Pioneers of dance music in the 1980s and one of the first bands to effectively and popularly synthesize keyboard- and guitar-based music, New Order's members hailed from Salford and Macclesfield, England out of the ashes of Joy Division, are noted as being one of the first bands to bridge the gap between Post-Punk and Dancefloor. They were Factory Records' highest selling artist. They also funded Factory's famous Manchester club, The Haçienda. The band partnered with Quincy Jones's American label Qwest, recorded with legendary hip-hop producer Arthur Baker (on 1983's single "Confusion" and 1984's "Thieves Like Us"), and they embraced Ibizan club culture on the album, Technique.
The band was formed in 1980 by the three surviving members, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris of Joy Division after the lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide. Morris' girlfriend (and later wife) Gillian Gilbert joined in October 1980 on keyboards and occasional guitar shortly after contributing guitar to the second release of New Order's first single "Ceremony". Their early music followed in the same vein as Joy Division, most notably on debut album Movement. This is mostly seen now as a 'transitional' album where the new 4-piece band was trying to find a new identity.
They continued to develop their music and their identity with tracks such as "Procession" and "Temptation" until 1983 when, under the influence of early electro funk and Italo-Disco tracks (most notably Klein & MBO's Dirty Talk), they released "Blue Monday", arguably their most famous song and the biggest-selling 12" single of all time. This came in such a detailed Peter Saville-designed sleeve (replicating a floppy disc) that it is claimed by some that the band's record company, Factory, lost money on every copy sold.
The release of "Blue Monday" coincided with the album Power, Corruption & Lies which further developed their dance/rock crossover. Other albums followed in 1985 (Low-Life), 1986 (Brotherhood) and 1989 (Technique, influenced heavily by Ibiza's acid house scene). In 1990 the band scored their sole number 1 hit with a song written by Keith Allen and performed with the England football team, "World in Motion", the official England World Cup song. One more album, Republic followed in May 1993, which was released by London Records after the collapse of Factory in November 1992.
The band effectively split in 1993 to pursue solo projects, but returned with a triumphant gig at the Reading Festival in 1998. After the recording of 2001's Get Ready album Gillian Gilbert left the band amicably for family reasons - her and Stephen's daughter Grace had been diagnosed with Transverse myelitis and she came to the decision that it would be easier for the band to replace her than her husband. They have since gone on to produce one more album with the help of Phil Cunningham of Marion when they released their last album, Waiting For The Sirens' Call.
Hook left acrimoniously in 2007 and according to him, the band has effectively broken up. However, Sumner, Cunningham and Morris repeatedly denied that the band was over, and that if Hook no longer wanted to be in the band, that was his choice. Hook has since threatened to take legal action if they attempt to continue as New Order. In 2009, Sumner, Morris and Cunningham announced that they did not plan on continuing on as New Order without Hook. However, in September 2011 it was announced that they will reform as New Order for two concerts in October (Brussels and Paris), without Hook but with Gillian Gilbert. Hook's replacement is Tom Chapman, who is also in Bad Lieutenant with Sumner, Morris and Cunningham. The charity gigs in Brussels and Paris were very successful and New Order decided to go on tour in 2012. They played various concerts all over the world and also some big festivals in the summer.
Discography (studio albums):
Movement (1981)
Power, Corruption & Lies (1983)
Low-Life (1985)
Brotherhood (1986)
Technique (1989)
Republic (1993)
Get Ready (2001)
Waiting for the Sirens' Call (2005)
Lost Sirens (2013)
Music Complete (2015)
Collaborations and other projects:
Shortly after the split, Sumner and Cunningham formed Bad Lieutenant. The band's debut album Never Cry Another Tear, released in 2009, features Morris on drums on several tracks, although he is not an official member of the band and has committed to continue musical projects with Gillian Gilbert. The band's various solo projects understandably seemed to contain elements of the New Order 'sound', and gave some clues as to each member's contribution to the band.
Bernard Sumner worked with Johnny Marr (formerly of The Smiths) and Neil Tennant (of The Pet Shop Boys) in the 'supergroup', Electronic. Peter Hook formed the bands Revenge and, later, Monaco. These projects gained some commercial success. Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert recorded two albums of songs as The Other Two, and also did scoring work for film and television.
Each of New Order's four original members have, at various times, acted as producers and/or guest musicians under the moniker of Be Music for a myriad of Factory labelmates and other artists, including: Section 25, A Certain Ratio, Happy Mondays, Paul Haig, The Stockholm Monsters, The Stone Roses, and Stanton Miranda.
