Wallflower of Music: February 2013

Sunday, February 24, 2013

First Lyrics to Closing Lyrics (A Series) Pt.9: Komakino

Here's a special one!

Just to recap, this is going to be a part of a series of posts I'm going to make on this blog. This'll be where I compare an early set of lyrics to a later set of lyrics for one Joy Division song. Sometimes I may compare multiple sets of lyrics of just one song to each other. When you couple in a lot of the live variations to certain songs, you can get all sorts of results.

Today's choice was one of the last Joy Division songs in their catalog and probably one of the most underrated: Komakino.

JoyDiv theorizes that the song was named after the Kanto Kino theater in Berlin, Germany. Joy Division played a gig there on January 21, 1980.

Like half of the Closer-era material, "Komakino" was conceived, composed, and released at the end of Joy Division's lifetime. One of my personal favorites, Joy Division did not have the chance to properly enjoy and play this song as much as I personally would've hoped. The song was only played at one gig, as far as we know; perhaps it was to be played only at this one gig and then never seen again, like songs like "Something Must Break" and "The Kill (Still Version)".

Joy Division sure picked one hell of a gig to debut it, though: Lyceum Ballroom, London (February 29, 1980). I'll talk more about this gig later, but for now, let me say this: it was the best, most monumental, legendary, holy-shit awesome gig Joy Division ever did, bar-fucking-none. Believe me, I'll gush about the gig later on.

Anyway, all three versions (that's right; there's only three, unless the Closer outtakes tape that Peter Hook has has more versions on it) have very similar instrumental composition, but all of them have significantly different lyrics. I'll get to that in a moment.

First known version, live debut:

Lyceum Ballroom, London (February 29, 1980) [Soundcheck]

This is the hour when the young men return

Strangers were always too good

Moment so moving goes straight to your heart

Rapidly changes to fear

Pattern is set, her reaction will start

Complete but rejected too soon

Thinking ahead in the grip of each tear

Nothing will keep me from you

Chewing a moment when all will be right

Pact just been buried for years

Thickness so great, it's so hard to reflect

Attraction that brought me to you

Through jungles of dead wood and cities on fire

Places I never have been

Each shadow that danced in the light of each day

How could I ever forget

Just walk with me

Take part to see

Just walk with me

Take part to see

Yeah, be with me

Take part to see

Yeah, walk with me

Take part to see

Yeah, walk with me

Take part to see

Just be with me

Take part for me

Second live version, gig version. This version has significantly different lyrics to the previous version. It's weird how that happened, because they are soundcheck and gig versions to the same gig, and they can't have been played more than a few hours from each other. My friend Darkman has a theory that Ian had had a few more drinks by the time they played the live set, and that's why Ian had a harder time with this version's lyrics. I can believe that, because in a lot of places, especially the first verse, it's really hard to understand what he's saying:

Lyceum Ballroom, London (February 29, 1980) [Gig]

This is the hour when the young men return

Strangers were always too good

Moment so great, it just touches your heart

Gradually changes to fear

Pattern is set, we gradually part

Go while it changes to fear

Look to the future, the grip of the year

Go while it changes my mind

Chewing a moment when all will be right

Pact just been buried for years

Pitfalls so great, it's so hard to reflect

Attraction that brought me to you

Through jungles of dead wood and cities on fire

Places I never have been

The shadow that danced in the light of the day

How could I ever forget

Walk with me

Take part to see

Walk with me

Take part to see

Yeah, walk with me

Take part to see

Yeah, walk with me

Take part to see

Yeah, walk with me

Take part to see

Yeah, walk with me

Take part, I see

Third and final version, studio version. The lyrics, again, are entirely different, and again, it's strange, because this version was recorded only about a month later. Sadly, the "Walk with me" chorus was removed, which is a shame because I really liked it, but was replaced with a new closing verse:

'Closer' Outtake (March 18-30, 1980)

This is the hour when the mysteries emerge

A strangeness so hard to reflect

A moment so moving goes straight to your heart

Vision that's never been met

The attraction is held like a weight deep inside

Something I'll never forget

The pattern is set, her reaction will start

Complete but rejected too soon

Looking ahead in the grip of each tear

Pitfalls and light as we breath

Shadow that stood by the side of the road

Always reminds me of you

How can I find the right way to control

All the conflict inside, all the problems beside

As the questions arise, and the answers don't fit

Into my way of things

Now, if you haven't noticed it already, one of the lines to the soundcheck/gig version is "Through jungles of deadwood and cities on fire". Recall, if you will, the final verse to the Closer version of "Atrocity Exhibition".

