Produ… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook & Stephen Morris
Produced by Martin Hannett
Recorded April 1979, Strawberry Studios, Stockport, UK
Released 15 June 1979 on Unknown Pleasures
Personnel Vocals by Ian Curtis. Guitar by Bernard Sumner. Bass by Peter Hook. Drums by Stephen Morris.
Candidate
Joy Division Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The territories marked
No longer the pleasure
Oh, I've since lost the heart
Corrupted from memory
No longer the power
It's creeping up slowly
Oh, I don't what made me
What gave me the right
To mess with your values
And change wrong to right
Please keep your distance
The trail leads to here
There's blood on your fingers
Brought on by fear
I campaigned for nothing
I worked hard for this
I tried to get to you
You treat me like this
It's just second nature
It's what we've been shown
We're living by your rules
That's all that we know
I tried to get to you
I tried to get to you
I tried to get to you
Oh, I tried to get to you
“Candidate” is one of the haunting tracks on Joy Division’s second and final album “Closer”. The song delves into themes of manipulation, guilt, and powerlessness. The lyrics present a confession of sorts, as the singer appears to reflect on their actions and the consequences that have followed.
The opening lines of the song suggest a sense of obligation, as if the singer has been forced to do something against their will, under pressure from others. The territories marked may represent pre-determined paths or expectations, which the singer has been unable to deviate from. Despite working hard and campaigning for something, there is a suggestion that it was all for nothing as the singer has lost the heart for it. The phrase “corrupted from memory” may suggest feelings of guilt or remorse, that something has been misremembered or distorted.
The second half of the song appears to be directed towards an individual, perhaps someone who the singer has betrayed, or who has betrayed them. There is a plea to keep a distance, as the trail leads to the singer, indicating they feel responsible for something. The line “you treat me like this” could be interpreted as a plea for forgiveness or a reflection on the consequences of actions. The closing repetition of “I tried to get to you” could indicate a desperate attempt to connect or make amends.
Line by Line Meaning
Forced by the pressure
Feeling compelled to act due to external circumstances
The territories marked
The boundaries are clearly defined
No longer the pleasure
It's no longer enjoyable
Oh, I've since lost the heart
I've lost the passion
Corrupted from memory
The memories have been distorted
No longer the power
No longer feeling in control
It's creeping up slowly
The feeling is intensifying gradually
That last fatal hour
The moment of truth is approaching
Oh, I don't what made me
I don't know what possessed me
What gave me the right
What justified my actions
To mess with your values
To challenge your beliefs
And change wrong to right
And attempt to alter your perception of morality
Please keep your distance
I need space
The trail leads to here
This is where the path led
There's blood on your fingers
You're responsible for harm caused
Brought on by fear
Due to a state of apprehension
I campaigned for nothing
I fought for a cause that was ultimately futile
I worked hard for this
I put in the effort for this outcome
I tried to get to you
I made an effort to connect with you
You treat me like this
You're not reciprocating my efforts
It's just second nature
It's reflexive and habitual
It's what we've been shown
It's what we've been taught
We're living by your rules
We're conforming to societal expectations
That's all that we know
We're limited by our knowledge and experience
I tried to get to you
I made an effort to connect with you
I tried to get to you
I made an effort to connect with you
I tried to get to you
I made an effort to connect with you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernard Sumner, Ian Kevin Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Paul David Morris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@3borg
This literally looks like a shampoo commercial
@brayann553
JAJAJAJJAJAJJAJ ES VERDAD, solo hizo falta la marca y ya. Que sad esto, hubiera preferido cortometrajes de series bien góticas o fotos y videos de Curtis bailando para estas canciones; la canción de Disorder le hicieron un video de fan y quedo monstruoso.
@allekvieira
I thought the same lmfao
@kc5402
It's not sham poo. It's real poo.
@phantom1715
Makes me want to buy a shampoo then
@absens81
Hahaha agree
@joseluis7125
Head & Shoulders
@imransyah
nope, Pantene.
@johnshanley83
...one will burn...
@ErickVizolli
You tá de brincation with me, cara?