TheUglylucy4's video: Even Better Than the Real Thing

"Even Better Than the Real Thing" was written by U2 members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullin Jr and is the second track off of the band's sensational 1991 release...Achtung Baby. The LP name, which interprets as attention baby, is a parallel to what Berlin (where it was recorded) was experiencing at that time. A transition from Communism. U2 were experiencing a transition themselves. Thus the reason they recorded the album there and named the album after this experience. Achtung must of been heard all around the city from armed guards. U2 took that influence and added baby to the end to make it more cool and refer to the Western influence East Berlin was now experiencing. "Even Better Than the Real Thing", initially entitled "The Real Thing", is a song reflective of the times the band was living in. A time when people were no longer looking for the truth, but rather for instant gratification. I think you can look at this song as a statement about the over-sexualization of our society. With things like plastic surgery and pornography becoming so mainstream in the media, we are constantly led to believe that it should be, "even better than the real thing". With lines like "Give me one more chance, And you'll be satisfied, Give me two more chances, You won't be denied" and "Give me one last chance, And I'm gonna make you sing, Give me half a chance, To ride on the waves that you bring" it's pretty clear the ballad is a sex song. A song in line with virtual reality. How consuming to say a woman is so hot that she's even better than real love. It seems to me almost a satirical reply to "ain't nothin' like the real thing baby". What you'd call "tongue in cheek". I don't think he's that serious, he's just kind flicking off love just for fun. In other words, the message carried is about immediate sex and not long term love making. Which brings us back to the title interpretation. A title indicative of immediate gratification. The only way something could possibly be "even better than the real thing".