"And I picked on the whims of a thousand or more
Still pursuing the path that’s been buried for years
All the deadwood from jungles and cities on fire
Can’t replace or relate, can’t release or repair
Take my hand and I’ll show you what was and will be"

The line is almost exactly the same. Isn't it weird that there's such a connection between the two songs? But continuing with that tradition, consider this pattern: "She's Lost Control" was rerecorded in mid-February 1980, right around this time. For that version, Ian wrote an additional closing verse. "Atrocity Exhibition" was first recorded in June 1979 and rerecorded in March 1980, with that new closing verse. "Komakino" never got an early studio recorded version, but was played live; in March 1980, it was recorded and was given a new closing verse. All of the closing verses for these three songs were FIVE lines long, and they were recorded literally within a month of one another. It's fascinating to me that Ian had established lyrics for all three songs, but come recording time in February-March 1980, he changed and/or added new five-line closing verses to the songs. I wonder if he even realized it, or if it just came naturally.

That's not all. The line "This is the hour when the young men return" seems to be reworked for the opening verse to "Decades".

"Here are the young men, the weight's on their shoulders
Here are the young men, well, where have they been?
We knocked on the doors of Hell's darker chambers
Pushed to the limit, we dragged ourselves in"

Here are the young men - this is the hour when they return - where have they been? Cool stuff...

Last thing to mention: chapter two of Deborah Curtis' book Touching From a Distance is titled "Walk with me, take hold and see". It's clearly a line from "Komakino", however there is no early draft of lyrics for the song in the book.

Whew...this was a longer post than I had anticipated. I hope you found it informative and interesting. Cheers!

-Wallflower

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Warsaw Demos (July 18, 1977) ENTIRE Transcription

Joy Division

Warsaw Demos, recorded Pennine Sound Studios, Oldham (July 18, 1977)

The following is my best attempt at decoding all the lyrics to all the songs in this Joy Division recording session. I have several documents containing whole gigs and recording sessions entirely transcribed by myself, so I figured instead of giving you just one song in all its forms, I'll give you a whole session today.

This post also contains also any flavor text (as in vocals in between songs) in addition to all the lyrics. The flavor text will appear in italics.

Track-List:
1. Inside the Line
2. Gutz (for Garters)
3. At a Later Date
4. The Kill
5. You're No Good For Me

This is the first time I'm giving you guys a decoded recording session, rather than a gig. What better way to start that off than with the very first Joy Division studio recording session ever?

This is the only studio session with Steve Brotherdale on drums, instead of Stephen Morris. Stephen wouldn't join the band until September/October 1977.

In my opinion, this is a very underrated session. I mean, the sound quality is poor and the songs themselves are nothing too special, but the choruses sang by the entire band (perhaps minus Brotherdale) are very energetic and involving, and the lyrics shine through and are a tell-tale sign of all the wonderful things to come from the band. Interestingly enough, "Gutz (For Garters)", "At a Later Date", and "You're No Good For Me" were written by Peter Hook, not Ian. Surprising, huh? According to Peter from his new book, by the time the material for An Ideal For Living was being created, he knew he was beat in terms of writing lyrics.

Most bootleg releases of these Warsaw Demos are incomplete, i.e. they have a few minor edits. Nothing too significant is lost, this way; just a few countdowns before each song starts and maybe an extra second or two at the end of each song. The only release that is unedited (or at least, is the MOST complete) is the bootleg "From the Center of the City". My good friend FageOner obtained a copy of the bootleg and remastered it a few months ago. If you haven't already, visit his blog to get it.

http://toanend.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-warsaw-demo.html

All of the extra stuff, like the countdowns, I have put in italics.

