… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris & Gillian Gilbert
Produced by New Order
Recorded Winter 1982
Released Summer 1984 on the Thieves Like Us (instrumental) / Murder Factory Benelux 12")
Murder
New Order Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crawl across
I wouldn't do that, Dave
I'm afraid, Dave
My mind is going
There is no question about it
The lyrics of New Order's song "Murder" are cryptic and elusive, leaving it open to interpretation. It's impossible to know what was going on in the mind of the writer, Bernard Sumner when he wrote the words "Crows, crows, crows, I hate them/Crawl across." However, the imagery of a crow, a bird of death often associated with evil and darkness, is a common one in rock and pop music. The repetition of the word "crows" in the song suggests an obsession or fear, creating a mood of unease and anxiety. It could be seen as a metaphor for something that troubles the singer, perhaps an addiction or a traumatic memory.
The next lines of the song are intriguing, as the voice of the computer HAL from the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey" appears, saying "I wouldn't do that, Dave/I'm afraid, Dave/My mind is going/There is no question about it." This reference to the famous sci-fi film is unexpected but effective. The lines suggest a machine that is malfunctioning or losing control, which could be a metaphor for the human mind slipping into madness. It's unclear who Dave is, but it could be a name chosen purely for its sound in the context of the song.
Overall, "Murder" is a song that leaves much to the imagination, encouraging listeners to find their own meanings in the dark and mysterious lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Crows, crows, crows, I hate them
Black birds in the sky, I despise them
Crawl across
Scuttle over
I wouldn't do that, Dave
I advise you not to proceed, Dave
I'm afraid, Dave
I am gripped by fear, Dave
My mind is going
My mental faculties are failing
There is no question about it
It is indisputable
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gillian Lesley Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Paul David Morris, Bernard Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind