Contrary to what some believe, "Where the Streets Have No Name" was not always the iconclastic song it has since later become. During the Joshua Tree album and tour era, it was a solid song, usually opening the live show, sometimes the encore. It received a warm if unspecatcular welcome at that time. It was also the third single off the album, with that sometimes cool, sometimes hokey imitation Beatles video. Other songs were much more revered. It was not an "instant classic" along the lines of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" or "Pride".
In my opinion, that particular song did not achieve its current status until the ZooTV tour. For some reason, people really went nuts for that song on that tour. I have always felt that it had more to do with what the song represented rather than the song in and of itself. During that tour, it was generally greeted with such enthusiasm you would've thought it was their most famous or recognizable song. I think it just brought people back to the days when they had just purchased their copy of "The Joshua Tree" and put in on the stereo for the first time. The reaction was more one of appreciation for the album as a whole, rather than just for that one song.
Since that time, it has almost come to be the be-all and end-all for some people at a U2 concert. I suppose the Super Bowl tribute only increased its stature. I write this post not discredit a very good song, only to put it in a little perspective for those who are interested in a different take.
In my opinion, that particular song did not achieve its current status until the ZooTV tour. For some reason, people really went nuts for that song on that tour. I have always felt that it had more to do with what the song represented rather than the song in and of itself. During that tour, it was generally greeted with such enthusiasm you would've thought it was their most famous or recognizable song. I think it just brought people back to the days when they had just purchased their copy of "The Joshua Tree" and put in on the stereo for the first time. The reaction was more one of appreciation for the album as a whole, rather than just for that one song.
Since that time, it has almost come to be the be-all and end-all for some people at a U2 concert. I suppose the Super Bowl tribute only increased its stature. I write this post not discredit a very good song, only to put it in a little perspective for those who are interested in a different take.
I remember seeing R&H in a packed cinema. The atmosphere was amazing when Streets started, everyone started cheering, (they'd been quite subdued up to that point) and it was the high point of the film, the imagery was amazing on a big screen.
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