One Tree Hill

U2

About One Tree Hill

"One Tree Hill" is a song by Irish rock band U2 and the ninth track on their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. In March 1988, it was released as the fourth single from the album in New Zealand and Australia, while "In God's Country" was released as the fourth single in North America. The release charted at number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart. The track was written in memory of Greg Carroll, a New Zealander the band first met in Auckland during the Unforgettable Fire Tour in 1984. He became very close friends with lead singer Bono and later served as a roadie for the group. Carroll was killed in July 1986 in a motorcycle accident in Dublin. After Carroll's tangi (funeral) in New Zealand, Bono wrote the lyrics to "One Tree Hill" in his memory. The lyrics reflect Bono's thoughts at the tangi and during his first night in New Zealand when Carroll took him up Auckland's One Tree Hill. They also pay homage to Chilean singer-songwriter and activist Víctor Jara. Musically, the song was developed in a jam session with producer Brian Eno. The vocals were recorded in a single take, as Bono felt incapable of singing them a second time. 


Year:
1998
10 
#1

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We turn away to face the cold, enduring chill
As the day begs the night for mercy love
The sun so bright it leaves no shadows
Only scars carved into stone
On the face of earth
The moon is up and over One Tree Hill
We see the sun go down in your eyes

You run like river, on like a sea
You run like a river runs to the sea

And in the world a heart of darkness
A fire zone
Where poets speak their heart
Then bleed for it
Jara sang, his song a weapon
In the hands of love
You know his blood still cries
From the ground

It runs like a river runs to the sea
It runs like a river to the sea

I don't believe in painted roses
Or bleeding hearts
While bullets rape the night of the merciful
I'll see you again
When the stars fall from the sky
And the moon has turned red
Over One Tree Hill

We run like a river
Run to the sea
We run like a river to the sea
And when it's raining
Raining hard
That's when the rain will
Break my heart

Raining, raining in the heart
Raining in your heart
Raining, raining to your heart
Raining, raining, raining
Raining to your heart
Raining, raining in your heart
Raining in your heart
To the sea

Oh great ocean
Oh great sea
Run to the ocean
Run to the sea

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


U2

U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono (vocals and guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums and percussion). U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music. Throughout the group's musical pursuits, they have maintained a sound built on melodic instrumentals, highlighted by The Edge's timbrally varied guitar sounds and Bono's expressive vocals. Their lyrics, often embellished with spiritual imagery, focus on personal themes and sociopolitical concerns. more »

10 fans

Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul Hewson

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Creation
"One Tree Hill" is a track from U2's fifth studio album, "The Joshua Tree," which was released in 1987.
Inspiration
The song was inspired by the death of Greg Carroll, a Maori man from New Zealand who worked for the band as a roadie and subsequently became a close friend, especially to lead singer Bono.
Song Theme
The song's theme incorporates both grief and rebirth, reflecting both the sadness of Carroll's untimely death and the majesty and enduring nature of life.
Music Style
The song features an intense guitar solo by The Edge, U2's guitarist. It's a departure from The Edge's typical style incorporating delay effects, demonstrating his versatility as a musician.
Title Origin
"One Tree Hill" is the name of a volcanic peak in Auckland, New Zealand, where Greg Carroll used to take the band members when they visited the city.
Lyrics
Specific lines in the song reference Māori rituals and the landscape of New Zealand, which further tribute to Carroll's Maori heritage.
Album Importance
Despite not being released as a single in most countries, "One Tree Hill" remains a pivotal part of "The Joshua Tree" album and is beloved by fans.
Live Concerts
The song was not regularly performed live until the 2017 Joshua Tree Tour; prior to that, it was typically only played in New Zealand or Australia as an acknowledgment to Greg Carroll's roots.
Cover Versions
Various artists have covered "One Tree Hill," including New Zealand singer Stan Walker, who performed the song during a ceremony marking the 29th anniversary of Carroll's death.
TV Show Reference
The popular American TV series "One Tree Hill" did not get its name from this song, though many fans often make the mistaken connection.
Music Video
The music video for "One Tree Hill" was directed by Phil Joanou and features both the characters of the global North and South, reflecting the band's interests in geopolitical and personal borders during the period of the album's writing and recording.

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