"Love Will Tear Us Apart" was written in August and September of 1979 and was debuted when the band supported Buzzcocks on their UK tour in September and October 1979, and it is one of the few songs in which Ian Curtis played guitar (albeit somewhat minimally). The title of the song is a play on the title of a Neil Sedaka song "Love Will Keep Us Together" made popular by The Captain & Tennille in 1975. [1] The lyrics are perceived to reflect the problems in Ian Curtis' marriage to Deborah Curtis, as well as his general frame of mind in the time leading up to his suicide. Deborah Curtis had the phrase "Love Will Tear Us Apart" inscribed on Ian Curtis' memorial stone.
The song was first released in April 1980 and, after Curtis' suicide that May, became the band's first chart hit, reaching number 13 in the UK. It also debuted at #1 in New Zealand in June 1981. The band broke up after his death and reformed as New Order. "Love" was re-released in 1983 and reached number 19 on the UK charts and re-appeared at #3 in New Zealand during March 1984. In November 1988, it made one more Top 40 appearance in New Zealand, peaking at #39. "Love Will Tear Us Apart" appears on the Substance compilation album. It was first recorded for a John Peel session in November 1979, then re-recorded in January 1980 and March 1980. It is the latter version that appears on Substance. The January 1980 version originally appeared as the single's B-side.
In 1995, to publicise the release of Permanent, the track was reissued, complete with a new remix done by Arthur Baker and a new radio edit, also known as the Permanent Mix. On September 24, 2007 (2007-09-24), the single was again reissued, in its original configuration. This time, it was to publicise the Collector's Edition re-issues of the band's three albums. Although the single was now issued on the Warner label, it retained all the classic Factory packaging, down to the FAC 23 catalogue number.
Original Artist
Joy Division
Live Statistics
This was played 111 times (by Joy Division / New Order)
Live Debut
The Electric Ballroom, London, England (UK) 26/10/1979 1:01:31 AM
Last Live
Club Ciudad, Buenos Aires (AR) 18/11/2006 12:00:00 AM (New Order)
Official Versions
1995 Radio Version (3:40)
Alternate Version (3:10) HyperLink
Arthur Baker Remix (4:21)
BBC Sessions 1979-11-26 (3:25) HyperLink
Live 1979-12-18 (3:17)
Permanent Mix (3:36) HyperLink
Single Version (3:27) HyperLink
Trouser Enthusiasts Remix (7:03)
Video (3:27)
Available On
Get Ready (2001)
Closer (1980)
Substance (1988)
Permanent (1995)
Blue Monday (1983)
Love Will Tear Us Apart (1980)
Love Will Tear Us Apart 95 (1995)
The Complete BBC Recordings (2000)
Les Bains Douches 18 December 1979 (2001)
Peel Sessions (1987)
Before & After (2002)
Atmosphere (1988)
Fractured Box (2001)
Soundtrack
Donnie Darko (2001)
24 Hour Party People (2002)
Boston Kickout (1996)
Compilations
The Best of Peel Sessions (par Bernard Lenoir) (1990)
Palatine - The Factory Story Vol. 1 (1991)
The John Peel Sessions (1988)
Collected (1999)
A Strange Kind of Love (1996)
Generation Eighties (1995)
New Wave Dance Hits: Just Can't Get Enough, Vol. 2 (1994)
The Eighties Mix (1998)
Relax: The Ultimate 80's Mix (1998)
Lost Property (1996)
Never Mind the Main Stream: The Best of MTV's 120 Minutes, Vol. 2 (1991)
Shine Too (1995)
Once in a Lifetime (1997)
Untitled, Vol. 2 (1996)
Living In The Eighties (2000)
One + Only (1996)
Pulse 95 FM Essential Retro (1999)
Sound of the City (1992)
Sounds of the Eighties 1980-1981 (1995)
Wave 180 Minutes: Book Two (1999)
College Rock (1999)
Crush (1997)
Das Boot - The Final Voyage (2001)
Going Underground (1998)
Guitar Club Classics (2000)
Indie Top 20, Vol. 3 (1988)
New Wave - The Best Of Club Class-X (1995)
New Wave Greats 1976-1983 (1999)
Nocturnal (1998)
Rock & Wave Vol. 1 (1992)
The Best Punk Album In The World...Ever! 2 (1996)
Totally Wired (1995)
Ten From Ten (2004)
Teenage Kicks (2005)
Promo Available On
20 Years of New Order (2001)
Joy Division New Order Collection (1993)
Bands that covered this song
10000 Maniacs
Bis
Broken Social Scene
Chuzpe
Fall Out Boy
Flowing Tears
Hanky Park
Human Drama
Invisible Limits
Kismet
Los 7 Definites
Moonspell
Paul Young
PJ Proby
Simple Minds
Stanton-Miranda
Swans
The Cure
The Diary
The King
The Tea Party
U2
Unbroken
Love Will Tear Us Apart
Joy Division Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 againLove, 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
The lyrics to Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart are a depiction of a relationship that is falling apart. It portrays a couple that has lost their passions and ambitions, causing the resentment to grow. Despite the couple's attempts to change their ways or take different paths, love is still present, but it leads them to be torn apart again.