You can hear Ian coughing all throughout the recording session. I really don't know why. The setup at the studio must have been crappy, or the guy who made the mixes probably couldn't mix for shit. The producer of this session remains unknown, perhaps for good reason.

"Inside the Line" is the first example of the common crossing the line/inside or beyond the line motif in several of Ian's songs. I've wanted to cover that for a long time.

"Gutz", according to Peter Hook, was originally called "Gutz For Garters". I'm not sure why this name change occurred or when it occurred, but I've restored the full title. The end of the track has a very jarring and sudden stop to it, even though it's uncut; you can barely make out the final word "Gutz" being uttered.

This version of "The Kill" has lyrics very akin to the kind we would eventually see in "Exercise One" and the draft to the unknown Warsaw song "Conditioned". All the more reason to do a post for "Exercise One"...

Inside the Line

*Drumsticks tap together

Hey! You! You too!

I could make the choice for you

Dirt sticks close to you; it's all around me

Everything I try to do

I can't even seem to find the room to move

But you think you're number one (Hey!)

Actors through the filthy scum (You!)

Crowded in a room for one (You too!)

Darkness when the lights are on

Turn me on for good; it's so exciting

Slogans on the walls; don't need no advertising

I can't even seem to find the room to move

Shackled up in fantasy (Hey!)

Hoping for some time to breathe (You!)

Suffocation comes too easy (You too!)

I just want some time to breathe

Dirt sticks close to you; it's all around me

Everything I do, they're always trying to crowd me

I can't even seem to find the room to move

Watching every move I make (Hey!)

Choice of one that's hard to take (You!)

In fact it's just a big mistake (You too!)

Effects that make it feel like you

Maggots run inside the line (Hey!)

Prepping for the perfect crime (You!)

Say there is no right or wrong (You too!)

I don't know what's right or wrong

Gutz (for Garters)

Ian: ...3, 4.

WARSAW!!!

Don't talk to me girl, you know it's not nice

Don't laugh at murder, I won't pay the price

The price are too high-powered, such a good thrill

I'd do it myself, 'cause it makes you so ill

Blame bad things on me, whatever you do

We're not normal, but we're different from you

You're such a chic tart, you're really dressed up

Don't wanna talk to you, just left with your mum

Don't be a puppet, always rush you around

Won just for your photo; try and tie me down

I won't tell him I talk like this all night

He must be worried 'cause you're sounding so trite

Respect is only normal; the way to your lives

Ever tried to sleep around; once I begged for a wife

Wouldn't have to change you, start casting the way

If don't keep our heads alive, we'll never get a say

You know what's special, just black as I say

Can you see me, just ourselves, no comment, copycat!

Guts

At a Later Date

Ian: ...4!

*Ian coughs

Why must we be put down when we try to get away?

Why must we all grow up when we could just play and play?

Good things in life are free, can't buy everything, that's true

Only one thing wrong with that: what it don't buy I don't use

*cough

Only thing I'm thinking of is "Why are we all here?"

There must be more to do at nights than drinking rotten beer

The world's a very shady place, and you can't trust a soul

"Grin and bear it" seemed the thing, when it just gets a hold

At a later date

It might come out's a fright

At a later date

I hope that you're alright

Human beings are dangerous and they call me in the dark

But everything gets twice as cold in marching for a lark

There's loads of things I'd like to do if I could find the time

Working really tires me and I think I'll turn to crime

At a later date

I hope they start it soon

At a later date

Before we hit the moon

I just can't be bothered to make an effort here at all

People make you feel your contributions are too small

I just can't be bothered to make an effort here at all

People make you feel your contributions are too small

At a later date

I'll be awful great

At a later date

Someone somewhere blew it

At a later date

The Kill

Ian: ...4.

*Ian coughs

Life can be skewed, good things are nice

Counting on you, really no threats

The waiting is through, deciphering the scars

Just who fooled who, sit still in their cars

It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill

I can smell truth, your talking's a lie

Turn onto you, before say "die"

Wrapped in your trunk, to reach out the brief case

So I can detect the longer it's taking

It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill

Dangerous cues, set by distraction

Deprived of all use, nor in satisfaction

Total destruction; the worst ever met

Kept in apartment, sublimely for you...

