Prod… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris & Peter Hook.
Produced by Martin Hannett.
Released February 1981 on Ceremony.
Notes The first New Order track though actually written in the last days of Joy Division. The first version of 'Ceremony' was recorded as a 3-piece in September 1980 during New Order's first US tour. They later re-recorded the track with Gillian Gilbert which was released in July 1981. The original 3-piece recording is only to be found on the 2005 New Order retrospective Singles and the 9th track of the 2008 2CD re-issue of Movement. A live version by Joy Division is on the album Still and Joy Division's very rough demo is found on the JD box-set Heart and Soul.
Ceremony
New Order Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They find it all, a different story
Notice whom for wheels are turning
Turn again and turn towards this time
All she asks is the strength to hold me
Then again the same old story
Word will travel, oh so quickly
Travel first and lean towards this time
Oh, I'll break them down, no mercy shown
Heaven knows it's got to be this time
Watching her, these things she said
The times she cried
Too frail to wake this time
Oh, I'll break them down, no mercy shown
Heaven knows, it's got to be this time
Avenues all lined with trees
Picture me and then you start watching
Watching forever
Forever
Watching love grow, forever
Letting me know, forever
The lyrics to New Order's "Ceremony" can mean different things depending on the interpretation of the listener. One possible interpretation is that the singer is experiencing anxiety over events that are happening around him. He feels that events are being told in a different way, which makes him nervous. He realizes that people are motivated by different reasons, and at times it is difficult to predict what those reasons are.
The singer seeks the strength to handle these situations and is reminded of a similar situation before. He acknowledges that the word travels quickly and in a small community, word of mouth is powerful. He will not show mercy, as he must face these issues and resolve them.
In the final part of the song, the singer is looking towards the future, where he imagines himself and someone else walking down the avenue lined with trees. He sees a bright future in which love grows and he is forever connected to this person. Overall, the song is about facing anxieties and looking towards a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
This is why events unnerve me
I get easily unsettled by unexpected changes in my life
They find it all, a different story
The perception of events can differ significantly from person to person
Notice whom for wheels are turning
Be aware of who is holding the power and driving the situation
Turn again and turn towards this time
Let's try to tackle this problem from a fresh angle
All she asks is the strength to hold me
She just wants to support me and be there for me
Then again the same old story
We seem to be stuck in a cycle of repeating the same mistakes
Word will travel, oh so quickly
Gossip and rumors spread rapidly and can have a big impact
Travel first and lean towards this time
Let's take proactive measures to steer the narrative in a positive direction
Oh, I'll break them down, no mercy shown
I'm determined to overcome any obstacles, even if it requires a ruthless approach
Heaven knows it's got to be this time
This is a critical moment that demands immediate action
Watching her, these things she said
I'm carefully listening to her words and reactions
The times she cried
I'm aware of her pain and weaknesses
Too frail to wake this time
She's not strong enough to handle the situation right now
Avenues all lined with trees
The world is full of choices and opportunities
Picture me and then you start watching
Imagine my perspective and you'll see things from a different angle
Watching forever
This is an ongoing process of observation and analysis
Forever
This level of attention and dedication will never fade away
Watching love grow, forever
I'm committed to nurturing and strengthening our relationship over time
Letting me know, forever
She'll continue to show me her love and support for as long as we're together
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bernard Sumner, Ian Kevin Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Paul David Morris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind