This song is,according to an interview with Bono, about Michael Hutchence and his suicide. They were good friends and they talked about suicide and kind of promised each other not to kill themselves. Well, I can't explain all parts but I think this song is mainly about this subject. In the first verse Bono sings he is not afraid of anything and trying to find a decent melody, I think Bono means to say these things make life worth living for him. Then, I never thought you were a fool: this is to Hutchence or anybody who commit suicide. Bono says it's foolish to commit suicide, it's weak to do. Stand up straight, this tears go nowhere; be strong don't cry or fall into self-pity. Get yourself together, don't say later will be better, NOW you're stuck; in other words; don't dream of the future you need to help yourself now. In the 4th verse Bono sings that Hutchence's life was worth something; the colours that you bring and the nights he filled with fireworks are the concerts he did, but Hutchence didn't feel it was worth something cause the nights he filled with fireworks left him nothing. In the 5th verse (chorus) Bono again says Hutchence is a fool to worry like you do, because he worries about probably something not worth worrying about. Then he sings you can never get enough of what you don't need, I don't know for sure but I guess he means Hutchence is, in a way, addicted to his worries and that it's hard to get out of it. Then the 7th verse I was unconscious, I was half asleep etc... I'm sorry but I don't have a clue for this part. In the last verse Bono says If the day won't last, if your way should falter, this time will pass. He obviously means, don't worry, have some balls you'll get trough it and be happier the next day. This songs is, in my opinion, a statement of Bono about suicide he says why you shouldn't do it but it's mainly about Hutchence I think cause Bono said his suicide inspired him to write the song and according to some parts in the songs, the fireworks, it's obviously about Hutchence, a way for Bono to tell Hutchence what he thinks about his suicide.
Lex Vermazen lexvermazen
wanadoo.nl (19:th of June 2001)
In reference to the 7th verse, it's apparent in the first part of the verse that Bono is somewhat apologizing to Michael for not recognizing the seriousness of his pain I was unconscious, half asleep thinking all was well until it was too latethe water was warm until you discover how deep. The second part of the verse appears to be Bono's revelation on condemning his friend's actions by saying, once again, that he would not commit suicide because he (Bono) had to much to loose and nothing to gain from it I wasn't jumping for me it was a fall...it's a long way down to nothing at all
Brian Gleckler bglecklerwillinghamassociates.com (13:th of June 2002)
I think the line And I know it's tough, and you can never get enough of what you don't really need now refers to the desperation of the suicidal and depressed. They feel something is missing and try to fill this hole with things that are not the solution, that they don't need. Bono seems to be saying that if Hutchence continues to search for relief in things that don't really help (or make his situation worse), then these things cannot possibly heal the pain. When the song then moves on to the chorus again, it helps reinforce the message that Hutchence is going the wrong way about things and needs to GET HIMSELF TOGETHER and get unstuck from this moment.
F Breydon moutonshaunmicallef.com (1st of January 2005)
Bono told Rolling Stone that Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of was inspired by the mysterious death of INXS singer Michael Hutchence, and that the pair discussed suicide prior to his death and decided it was "pathetic". Speaking to Rolling Stone, Bono said that he and Hutchence, a close friend, had discussed suicide before he was found hanged in a Sydney hotel room in 1997: 'We discussed suicide a few times and we both agreed how pathetic it was.' He said they had 'kinda promised each other' neither would ever kill themselves. 'Stuck In A Moment... is an argument,' he said. 'It's a row between mates. You're kinda trying to wake them up out of an idea. In my case it's a row I didn't have while he was alive. I feel the biggest respect I could pay to him was not to write some stupid soppy fucking song, so I wrote a really tough, nasty little number... slapping him around the head. And I'm sorry, but that's how it came out of me.'
From Salvation in the Blues, compiled by Chris Taguchi christaguchi.ca (3rd of April 2007)