U2 is arguably the best Rock Band Ever, and almost certainly the most successful rock band from the 80’s to today. Their catalog of songs for the past 20+ years stacks high and plays second to no one during this era (seriously, try to think of someone).
Of their incredible list of songs, Where the Streets Have No Name is one of their best. I’ve read different interpretations for what the song’s lyrics mean. Some suggest the mysterious place described is heaven. Others have said Bono’s lyrics smack of reminiscing about his homeland, Ireland.
The meaning of the song is not crystal clear, and it’s obvious its meaning is open for interpretation. When I saw the U23D movie recently, this song took on a new and different meaning for me. Something I had not read or considered before. The song was not about somewhere I’d been, but it was about somewhere I’m going. The words (and music) got me excited. Excited about running into an adventure. Excited about breaking down any walls that may be holding me back. Excited about chasing down my unwritten future .
But that’s me. What’s your interpretation? What have you heard that it means? Can you think of another band with U2’s success for the past 25 years? Go ahead… I dare ya!
Great thought! I love your insight… Rereading the lyrics I can easily see how Bono’s longing is to walking out of the past of a relationship that has experienced its fair share of pain into the future filled with the promise and possibility of redemption.
Man, this song takes me to another place. The meaning of this song, for me, changes, depending on my current outlook on my life, my future, & the world. Right now, I think of this song as a glimpse of what COULD or SHOULD be – a world filled with brotherly love and compassion. Basically, a world where we take what Jesus said seriously, and live it out. Nice post!
Could be that when Bono was a young lad he unfortunately lived next door to an aggressive family called the ’streets’. Bono would forever tell the youngest boy Sesame that one day he would become a rock star while the street family would still be living in Dublin eating potatoes and working in the local cake factory.
The streets understandably not exactly bouyed by the success of U2 became embarassed and bitter towards Bonos true prediction. They tried to change their name by deed poll and just become known figuratively (as the artist formerly known as Prince had done) by a series of flamboyant chinese type symbols.
However Bono heard of the plan, and wrote the song ‘where the streets have no name’ to mock his past neigbors fovever.
Christian or no Christian, you don’t mess with Bono.
i know a band that kicked U2’s collective booties during the 80s, and continues to do so: A-Ha! man, this was a group with a rich song book; if american idol is looking for another theme night, they should totally look at A-ha. phil, if you remember, “take on me” was the song that they are best known for, but then there was also the club remix of of “take on me”, and then there was the foreign language remix of “taken on me” and that’s not even mentioning the radio single which was a whole 15 seconds shorter than the original single. wow, so much great music, so much to say about life. so take that bono–you can’t “take on me” without first getting past A-ha.
Chris and Lance, thanks for stopping by and dropping your comments and personal insight.
Dave, once again, you’ve proven that no one can keep up with that brain of yours. A bit scary I might add!
And Micah… wow! Thanks for that ‘a-ha’ moment! If we’re going there, I think Kajagoogoo with their amazing, cross-over, international hit ‘Too Shy’ should be mentioned as well! I’d love to see the American Idol group performance/dance routine/ford commercial to this amazing song! It’d blow McCartney/Lennon night away!
First of all, whenever a great band is mentioned… how quickly we are to overlook the fashionable and ever so talented Culter Club. Hey, remember that video? I think it was filmed on the same riverboat in Chattanooga as the Chi cruise… seriously.
About the life-giving lyrics of my dearest Bono… I just rewatched that video from YouTube and I have to be honest when I say, I don’t think I have EVER listened to the lyrics of that song all the way through. Ever stinkin’ time I make it about half-way through and start daydreaming about a thought of somewhere else that has been triggered by my brother’s Bono & Edge. Anyway, hands down, no one can touch these guys… they are terrific. LATER.