Sweetest Thing

U2's 'Sweetest Thing' is a song that captures the complexities and contradictions of love through a series of vivid metaphors and emotional imagery. The lyrics, penned by lead singer Bono, express the pain and joy that can coexist in a romantic relationship. The song's chorus, 'Ain't love the sweetest thing?' serves as a rhetorical question, highlighting the irony of how something so sweet can also cause heartache.

The verses of the song depict a lover who is at the mercy of his partner's actions and emotions. Phrases like 'My love, she throws me like a rubber ball' and 'I wanted to run, but she made me crawl' suggest a dynamic where the singer feels both tossed around and humbled by love. The imagery of being a 'rain cloud' in contrast to the partner's 'blue skies' further illustrates the singer's emotional turmoil and the sense of imbalance in the relationship. Despite the difficulties, the singer's love remains intense and passionate, as indicated by the line 'I know I got black eyes, but they burn so brightly for her.'

The song also touches on the theme of imperfection and reconciliation in love. The line 'Blue-eyed boy meets a brown-eyed girl' evokes the classic trope of star-crossed lovers, while 'You can sew it up, but you still see the tear' acknowledges that even when wounds are mended, scars remain. This suggests that love is not without its flaws and struggles, but these imperfections are part of what makes it the 'sweetest thing.' Overall, U2's 'Sweetest Thing' is a nuanced ode to the sweetness and sorrow found within the depths of love.