*cough

Who's got the front stage, to keep you in rocks?

Who's got the vision, that puts in the locks?

Loss of all resource; forced into your head

Just that it was, whacked into the air...

It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill

It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother KILL!!!

*cough

Ian: Sorry...

You're No Good For Me

Ian: 1, 2, 3, 4!

*Ian coughs

Don't know what I'm doing, don't know where I'm going

Leading me to ruin, I should have traded you in

Yeah, you think you're something but you're no good for me

Don't know if I care, don't know if I'm there

I just sit and stare, making love to thin air

Yeah, you're being insulted but you're no good for me

Na na na na na na na na no good

I do lots of good, surprised at what you would

Don't call me no crud, I really think I'm good

Yeah, you think you're something but you're no good for me

Try to call the tune; I'll probably so and ruin it

I'll just get it groomed, there's lots of attitudes

Yeah, you're being insulted but you're no good for me

I get by the local peer group and their pressures

I can wash the dishes; my soups can taste delicious

Yeah, you think you're something but you're no good for me

Forgotten how you feel; to me you're looking real

Come on let's make a deal and think of where we live

Yeah, you think you're something but you're no good for me

Na na na na na na na na no good

Forgotten how you feel; to me you're looking real

Come on let's make a deal; we'll think of where you live

Yeah, you're being insulted but you're no good for me

Thanks for reading, and happy listening!

Friday, February 8, 2013

University of London Union, London (February 8, 1980) ENTIRE Transcription

Joy Division

Live at University of London Union, London (February 8, 1980)

-Encore Break-
11. The Eternal
12. Digital

I originally intended on having every gig transcript I post on my blog on the day of the month it originally happened, starting with the January 1980 dates. Sadly, that didn't happen as planned, and I don't really intend on doing it. This one gig, though, will be the special exception. 33 years ago today, the ULU Joy Division gig happened. And it must've been glorious.

The concert was recorded by Duncan Haysom, whom you can clearly hear cheering after each song. There are multiple recordings, but the most common and famous one is Duncan's. It's the one that was used for the 2007 remaster of Closer and was also re-remastered in November 2012 by Analog Loyalist for his blog. I used the 2012 remaster to decode the gig.

Duncan remembers: "At the start of the gig Ian was about to intro the band when Steve cut in and started the drumming on Dead Souls so Ian just started dancing. The second chorus is sung by Hooky because the lead to Ian's microphone fell out...It fell out twice; I can't remember if Hooky picked up the vocals on the other time. Ian just dropped the mic to the floor and walked away when it happened on the chorus...There may be some more photos of this gig.”

Peter Hook had to sing the second chorus and the “Calling me...” chorus by himself. Ian came back for the final chorus. It seems Peter Hook only sang the first three lines of each chorus (except the “Calling me...” one).

The gig overall is excellent. Not sure if it's one of their best, though. The quality and clarity of the sound is heavily improved by Analog's remasters, but multiple equipment problems during the gig itself continually plague the sound, all throughout. Stephen's drums really sound screwed up; only the cymbals sound normal. Ian's vocals are also screwed up, as Duncan states...

However, this is the quintessential Closer gig. SIX songs from the album were played at this gig (including rarities like "The Eternal"), which is more than any other known gig. Only "Atrocity Exhibition", "Heart and Soul", and "Decades" were left out. The gig also has the LWTUA single - "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and "These Days", which kinda went alongside the Closer album, just as the Transmission single went with Unknown Pleasures. Couple that with the older songs "Digital", "Glass", "Insight", and "Dead Souls", and you have a pretty well rounded gig that can be taken as a visible evolution of the band's career.

