If Pride had to be described in one word, this would be Love. In fact, this song is all about sacrifice in the name of love. Pride is a song by the well-known Irish rock band U2. It is the main single of the album The Unforgettable Fire, released in 1984. Despite some critics, Pride was a great success. It reached No. 3 in the United Kingdom, and was included in Rolling Stone ranking of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 388th place. It was also the band’s first single to reach the Top 40 in the United States.
The song is, essentially, a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., the great leader of the African-American Civil Rights movements, who is also known for his kind humanitarian character.
The lyrics make reference to King Jr.’s acclaimed speech “I Have a Dream” from 63’ - “Free at last, they took your life / They could not take your pride”. Additionally, the line “Early morning, April four/ Shot rings out in the Memphis sky” refers to his assassination. Although King Jr. was shot in the evening of that day and not in the morning as the lyrics say. Acknowledging this mistake, Bono has often corrected the lyrics in live performances. Moreover, some parts of the song can also be related to Jesus, such as “One man betrayed with a kiss”, which refers to Judas’ betrayal to Jesus.
The initial lyrics were supposed to be a criticism to president Reagan’s pride in the United States’ military power. But after visiting the Chicago Peace Museum and seeing an exhibition about King Jr., together with a few readings about King Jr. and Malcom X, Bono changed the lyrics, to what is now a song praising for peace, understanding and love.
Most importantly, what the song reflect, is that humanity should not be about wars, powers or selfishness. If we strip ourselves from prejudices and intolerance what remains is love. Love for humanity, and for a world where there is a place for everyone, regardless of race or religion.
Lyrics:
One man come in the name of love
One man come and go
One man come he to justify
One man to overthrow
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
One man caught on a barbed wire fence
One man he resist
One man washed up on an empty beach
One man betrayed with a kiss
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
Early morning, April four
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
