'The Joshua Tree' album lyrics by U2

Released in 1987, The Joshua Tree marked a pivotal moment in U2's career, elevating the band to international stardom while also expanding their musical and thematic scope.The follow up to the well-received The Unforgettable Fire made U2 globally famous and delivered some of the best songs that the 1980's could muster. 

The Joshua Tree's lyrics delved into the politics of the US Government, heroin addiction, love, spirituality and other social issues.

The album weaves a rich tapestry of themes, including a quest for spiritual meaning, the struggle against injustice, and the complexities of the American dream. Songs like "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and "With or Without You" delve into the realms of spiritual yearning and the complexities of human relationships, offering a universal resonance that transcends geographical boundaries. 

The album also takes a critical look at America, a nation that fascinated the band, both as an ideal and a real place with deep contradictions. 

This is evident in tracks like "Bullet the Blue Sky" and "Mothers of the Disappeared," which comment on U.S. foreign policy and human rights abuses in Central America, highlighting the band's engagement with global political issues.

"The Joshua Tree" also explores themes of displacement and alienation, as seen in "Where the Streets Have No Name," symbolizing a longing for a utopian space of belonging and identity. 

The album’s sound, characterized by its expansive and atmospheric quality, perfectly complements its thematic depth, making "The Joshua Tree" not only a commercial success but also a critical milestone in U2's career, as it captures their evolution into a band deeply engaged with the moral and political dilemmas of their time.

The Joshua Tree album lyrics:

1. "Where the Streets Have No Name"
2. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"
3. "With or Without You"
4. "Bullet the Blue Sky"
5. "Running to Stand Still"
6. "Red Hill Mining Town"
7. "In God's Country"
8. "Trip Through Your Wires"
9. "One Tree Hill"
10. "Exit"
11. "Mothers of the Disappeared"

B-sides, covers 

• "Spanish Eyes," a B-side to "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
• "Sweetest Thing," originally a B-side to "Where the Streets Have No Name," + Race Against Time.
• Luminous Times (Hold on to Love) + Walk to the Water tagged on With or Without You.
• Silver and Gold

The Joshua Tree sold over 30 million albums and the songs With Or Without and Where the Streets Have No Name are played at every single concert as the fans have been known to riot if they are not played!

U2’s song "One Tree Hill," from The Joshua Tree album, serves as a poignant tribute to Greg Carroll, a close friend and roadie who tragically died in a motorcycle accident in 1986. Carroll, a native of New Zealand, had developed a deep bond with Bono, and his death profoundly impacted the band. U2 primarily performs "One Tree Hill" in New Zealand to honor Carroll's memory and his homeland, with the song's title referencing a volcanic peak in Auckland where Bono accompanied Carroll's family to lay him to rest. 

The lyrics reflect themes of loss, grief, and resilience, making each performance a heartfelt moment for both the band and the audience, underscoring the enduring connection between personal relationships, art, and the legacy of friendship.

When U2 played it in Auckland in 2010 it was dedicated to the deceased miners of  the Pike River Mine Disaster.