Side Note: Still, I wish they would've used the Lyceum Ballroom (February 29, 1980) gig for the 2007 Closer remaster instead. Why? Well, FIVE songs from the Closer album were played at that gig (including "The Eternal" and "Heart and Soul"), the LWTUA single, the synth rendition of "She's Lost Control" (implemented in late February 1980), and most importantly the very rare appearances of "Incubation" and "Komakino", which were Closer outtakes. Also a five-song long soundcheck, which has extra versions of "Incubation" and "Komakino" as well.

This is gig has the absolute BEST version of "Passover" I've ever heard. One of my favorite live JD songs, for sure!

As far as we know, this gig debuts "Isolation". The somewhat different lyrics makes it show.

Ian played his coffin guitar on “The Eternal” (according to Analog Loyalist); sounds during that song are akin to that of “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. I'm pretty sure Ian didn't normally play guitar on “The Eternal”, but this being an early version, they were probably still figuring things out. It also doesn't sound like Bernard plays both keyboards simultaneously at any point in the song (Bernard had two keyboards; one he used for the normal synth drones and the second for the chirping bird sound effects), unlike at the Lyceum Ballroom gig.

Audience member: Yee-hah!

Audience member: Warsaw!

Dead Souls

Someone take these dreams away

That point me to another day

A jewel of personalities

Break all true realities

And keep calling me

They keep calling me

Keep on calling me

They keep calling me

Where figures from the past stand tall

And mocking voices ring the halls

Imperialistic house of prayer

Conquistadors who took their share

They keep calling me

Keep on calling me

Calling me...

They keep calling me

Keep on calling me

They keep calling me

Glass

*Drums start up

Audience member: HOOKY! Warsaw!

Audience member: Yay!

Audience member: Hooky!

Hearts fail, young hearts fail

Any time, wearing down

On the run, on the ground

Take it quick, take it neat

Take it quick, take it neat, take it quick, take it neat, take it quick...

Take it neat

Hearts fail, young hearts fail

Any time, wearing down

Overheat, overtired

Put your hands where they're safe

Keep your hands where they're safe

Do it again

Do it again and again and again

Any time, pressurized

Turn around and do it again

Any time, pressurized

Turn around and do it again

Do it again

Do it again and again and again

Audience member: Hooky!

A Means to an End

A legacy, so far removed

One day will be improved

Eternal rights, we left behind

We were the better kind

Two the same, set free too

I put my trust in you

I put my trust in you!

Fought all good, stood side by side

Our friendship never died

...With points to prove

Our vision touched the sky

Captives souls, depart too soon

I put my trust in you

I put my trust in you!

A house somewhere, on foreign soil

Where aging lovers call

Had to see your final needs

Where dogs and vultures eat

Come to this, I turn to go

I put my trust in you

I put my trust in you!

In you, in you, in you

Put my trust in you, in you

Twenty-Four Hours

So this is permanence, love's shattered pride

What once was innocence, turned on its side

A cloud hangs over me, marks every move

Deep in the memory, what once was love

Oh, how I realized how I wanted time

Put into perspective, all I had to find

Just for one moment, thought I had my way

Looked beyond the day in hand, I watched it slide away

Excessive flash-points, beyond all reach

Solitary demands for, all I'd like to keep

Let's take a ride out, see what we can find

Valueless collection of hopes and past desires

Oh, how I realized how I needed time

Put into perspective, all I had to find

Just for one moment, thought I had my way

Looked beyond the day in hand, I watched it slide away

Now that I've realized, how it's all gone wrong

Gotta find some therapy; this treatment takes too long

Deep in the heart of, sympathy held sway

Gotta find my destiny before it gets too late

Audience member: Warsaw!

Passover

This is the crisis I knew had to come

Destroying the balance I kept

Moving, unsettling, and turning around

Wondering what will come next

Is this a role that you wanted to live?

I was foolish to ask for so much

Without the protection and infancy's guard

It all falls apart at first touch

Watching the reel as it comes to a close

Brutally taking its time

People who change for no reason at all

It's happening all of the time

Can I go on with this chain of events,

Disturbing and purging my mind?

Back out of my duties when all's said and done

I know that I'll lose every time

Moving along in our God-given ways

Safety is sat by the fire

Sanctuary from these feverish smiles

Left with a mark on the door

Is this the gift that I wanted to give?

