In 1987, the rock band U2 released an album titled The Joshua Tree. The opening track from this album is Where The Streets Have No Name.
Bono, the lead vocalist of U2, wrote the lyrics of WTSHNN. The guitarist, The Edge, wrote the music that is famous for the repeating guitar arpeggios (open chords).
Where the Streets Have No Name was highly praised by critics and became a commercial success. It peaked at number thirteen on the US charts. The song is considered one of the band’s most popular songs.
The Joshua Tree Tour debuted in April of 1987 and Where The Streets Have No Name was the immediate favorite for the fans. Because of its popularity the song has been played at nearly every full-length concert that U2 has headlined, totaling over 700 performances through 2010.
In the summer of 2004, Clay Aiken performed his Solo – Not-A-Tour for about 3 ½ months. Clay chose to open each concert with a spectacular performance of Where The Streets Have No Name…as he emerged from “the Mother Ship.”
The following video shows the opening of the concert. It’s been a long time, but it is really fun to watch!!
Did you see this concert live? How many times???
Definitely one of U2’s best songs ever and Clay totallly does it justice. Wish I could have seen NAT.
We so looked forward to this concert. As all of Clay's. The "Mother Ship". I only got to see this tour once, in Clio, Michigan. It was great. I'm not a fan of U2, but did love Clay singing WTSHNN. It's always fun going back and watching the videos from past concerts. Thank God for Clack!!!!! This will have to do until Clay is back.
This was my favorite entrance and my heart was pounding every time the music and lights began! I probably saw it 3 or 4 times and loved it!!!! Great memories!
Just one that tour. Minneapolis at the Minnesota State Fair… front row, Stubhub M&G! Whoa!!
I did not see the concert and was not familiar with the song "Where the Streets Have No Name". But ……. Clay could sure belt it out. Sounded like the audience really enjoyed it a lot. Now so did I.
Musicfan – loved your comment on one other board. It was exactly what I was thinking. Very well said!
This was the second live concert that I saw Clay perform. The first was with Kelly Clarkson and I was so high up in the “nose bleed” section of the arena, that Clay was just a speck on the stage. At this concert, I was much closer and actually got to see him. What a joy! Thanks for the memories.
Loved this opening to his concerts that year. My sis and I made it into a road trip from Texas to Kentucky and Tennessee that Summer. We had a blast!
Saw this concert one time–it was my first! Loved it so much that I have never missed another one since!!! What a crowd there was that night–they loved him. I was so excited about seeing him live for the first time that I hardly slept a wink the night before.
I saw this tour 3 times. I loved the openning and still remember the excitement of Clay emerging from the Mother Ship.