Lyrically Evocative (26)

~ beetleypete

Before the name change to New Order, the British band Joy Division built up a large loyal following, and had a few minor hits. At the time, they were fronted by the troubled lead singer, Ian Curtis. His suicide in 1980, at the age of 24, stopped the band touring the USA. The other band members later reformed under the new name.

Curtis had problems adjusting to the routine of married life, as well as suffering from Epilepsy. His fragile mental state caused issues with his colleagues in the band as well.

The culmination of those events resulted in the song ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, released as a single from the second album, shortly after he killed himself.

He may not have been a great singer, but the lyrics of the song show a talent for expressive poetry that resonated very much with me.

Here are the lyrics.

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 roads
Love, love will tear us apart again
Love, love will tear us apart again
Why is the bedroom so cold?
Turned away on your side
Is my timing that flawed?
Our respect run 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
And it’s something so good
Just can’t function no more?
Love, love will tear us apart again
Love, love will tear us apart again
Love, love will tear us apart again
Love, love will tear up apart again
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Bernard Sumner / Ian Kevin Curtis / Peter Hook / Stephen Paul David Morris

This is Joy Divison performing the song, on the official video.

31 thoughts on “Lyrically Evocative (26)”

  7. I think the term ‘seminal’ can easily be overused, but where this band is concerned, I think it’s appropriate. Some of their early songs can be uncomfortable to listen to, but that doesn’t make them any less valid; the transformed band became more ‘poppy’, but with very good hooks to the songs, as well as great production. Like your friend Stevie Turner, I grew up with heavy rock (after The Beatles, of course!), but I have very catholic tastes in music, and I always have time for New Order. Cheers, Jon.

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      2. I know, Pete 😉depending on my mood, I enjoy “miserable” too. Thanks for sharing the music, video and the poetic lyrics – all new to me. 👍🏻
        Love to you and a big pat for good old Ollie. xx

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