Forgive and forget's what they teach

Or pass through the deserts and wastelands once more

And watch as they drop on the beach

This is the crisis I knew had to come

Destroying the balance I'd kept

Turning around to the next set of lives

Wondering what will come next...

Audience member: Warsaw! Warsaw! Warsaw! Warsaw!

Audience member: Love will tear us apart!

Insight

Guess your dreams always end

They don’t rise up, just descend

I don’t care anymore

Lost the will to want more

Not afraid, not at all

I watch them all as they fall

But I remember, when we were young

Those with habits that waste

Sense of style and good taste

Making sure you were right

Hey, don’t you know you were right?

Not afraid anymore

I keep my eyes on the door

But I remember…

Tears and sadness for you

More upheaval for you

Reflects a moment in time

Special moment in time

Yeah, we wasted our time

We didn't really have time

But we remember, when we were young

All God’s angels beware

All you judges beware

You sons of chance, take good care

For all the people not there

Not afraid anymore

I'm not afraid anymore

Oh, I’m not afraid anymore

Audience member: Warsaw! Warsaw!

Audience member: Love will tear us apart!

Audience members: Yay! Wooh!

Audience member: Disorder!

Colony

A cry for help, a hint of anesthesia

The sound from broken homes, we used to always meet here

I watch all Hell break loose, confined and don't repair

Is this what life's about? Is this the dream we share?

Can you help me, can you spare some time?

No apologies, 'cause all these thoughts were mine

Hope to find some friends that I can lead astray

Betray father's sleep, witness dormant grave

I can't see why all these confrontations

I can't see why all these dislocations

No family life just made me feel uneasy

Stood alone, here in this colony

In this colony

Dear God in his wisdom took you by the hand

Dear God in his wisdom made you understand

Dear God in his wisdom took you by the hand

Dear God in his wisdom made you understand

Dear God in his wisdom took you by the hand

Dear God in his wisdom made you understand

Dear God in his wisdom took you by the hand

Dear God in his wisdom made you understand

In this colony

Audience member: Warsaw! Warsaw!

Audience member: Lost control!

These Days

Morning seems strange, almost out of place

Searched hard for you and your special ways

In these days, these days

Spent all my time, learned a killer's art

Took threats and abuse, till I learned my part

Can you stay, for these days?

These days

Used outward deceptions to get away

Broken hot romance to make it pay

These days, these days

These days

Drag through it all, it's the modern age

Take care of it all, now these debts are paid

Can you stay, for these days?

Audience member: Warsaw! Warsaw!

Audience member: Lost control! She's lost control!

Audience member: Disorder!

Audience member: Piano's coming to drag him, now.

Audience member (in response to the above statement): What?

Audience member: Oh my God...oh my.

Love Will Tear Us Apart

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

Then, love, love will tear us apart again

Love, love will tear us apart again

Why is the bedroom so cold? Turned away on your side

Is my timing that flawed? Our respect runs so dry

Yet there’s still this appeal that we’ve kept through our lives

But love, love will tear us apart again

Love, love will tear us apart again

Do you cry out in your sleep? All my failings exposed

There’s a taste in my mouth as desperation takes hold

Yet it’s something so good, just can’t function no more

But love, love will tear us apart again

Love, love will tear us apart again

Audience member: Lost control!

Audience member: Transmission! (cut off on Duncan's tape)

Isolation

Fear, everyday, every evening

Calls her aloud from above

Case is secluded for reasons

Painstaking devotion and love

Surrendered to self preservation

Those who just care for themselves

A blindness that touches perfection

But hurts just like anything else

Isolation, isolation, isolation, isolation

Mother, I tried; please believe me

Doing the best that I can

Ashamed of the things I’ve been put through

Ashamed of the person I am

Isolation, isolation, isolation, isolation

Those who could see all the beauty

Of things I could never describe

This is my one consolation

This is my one lucky prize

Isolation, isolation, isolation, isolation, isolation, isolation

Ian: K you.

-Encore Break-

*Audience screaming and calling for an encore

Duncan: More! More!

*Whistles

Duncan: Oh, you bastard.

