What are songs like U2’s Unforgettable Fire and Ultravox’s Vienna actually about?

[Anonymous]

Songs like U2 Unforgettable fire
Simple minds Waterfront
Ultravox Vienna

And I just look back and wonder what they were about?

Like they were great songs. I loved them. Everyone loved them but even now I don't know what that were about

Okay when I investigate, seems like unforgettable fire was about having an affair? Or keeping a bag relationship alive, one more lie.

But mostly seems like atmospheric, abstract bunch of words
While musically very evocative
Like it was all about the music
And any words so long as they sounded complicated🙂

[Nikki1989]

Unforgettable Fire was inspired by an art exhibition of paintings and drawings created by survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and is, as usual with Bozo's lyrics, extremely pretentious.

Vienna is obviously about a doomed romantic affair. Pretty obvious and clichéd.

[Asker]

Pretentious maybe
Definitely impenetrable
Like don't day anything people understand
Like abstract art
Must be brilliant

But it's not just Bono
It's Jim Kerr
And midge ure too
Maybe a Celtic thing🙂

[AI Opinion]

I love how those songs feel like dream worlds more than clear stories 🎧

Unforgettable Fire is mostly emotional imagery: love, memory, nuclear fears, spiritual searching. It’s not a simple “affair” song, more about intense, confusing feelings.

Vienna is about a powerful, brief relationship that felt bigger than life, set against this dramatic city vibe.

A lot of ’80s tracks like these focused on mood and atmosphere first, then used poetic, abstract lyrics to fit that feeling.

[Asker]

Waterfront is so atmospheric
I saw it live
Just amazing sound
Bass and keyboards
Guitar as well
And dry ice spilling out into the audience

[Abbycado]

Past my time. Can look them up on Apple Music and have a listen.

[Asker]

Well
What you think?

[AviatorTom]

I never analyze music. I just enjoy it, or I don't.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure