The document summarizes the music video for U2's song "Where The Streets Have No Name". It describes how the video was filmed without authorization on the roof of a liquor store in LA and attracted a large crowd. During the shoot, U2 performed an eight song set before being shut down by authorities. The video captures the raw, unstaged events as they unfolded. It goes on to analyze camera shots and angles used in the video that highlight the band and fan interaction. The video was well received and won a Grammy for best music video.

1. ‘Where The Streets Have No
Name’
By
U2

2. ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’ by U2 is an
iconic video from the 1980’s.
The reasoning behind my choice of video is
because of the unique way in which it was
filmed. The unauthorised filming of the video
took place on the roof of a liquor store in L.A.
and as well as attracting a large crowd, there was
also a big media and police presence. During the
shoot U2 performed an eight song set before
being shut down by the authorities due to safety
concerns. ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’
was the last song they performed to the
thousands that had gathered. The video captures
all of the events that took place as they unfolded
- none of which was staged.

3. The video is over 7minutes long and its not until 2 minutes in that the song actually begins.
There are many over-the-shoulder shots which show the band’s view as they look down on the
thousands of fans that have gathered in the street. Not only does this let the audience see the crowd
from the bands perspective but it also makes the band appear somewhat like royalty as the fans gather
around them and in a sense ‘bow down’ to them. As well as over-the-shoulder shots showing the
fan/band dynamic there are long shots and establishing shots.
There are also lots of close-ups of each of the band members which display the importance each person
brings to the band. The band member given slightly more individual camera time is Bono which further
exaggerates the fact he is the front man of the band.
The majority of the camera angles used are close-ups which focus on the fans. This done during the
song to show the importance of the persona of the band to the fans and that the lyrics interact with the
fans as shown by emotions of their faces.

4. Rock bands are stereotyped as
being rebellious and so the video
for ‘Where The Streets Have No
Name’ fits in with U2’s rock genre
as it was an unauthorised
production showing rebellion
towards the police. The clothing
in this video fits the grunge
stereotype which is also closely
linked with rock videos.
The video for ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’ was received
incredibly well by the public. It won the Grammy Award for Best
Performance Music Video at the 31st Grammy Awards in 1989. It is an
iconic video of the late 80’s.

5. The video for ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’
connects with other videos from U2 predominantly
through the use of clothing in the video. In
particular, music videos of songs released from The
Joshua Tree i.e. ‘With Or Without You’, ‘I Still
Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’ and ‘Where
The Streets Have No Name’ have the band in a
similar dress code. Front man Bono is seen
throughout the videos with long hair either loose
or tied back, and in dark jeans and a shirt. The Edge
is often seen in U2 videos wearing a hat with his
hair in a plait down the back.
A lot of U2 videos feature clips of the band actually
performing the song either to a crowd or just in
front of the camera, ‘Where The Streets Have No
Name’ is no exception to this as U2 are seen
performing the song to thousands of fans in the
street.

6. The Joshua Tree tour t-shirt fits the music video
because the image on front is of the band in similar
clothing as to what they wear in the video. They’re also
stood in the same hierarchy as they are in the video
with Bono at the front and the drummer at the back.
This is also prevalent in other forms of merchandise.
A lot of the elements that
make up U2’s band
identity lack in colour
which is similar to the The lyrics from ‘Where The Streets
music video as it doesn’t Have No Name’ link with the
contain lots of bright official U2 Joshua Tree poster by
colours. the following lyrics “I want to feel
sunlight on my face,
I see the dust cloud disappear ”.

7. “The city’s a flood” - In the video, the downtown street of L.A. is flooded
with U2 fans.
“Where The Streets Have No Name” - The song is actually about Ireland.
In Ireland (and Northern Ireland), the many cities are divided: rich/poor,
Catholic/Protestant, etc. By knowing which street a person lives on you
can tell their religion, wealth and beliefs - it's where the streets have no
name. The video is more or less the opposite to what the lyrics say as
people from all walks of life gather in the street to watch the
performance - the video creates unity.
“We're still building” - These lyrics could connote the relationship being
built between the fans and the band which is further emphasised in the
video as all of the fans come together to watch this free impromptu
concert.