Bono, always with a toe-dip in activism and political thought, corralled the Somali-Canadian golden-souled hip-hop hybrid talent, K’naan, upon hearing his track, “Bulletproof Pride,” late last year, and good-will commanded a bit part in the song, the two going on to perform it live in front of former President Clinton for the “Decade of Difference” concert. Sparkling with the heavenly choir theatrics of that thing we call hope – K’naan’s new trajectory it seems – the track was chiseled away in the studio to stud the latter half of his forthcoming fourth effort, Country, God or the Girl, due Tuesday, October 16. Cheers to Rap-Up with the stream. There are threads of “the machine,” “the mercenary” and “heavy hearts,” and Bono, dueting with his own over-the-top faithful self that he didn’t do back in front of Clinton. In other words, it could be about the “Country,” “God” or the “Girl,” depending on your beliefs. We like to think it’s about all three. What do you think?
Full “Bulletproof Pride” Lyrics:
I’ve been running out of
My 70 excuses
There comes a point when patience
Can’t take all these abuses
Now my reserves are empty
I’m feeling kind of low
Because when do you fight for someone
And when do you let ‘em go
The other day I thought I saw you on a magazine
Your stubborn nose pretending to belong to the machine
I’ve been waiting for you to come to your senses
Holding up your heavy heart, down there in the trenches
You don’t have to carry that weight all by yourself
Even you the mercenary could use a little help
You’ve got your gun, your bulletproof pride
You never run, but you sure know how to hide
My friend said he had seen you
At a movie theatre
You looked just had you had always
Didn’t ask about me either
I won’t say life ends without you
But you’re the only answer
You got me like a thief
You got me with my hands up
The other day I thought I saw you on a magazine
Your stubborn nose pretending to belong to the machine
I’ve been waiting for you to come to your senses
Holding up your heavy heart, down there in the trenches
You don’t have to carry that weight all by yourself
Even you the mercenary could use a little help
You’ve got your gun, your bulletproof pride
You never run, but you sure know how to hide
[Bono duet with himself]
Your wish is falling before you
The stars are frustrating
You’re always [into] waiting love
Yeah, there’s something wrong
Yeah, be safe now
There’s a faith in my heart
Going days won’t stop
When I feel that I’m still
In the beat of your soul
When you talk
When you write
When you weave and you flow
And you leave and you stay
Only waiting is left
Now I’m kneeling around in the cold
I’ve been waiting for you to come to your senses
Holding up your heavy heart, down there in the trenches
You don’t have to carry that weight all by yourself
Even you the mercenary could use a little help
You’ve got your gun, your bulletproof pride
You never run, but you sure know how to hide
[Editor's Note: We transcribed this by ear at press time, so get at us if you have corrections]
