I have to thank Jim and Ange for this week’s wide open prompt. “Grace” was an easy one to choose for several reasons. First for me is the concept of grace, as it can lift heavy burdens as if they were feathers. Secondly, the lyrics personify grace into “the name for a girl.” I’m cutting the post short this week, but the song says it all for me.
All That You Can’t Leave Behind is the tenth studio album by Irish rock band U2. It was produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, and was released on 30 October 2000. It’s a beauty of an album.
“Grace” is the last song on the album. There is something so meditative and calming about it; it’s almost a mantra. The gentle pulse of Adam’s bass is like a heartbeat.
Grace
She takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name
Grace
It’s the name for a girl
It’s also a thought that
Changed the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness
In everything
Grace
She’s got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She’s got the time to talk
She travels outside
Of karma, karma
She travels outside
Of karma
When she goes to work
You can hear her strings
Grace finds beauty
In everything
Grace
She carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl
In perfect condition
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things
Grace finds beauty
In everything
Grace finds goodness in everything
Songwriters: Adam Clayton / Dave Evans / Larry Mullen / Paul Hewson
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week we are to look for a song that has a girl’s or a boy’s name in the title, as suggested by Ange of Let’s Write……
Tao Talk 
Really nice choice, Lisa. My name means ‘grace’ and the lyrics to this song are gorgeous. One of my favorite numbers from U2.
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Nancy Grace, thank you (my new nickname for you :) ) It’s a beauty, you’re so right.
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Very welcome, Lisa
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such a great choice Lisa it’s a beautiful calming track thanks for reminding me how good it is 🩷
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Ange, thank you and it affects me the same way.
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❤️
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A lovely choice for the theme. I’d forgotten about this one!
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Happy to remind you, Clive :)
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Li this is such a beautiful song, thank you for sharing it today. The lyrics are absolutely gorgeous. I could play it over and over again.🥰
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Happy it affects you that way, Christine. I could also <3
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What a great choice- for the homonym value of the word! Brilliant choice. You wrote a great article too.
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V, thank you <3
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A lovely song, Lisa.
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It sure is. Happy Sunday, Dwight. I can see sunshine looking out of my window right now.
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:>) Me too!
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Thanks for sharing this lovely song to start my day off, Lisa.
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You are most welcome, Jim.
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I loved the intro. When the voice first came in, it sounded to me like Lou Reed. My first boss was an evil taskmaster named Grace, so the name carries very different connotations for me.
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Steve, I love your comment. Understandable.
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So love that song ❤️
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<3
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Nice song by U2 I had not heard before. I love a good deal of their music, except they haven’t released anything I’d call really good for the past 20 years. Well, even with only their first six albums, which are my favorites, these guys will always stay near and dear to me.
BTW, speaking of “Grace,” a terrific song from 2025 came to my mind – it’s power pop candy and a true earworm!😀
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Wow, Christian, do I take it to mean you haven’t heard the album it is off?
Here’s their latest albums:
No Line on the Horizon (2009)
Songs of Innocence (2014)
Songs of Experience (2017)
Songs of Surrender (2023)
I quite like No Line on the Horizon after multiple listens, as well as Songs of Surrender, which are their songs slowed down do acoustic numbers with Bono & Edge (at least the first part of the album.) Jury is out on the other 2 and the last part of … Surrender, as I haven’t given them the time they need. You very well may feel differently about them.
Thanks for the link to the 2025 song Grace Came Home by the Boxmasters. It’s lively and jangly for sure :)
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Thanks, Lisa, I’ve definitely listened to “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” and know it best for “Beautiful Day” and “Stuck In a Moment You Can’t Get Out.” I’ve also listened to some music from U2’s albums that followed. While I don’t think their music over the past 20 years has been terrible, I much prefer their first six albums. :-)
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You’re welcome and thanks for sharing your thoughts on it, Christian.
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Lovely song from one of my favourite band’s
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Glyn, I’m with you on U2 being one of my favorite bands, and that love does not fade.
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this is a U2 song I did not know! I love it! Such a great song!
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CA, happy to make the introductions. She’s a beauty.
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Wonderful choice, Li. The bass is awesome.
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Marina, thank you. I agree on the bass <3
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<3 knocked it right outta the park – lovely share today
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J, thank you very much <3
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I can really hear the influence of Daniel Lanois here. Great lyrics too. (K)
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Kerfe, I know nothing about Daniel Lanois. Please tell me more.
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Love love love Edges guitar tone in this one…a really cool song Lisa. They are supposed to release an album this year and they said it’s back to their rocking days…which I will look forward to.
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Good to hear they are releasing new music. I am not as fond of their first couple of albums as I am the rest. Same with Pearl Jam. We’ll just have to wait and see :)
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Oh, this was wonderful, Lisa. Yes, it is very meditative. Beautiful song.
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Yes it is all of those things :) I was just a goodreads adding in a book younger son got me for Christmas and checked out one of your reviews.
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