(From the Indiana years)

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 

I see the dust cloud disappear 

Without a trace 

I want to take shelter from the poison rain 

Where the streets have no name 

We’re still building 

Then burning down love 

The city’s aflood 

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 

And when I go there 

I go there with You 

It’s all I can do 

On the two U2 concerts released on film to the public over the past three years, Bono juxtaposes Streets with Bad/40 and All I Want Is You (different concerts).   These songs deal respectively with addiction/imprisonment, crying out to God for salvation, and the true nature of love. 

There is a sense of yearning after the lines “How long to sing this song?” and “All I want is you, all I need is you.” 

And as the solemn and even worshipful opening notes of Streets begin, one can anticipate the familiar sequence of the Edge’s repeating guitar riff breaking in and ultimately building up to joyful celebration.  My heart is always encouraged and renewed in hope after watching these sequences as I see glimpses of the eternal in the song.  A reminder of what our hope is in and what we live for,