Early recordings of the lyrics on the Warsaw album show the first line of the song as saying "To the centre of the city where all roads meet looking for you". In later recordings the word looking is replaced with waiting.
Shadowplay
Joy Division Lyrics
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To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you
I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you
In a room with a window in the corner, I found truth
In the shadowplay, acting out your own death, knowing no more
As the assassins all grouped in four lines, dancing on the floor
And with cold steel, odor on their bodies mad a move to connect
I did everything, everything I wanted to
I let them use you for their own ends
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you
The lyrics in Joy Division's song "Shadowplay" describe a journey of longing and search for a absent person or thing. The lyrics paint a picture of a city center where all roads meet, and the depths of the ocean where all hope is lost, representing the vastness of the search. The singer describes his journey without motion in quiet silence, as he makes his way to the corner of a room, where he finally finds the truth he is looking for.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful as it describes a "shadowplay," which is an acting out of one's own death. The assassins in the four lines dance on the floor, ready to make the fatal blow. However, the singer is left in disbelief as the crowds all leave. He did everything he wanted to do, but still, he could not find what he was searching for. As he returns to the center of the city in the night, he is still waiting for the missing subject of his search.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that the song is about Ian Curtis' personal struggles with depression and his search for meaning in his life. The song was written shortly before his death, and it can be seen as a reflection of his inner turmoil, his search for what is missing in his life, and his struggles with the idea of death.
Line by Line Meaning
To the center of the city where all roads meet, waiting for you
I am standing at the precise point where all the paths cross, anticipating your arrival.
To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you
In the lowest regions of the sea where everything seemed futile, I sought you.
I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you
Although I was stationary, I was traversing a silent atmosphere, longing for your approach.
In a room with a window in the corner, I found truth
I discovered the truth in a room that had a window situated in the corner.
In the shadowplay, acting out your own death, knowing no more
You are simulating your own death in this obscure theatrical performance, oblivious to everything else.
As the assassins all grouped in four lines, dancing on the floor
Four murderers joined together, performing a dance routine.
And with cold steel, odor on their bodies made a move to connect
Employing deadly weapons, and smelling rather unpleasant, they attempted to strike.
But I could only stare in disbelief as the crowds all left
Unable to process what was happening, I simply gazed stunned as the assembly departed.
I did everything, everything I wanted to
I achieved everything I desired.
I let them use you for their own ends
I permitted them to exploit you for their personal gain.
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you
In the dead of night, I remain stationed at this central intersection, longing for you.
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you
I am continuing to remain at this crucial convergence in the city, even as nighttime persists, hoping for your entrance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernard Sumner, Ian Kevin Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Paul David Morris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@StevieRevbo
To the center of the city where all roads meet, waiting for you,
To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you,
I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you,
In a room with a window in the corner I found truth.
In the shadowplay, acting out your own death, knowing no more,
As the assassins all grouped in four lines, dancing on the floor,
And with cold steel, odor on their bodies made a move to connect,
But I could only stare in disbelief as the crowds all left.
I did everything, everything I wanted to,
I let them use you for their own ends,
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you.
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you.
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Bernard Sumner / Ian Kevin Curtis / Peter Hook / Stephen Paul David Morris
@Ge1sterfahrer
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"Georgia Guidestones (The 10 Commandments?)" /watch?v=94TdcdobayA&t=288
"All Wars Are Bankers' Wars" /watch?v=5hfEBupAeo4
"The worldwide financial conspiracy of the FED and the speech of and the assassination of JFK" /watch?v=b7ApkJ0-adg
"I Want The Earth Plus Five Percent" /watch?v=L11EprAtQf0
"Victoria Grant and Public Banking" /watch?v=Bx5Sc3vWefE
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"Chemtrail starts spontaneously as if by the push of a button out of nowhere" /watch?v=wrF18OB77KM
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Hemp was once a legal tender. This god-given good could be cultivated and produced through work. You could pay taxes with it.
A large part of the taxes goes to private institutions and private individuals as hidden interest and does not benefit the citizens.
Every banknote is a interest-bearing promissory note.
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"We're ALL Debt SLAVES - Here's Why" /watch?v=bH-nBcrTwYI
"Debt is Modern Day Slavery" /watch?v=mIfx_gNwyVE
"Money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth" /watch?v=pMIjO_veIFY
"Keiser Report: US a Parasite Banker Host!" /watch?v=FL0tP_VMFwo
"Silvio Gesell - Free Money & The Natural Economic Order" /watch?v=W9dttjObGrQ
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"Greta Thunberg - HOW DARE YOU - extended Dance-Version!" /watch?v=nUb4MovqcBY
""Greta Thunberg X Fat Boy Slim - Right Here, Right Now /watch?v=ABIbH-LtpFs
"Geld und Märchen von ewigem Wirtschaftswachstum" /watch?v=w8cdSc3pXpo
@lucasbcesarino
To the centre of the city
Where all roads meet waiting for you
To the depths of the ocean
Where all hopes sank searching for you
I was moving through the silence
Without motion, waiting for you
In a room with no window
In the corner I found truth
In the shadowplay, acting out your
Own death, knowing no more
As the assassins all grouped
In four lines, dancing on the floor
And with cold steel, odour on their bodies
Made a move to connect
But I could only stare in disbelief
As the crowds all left
I did everything, everything I wanted to
I let them use you for their own ends
To the centre of the city
In the night waiting for you
To the centre of the city
In the night waiting for you
@jackspry9736
RIP Ian Curtis (July 15, 1956 – May 18, 1980), aged 23
You will always be remembered as a legend.
@xxgwxx570
he was 23?! damn, that's insane
@user-sf1ik4fk9e
Not RIP (tear or rip your record up), but Rest in Peace. His life may have been living hell.
@incognino5726
<3
@shawnieBaby
@@user-sf1ik4fk9eI suppose it must have been! It’s really sad. He was incredibly talented. I just wish he could’ve survived that one particular day.
@melvingoodman2552
"I did everything, everything I wanted to." That line always gives me chills.
@Zpeter84.
Am still trying too
@Unfunny_Username_389
Would've been better as "I did nothing - nothing I wanted to."
@kellswitch
Why would that be better?
@@Unfunny_Username_389
@lynussss
I like the production on that line they drop the loudness of the drum