The Wanderer
Johnny Cash, U2
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I went out walking Through streets paved with gold Lifted some stones Saw the skin and bones Of a city without a soul I went out walking Under an atomic sky Where the ground won't turn And the rain it burns Like the tears when I said goodbye Yeah I went with nothing Nothing but the thought of you I went wandering I went drifting Through the capitals of tin Where men can't walk Or freely talk And sons turn their fathers in I stopped outside a church house Where the citizens like to sit They say they want the kingdom But they don't want God in it I went out riding Down that old eight lane I passed by a thousand signs Looking for my own name I went with nothing But the thought you'd be there too Looking for you I went out there In search of experience To taste and to touch And to feel as much As a man can Before he repents I went out searching Looking for one good man A spirit who would not bend or break Who would sit at his father's right hand I went out walking With a bible and a gun The word of God lay heavy on my heart I was sure I was the one Now Jesus, don't you wait up Jesus, I'll be home soon Yeah I went out for the papers Told her I'd be back by noon Yeah I left with nothing But the thought you'd be there too Looking for you Yeah I left with nothing Nothing but the thought of you I went wandering Oh ho
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Written by: ADAM CLAYTON, DAVE EVANS, LARRY MULLEN, PAUL HEWSON
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Collaboration"The Wanderer" is the closing track of U2’s 1993 album "Zooropa" and is notable for being a rare instance where Johnny Cash provided lead vocals for a U2 song.
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Song StyleUnlike most of U2's songs, "The Wanderer" is heavily influenced by country music, a genre in which Johnny Cash was an iconic figure.
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Album RecognitionThe album "Zooropa", on which the song appears, won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 1994.
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Song InspirationIn numerous interviews, Bono, U2’s frontman, mentioned that he wrote "The Wanderer" specifically with Johnny Cash's voice in mind.
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Special InstrumentThe song features an alarm bell sound effect, which was produced by U2 guitarist The Edge using a Korg synthesizer.
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Song ThemeThe lyrics of "The Wanderer" tell a dystopian, apocalyptic story, which is a trait common in Johnny Cash's music repertoire as well.
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AppearancesJohnny Cash appeared onstage with U2 to perform the song live only once, in 1993.
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Music VideoAlthough there is no official music video for "The Wanderer", a video was produced featuring footage of Johnny Cash for the 20th anniversary re-release of "Zooropa".
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AcclaimDespite being quite different from U2’s usual musical style, "The Wanderer" has been praised by many music critics for its unique blend of genres and significant contribution from Johnny Cash.
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LegacyBono has stated that "The Wanderer" was the song that made him realize U2 could be a country band, which influenced their later works. Furthermore, the song directly inspired band U2 to include more overt elements of country music in their later albums.
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Citation
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"The Wanderer Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/24848920/Johnny+Cash/The+Wanderer>.
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