Audience member: I know they're gonna come back.

*Cheering escalates (probably signaling the band coming back)

Audience member: Lost control!

Duncan(?): 'Bout fucking time.

Audience member: She's lost control!

Audience member: Transmission!

*Miscellaneous requests

Audience member: Exercise One!

Audience member: WARSAW! WARSAW! WARSAW!

*Audience quiets as Peter plays first note of bass for “The Eternal”

Audience member: She's lost control! (sounds like 'Minister Trout!')

The Eternal

Audience member: As I said, their electric guitar...

*A bit more chatter

Procession moves on, the shouting is over

Praise to the glory, of loved ones now gone

Talking, they shout, as they sit ‘round their tables

Scattering flowers, washed down by the rain

Played by the gate, at the foot of the garden

Watching them pass, like clouds in the sky

Try to cry out, in the heat of the moment

Stood by a fury that burns from inside

Cry like a child, though these years make me older

With children, my time is so wastefully spent

A burden to keep, though their inner communion

Accept like a curse an unlucky deal

Stood by the gate, at the foot of the garden

My view stretches out from the fence to the wall

No words could describe, no actions determine

Just watching the trees and the leaves as they fall

Audience member: Lost control!

Digital

Feel it closing in…

The fear of whom I call

Hearing someone call

Feel it closing in

Day in, day out

Feel it closing in

Patterns start to form

Feeling cold then warm

Patterns on the wall

Feel it closing in

Day in, day out

Still, I look around

To see just what happened

Stood by the door alone

And now it’s fade away

I see you fade away

Don’t ever fade away

I need you here today

Don’t ever fade away

Fade away, fade away, fade away

Fade away, fade away, fade away, fade away

Ian: Thank you, goodnight.

*Audience calls for more

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Paradiso, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (January 11, 1980) ENTIRE Transcription

Joy Division

Live at Paradiso, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (January 11, 1980)

The following is my best attempt at decoding all the lyrics to all the songs in this Joy Division gig. I have several documents containing whole gigs entirely transcribed by myself, so I figured instead of giving you just one song in all its forms, I'll give you a whole gig today. I may do this again with a few other gigs.

This post also contains also any flavor text (as in vocals in between songs) in addition to all the lyrics. The flavor text will appear in italics.

Set 1:
1. Passover
2. Wilderness
3. Digital
4. Day of the Lords
5. Insight
6. New Dawn Fades
7. Disorder
8. Transmission

Set 2:
9. Love Will Tear Us Apart
10. These Days
11. A Means to an End
12. Twenty-Four Hours
13. Shadowplay
14. She's Lost Control
15. Atrocity Exhibition
16. Atmosphere
17. Interzone

Again, one of their best gigs. Certainly the longest, at over 71 minutes (longer if you count the pieces not recorded), and the best sounding by far. This was the start of their short January 1980 European tour.

“Passover” is incomplete (missing the beginning) on all versions and the lyrics start with the third verse. In between "Transmission" and "LWTUA", the band took a quick one minute break. The gig was actually meant to be two sets in one, which is awesome.

This gig has been EXTREMELY well documented, despite few pictures from the gig appearing online. Pretty much all the additional info you could ever want about the gig may be found in this forum thread from the JoyDiv website. Please check it out:

http://lwtua.websitetoolbox.com/post/Paradiso-Amsterdam...Filmed-6009831

The performance itself wasn't perfect. It seems that Ian kept moving to and away from the microphone all throughout the gig. Either that, or Terry Mason was drunk that night and could barely maintain Ian's mic clarity/volume, since it's all over the place. Also, the band makes quite a few mistakes. Peter's bass playing during "LWTUA" is pretty messy.

During Interzone, sadly you can't hear Ian too well (again, due to either his mic or him). In italics, I only wrote down what I could hear for sure when he sang alongside Peter Hook. There are spaces between the song lines signaling where Ian should be singing but can't be heard.

Passover

Moving along in our God-given ways

Safety is sat by the fire

Sanctuary from these feverish smiles

Left with a mark on the door

Is this the gift that I wanted to give?

