Joy Division was a post-punk band formed in Manchester, England in 1977. The band consisted of vocalist Ian Curtis, guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook, and drummer Stephen Morris. Joy Division’s music was known for its dark, atmospheric sound and introspective lyrics, and the band quickly gained a following in the Manchester punk scene.
Joy Division released their debut album, “Unknown Pleasures,” in 1979 on the Factory Records label. The album was produced by Martin Hannett and featured tracks such as “Disorder,” “She’s Lost Control,” and “Transmission.” “Unknown Pleasures” was critically acclaimed and is now considered a classic of the post-punk era.
In 1980, Joy Division released their second album, “Closer,” which was also produced by Hannett. The album featured tracks such as “Heart and Soul,” “Isolation,” and “Decades.” However, just before the release of the album, Ian Curtis committed suicide, leading to the dissolution of the band.
Following Curtis’ death, the remaining members of Joy Division formed the band New Order, which went on to become one of the most influential and successful bands of the 1980s and 1990s.
Joy Division’s discography includes:
- “Unknown Pleasures” (1979)
- “Closer” (1980)
- “Still” (1981) – a collection of live and studio recordings
- “Substance” (1988) – a compilation of singles and B-sides
- “Permanent” (1995) – a collection of singles and B-sides
- “Heart and Soul” (1997) – a box set containing all of Joy Division’s studio albums and additional material.
The members of Joy Division were:
- Ian Curtis (vocals, occasional guitar)
- Bernard Sumner (guitar, keyboards)
- Peter Hook (bass guitar, vocals)
- Stephen Morris (drums, percussion)
- “Love Will Tear Us Apart” is probably my favourite song of all time. It was released in June 1980 and became the band’s biggest hit, reaching number 13 on the UK Singles Chart.Here are the lyrics to the song:When routine bites hard And ambitions are low And resentment rides high But emotions won’t grow And we’re changing our ways Taking different roadsThen love, love will tear us apart again Love, love will tear us apart againWhy is the bedroom so cold? Turned away on your side Is my timing that flawed? Our respect runs so dry Yet there’s still this appeal That we’ve kept through our lives
But love, love will tear us apart again Love, love will tear us apart again
Do you cry out in your sleep? All my failings exposed Gets a taste in my mouth As desperation takes hold Is it something so good Just can’t function no more?
When love, love will tear us apart again Love, love will tear us apart again
And here is a breakdown of the song’s chart performance:
UK Singles Chart:
- Peak position: #13
- Weeks on chart: 10
US Dance Club Songs:
- Peak position: #42
Although it did not reach the top of the charts, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” has become a classic and is widely considered to be one of the greatest songs of all time. Its influence can be heard in countless songs that have been released since it first came out.
- Joy Division became New Order following the death of their lead singer, Ian Curtis, in 1980. After Curtis’ tragic suicide, the remaining members of Joy Division, including Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris, decided to continue making music under a new name.They chose the name “New Order” as a reflection of their desire to move forward and create something new in the wake of the tragedy. Their music also evolved, incorporating more electronic and dance elements than the post-punk sound of Joy Division.New Order went on to become one of the most influential bands of the 1980s, with hits like “Blue Monday,” “Bizarre Love Triangle,” and “True Faith.” They continued to release critically acclaimed albums and singles throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, cementing their place as one of the most important bands in the history of electronic and dance music.