60 Miles an Hour
New Order Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll never guess the things that I do
I'll have the devil round for tea
Don't you know that I'm here beside you
Can't you see that I can't relax
When I saw you in my rearview
You could've stopped me in my tracks
I'll stand by your side like I always do
In the dead of night it'll be alright
''cause I'll be there for you when you want me to
You can take me to an island, ride across the stormy sea
We can worship pagan idols, there together you and me
Why don't you run over here and rescue me?
You can drive down in your car
Why don't we both take a ride and turn that key
We'll drive at 60 miles an hour
I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll stand by your side like I always do
In the dead of night it'll be alright
''cause I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll stand by your side like I always do
In the dead of night it'll be alright
''cause I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll stand by your side like I always do
In the dead of night it'll be alright
''cause I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll stand by your side like I always do
In the dead of night it'll be alright
''cause I'll be there for you when you want me to
The lyrics of New Order's song 60 Miles an Hour suggest a sense of seeking refuge and protection. The singer tells the listener that they are "seeking sanctuary" and that they can't relax in their presence. They also make a reference to having the devil round for tea, which could imply that they are experiencing some darker thoughts or feelings that they want to escape from. Despite this, the singer offers their unwavering support, saying they will "be there for you when you want me to" and "stand by your side like I always do". The chorus repeats this sentiment, emphasizing their willingness to be a source of comfort and stability for the listener.
The second half of the song paints a picture of escape, with the singer suggesting that they could go to an island or drive at 60 miles an hour with the listener. The lyrics seem to suggest that the singer wants to flee from their current surroundings and go on an adventure with the listener, seeking freedom and excitement. The final chorus reinforces the message of solidarity and support, with the singer pledging to be there for the listener "when you want me to".
Overall, the lyrics of 60 Miles an Hour portray a desire for safety and escape, as well as a sense of unwavering loyalty and support for the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know if I told you, but I'm seeking sanctuary
I'm in need of safety and security, and I'm not sure if I've communicated that to you yet
You'll never guess the things that I do
My actions are unpredictable and may surprise you
I'll have the devil round for tea
I'm not afraid to associate with and potentially even entertain harmful influences
Don't you know that I'm here beside you
I'm right here with you, but you may not be aware of my presence
Can't you see that I can't relax
I'm feeling anxious and can't seem to calm down
When I saw you in my rearview
I caught a glimpse of you behind me while driving
You could've stopped me in my tracks
You have the power to halt my progress or change my course
I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll offer my support and companionship whenever you need it
I'll stand by your side like I always do
I'll be loyal and steadfast, as I have been in the past
In the dead of night it'll be alright, 'cause I'll be there for you when you want me to
Even in dark or difficult times, I'll be available to comfort and assist you
You can take me to an island, ride across the stormy sea
We can travel and journey together, no matter what obstacles we may encounter
We can worship pagan idols, there together you and me
We can engage in alternative or unconventional belief systems or practices, together as a team
Why don't you run over here and rescue me?
I'm in need of help or salvation, and I'm asking for your assistance
You can drive down in your car
We can use your vehicle to get around and explore
Why don't we both take a ride and turn that key?
Let's embark on a shared adventure together, and start that engine
We'll drive at 60 miles an hour
We'll move forward at a swift but controlled pace, enjoying the ride as we go
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD (GB 2) SUMNER, PETER HOOK, STEPHEN MORRIS, GILLIAN LESLEY GILBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oncavegana24
don't know if I told you, but I'm seeking sanctuary
You'll never guess the things that I do
I'll have the devil round for tea
Don't you know that I'm here beside you
Can't you see that I can't relax
When I saw you in my rearview
You could've stopped me in my tracks
I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll stand by your side like I always do
In the dead of night it'll be alright
''cause I'll be there for you when you want me to
You can take me to an island, ride across the stormy sea
We can worship pagan idols, there together you and me
Why don't you run over here and rescue me?
You can drive down in your car
Why don't we both take a ride and turn that key
We'll drive at 60 miles an hour
I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll stand by your side like I always do
In the dead of night it'll be alright
''cause I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll stand by your side like I always do
In the dead of night it'll be alright
''cause I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll stand by your side like I always do
In the dead of night it'll be alright
''cause I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll be there for you when you want me to
I'll stand by your side like I always do
In the dead of night it'll be alright
''cause I'll be there for you when you want me to
@sandyrickard6612
One of the best New Order songs. I never get tired of hearing it, or them and Hooky
@Scallion_D
It's a shame this tune isn't as well known amongst the New Order songs!
@DustRaiser
Underrated song by them, in my opinion it's one of their best.
@Scallion_D
👌
@rofidel178
Agreed!
@deborahpaley21
AGREE
@antennamondox2603
Ja (yes) !
@smajl2
This has to be in every roadtrip playlist! A must!
@rumblefish9
The whole album is brilliant!
@dpunk2243
96 kilometres per hour