The bedroom being cold is a metaphor for the relationship's lack of warmth and connection. The question of whether the timing of their love was flawed is left unanswered, implying that love cannot be timed or forced. At the same time, their respect has run dry, but there's still some appeal that they've carried through their lives. It suggests that even though the relationship might not be working as it should, the love still exists.
The line, "You cry out in your sleep, all my failings exposed," shows the character's vulnerability, and how their insecurities are making them feel like they're failing in the relationship. The taste of desperation takes hold, indicating a sense of hopelessness towards their situation. The last line of the chorus being repeated is quite haunting, suggesting that no matter how much they attempt to change, love will tear them apart again.
Overall, the song's lyrics delve into the complexities of a broken relationship with a bleak outlook. It highlights the struggles of trying to sustain a love that has exhausted itself despite still having feelings for one another.
Line by Line Meaning
When routine bites hard
When everyday life becomes overwhelming
And ambitions are low
When we don't have any goals or aspirations to strive for
And resentment rides high
When we feel bitterness towards each other
But emotions won't grow
When we can't seem to deepen our emotional connection
And we're changing our ways, taking different roads
When we're growing and evolving in different ways that lead us down separate paths
Then love, love will tear us apart again
Our love will once again be the cause of our separation and downfall
Why is the bedroom so cold?
Why do we feel emotionally distant from each other?
You've turned away on your side
You have physically and emotionally moved away from me
Is my timing that flawed?
Am I the one who is causing our relationship to falter?
Our respect runs so dry
We have lost the mutual respect we once had for each other
Yet there's still this appeal
We still feel drawn to each other in some way
That we've kept through our lives
That connection has been a constant in our lives despite all the changes around us
You cry out in your sleep
Your subconscious is expressing your emotions and pain
All my failings exposed
All the ways in which I have failed you are now apparent
And there's a taste in my mouth
I am left with an unpleasant feeling or regret
As desperation takes hold
As the situation becomes more dire, desperation sets in
Just that something so good just can't function no more
Our relationship, which was once great, cannot continue to work anymore
But love, love will tear us apart again
Our love will continue to be the source of our separation and pain
Love, love will tear us apart again
Our love will once again be the cause of our separation and downfall
Love, love will tear us apart again
Our love will continue to be the source of our separation and pain
Love, love will tear us apart again
Our love will once again be the cause of our separation and downfall
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernard Sumner, Ian Kevin Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Paul David Morris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BalthorYT
The comments seem to have been reset, so I'm going to post the lyrics for whoever may want them.
LYRICS
When the routine bites hard
And ambitions are low
And the resentment rides high
But emotions wont grow
And we're changing our ways,
Taking different roads
Then 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 theres still this appeal
That we've kept through our lives
Love, love will tear us apart again
Do you cry out in your sleep
All my failings expose?
Get 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
@juanledezma1506
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
Then love, love will tear us apart again
Love, love will tear us apart again
Why is the bedroom so cold?
You've 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
You cry out in your sleep
All my failings exposed
And there's a taste in my mouth
As desperation takes hold
Just that something so good just can't function no more
But 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 us apart again
@samarthpatil4265
When the routine bites hard
And ambitions are low
And the resentment rides high
But emotions wont grow
And were changing our ways,
Taking different roads
Then 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 theres still this appeal
That weve kept through our lives
Love, love will tear us apart again
Do you cry out in your sleep
All my failings expose?
Get a taste in my mouth
As desperation takes hold
Is it something so good
Just cant function no more?
When love, love will tear us apart again
@linkinparkrulz2275
My younger brother committed suicide last weekend by overdosing on something. He was found with headphones on, presumably listening to something. This is his youtube account. He made a playlist containing 6 songs that was edited the day he passed. This is one of the 6 songs. With the method he used, he was dead after about 30 minutes, probably unconscious around 12 minutes. I like to think that it was peaceful for him with his music on. I love you Darius, I'll miss you everyday for the rest of my life
@MrPickles666
My condolences..
@haxan_3567
Sorry for you loss. What were the other 5 if you don't mind answering?
@tarad6467
Sending love and healing vibes your way. Grief of that nature never really goes away, but it gets easier. 💛
@speedking7224
Sorry for your loss
@Roland808
I’m terribly sorry for your loss. From experience, be and do what he can’t. Your bother chose a different path. Leave an indelible legacy. You matter more than you’ll ever realize.
@jhgreen14
When Keanu Reeves' said that this was the one song he could listen to for the rest of his life, I had to re-visit it. Haven't heard this in such a long time.
@mfncardoso
I did the same 😂
@edsonbaldan
So do I !
@sabid1971
🖐️