These Days
Joy Division Lyrics


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Morning seems strange, almost out of place
Searched hard for you and your special ways
These days
These days

Spent all my time, learnt a killer's art
Took threats and abuse 'til I'd learned the part
Can you stay
For these days?

These days
These days

Used outward deception to get away
Broken-heart romance to make it pay

These days
These days

We'll drift through it all, it's the modern age
Take care of it all now these debts are paid




Can you stay
For these days?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joy Division's "These Days" explore themes of disillusionment and desperation, as the singer reflects on his struggle to find meaning and connection in a world that feels disjointed and uncertain. The opening lines underscore this sense of unease, as the singer describes the morning as "strange" and "out of place." This could be read as a metaphor for the feeling of dislocation and disorientation that many people experience in the modern age, where the pace of change can be overwhelming.


As the song continues, the singer reflects on his efforts to find someone who can help him navigate these challenges. He speaks of "searching hard" for someone with "special ways" who can provide comfort and companionship in the midst of turmoil. However, his journey has been far from easy. He has had to "learn a killer's art" and endure "threats and abuse" in order to survive. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the harsh and cutthroat nature of modern society, where individuals must be willing to fight tooth and nail to succeed.


Despite the difficulties he has faced, the singer remains hopeful that he can find someone to share his journey with. He speaks of "broken-heart romance" as a way to "make it pay," suggesting that even in the midst of pain and heartbreak, there is still the potential for connection and pleasure. Ultimately, the song seems to suggest that even in an age of uncertainty and upheaval, there are still reasons to keep going and to hold onto hope for a better future.


Line by Line Meaning

Morning seems strange, almost out of place
The singer feels lost and unsure of themselves in the morning, as if they don't belong in their own life.


Searched hard for you and your special ways
The singer has been looking for someone who can help them feel like they belong and give their life meaning.


These days
The singer is referring to the present time, which feels difficult and overwhelming.


Spent all my time, learnt a killer's art
The artist has put a lot of effort into honing their ability to be deceptive and manipulative in order to protect themselves.


Took threats and abuse 'til I'd learned the part
The artist has experienced a lot of pain and trauma, but has learned to hide it and pretend everything is okay in order to survive.


Can you stay For these days?
The singer is asking for someone to be there for them during this difficult time and help them through it.


Used outward deception to get away
The singer has used lies and false appearances to distance themselves from the people and things that have hurt them.


Broken-heart romance to make it pay
The artist has used romantic relationships as a way to distract themselves from their pain and feel some sense of control over their life.


We'll drift through it all, it's the modern age
The artist feels like they're just going through the motions of life without any real purpose or direction, and that this is a common experience in contemporary society.


Take care of it all now these debts are paid
The artist feels like they're finally free from the emotional debts they've accumulated, but they don't know what to do next.




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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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@anatolyvaic6427

Morning seems strange, almost out of place
Searched hard for you and your special ways
These days
These days
Spent all my time, learnt a killer's art
Took threats and abuse 'til I'd learned the part
Can you stay for these days?
These days
These days
Used outward deception to get away
Broken heart romance to make it pay
These days
These days
We'll drift through it all, it's the modern age
Take care of it all now these debts are paid
Can you stay for these days?



All comments from YouTube:

@shaungreer3350

I find it funny that the official joy division channel doesn’t know where the song is from.... the description reads it’s from closer. It is in fact the B side to their hit track “Love will tear us apart”

@uncleeric3317

Exactly!

@22Hammy

shameful

@jamiecouanis7236

True I've got the single.

@shaungreer3350

@@jamiecouanis7236 Same! Got the 7" and a 12" reissue.

@ducky1115

I don't know alot about the person who uploaded but I do know alot of kids these days are discovering joy division and the fact that they actually uploaded this song is awesome

4 More Replies...

@williamheale5162

It started around 1979, I came home (a little worse for wear) Put on my giant headphones 🎧 to listen to John Peal and Joy division was playing. It's never ended.

@jwichmann1306

one of the most subtlest strangest impressionistic guitar lines.

@TheGarageJump

'Morning seems strange almost out of place' is the best opening line ever....

@joseluismoralesgonzalez3762

Hoo yeahhh!!!

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