U2 - Numb Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who sings the lead vocal in the song "Numb" by U2?

   The lead vocal in "Numb" is sung by U2's guitarist, the Edge. This is one of the few U2 songs where he takes the lead vocal role, the other instances being "Seconds" and "Van Diemen's Land."

2. What inspired the lyrical content of "Numb"?

   The lyrics of "Numb" were inspired by themes of sensory overload and media oversaturation, concepts that were prominently incorporated into U2's Zoo TV Tour. The song's repetitive 'don't' commands reflect these ideas, portraying a shutdown response to excessive information.

3. How was the song "Numb" originally conceived?

   "Numb" originated as a discarded song from the Achtung Baby recording sessions called "Down All the Days." During the recording of Zooropa, the band transformed the song with mixing assistance from co-producer Flood and the addition of keyboards and samples by Brian Eno.

4. How was the music video for "Numb" created?

   The main music video for "Numb" was directed by Kevin Godley. It features the Edge staring into the camera under a dripping tap, while strange things happen to him, such as being tied down by other group members and having feet placed on his face.

5. What are some distinctive features of the studio recording of "Numb"?

   "Numb" features a backdrop of various sampled, rhythmic noises, including arcade sounds and a Walkman rewinding. A notable sample from Leni Riefenstahl's propaganda film "Triumph of the Will" is used, featuring a Hitler Youth boy playing a bass drum.

6. Did "Numb" achieve commercial success upon release?

   "Numb" did not attain widespread commercial success upon its release. It was issued as a video single, which was an unusual format at the time. Although it performed well on some charts, it did not chart commercially in the UK or US.