so far away so close

[CHOMAT]

There is song by U2 called So far away so close. Last time I listened to it it was ten years ago. Today I could at least listen to it again. Does anyone know about the meaning of this song?. references are numerous and cultural differences hinder my full conprehension of it.
Anyhow when listening to this song, I can't help thinking of the girl I'm love with
Alain

[bianca]

Alain,

love bridges all distances, all boundaries, imaginary, geographical, real and fictional. No matter how far away you are from her, and she is from you, love will keep you close to one another. Some people say "out of sight, out of mind" - maybe, but that does not apply to love. The human mind is fantastic, it is a sanctuary where one can blissfully bridge that gap, and meet with the loved ones, regardless of time dimension or even space.

bianca

[CHOMAT]

Bianca, thank you for your nice explanation. Thank you again
Alain

[bianca]

you don't need to thank me.

bianca

[CHOMAT]

Then I will atone

[BobK]

I don't know the song, but there may also be a reference to the idiom 'so near and yet so far' - which means that a missed opportunity or target is still a failure, however close it was. This idea was used in an older song (late '50s/early '60s) called Halfway to Paradise:

You left me halfway to Paradise -
So near, yet so far away

b

[CHOMAT]

Thank you Bob,
This song is extracted from Zooropa.. U2 is inflenced by that late 50's trend mostly American musicians. So your intertextual explanation is quite relevant . DO you know who wrote Hway to P ?
Alain

[BobK]

Thank you Bob,
This song is extracted from Zooropa.. U2 is inflenced by that late 50's trend mostly American musicians. So your intertextual explanation is quite relevant . DO you know who wrote Hway to P ?
Alain

No, sorry. It was sung by an English singer trying to sound American - Johnny Leyton, Adam Faith, Eden Kane... someone like that.

b

PS Just because I first heard it sung by an English singer, it doesn't have to have originated here of course.