The song was supposed to be used in the film Wayne's World 2. However, the movie producers didn't have the money to pay New Order for the track so a cover version using studio musicians was used in place of the real track.
It has also been covered by numerous bands and performers, including Arcade Fire, 311, Buffalo Tom, Grant-Lee Phillips, Kevin Drew, Cienfuegos, Masters of the Hemisphere, Craig Marlowe, Electric Colony, Kii Noo, Neverending White Lights, The Obvious, Buzzcocks, Thursday 29 and Built to Spill.
The song also features in the BBC documentary The Trap.
In 2010, a portion of the song was used in a commercial for Target Corporation.
In 2012, a remixed version appeared as the background music in the announcement video for the iPad Mini.
The song has been played 208 times in concert by the band, making its live debut in 1982. It returned to live performances in 2011, following a 22 year absence from setlists, having last been played live in 1989.
Released 2 May 1983
Recorded March 1982, Britannia Row, Islington
Genre Alternative rock, jangle pop, post-punk
Length 5:15
Label Factory
Writer Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert
Producer New Order
Age of Consent
New Order Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These words lie inside they hurt me so
And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you
Just what I want to do
I'm not the kind that needs to tell you
Just what you, want me to
I saw you this morning, I thought that you might like to know
I understood every word that it said
And now that I've actually heard it, you're going to regret
And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you
Just what you want me to
You're not the kind that needs to tell me
About the birds and the bees
Do you find this happens all the time?
Crucial point one day becomes a crime
And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you
Just what I want to do
I'm not the kind that needs to tell you, ooh-ooh
Lost you, I've lost you
I've lost you, I've lost you
I've lost you
Lost you, I've lost you
I've lost you, I've lost you
I've lost you
Lost you, I've lost you
I've lost you, I've lost you
I've lost you
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh!
The lyrics of "Age of Consent" by New Order tell a story of a person who is in a difficult situation in a relationship. The singer pleads to be allowed to leave the relationship, as they are feeling trapped and unable to express their true feelings. They express their frustration with their partner, who seems to be telling them what to do and how to feel. The second verse reveals that the singer has received a message from their partner, which they understood clearly, and will now act on. The chorus is a statement of the singer's inner turmoil, as they struggle with the decision to leave their partner.
The lyrics of "Age of Consent" can be interpreted on multiple levels, with themes of self-expression, independence, and personal growth. The use of the phrase "age of consent" can be seen as a reference to the idea of reaching a certain level of maturity and taking control of one's own life.
Overall, the song presents a conflicted and emotionally charged narrative that captures the complexities of relationships and the challenges of personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you please let me go?
Asking to be released from a difficult situation
These words lie inside they hurt me so
Holding onto painful emotions
And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you, Just what I want to do
Preferring not to express oneself openly
I'm not the kind that needs to tell you, Just what you, want me to
Not feeling the need to conform to others' expectations
I saw you this morning, I thought that you might like to know
Noticing someone and acknowledging their existence
I received your message in full a few days ago
Understanding a message or communication clearly
I understood every word that it said
Comprehending the full message and its implications
And now that I've actually heard it, you're going to regret
Implying that the information received has negative consequences
You're not the kind that needs to tell me, About the birds and the bees
Assuming lack of necessity to explain basic knowledge
Do you find this happens all the time?
Questioning the frequency of a particular occurrence
Crucial point one day becomes a crime
Highlighting potential consequences of certain actions
Lost you, I've lost you
Expressing the feeling of losing someone or something
Ooh!
An exclamation of intense emotion
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gillian Lesley Gilbert, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Stephen Paul David Morris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RichardKoning
Won't you please let me go
These words lie inside, they hurt me so
And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you
Just what I want to do
I'm not the kind that needs to tell you
Just what you want me to
[Verse 2]
I saw you this morning
I thought that you might like to know
I received your message in full a few days ago
I understood every word that it said
And now that I've actually heard it
You're going to regret
[Verse 3]
And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you
Just what you want me to
You're not the kind that needs to tell me
About the birds and the bees
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 4]
Do you find this happens all the time
Crucial point one day becomes a crime
And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you
Just what I want to do
I'm not the kind that needs to tell you
[Outro]
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
I've lost you
@rdkatlant
This song never gets old.
@jeanborges3345
Aaaa
@lizardking5525
Doesn't that mean it never gets age of consent?
@tonyphilpott1091
The point of the song, keep dancing!!
@francisaypa267
BEST !!!
@user-rc1fi5gz6g
Nopey nope
@richardkolnsberg4418
Age Of Consent is one of those songs that never needed visuals, those should remain in the mind of the listener.
@pauloliver6813
Absolutely right. Everyone has the one they lost, and it's individual.
@jtrapp651
you couldnt be more right
@emilyfardoe8663
Well said :)))