The video is the fourth U2 music video directed by Jonas Åkerlund and the first since 2003's version 2 of "Beautiful Day" filmed in Eze, France (which was filmed in 2000).
U2's 2005 video for "All Because of You" also featured U2 being driven and performing throughout New York City.
The song was originally played by electronic music artist Kygo in a remixed fashion in August 2016. This version was released on September 15, and differs from the more rock-styled arrangement of the video.
U2 Guitarist The Edge stated U2 worked "furiously" on the new version of the song for two days to meet their deadline for submitting it.
The song debuted live on September 7, 2017 on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and made its tour debut on the Joshua Tree 2017 Tour in Indianapolis, Indiana three days later on September 10, 2017.