U2's 'Where The Streets Have No Name' Song Lyrics

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U2 Songs: Meanings + Themes + Lyrics

The complete Bono + U2 song lyrics list and interpretation of their meaning. We're better than those Reddit takes!

"Where The Streets Have No Name" song lyrics by U2 Sunday, August 9, 2009

In U2's “Where the Streets Have No Name,” Bono weaves a tapestry of longing and liberation, capturing the essence of a world stripped of its superficial divisions.

The lyrics evoke a stark contrast between the crowded, defined spaces of urban life and a yearning for a utopia where names and labels dissolve. This imagined place, devoid of the geographical and societal constraints that often shape our identities, becomes a powerful metaphor for freedom.

Bono's poignant imagery invites listeners to reflect on the arbitrary nature of borders and the way they compartmentalize humanity, suggesting that true connection transcends these limitations.

The song's driving narrative unfolds in a landscape both intimate and expansive, with references to dislocation and the desire to escape the constraints of a fragmented society. Phrases like “the streets have no name” resonate as a declaration of hope, envisioning a space where individual identities merge into a collective human experience. Here, the emphasis lies not just on physical locations but on the emotional landscapes that bind us. Bono's exploration of themes such as spirituality, belonging, and the quest for meaning transforms the lyrics into a profound meditation on the human condition, prompting us to envision a world where connection reigns supreme, unencumbered by the labels that too often divide us.

"Where The Streets Have No Name" song lyrics by U2

I want to run, I want to hide I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside I want to reach out and touch the flame Where the streets have no name I want to feel sunlight on my face See the dust cloud disappear without a trace I want to take shelter from the poison rain Where the streets have no name Where the streets have no name Where the streets have no name We're still building, then burning down love Burning down love And when I go there I go there with you It's all I can do The cities a flood and our love turns to rust We're beaten and blown by the wind, trampled in dust I'll show you a place high on a desert plain Where the streets have no name Where the streets have no name Where the streets have no name We're still building, then burning down love Burning down love And when I go there I go there with you It's all I can do Our love turns to rust We're beaten and blown by the wind Blown by the wind Oh, see our love, see our love turn to rust And we're beaten and blown by the wind Blown by the wind When I got there, I go there with you It's all I can do

What was the inspiration of the song, how did Bono's work in Africa spark a fire?

The inspiration for "Where the Streets Have No Name" was profoundly influenced by Bono’s experiences and activism in Africa, particularly during the mid-1980s. His encounters with the harsh realities of poverty, displacement, and social injustice ignited a deep sense of urgency and purpose within him. Bono witnessed firsthand the stark contrasts between wealth and deprivation, especially in regions where colonial histories had left indelible scars.

This exposure spurred his desire to challenge the societal structures that perpetuated inequality. The imagery in the song reflects Bono’s yearning for a world where such divisions cease to exist, capturing the hope that true connection and understanding can emerge in places that transcend the physical and social barriers that often define human experience. His work with organizations like DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) further solidified this mission, transforming his lyrical expressions into a powerful call for social change and spiritual awakening.

Closer to home, Bono's Irish roots served as an influence on the lyrics. He was inspired by a story he heard about Belfast, Northern Ireland, where a person's religion and income were evident by the street on which they lived. He contrasted this with the anonymity he felt when visiting Ethiopia, expressing that "the guy in the song recognizes this contrast and thinks about a world where there aren't such divisions, a place where the streets have no name," reflecting his belief that a great rock 'n' roll concert should be a space for unity and connection.

How did Where the Streets Have No Name chart on release?

Upon its release as the third single from U2's iconic album The Joshua Tree in March 1987, "Where the Streets Have No Name" achieved significant commercial success and critical acclaim. The song peaked at lucky number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, marking it as one of the band’s most recognizable hits. It also reached impressive positions internationally, climbing to number 4 in the United Kingdom and charting within the top 10 in several other countries, including Canada and New Zealand.

The song's impactful themes and anthemic sound helped it resonate widely with audiences, solidifying U2's status as a leading force in rock music during the late 1980s.

U2 achieved two number one hits on the USA Billboard Hot 100 from The Joshua Tree album with "With or Without You" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".

Check out Ordinary Love, a song by U2 that was inspired by Nelson Mandela. 1 comment the joshua tree lyrics U2, U2 lyrics, U2 single, where the streets have no name lyrics Home

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August 11, 2009 at 3:10 AM

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