Lyrics Where the Streets Have No Name

Where the Streets Have No Name was inspired by stories Bono heard about Belfast, Northern Ireland, where people could tell someones religion and socioeconomic status based on the street they lived on. The idea of a place without these divisions fascinated Bono. The recording of the song was technically challenging and took a long time to complete, but it ultimately became one of U2s most iconic songs.

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, I, I, I want to feel,
sunlight on my face
I see the dust cloud disappear
without a trace
I want to take shelter
from the poison rain

Where the streets have no name, oh ah
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 a desert plain
Where the streets have no name, oh ah

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
Ah 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