Joy Division: the ten songs that became iconic thanks to Ian Curtis's lyrics, according to Far Out

Today Ian Curtis (Stretford, UK, 15 July 1956) would have turned seventy. To mark the occasion, British magazine Far Out has put together a selection of 10 Joy Division songs made iconic by the lyrics penned by the frontman. "Ian Curtis's lyrics," writes Jack Whatley in the introduction, "represent one of the poetic high points of post-punk. Despite leaving behind a relatively small catalogue, the Joy Division singer captured alienation, modernity, fragility and inner torment with extraordinary intensity. After his suicide in 1980, those lyrics took on an even deeper meaning, becoming a touchstone for generations of listeners. Beyond the musical contribution of Peter Hook, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and producer Martin Hannett, it was Curtis's words that defined the band's identity, thanks to writing that was sincere, rich in evocative imagery and capable of turning personal experience into universal poetry," Far Out concludes.

Here, then, are the ten Joy Division songs made iconic by Ian Curtis's lyrics, according to Far Out Magazine (full feature here).

• 10. “Isolation”
  “Mother I tried please believe me,
  I’m doing the best that I can.
  I’m ashamed of the things I’ve been put through,
  I’m ashamed of the person I am.”
• 9. “Disorder”
  “I’ve been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand
  Could these sensations make me feel the pleasures of a normal man?”
• 8. “Dead Souls”
  “Someone take these dreams away,
  That point me to another day,
  A duel of personalities,
  That stretch all true realities”
• 7. “Atmosphere”
  “People like you find it easy,
  Naked to see,
  Walking on air”
• 6. “A Means To An End”
  “We fought for good, stood side by side
  Our friendship never died
  On stranger waves, the lows and highs
  Our vision touched
• 5. “She’s Lost Control”
  “Confusion in her eyes that says it all
  She’s lost control
  And she’s clinging to the nearest passer-by
  She’s lost control”
• 4. “Atrocity Exhibition”
  “Asylums with doors open wide
  Where people had paid to see inside
  For entertainment they watch his body twist
• 3. “Love Will Tear Us Apart”
  “Why is the bedroom so cold turned away on your side?
  Is my timing that flawed, our respect run so dry?
• 2. “Ceremony”
  “Oh, I’ll break them down, no mercy shown
  Heaven knows, it’s got to be this time
  Watching her, these things she said
• 1. “Transmission”
  Listen to the silence, let it ring on
  Eyes, dark grey lenses frightened of the sun
  We would have a fine time living in the night
  Left to blind destruction, waiting for our sight

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