[the joshua tree]
"The Joshua Tree" extends the themes explored on the previous album,
but on a darker level. Furthermore, "The Joshua Tree" also makes many
political statements in society.
Where The Streets Have No Name
"Where The Streets Have No Name" describes Bono's trip to Ethiopia with his wife Alison Stewart and the sights he encounter while helping relief workers. In "Where The Streets Have No Name", Bono states that the people living in Ethiopia were rich in spirit. He then contrasts this with the people living in the cities - who seems rich in material wealth only. At the end of the song, he comes to the realisation that although these spirited people gradually perish in the desert he can not do much to
help, he can only merely show us what the situation is - "I'll take you to a place, High on a desert plain,....It's all I can do, Our love turns to rust...".
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", examines a person's journey in life and how this person has not really suceeded in finding what they want in life. The writer has lived in all aspects of life such as living in the high end and low ends of life, seen angels and suffered hardships brought upon by life itself. But at the end the person still hasn't found all the answers in their life.
With Or Without You
"With Or Without You" describes the hardships in being in a relationship. The song looked at a person who was torn apart between having no relationship and being in a violent and incompatible relationship. The song opens up with the person waiting on a bed of nail for their lover to come. However, the person soon realises that the relationship gives both of them more trouble than before.
Bullet The Blue Sky
"Bullet The Blue Sky" examines the civil war that erupted in El Salvador. In the song, the American Government was revealed to have armed the Contra-rebels so that the current socialist Sandinista government would surrender. When Reagan became president, he ceased giving economic assistance
to the Sandinistas ( previously provided by Jimmy Carter ) and started giving military assistance to the rebels. Eventually the rebels took over the Sandinista Government. However, the Sandinistas were soon revoted back to run the country after the introduction of democracy. Then, in a surprising twist, the American government gave the Sandinistas military aid to fight against the rebels realising their unpopularity with the people. This event where Contra Rebels were given U.S. funds through the back door was known as "The Irangate Scandal". At the same time, Bono also mocks the Reagan administration for their actions.
Running To Stand Still
"Running To Stand Still" examines the cruel life many experience in the Irish town of Ballymum in the city of Dublin. It describes a relationship stretched to its limits due to economic recession, discrimination and drug abuse in Ballymum. The people in the relationship attempt to seek a way out of the city. However, although they see "seven towers", the seven tallest buildings across the city skyline, there's "only one way out", in this case drug addiction. "Running To Stand Still" was motivated by U2's anger towards the politicians who did not take any responsibility to repair the problem.
Red Hill Mining Town
"Red Hill Mining Town" talks about the the coal miner's strike that occured in England between 1984-85. This song attempts to capture the turmoil that caused family separations and further poverty to the strikers and their famillies as a result of the government's irresponsibility in settling the dispute.
A journatlist named Tony Parker, visited the area, known to the jounalist as Red Hill, found that the psychological and economic wounds from the strike had still prevented the famillies from recovering.
In God's Country
"In God's Country" records the events that happened during 1986-1987. During these periods in time, U2 felt that the world seem to be going nowhere. This included the political future in America and the failure in the talks between President Gorbachev and Reagan to come to a resolution that will reduce the threat of nuclear war. And while this was happening, other social problems in America began to occur, which unfortunately became almost irrelevant due to the imminent threat of the cold war.
Trip Through Your Wires
"Trip Through Your Wires" looks at the theme of love as a source of salvation. The sense of salvation due to love can be shown by the hope in a desert landscape setting and companionship.
One Tree Hill
A dedication made by the band to a close associate, Greg Carroll, a Moari who died in a motorcycle accident. The band used the "One Tree Hill," a famous New Zealand landmark to make their dedication.
Exit
"Exit" portrays a man being torn between committing a crime in order to support his family and himself. At the same time, the song mocks the society, especially the society set up by the Reagan Government in America, where the rich would be given more benefits than the poor, thus making violence and prejudice grow more rapidly in the poor community. Initially, the man appears to be a very dark being, holding a gun and beating a innocent person. However, at the end Bono sings about "The hands of love" which gives the appearance that the man has a family to look after. "Exit" presents another perspective of love, but one grown from class differences in society. "It has been rumored that the song "Exit" is about John Hinkley's attempt to assasinate President Reagan in order to prove his love for Jodie Foster." Brian Lashbrook (email : ?).
Mothers Of The Disappeared
Like "Bullet The Blue Sky", this song was also set in El Salvador. However, this song recognises those people who have lost their loved ones during the crisis. This song was written after Bono took a trip through the streets of El Salvador and met the mothers who have lost their relatives and children during the crisis. At the same time, the mothers cannot let go, that they may some day return - "we hear their heartbeat". This appears unfortunate to the mothers, they are left to mourn without burying their children.