THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

619-Joy Division-Love Will Tear Us Apart.

1980-Number 13 single.It was re-released in 1983, and reached Number 19, and again in 1995, it once again made Number 19.

Best Bit-At 0.07.Ian Curtis knew of the song ‘Love Will Keep Us Together’ by the Captain & Tennille, and with that in mind, wrote about his own experiences of love.

Joy Division were formed in Salford, England, in 1976, with the classic line up being Ian Curtis (1956-1980,) (vocals,) Bernard Sumner (guitar,) Peter Hook (bass,) and Stephen Morris (drums.) They initially called the band ‘Warsaw,’ named after the David Bowie song ‘Warszawa,’ from his 1977 Album ‘Low,’ but renamed themselves Joy Division in early 1978, taking the name from the ‘sexual slavery’ wing of a Nazi concentration camp,as mentioned in the 1955 novel ‘House of Dolls,’ by the author ‘Ka-tzethik 135633’.When first forming they were heavily influenced by early Punk Music, but over time developed their own sound. After Curtis committed suicide in 1980, the three remaining members dropped the name Joy Division, and reformed as New Order (see also best songs 885.)

The writing of ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ is credited to all four band members, but the lyrics were written by Ian Curtis, based on his own personnel experiences. Curtis had recently ended his marriage, and had been diagnosed with epilepsy, causing him to have fits when performing on stage. The stress of holding down a day job, and being on the verge of Pop stardom, tipped him over the edge, and he committed suicide by hanging on May 18th, 1980.

‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ was posthumously released in June 1980, and followed the following month by the bands second and final Album ‘Closer.’ A further 12 compilations, and four live Albums have been released in subsequent years.

‘When routine bites hard, and ambitions are low, and resentment rides high, but emotions won’t grow, and we’re changing our ways, taking different roads.’