Lady with the Spinning Head - U2 B - Side

The Lady With the Spinning Head

Who knew that U2's Lady with the Spinning Head B side on 'Even Better than the Real Thing' was an homage to the movie The Exorcist? Its been bugging me for ages what the song was about. Was it drinking? Was it gambling?

The answer struck me on the bus on the way to work.... given Bono's struggle with religious concern and the catholic church, its no surprise he addesses the matter of possession by demons via an exploration of the themes found in The Exorcist...check out my reasoning as we explore the song's lyrics...

Lady with the Spinning Head. (This is Regan, the possesed child featured in the Exorcist)

Here she comes (refers to the masturbation with a crucifix scene)
Lady luck again (ironic intent, its unlucky to be possessed)
Figure of eight (Though jailbait, Reagan is a lovely figure, an 8 at least)
Six and nine again (refers to sexual innuendo between the priests and Reagan and also the 69 times Regan threw up on the priests)

My lady with the spinning head (refers to classic head spinning scene in bedroom)

Whatever the deal (Priest offers the demon a deal to take him instead of Reagan)
She won't let me down (the demon takes that deal)
Wherever I go
She's always hanging 'round (refers to suicides throughout movie, and the final 'I'll just jump out the window' scene)

My lady with the spinning head
La la la la la la la la la la la
Lady with the spinning head
La la la la la la la la la la la
Lady with the spinning head (again refers to the head spinning scene)

She's been gone
But I knew she'd be back (refers to the shitty sequel)
She's got the rent (nice apartment in the shitty sequel eh?)
She put me in the black

The lady with the spinning head (yada yada…)

Took my mind (having the devil possess you does cause a leave of one's senses)
Took away my car
Do you dare to ask
What I'm talking about (the church covers up quite a lot of demonlogy issues so this is Bono challenge the Church to come clean)

I'm on top
When she's around (again refers to the sexual tension between priests and Regan)
She's my ticket
Out of town (nowadays they take you out of town to the funy farm if you are possessed.)

La la la la la la la la la la la
Lady with the spinning head
La la la la la la la la la la la
Lady with the spinning head (yada yada…)

Not sold? Ok check out some of my thoughts on some of U2's under rated songs, Who Bono really is or why not visit my site on Songs of Ascent.