Transmission
Joy Division / New Order Lyrics
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Radio, live transmission
Listen to the silence, let it ring on
Eyes, dark grey lenses frightened of the sun
We would have a fine time living in the night
Left to blind destruction
Waiting for our sight
And we would go on as though nothing was wrong
And hide from these days we remained all alone
Staying in the same place, just staying out the time
Touching from a distance
Further all the time
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Well I could call out when the going gets tough
The things that we've learnt are no longer enough
No language, just sound, that's all we need know, to synchronise
Love to the beat of the show
And we could dance
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
"Transmission" by Joy Division portrays the feeling of isolation and disconnection in society. The song opens with the repetition of "Radio, live transmission," suggesting the idea that we are listening to a live radio transmission. The first two lines in the second verse, "Listen to the silence, let it ring on / Eyes, dark grey lenses frightened of the sun," seem to describe the feeling of being in a dark and isolated place, where even looking at the sun can be scary. The lyrics "We would have a fine time living in the night / Left to blind destruction, waiting for our sight" suggest that the night is a place where they can thrive - a place of destruction and darkness.
The chorus, "Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio," is repeated several times, giving the impression of something ecstatic, electric, and almost ritualistic. However, the next verse juxtaposes this sense of excitement with the feeling that what they have learned is no longer enough, and that all they require is sound to synchronize - "No language, just sound, that's all we need know, to synchronize / Love to the beat of the show." The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, suggesting that dancing to the radio is the one activity that provides them with some kind of relief or escape from their isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
Radio, live transmission
The song begins with the repetition of 'Radio, live transmission' to signify listening to live music on the radio.
Listen to the silence, let it ring on
It is important to appreciate the moments of silence in the song and allow them to linger.
Eyes, dark grey lenses frightened of the sun
Refers to people hiding away from society and their responsibilities, preferring to let darkness consume them.
We would have a fine time living in the night
The idea of living nocturnally is presented here, seeking refuge in the darkness where they are free to express themselves without consequence.
Left to blind destruction
This represents the idea of blindly going through the motions of life and self-destruction that comes from it.
Waiting for our sight
The longing for clarity and insight that will provide an escape from the darkness they find themselves in.
And we would go on as though nothing was wrong
Denial of reality, and the desire to avoid confronting the issues they're facing.
And hide from these days we remained all alone
The loneliness and isolation they feel, the need to escape and avoid being alone with their thoughts.
Staying in the same place, just staying out the time
They're stuck in a rut, just biding their time until something changes.
Touching from a distance
Loneliness despite proximity, a reaching out for others that only leaves them feeling even more isolated.
Further all the time
The isolation they feel grows stronger every day.
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
The refrain is repeated several times, representing the escapist nature of music and dancing in general. A call to just let go and dance.
Well I could call out when the going gets tough
Acknowledging that they could confront their problems, but they have become so accustomed to hiding that it's easier to carry on as things are.
The things that we've learnt are no longer enough
Their experience and knowledge has failed them in this situation, and they're unsure how to move forward.
No language, just sound, that's all we need know, to synchronise
The idea being communicated is that everyone can come together and connect through the pure sound of music. It doesn't require language or knowledge on a higher level; the beat and rhythm of the music is enough.
Love to the beat of the show
A call for unity through the medium of music, to connect and dance together, regardless of differences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD SUMNER, IAN KEVIN CURTIS, PETER HOOK, STEPHEN PAUL DAVID MORRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joshparker4964
Morris is a machine !
@MichaelD8393
A human drum machine!
@charlesdraven2918
It gave me goosebumps when Sumner and Hook started singing "dance dance dance dance to the radio" it's like if I saw Ian singing with them 😳😳
@tw3ntys1x_
same thing lmao
@jumofi
I was there in that raining evening with my mates from the German Order. What a great show!
@Diggarci
For some reason Bernard Sumner reminds me Marty Mcfly.
@delviolao
hahah really
@BlueStreak0
he looks really similar to michael j fox in this
@pimpis0980
You are absolutely right!
@andy888008800
"I guess you guys aren't ready for that, yet. But your kids are gonna love it."