23 January Is For Videos: U2 – Where The Streets Have No Name

In 1987, Irish rock band U2 released their fifth (and arguably their best) studio album, “The Joshua Tree.” The opening track, “Where The Streets Have No Name,” was the album’s third single and became an international hit, in part because the lyrics transcended beyond the streets of Belfast. During my trips to Ireland, I’ve had the opportunity to see those streets that produced U2, a band that after 30 years is still one the biggest in the world. I’ve heard stories of the fighting, division, and troubles that the people there have endured, and are still enduring today. Though as an American I may never fully grasp the culture from which U2 came, I’m beginning to see a history familiar to all cultures that frames the big picture of their music and mission. While some see lead singer/activist Bono ( born Paul Hewson) as an egotistcal rock star, I can sympathize with his desire to use his position and influence to change the world for the better. Unfortunately, attempting to change the political and social systems that men have set in motion often calls for drastic measures. You gotta shake things up to make people rethink how life is lived. Usually men will resort to guns, bombs, and violence as their tools of change. U2 were born of that environment and yet have bucked that trend and chosen music as their weapon of choice to accomplish the change they believe is necessary. In March of 1987, U2 set up their gear on top of the Republic Liquor Store in Los Angeles to film a music video for the song “Where The Streets Have No Name”. It could be debated whether the video was shot as a publicity stunt, or to call attention to U2′s greater cause of transcending the situations in which we find ourselves to be. Truth be told, it’s probably a bit of both and either way, it is exciting to see such a crazy idea implemented and interesting to observe how all the players involved respond to an extraordinary event. This music video documents what happens when the routine of a city is shaken up. The heart of the debate concerns whether the city’s traffic flow or a free concert should have priority and whether it is the people or the police that should determine that answer. Some might see this as a test of government sovereignty and its right to maintain peace and order, while others will see it as citizens’ right to free assembly and the importance of the human spirit. How do you see it? With all things considered, how should it be? Why?