Bono and his father

This song was written for Bono’s father. U2 performed it at his funeral in 2001.

Bono said, “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb is an odd title for an album, we accept that and people have asked, `What are you talking   about?’ “Actually, I was talking about my father, Bob. He was the atomic bomb in question, and when he died (he) set off a chain reaction in me and I’ve been shouting about him and giving off (sic) about him and complaining about him and screaming about him for the last few years and maybe tonight is a time to stop.

“It’s really a great, great moment for me personally. I want to thank my father, Bob, for giving me the voice and a bit of attitude to use it.”

The lyrics were written by lead singer Bono as a tribute to his father, Bob Hewson, who died of cancer in 2001; Bono sang the song at his funeral. The video to the song begins with a note from Bono about his father, saying “I wish I’d known him better.”

The song was released worldwide on 7 February 2005. The song was added to BBC Radio 1’s “C List” Playlist on 29 December 2004. It moved to the B List a week later and to the A List a week after that.

The song was also playlisted by XFM. The song debuted at #1 in the UK, marking the first time that a U2 album has produced two UK #1 hits (following “Vertigo” in November 2004.)

Bono’s Father Passing The single was also the third release in the United States. It reached #15 on the Adult Top 40 chart and #29 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in April 2005. It also reached #97 on the Hot 100.

The Complete U2 features a demo version of the song with a different verse but without the falsetto chorus line. On the album’s deluxe edition bonus DVD is an acoustic performance of the song by Bono and The Edge.

It was featured on the second season of The O.C., episode 4, titled “The New Era”. It was also featured on the Ugly Betty episode “I See Me, I.C.U.”. It played after it was revealed that Bradford Meade, father of Daniel Meade died, drawing parallels to the song’s concept.

Orginaly Titled “Tough”

Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own

Tough, you think you’ve got the stuff
You’re telling me and anyone
You’re hard enough

You don’t have to put up a fight
You don’t have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don’t have to go it alone

And it’s you when I look in the mirror
And it’s you when I don’t pick up the phone
Sometimes you can’t make it on your own

We fight all the time
You and I
That’s alright, we’re the same soul
I don’t need, I don’t need to hear you say
That if we weren’t so alike
You’d like me a whole lot more

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don’t have to go it alone

And it’s you when I look in the mirror
And it’s you when I don’t pick up the phone
Sometimes you can’t make it on your own

I know that we don’t talk
I’m sick of it all
Can you hear me when I sing?
You’re the reason I sing
You’re the reason why the opera is in me

Where are we now?
Still gotta let you know
A house still does not make a home
Don’t leave me here alone

And it’s you when I look in the mirror
And it’s you that makes it hard to let go
Sometimes you can’t make it on your own
Sometimes you can’t make it
Best you can do is to fake it
Sometimes you can’t make it on your own

All lyrics written by Bono, all music composed by U2.