Music Friday: ‘Diamonds on a Ring of Gold’ Is a Key Refrain in U2’s Great Love Song, ‘All I Want Is You’

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you the finest tunes with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today’s musical gem is U2’s hauntingly beautiful love song, “All I Want Is You.”



Jewelry and gemstone references are repeated throughout the song. The memorable first line, in fact, goes like this: “You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold. You say you want your story to remain untold.”

Dedicated to his wife, Ali, Bono’s poetic lyrics speak of true love. Despite all the material things that can bring joy to a relationship and the challenges that can bring it down, what marriage is all about is turning to one another and saying, “All I Want Is You.”

Released in 1989 as the fourth single from U2’s Rattle and Hum album, “All I Want Is You” peaked at #83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Despite its modest success, the song was back on the charts in 1994 when it was re-released after being featured on the soundtrack of the film, Reality Bites. This time, it climbed to #38 on the Top 40 Mainstream chart.

“All I Want Is You” has become a popular wedding tune. In fact, Bono toasted newlyweds Luciano Pavarotti and Nicoletta Mantovani with this song during their wedding celebration in 2003.

Dedicated to human rights and philanthropic causes, the Dublin-based U2 features Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr.  The group has won more Grammy awards than any other band (22) and has sold more than 150 million albums worldwide.

Please see the video of U2’s live performance of “All I Want Is You.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along:

“All I Want Is You”
Written Bono. Music by U2. Performed by U2.

You say you want
Diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want
Your story to remain untold

But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you'll give me
A highway with no one on it
Treasure just to look upon it
All the riches in the night

You say you'll give me
Eyes in a moon of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbor in the tempest

But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you want
Your love to work out right
To last with me through the night

You say you want
Diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold

All the promises we break
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You... all I want is...
You... all I want is...
You... all I want is...
You...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VSCJ1qdfcpw