The loss of his father in 2001 strongly influenced Bono’s lyric writing for this album. Composed shortly after Bob Hewson’s death (Bono sang it at the funerals), this song is one of the record’s most emotional. Bono directly addresses his father; he first describes his presence and character (at the beginning the song was called ‘Tough’) and then goes on expressing his regrets (“I know that we don’t talk”), his sadness, his fear of being on his own now (“Don’t leave me here alone”). But most of all, the lyrics are a portrait and a loving tribute to this late paternal figure that made Bono who he is: “Sing, you’re the reason I sing, You’re the reason why the opera is in me.” (Bob Hewson was an opera tenor).
Click here to download the guitar tab for Sometimes You Cant 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?
I’ve got to let you know
A house still doesn’t 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
The best you can do is to fake it
Sometimes you can’t make it on your own
Subpages: