U2’s Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me is more than just a forgotten ‘90s anthem—it’s a dark and prophetic take on fame, excess, and rock stardom. Released at the height of U2’s most theatrical era, the song saw Bono channeling his alter ego MacPhisto, a devilish rockstar inspired by Elvis and Jim Morrison, warning of the dangers of celebrity culture.
In this episode of The Last Mixed Tape, we break down how Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me fits into U2’s meta-narrative, its connection to Batman Forever, and why its themes of fame as a Faustian bargain are even more relevant today.
00:00 Intro
00:25 Andy Warhol
01:25 Embracing Alter Egos
04:12 Batman meets MacPhisto
04:35 Roles in modern art
11:42 Fame
12:55 The Count’s Irish Playlist
20:25 Outro
