Shadowplay
Joy Division Lyrics


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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 mad 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

Overall Meaning

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
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Miau


on New Dawn Fades

I really like the fact that this explanation is thorough and provides some insight regarding the song's meaning, seen by the line by line meaning. It is true that the listener is open to interpretations, the way that they personally perceive the song, how it might resonate with them on an intimal level. Though, like the majority of songs, there is a "standard definition" , I would say that everyone is open to their own interpretations based on the overall perspective of the listener. Like this analysis,, I have my own respective one. This is by far one of the most "optimistic" meanings granted to the song. Personally, I always correlated the sing with a more pessimistic meaning, but like any other form of art, songs are open to interpretation and thats what makes it all special and awesome.

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