Thursday, December 07, 2006

U2's Streets..over the years

I so often use these clips of U2's "Where The Streets Have No Name," that I decided to put 'em all in one convenient place...for my sake, and for those who've asked. It is many folk's vote for most chilling God-song. It flexes a bit each tour, but as the boys have said it is the one song that always "achieves liftoff" or "allows God to walk through the room."

Some of the versions available:


Shooting the video in downtown L.A. Typical madness on top of a liquor store, where the streets have names (7th and Main):


From Rattle n Hum movie:


Mexico City, 1997..starts with Bono on his knees in prayer...will he make his cue?:



Last night of POP Tour, 1997, Johannesburg:




New Years , Midnight, 1989/90:




Boston, 2001, braodcast live as halftime of NBA Playoffs! ..starts with a congregant's hand raised in worship, followed by Bono praying from Psalm 116: "What can I give back to God for the blessings that he has poured out on me? I'll lift high the cup of salvation. A toast to God.. I pray in the name of God, I'll complete what I promised God I'll do. And I'll do it together with his people." Bono completely lost in worship at 4:22 as he (as my son says) "starts flying":



Slane Csste, 2001: Wow.
Many have asked to see this clip below; having heard me teach on it. The set up:

How about this amazing live version of U2 doing "Where The Streets Have No Name" only days after Bono's father died ("It was his send-off")...so you have the

incredibly emotional prayer/death wail/tongues leading into outright worship-in/midst-of grief including an old-fashioned "glory run"...and that all in the first minute and half before the song "starts"! (read about this phenomenon in the aricle and comments here)....Then at the close of the song, "like the heavens have opened..Bono appears to be actually experiencing the beatific vision at stage right" (Beth Maynard,p.120, "Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog")...."Note how the band behaves at curtain call moment at the end (p. 180)." What is drummer Larry looking at, Who is Bono applauding? Why can't guitarrist The Edge keep his eyes open? (from 5:01 till the end).Watch the clip already:

..>
(of course, U2 are no strangers to a theology of "death and Jesus"...click THIS for my teaching on all that)




Super Bowl, 2002 Halftime...What can be said? On the heels of 911, Pastor Bono is allowed to speak/prophesy over America...it's way better than that other famous Super Bowl halftime musical guest...no wardrobe malfunction, but a different Psalm prayed (twice) than usual: Psalm 51:5: "Oh Lord, open Thou my lips, that my mouth may show forth Thy praise." :

Chicago, 2005,,,starts w/spiritual warfare for Africa...connecting the principalities with US African connections:

Brazil, 2006: localizes the prayer to Latin American nations:

3 comments:

  1. Thank you very much for sharing these with us... brought a much-needed smile to my face.

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  2. I'm a BIG HUGE MASSIVE fan of U2.. they're perfect. Bono's voice is heavenly . Larry is amazing drummer. Adam bass is magnificent and my very favorite,the edge how God created guitar only for his fingers ..
    If you don't mind I would like to know what's your favorite song .
    I Love all of there songs but the one who makes my heart cry is with or without you.

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  3. probably impossible to pick a favorite song, but i might just agree with your pick!

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Hey, thanks for engaging the conversation!