Produced by Martin Hannett.
Released November 1981 on Movement.
Personnel
Bass & lead vocals by Peter Hook.
Guitar & synthesizer by Bernard Sumner.
Synthesizer & backing vocals by Gillian Gilbert.
Drums by Stephen Morris.
Doubts Even Here
New Order Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When eyes just turn and stare
The day begins, collapsing without warning
You fade from sight, there's nothing there
No hope allowed, calls are answered daily
Questions are on your side
Deeply moved, beyond all consolation
In my mind, thoughts are becoming clearer
I'm watching every move you make
Counting time spent in observation
A single blow a false mistake
Then you revealed to me
All that I need to know now
(The close went down to times
too, too much behind us)
Then please don't turn away,
Why can't I talk to you now?
(The number of forgotten years
Where my honor isn't deepest
Grows the deepest feeling and it
Grieved for safety and despair)
There's nowhere left to go
Where is this taking her and how?
(The torish threats forevermore
Over our natural favor
And us and he's and I'll fall
Far in it, and it sees enough
In our failures and it's not time.)
There's nothing more I want
To know beyond your trust now
(I missed his promised time again
For my friend)
Don't throw our joy away
Why must you just you leave now?
(Has God forgotten to approach us?
Has He rememberd to not despise us?)
Memories are all that's left
I need you near to me now
(There, now, now, don't come to mind my deeds
And call out in defiance of times gone by)
The lyrics of New Order's song 07.- Doubts Even Here are enigmatic and require some interpretation. The song seems to be about a relationship that has collapsed, and the singer is left with nothing but doubts and questions. The opening lines describe the feeling of watching someone walk away from you, and the sense of despair as they disappear "fade from sight, there's nothing there." The rest of the song is a series of questions and pleas for understanding and connection.
The chorus seems to be addressed to the person who has left, with the singer asking "why can't I talk to you now?" and begging them not to "throw our joy away" and to "just leave now." The verses are more introspective, with the singer grappling with their own doubts and feelings of confusion. They describe themselves "watching every move you make" and trying to make sense of what went wrong. The lines "In my mind, thoughts are becoming clearer / Counting time spent in observation / A single blow a false mistake" suggest that the singer is trying to understand how the relationship fell apart.
The final lines of the song have an almost obsessive quality, with the singer begging for the person to return to them: "Memories are all that's left / I need you near to me now." Despite the confusion and doubts, there is a sense of urgency and desperation to the lyrics, and the song ends on a haunting note.
Line by Line Meaning
Those steps which seem to take a lifetime
The small everyday things feel endless when all you can do is stare.
When eyes just turn and stare
Feeling stuck and hopeless, not knowing what direction to take.
The day begins, collapsing without warning
Everyday life continues, but it feels like it's going wrong and falling apart.
You fade from sight, there's nothing there
Feeling disconnected and unimportant to the world around you.
No hope allowed, calls are answered daily
Feeling like there's no way out and constantly trying to find answers or a solution.
Questions are on your side
Asking yourself endless questions when you're feeling lost and alone.
Deeply moved, beyond all consolation
Feeling emotions very strongly, but not being able to find comfort or relief.
You felt the pulse, now hear the cry
Being in tune with the world and the pain around you, but not knowing how to fix it.
In my mind, thoughts are becoming clearer
Slowly beginning to make sense of things and see a path forward.
I'm watching every move you make
Paying close attention to the people around you, hoping to understand them better.
Counting time spent in observation
Taking the time to study and learn about the world and the people in it.
A single blow a false mistake
One small action can lead to big consequences, even if it was unintended.
Then you revealed to me
Finally understanding something that was once hidden or mysterious.
All that I need to know now
The information gained is exactly what was needed to move forward.
(The close went down to times
Reflecting on how the past has shaped the present.
too, too much behind us)
Feeling burdened by past events that can't be changed.
Then please don't turn away,
Begging someone not to close themselves off or hide their emotions.
Why can't I talk to you now?
Feeling frustrated that communication isn't possible in the present moment.
(The number of forgotten years
Realizing just how much time has passed and how much has been forgotten.
Where my honor isn't deepest
Feeling like something important has been lost or forgotten over time.
Grows the deepest feeling and it
Allowing emotions to swell and become stronger over time.
