Table of Contents
Listening Activity
This listening activity is based on the song “With or Without You by U2“. The song lyrics are beautiful and ideal for English learners and include many interesting language topics, such as metaphors.
Let’s start with some information about the song!
With or Without You by U2
“With or Without You“ is a song by the Irish rock band U2. This listening activity includes information about the song, a link to the lyrics, and the official video.
With or Without You by U2
Level
Intermediate and advanced students.
Facts about the Song
- Song: With or without you
- Album: The Joshua Tree
- Date of release: 21 March 1987
- Genre: Rock
- Length of the song: 4 minutes and 56 seconds.
- Writers: Bono
- Produced by: Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois
Interesting Information about the Song
Bono wrote the lyrics while struggling to reconcile his responsibilities as both a married man and a musician. His wanderlust in belonging to a musical act was often at odds with his domestic life. While writing the lyrics, he realized that neither facet of his life defined him, but rather the tension between the two did. He explained that the final lyric is about “torment” and how repressing desires only makes them stronger
The Video
The Lyrics
Language Points
The song includes many interesting language points:
Expressions that may be useful to students:
- See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you
Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait without you
Listening Comprehension
Sentence Completion Exercise
Complete these sentences while listening to the song:
- See the stone set in your ________.
- See the thorn twist in your ________.
- On a bed of ________ she makes me wait.
- Through the storm we reach the ________.
- My hands are tied, my body ________.
Gap-Fill Exercise
These words are used in the lyrics of the song:
- Seize: To take hold of something quickly and firmly.
- Destiny: The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future.
- Heartbeat: A very short space of time; an instant.
- Eternity: Infinite or unending time.
- Shine: To emit light or be bright.
- Gain: Something that is obtained, especially an increase in wealth or resources.
- Race: To compete or move quickly.
Complete these sentences with the words provided above:
- She believes that every person has a unique ________ that they will fulfill in life.
- The athlete managed to ________ the opportunity just in time, securing the victory.
- His decision brought him much ________ in both wealth and knowledge.
- In that crucial moment, every second felt like a ________.
- The star will ________ brightly in the night sky.
- During the competition, the runners will ________ to the finish line.
- The concept of ________ can be difficult to comprehend because it suggests time without end.
Source: Wikipedia