Where the Streets Have No Name
U2 Lyrics


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I want to run, I want to hide
I wanna tear down the walls that hold me inside
I wanna reach out and touch the flame
Where the streets have no name, ha, ha, ha

I wanna feel sunlight on my face
I see that dust cloud disappear without a trace
I wanna take shelter from the poison rain
Where the streets have no name, oh, oh

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 city's 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 the desert plain, yeah
Where the streets have no name, oh, oh

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, and I see love
See our love turn to rust
Oh, we're beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, when I go there




I go there with you
It's all I can do

Overall Meaning

U2โ€™s โ€œWhere The Streets Have No Nameโ€ is a song about the hunger for freedom - freedom from the constraints of societal structures, the sanctity of oneโ€™s own mind, and the unquenchable desire for love. The song begins with the singer yearning for a simple existence, where he can express himself freely without fear or restraint. The walls that surround him represent those barriers that prevent him from living a meaningful existence. He wants to reach out and โ€œtouch the flameโ€ - an allusion to taking risks that can either be exhilarating or catastrophic. The line โ€œWhere the streets have no nameโ€ represents the idea of an egalitarian society - a place where oneโ€™s social status doesnโ€™t dictate the opportunities they have. The line โ€œWeโ€™re still building, then burning down loveโ€ implies the continuous cycle of building and breaking down connections. The final line of the chorus announces that the singer is not alone - he is going on this journey of self-discovery with someone he loves dearly.


The second verse further exemplifies the freedom that the singer desires. He wants to bask in the warm sunlight freely without fear of being judged by societal norms. He wants to take shelter from the โ€œpoison rainโ€ - the negativity that engulfs him in his daily life. The lines โ€œour love turns to rust,โ€ โ€œweโ€™re beaten and blown by the windโ€ symbolizes the struggle to fight for love when the world is against it. The final verse speaks of a place of refuge - โ€œhigh on the desert plainโ€ - which represents a place of reinvention and self-discovery. The singer still holds on to the hope that he can claw his way out of the desolation that surrounds him with someone he loves.


Line by Line Meaning

I want to run, I want to hide
I want to escape from my current situation and find a place to feel safe.


I wanna tear down the walls that hold me inside
I wish to break free from the constraints and barriers imposed on me by society and explore the unknown.


I wanna reach out and touch the flame
I am willing to take risks and experience uncharted territory, even if it may be dangerous.


Where the streets have no name, ha, ha, ha
A sense of liberation can be found in places where societal labels and restrictions do not exist.


I wanna feel sunlight on my face
I yearn for a life filled with positivity and hope, symbolized by the warmth of the sun.


I see that dust cloud disappear without a trace
I am hopeful that any negativity or obstacles I face will be temporary and soon vanish.


I wanna take shelter from the poison rain
I want to escape from the harmful influences of society and find a place of safety and purity.


Where the streets have no name, oh, oh
The anonymity of a place where there are no restrictions is what beckons and excites me.


We're still building then burning down love
Love is complicated and often ends in heartbreak, but we continue to pursue it despite the risks.


Burning down love
The intensity of love can either kindle a bright fire or quickly destroy it.


And when I go there, I go there with you
I am willing to take on risks and challenges as long as I have someone to share the experience with.


It's all I can do
Exploring new territory and experiencing the unknown is all that matters to me.


The city's a flood
The city is overwhelming and unpredictable, much like a flood.


And our love turns to rust
Love can become feeble and deteriorate over time, just like rust.


We're beaten and blown by the wind
We are vulnerable to the unexpected and uncontrolled forces of the world.


Trampled in dust
We can easily be forgotten and left in despair in the midst of chaos.


I'll show you a place
I want to share with you an escape from the complications and troubles of life.


High on the desert plain, yeah
A secluded and vast location away from society brings a sense of freedom and purity.


Where the streets have no name, oh, oh
I am drawn to places with no societal restrictions or labels, where I am free to be myself.


And I see love
Despite the risks and challenges of love, it is still a beacon of hope and positivity in life.


See our love turn to rust
Even though our love may be deteriorating, it is still a valuable experience and journey.


Oh, we're beaten and blown by the wind
We may face hardships and challenges, but we persevere and continue on our journey.


Blown by the wind
We are affected by the external forces around us, both positive and negative.


Oh, when I go there
When exploring new territory and facing new challenges...


I go there with you
...I want to share the experience with you, because we are stronger together.


It's all I can do
Exploring new territory and experiencing the unknown with you is all that matters to me.




Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul Hewson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@mwj5368

@@ricovali1897 In 1991 I was a personal care attendant or "PCA" for a guy who was quadriplegic. He needed an emergency phone. Under his wheel chair was a brief case that had the phone.

In 1991 there weren't cell phones that I ever saw, or if so rarely and it had a kind of stigma to own one making one look exceptional, like some wealthy upwardly mobile exec with executive privileges etc.

It for sure is a difference now as compared to then. The epitome of it was when I walked past a popular planetarium in St. Paul, MN on a beautiful summer evening. About 15 or twenty people were waiting at the front entrance, sitting on the steps or on the grass waiting for a shuttle bus. All was silent as virtually all were staring at the smartphone screens, even young couples on a date.

I have a smartphone but I use it mainly like a cell phone. I also saw a husband and wife commuting in their car. Both were concentrating on the separate conversations they were having on their smart phones. Like I've heard some say that in the is information age smart phones are like an extension of ourselves as you notice how everyone has one.

I wonder now as the Artificial Intelligence Age is upon us too and the exponential growth of that and what the future holds. I think AI should develop with as little regulation as possible as we don't know the pros it can contain, pros in unknown ways that could improve science and the quality of life. Deal with the negatives as they arise, see AI through to its fullest potential as possible. The other problem is now the military has recently developed an atomic bomb 24 times more powerful than Hiroshima and Nagasaki and is probably implementing AI or has done so long before the public knows.



@garylagstrom3864

MY LETTER TO U2-1987

I saw you guys on the Joshua Tree tour in 1987 at MTSU-Middle Tennessee State University Saturday November 28th 1987. The Bodeans opened up for you. I remember at the time Larry had a crush on Wynonna Judd and she came out and sang a duo with Bono!

I didn't have tickets to the show. A friend of mine drove us 3 hours from East Tennessee to see the show. We bought tickets at the box office for $18.50. We ended up 8th row center stage!

I remember back then the band held back tickets for fans who were willing to make the drive and couldn't get tickets via phone or record store locations.

Thanks again to Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr for making a special album and tour! I was 18 and had just graduated High School that year!

All the Best!
Gary Lagstrom



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@ROJSON

i love the U2

@dragonsky1432

+ROJOV13 rojo ty tutaj ? ;D

@MrSweetheartforever

+.#Dargo# you are welcome

@hardware199

+ROJOV13 Are you Leon: The Professional?

@russnitchals8914

Cheryle Neville

@russnitchals8914

Cheryle Nevilbyle

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@lancecollins9278

Joshua Tree - greatest album ever.

@VincenzoInfi

Truly is one of the greatest songs ever written. The intro is the sunrise to the greatest day of your life. And the outro is the sunset.

@kayannjanet

Yes! Perfectly said

@josepmariamarin4912

Great comment ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

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