Grieved for safety and despair)
Feeling both sadness and fear for what the future may hold.
There's nowhere left to go
Feeling stuck and unable to move forward or find a new path.
Where is this taking her and how?
Uncertainty about the future and where it may lead.
(The torish threats forevermore
Feeling like the world is against you and there's always a new problem to face.
Over our natural favor
Feeling like the world is rigged against you and doesn't naturally favor your success or happiness.
And us and he's and I'll fall
Feeling like everyone is destined to fail and fall in their own way eventually.
Far in it, and it sees enough
Feeling overwhelmed and not sure how to even begin solving problems.
In our failures and it's not time.)
Feeling like failure is inevitable and it's not yet time to try and change that.
There's nothing more I want
Feeling content with what you have and not wanting more than that.
To know beyond your trust now
Trusting someone fully and not needing anything else from them to feel secure.
(I missed his promised time again
Regretting missed opportunities and feeling like time is slipping away.
For my friend)
Thinking of someone specific and feeling remorse for not making time for them.
Don't throw our joy away
Begging someone to hold onto the good times and not let them be ruined.
Why must you just you leave now?
Feeling abandoned and unsure why someone would choose to leave.
(Has God forgotten to approach us?
Feeling forgotten and disconnected from something greater, like a higher power.
Has He rememberd to not despise us?)
Wondering if there's any reason to believe that you're protected or have a fulfilling life ahead of you.
Memories are all that's left
Feeling like memories are the only thing that can't be taken away.
I need you near to me now
Craving the presence of someone you love and feeling like you're lost without them.
(There, now, now, don't come to mind my deeds
Trying to push past past mistakes and live in the present moment.
And call out in defiance of times gone by)
Resisting the temptation to dwell on the past and instead live in the present.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GILLIAN LESLEY GILBERT, PETER HOOK, STEPHEN PAUL DAVID MORRIS, BERNARD SUMNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@martinwillis92
Those steps which seem to take a lifetime
When eyes just turn and stare
The day begins, collapsing without warning
You fade from sight, there's nothing there
No hope allowed, calls are answered daily
Questions are on your side
Deeply moved, beyond all consolation
You felt the pulse, now hear the cry
In my mind, thoughts are becoming clearer
I'm watching every move you make
Counting time spent in observation
A single blow a false mistake
Then you revealed to me
All that I need to know now
(The close went down to times
too, too much behind us)
Then please don't turn away,
Why can't I talk to you now?
(The number of forgotten years
Where my honor isn't deepest
Grows the deepest feeling and it
Grieved for safety and despair)
There's nowhere left to go
Where is this taking her and how?
(The torish threats forevermore
Over our natural favor
And us and he's and I'll fall
Far in it, and it sees enough
In our failures and it's not time.)
There's nothing more I want
To know beyond your trust now
(I missed his promised time again
For my friend)
Don't throw our joy away
Why must you just you leave now?
(Has God forgotten to approach us?
Has He rememberd to not despise us?)
Memories are all that's left
I need you near to me now
(There, now, now, don't come to mind my deeds
And call out in defiance of times gone by)
@robhaunui3343
My absolute favourite NO track of all time.Its haunted me since 1981,and will remain forever etched in my memory.This is the sound of JD saying goodbye...and with Hookys spookily Ian Curtis like vocals,makes it more poignant.
@stevendphoto
Couldn't agree more, my friend...!
@lebonvirusofpopcultureradio
This album is the link between their earlier years and New Order... I love it since 1981.
@chewbaccalyn302
Me too one of my favorite songs ever they were way ahead of their time
@PROPORIOFFICIAL
My favourite piece too … always the most different ever New Order piece… Hannetts great work … what an album too …
@carlosquadrada3666
Me too! The end of Joy....
@jebdunkins6796
An Underrated Gem from New Order's catalogue, with the drums it almost sounds like a funeral march for Ian Curtis.
"Don't Throw our Joy Away..."
@cawag98
This song for me is the exact middle between JD and what became New Order. What a song, what an era we lived in.
@telophasemusic
Peter singing "don't take our joy away" with the pounding drums and Gillian's spoken word vocal makes this song absolutely explode.
@seattlebeard
I've listened to this New Order album more than any of their others. Movement is an amazing tool for testing out speakers and equiptment. There are sounds in that album that you can only hear on very good speakers.