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.
State of the Nation
New Order Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't have to be someone
I went on a summer cruise
Upon an ocean born to lose
My brother said that he was dead
I saw his face and shook my head
Can you see where we can't be
We're losing our blood in the sea
That's holding our salvation
Yes, it's the state of the nation (state of the nation)
That's holding our salvation
Oh, the state of the nation (state on the nation)
Is causing deprivation
Oh, the state of the nation (state of the nation)
Is causing deprivation
From my home I traveled far
I drove in my stolen car
When it broke down, I kissed the ground
'Cause I don't kiss when you're around
I don't find that I have been
The portrait of an only son
If that's the case, then who could tell
Where my story had begun?
'Cause it's the state of the nation (state of the nation)
That's holding our salvation
Yes, it's the state of the nation (state of the nation)
That's holding our salvation
It's the state of the nation (state on the nation)
That's causing deprivation
Oh, it's the state of the nation (state of the nation)
That's causing deprivation
State of the nation (state of the station)
State of the nation (state of the station)
State of the nation (state of the station)
State of the nation (state of the station)
Even now, I'm all alone
Behind a wall that's made of stone
I think about where we have been
And all the sights that could be seen
I know it all could be worthwhile
If only I could force a smile
Now we turn our backs to the sea
The shame of a nation we'll never be
'Cause it's the state of the nation (state of the nation)
That's holding our salvation
Yes, it's the state of the nation (state of the nation)
That's holding our salvation
It's the state of the nation (state on the nation)
It's causing deprivation
Oh, yes it's the state of the nation (state of the nation)
It's causing deprivation
The lyrics to New Order's song State of the Nation depict a sense of despair and social commentary on the current state of society. The opening lines convey a message of taking control of one's own life and not conforming to societal norms. The following lines describe a failed venture on a summer cruise where the individual witnesses the destruction of the environment and the loss of life. The mention of the brother adds to the gloomy tone of the song, perhaps indicating the loss of a loved one or the failure of the societal structure to protect its citizens.
The song continues with a sense of alienation and detachment, where the individual drives a stolen car and feels relief when it breaks down, indicating a desire to escape from the world around them. The following lines suggest a lack of identity and confusion about their own background, indicating a loss of direction in society. The repeated chorus of 'state of the nation' hints towards the issues plaguing the country and the struggle to find salvation and hope in a turbulent world.
The lyrics also highlight the failure of society to address the issues and the need for change. The final lines speak of being alone and isolated, looking back at the world and wishing for happiness amidst the deprivation and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
You can walk, or you can run
You have a choice in how you approach life
You don't have to be someone
You don't need to conform or be anyone other than yourself
I went on a summer cruise
I embarked on a journey, seeking adventure and new experiences
Upon an ocean born to lose
Despite my optimism, the environment was hostile and unforgiving
My brother said that he was dead
My brother claimed he'd given up on life
I saw his face and shook my head
I was disappointed and saddened by his defeatist attitude
Can you see where we can't be
Do you understand the limitations that prevent us from reaching our goals?
We're losing our blood in the sea
Our efforts are wasted and we are being drained by our environment and circumstances
'Cause it's the state of the nation (state of the nation)
That's holding our salvation
The current conditions of our society are preventing us from achieving our potential
Oh, the state of the nation (state on the nation)
Is causing deprivation
Our current societal state is leading to a lack of essential resources and necessities
From my home I traveled far
I left behind my familiar surroundings in search of something more
I drove in my stolen car
I resorted to desperate measures to achieve my goals
When it broke down, I kissed the ground
'Cause I don't kiss when you're around
I was relieved to be out of harm's way, away from those that seek to hinder me
I don't find that I have been
The portrait of an only son
I don't fit the mold of what is traditionally expected out of an only child
If that's the case, then who could tell
Where my story had begun?
If I don't fit the expected narrative, then where did my story truly begin?
Now we turn our backs to the sea
The shame of a nation we'll never be
We are moving on from our constraints and will not be defined by the societal shame of our current condition
Even now, I'm all alone
Behind a wall that's made of stone
Despite moving on from societal constraints, it can be lonely when you are different from the rest of society
I think about where we have been
And all the sights that could be seen
Reflecting on past experiences and the endless possibilities of the future
I know it all could be worthwhile
If only I could force a smile
Finding joy in life is possible, but sometimes it takes a conscious effort
It's causing deprivation
The current societal state is leading to a lack of essential resources and necessities
State of the nation (state of the station)
Reflecting on the societal state
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD (GB 2) SUMNER, PETER HOOK, STEPHEN PAUL DAVID MORRIS, GILLIAN LESLEY GILBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JiaPia3
How could I forget New Order? It was all I listened to in high school (my sisters stuff,..I’m a bit young for this group). I bought all CDs once I got money,
@euroamtey
A truly formidable protest song. Way underrated.
@carrot2169
excuse me, why isn´t this the most famous song of the 80s? what´s wrong with this society?
@ld6318
Lots of 80s songs were totally underrated. One of the hidden treasures for sure! ❤️
@dambrooks7578
Why did none of what was learnt in the 80s not prepare the country for everything that has happened since 2010, it is as if the people like not having money 🤔
@ragheadand420roll
Im right there with you bro
@jacobreesdogg5522
Maybe because Temptation is better?
@dirk586
@@jacobreesdogg5522Temptation isn't just better - it's the best song. I Love it and dream and dance since 1983 to this Song..... Greetz from South Germany
@victorrodriguez5765
My favorite New Order song. ... greetings of Peru.
@alguienconunvideojuego4606
hey yo tambien