"Love Is Blindness" is a song by the rock band U2. It is the twelfth and final track on their 1991 album Achtung Baby. The song was written on a piano by lead singer Bono during the recording sessions for U2's 1988 album Rattle and Hum. Intended for singer Nina Simone, the band elected to keep it for Achtung Baby after playing it together. Thematically, the song describes a failing romance, mixing personal themes with imagery of metaphorical acts of terrorism. During the recording sessions for Achtung Baby, guitarist The Edge separated from his wife, Aislinn O'Sullivan. The separation had a major effect on the development of the song; the ending guitar solo was a cathartic experience for The Edge, as he snapped several guitar strings during the song's recording.
"Love Is Blindness" made its live debut on the group's 1992-1993 Zoo TV Tour and was performed regularly during the tour, appearing at 154 of its 157 concerts. It was commonly played as either the penultimate or closing song; as the penultimate song, it was usually followed by a rendition of the Elvis Presley song "Can't Help Falling in Love". Following the tour, "Love Is Blindness" has been played live only two other times. The track was favourably received by critics and has been covered by multiple artists.
Read more about Love Is Blindness: Writing, Recording, and Inspiration, Composition and Theme, Reception, Live Performances, Cover Versions, Personnel
Famous quotes containing the words love is, love and/or blindness:
“What goes by the name of love is banishment, with now and then a postcard from the homeland, such is my considered opinion, this evening.”
—Samuel Beckett (1906–1989)
“What is love itself,
Even though it be the lightest of light love,
But dreams that hurry from beyond the world
To make low laughter more than meat and drink,
Though it but set us sighing?”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
“It amazes me when I hear any person prefer blindness to deafness. Such a person must have a terrible dread of being alone. Blindness makes one totally dependent on others, and deprives us of every satisfaction that results from light.”
—Horace Walpole (1717–1797)