Like a lot of great U2 songs, “Raised By Wolves” doesn’t explicitly spell out an exact meaning. Rather, it allows itself to be interpreted a variety of different ways, depending on the listener and what’s going on in their life at the time. According to the Songs of Innocence liner notes, the song was written about an experience that Bono had when he was young. Apparently he narrowly avoided being blown up in a heinous terrorist attack wherein three car bombs exploded simultaneously, destroying part of Dublin and killing 33 people and wounding an undisclosed number of others. One of U2’s muses, Andy Rowen – about who the song “Bad” was written – apparently witnessed this atrocity up close and personal, and it left a lasting impression on him. The lyrics to the verses describe the scene as Bono witnessed it, and it’s pretty easy to make out what’s what in those parts of the song. What’s less direct, more open to interpretation, is the bridge and chorus. That haunting cry of “I don’t believe anymore”, followed by “Raised by wolves, stronger than fear, raised by wolves, we were raised by wolves. Raised by wolves, stronger than fear. If I open my eyes, you disappear.”

I guess the first question is “what is it that Bono doesn’t believe in anymore?” I tend to think that he’s referring to the goodness that’s supposed to reside in the heart of humanity. Really, who could blame him? Witnessing such a tragedy, perpetrated willingly by fellow human beings against others of their kind, at the age of 14 (which was a rough year for Bono by any standard – he also lost his maternal grandfather and his mother during the same twelve months.) would be enough to destroy anyone’s belief in their fellow man. Somehow, though, he survived it. I don’t know if he ever got that part of his innocence back. It seems unlikely – innocence is nearly impossible to renew – but it does seem that there must be some part of Bono that believes people are worth saving. Otherwise, why devote so much money, time, and energy to helping complete strangers? Maybe it was the knowledge that Andy’s father placed himself in danger to try to aid those wounded in the bombing. They say that events like that showcase both the best and worst that humanity has to offer, and maybe the efforts of Mr. Rowen and others like him meant something to Bono.

Then there’s that chorus, and the phrase from which the song takes its name. “Raised by wolves.” I’m used to hearing that phrase used to describe the behavior who acts like a wild animal. Someone who acts like their parents abandoned them at birth and left them to be raised in the wild by animals, like they’ve just been introduced to civilization for the first time. I guess that could describe the kind of people who would plant car bombs in the first place, but it seems a little flippant. Not only that, but the immediate next line seems to be more about the survivors than the attackers. “Stronger than fear” Bono sings, and that makes me think a little differently about the preceding line. I think that when Bono sings “Raised by wolves” he’s talking about growing up in an environment where attacks like that take place. It would toughen you, wouldn’t it, much like growing up in the wild would. I think that Bono is once again reflecting on the effect that day had on him: stealing part of his innocence, yes, but toughening him, strengthening him, at the same time. It reminds me a bit of some of the thoughts on aging that are in “City of Blinding Lights” – especially the line “The more you know, the less you feel.” Bono learned that day that humanity is capable of horrible evil just as much as it capable of good. He gained that knowledge, and with it came a callous over his spirit. Callouses protect us, but they also limit how much we can feel.

Of course, “Raised by Wolves” has yet to be played live in front of an audience. I suppose it’s possible that it might never be played, but that great chorus, especially the ferocity with which Bono sings it – makes me think that the song was written to be played in front of, and sung along to by, a mass audience. I look for the song to make it’s debut early in the forthcoming tour, if not the very first night. As always, I’m interested in hearing the thoughts of others. I’d really enjoy reading about your thoughts and feelings on the song in the comments below.