 " Where the Streets Have No Name " is played at a tempo of 126 beats per minute . The introduction and <unk> are played in a 3 / 4 time signature , while the remainder of the song is in a common 4 / 4 signature . The songs opens with an instrumental section , starting with <unk> @-@ like sustained <unk> notes . The guitar fades in after 42 seconds ; this part consists of a repeated " <unk> " six @-@ note <unk> . A " dotted eighth " delay effect is used to " play " each note in the <unk> twice , thus creating a rich sound . The bass and drums enter at 1 : 10 . 
