacts.com says, "The lyrics refer to the movement for solidarity led by Lech Walesa in Poland. After this was recorded, Poland announced they would abolish martial law, coincidentally on New Year's Day, 1983."
Bono says that's remarkable.
I read these lyrics and say, "You're full of hooey. They have nothing to do with Poland."
All is quiet on New Year's Day
A world in white gets underway
I want to be with you
Be with you night and day
Nothing changes on New Year's Day
On New Year's Day
I will be with you again
I will be with you again
Under a blood-red sky
A crowd has gathered in black and white
Arms entwined, the chosen few
The newspaper says, says
Say it's true, it's true
And we can break through
Though torn in two
We can be one
I...I will begin again
I...I will begin again
Oh...Maybe the time is right
Oh...maybe tonight
I will be with you again
I will be with you again
And so we're told this is the golden age
And gold is the reason for the wars we wage
Though I want to be with you
Be with you night and day
Nothing changes
On New Year's Day
On New Year's Day
On New Year's Day
The "under a blood-red sky" verse particularly reeks of singing words off the top of one's head:
Under a blood-red sky
A crowd has gathered in black and white
Arms entwined, the chosen few
The newspaper says, says
Say it's true, it's true
And we can break through
Though torn in two
And wet with dew
We'll cook some stew
'Till the sky turns blue
So we won't have to chew
Or use any glue
Or ask a Jew to change his hue
Because he doesn't have a clue
Where's the nearest loo?
Cows have to moo and I have to poo
But that's nothing new ...
Shoo-be-doo-be-doo.
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