☝️ Key Points
- The singer considers himself saved by the other's song
- The song not only allows him to survive everyday life, but to survive in general
- A miracle is sought that science cannot explain
- The song has helped get through the best and worst times
- The person to whom the song is addressed seems to experience pain that is relieved through the song
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song 'Your Song Saved My Life' by
U2 are an emotional message about the saving power of music, particularly a specific song, in difficult times. The lyrics speak about a person who feels like a stranger in their own life and hides something behind their eyes, possibly pain or sadness ('Are you a stranger in your own life? What are you hiding behind those eyes?'). The singer expresses that the song, likely the one of the mentioned person, saved their life ('You know your song saved my life'). They don't sing it just to get by, but to survive ('I don't sing it just so I can get by... I sing it to survive').
The lyrics also talk about the search for a miracle that science can't explain and about a person who is only comfortable when they're in pain ('You're looking for a miracle... The man you carry in your heart is only comfortable when he's in pain'). This could indicate that the person the singer is addressing is dealing with a difficult emotional situation or with pain.
In the later verses of the song, the singer expresses that the song has helped them through the worst and best times of their life ('Your song saved my life, The worst and the best things of my life'). They were broken, but now they're open and the love of the other keeps them alive ('I was broken, now I'm open, Your love keeps me alive'). This suggests that the song and the love of another person have helped them overcome their pain and move on. The repeated refrain 'Your song saved my life' emphasizes the life-saving effect of the song and the deep gratitude of the singer.