Meaning of "Breathe" by U2

"Breathe" conveys a sense of urgency and resilience in the face of uncertainty and danger. The opening lines set the stage by introducing a stranger who warns the narrator about the need to stay alive, suggesting a potentially dangerous world. The references to the narrator's lineage and hesitation to invite strangers into their home symbolize the inherent distrust and selective nature of human connections. The repetition of "These days are better than that" hints at the narrator's refusal to succumb to a pessimistic outlook and the belief in the potential for better days.

The concept of daily death and rebirth reflects the constant struggles and challenges faced by the narrator. It emphasizes the need for courage to face the world and the relentless pursuit of personal growth and survival. The line "With arms out, got a love you can't defeat" suggests that love and vulnerability are sources of strength and resilience. The refusal to be dependent on anyone else reinforces the narrator's determination to find self-sufficiency and inner strength.

The mention of Chinese stocks and the reference to a new Asian virus convey a sense of global instability and the interconnectedness of events on a larger scale. The plea to a Ju Ju man, who is typically associated with spiritual healers or medicine men, highlights a desperation for help and guidance in a chaotic world.

The imagery of the band playing a striptease in the narrator's head represents the cacophony of thoughts and anxieties that can consume a person's mind. It showcases the need to silence the inner noise and find peace amidst chaos. The idea of walking out into the street and singing one's heart out symbolizes the power of music and self-expression in overcoming fear and connecting with others.

The mention of being "borne of sound" and wearing the songs like a crown suggests that music is an integral part of the narrator's identity and a source of solace and strength. The discovery of grace through sound implies that music has a transcendent power to uplift and provide hope in the darkest of times. The final repetition of "And I can breathe, Breathe now" signifies a sense of relief, release, and the ability to find peace and stability amidst the turbulence of life.