Love Will Tear Us Apart
Joy Division 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
Then love, love will tear us apart again
Love, love will tear us apart again
Why is the bedroom so cold?
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
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernard Sumner, Ian Kevin Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Paul David Morris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a song by the British post-punk band Joy Division. The lyrics were written by the band's vocalist, Ian Curtis, who committed suicide in May 1980, a month after the song was released as a single. The song was then re-promoted in 12" format in June 1980.
"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). Read Full Bio"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a song by the British post-punk band Joy Division. The lyrics were written by the band's vocalist, Ian Curtis, who committed suicide in May 1980, a month after the song was released as a single. The song was then re-promoted in 12" format in June 1980.
"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)
Skate 3 (2010)
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" 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). Read Full Bio"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a song by the British post-punk band Joy Division. The lyrics were written by the band's vocalist, Ian Curtis, who committed suicide in May 1980, a month after the song was released as a single. The song was then re-promoted in 12" format in June 1980.
"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)
Skate 3 (2010)
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
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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
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?
Get a taste in my mouth as desperation takes hold
Is it 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
Something Norhing
I'm sorry to hear of your loss.
I think that death by suicide should be thought of like death by cancer.
Depression is a disease. It's as real as cancer or diabetes.
People fight cancer and some win.
People fight depression and some win.
You'd not beat yourself up if a friend died of cancer and neither should you when they die from depression. Remember them as beautiful people taken by a cruel disease.
Tasfiya Rownok
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
Sanan
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
avstin8k
His wife. His mistress. His band mates. Everyone close to him didn’t know how depressed he is. Not until they read all the lyrics after he passed did they realize all their songs was his cry for help. Rip Ian.
colin watt
@Moebius Dune fantastic, they toured with the Stones a couple of times
Steve Brown
@Maxim Plowman NO.
Moebius Dune
@colin watt I watched Big Country -1998,before Rolling Stones in Zagreb.They played great show 💙
Heather Hebisen
U can hear it in his voice his lyrics.
Scotty 79
@J. P. how you doing? Hope you're OK.
boomeyeay
The ultimate song to play at a wedding
mina
😳😂😂
AndrewH.
@IanBat did she get divorced or nah
Mary Salisbury
Smarty-pants!