Perfection and all, what they teach

Pass through the deserts and wastelands once more

And watch them washed up on the beach

This is the crisis I knew had to come

Destroying the balance I'd kept

Turning around to the next set of lives

Wondering what will come next...

Ian: Q. (faint)

*Lots of electric crackling and feedback

Wilderness

I traveled far and wide to courts of ancient kings

What did you see there?

I saw the saints with their toys

What did you see there?

I saw our knowledge destroyed

I traveled far and wide to many different lands

I traveled far and wide through prisons of the cross

What did you see there?

The power and glory of sin

What did you see there?

The blood of Christ on their skins

I traveled far and wide through many different times

I traveled far and wide where unknown martyrs died

What did you see there?

I saw the one-sided trials

What did you see there?

I saw the tears as they cried

They had tears in their eyes, tears in their eyes

Tears in their eyes, tears in their eyes

Digital

Feel it closing in…

Power in a wall

See it moves and fall

Feel it closing in

Day in, day out

Feel it closing in

Patterns start to form

Feeling cold then warm

Shadows on the wall

Feel it closing in

Day in, day out

Still, I look around

To see just what happened

Stood by the door alone

Now as it’s fade away

I see you fade away

Don’t ever fade away

I need you here today

Don’t ever fade away

Fade away, fade away, fade away, fade away

Ian: Q. Turn the fallback up, Terry, please.

Day of the Lords

This is the room, the start of it all

No portrait so fine, only sheets on the walls

I've seen the nights, filled with bloodsport and pain

And the bodies obtained, the bodies obtained

Where will it end?

These are your friends, from childhood, through youth

Who goaded you on, wanted more proof

Withdrawal pain is hard, drew you right in

So distorted and thin, distorted and thin

Where will it end?

This is the car, at the edge of the road

There's nothing disturbed, all the windows are closed

I guess you were right, when we talked in the heat

There's no room for the weak, no room for the weak

Where will it end?

This is the room, the start of it all,

Through childhood, through youth, I remember it all

Oh, I've seen the nights filled with bloodsport and pain

And the bodies obtained, the bodies obtained, the bodies obtained

Where will it end?

Insight

Guess your dreams always end

They don’t rise up, just descend

I don’t care anymore

Lost the will to want more

Not afraid, not at all

I watch them all as they fall

But I remember, when we were young

Those with habits that waste

Sense of style and good taste

Making sure you were right

Hey, don’t you know you were right?

Not afraid anymore

I keep my eyes on the door

But I remember…

Tears and sadness for you

More upheaval for you

Reflects a moment in time

Special moment in time

Yeah, we wasted our time

We didn’t really have time

But we remember, when we were young

Oh, all God’s angels beware

All you judges beware

You sons of chance, take good care

For all the people not there

Not afraid anymore

I'm not afraid anymore

I’m not afraid anymore

Oh, I’m not afraid anymore

New Dawn Fades

Ian: Turn the foldback up, please.

Change of speed, change of style

Change of scene, with no regret

A chance to watch, admire the distance

Still occupied, though you forget

Different colors, different shades

Over each mistakes were made; I took the blame

Directionless, so plain to see; a loaded gun won't set you free

So you say

We'll share a drink and step outside

An angry voice and one who cried

Oh, I'll give you everything and more

The strain's too much, can't take much more

Oh, I've walked on water, danced through fire

Can't seem to take it anymore

It was me...me

Waiting for me this time, hoping for something more

It was me...me

Watching it fade away, wherein the world is dead

Disorder

I’ve been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand

Could these sensations make me feel the pleasures of a normal man?

These sensations barely interest me for another day

Oh, I got the spirit, lose the feeling; take the shock away

It’s getting faster, moving faster now; it’s getting out of hand

We're on the tenth floor down the backstairs, it’s a no-man’s land

Lights are flashing, cars are crashing; getting frequent now

I got the spirit, lose the feeling; let it out somehow

What means to you what means to me, and we will meet again

Oh, I’m watching you, I watch it all, I take no pity from your friends

But who is right, who can tell, and who gives a damn right now?

I got a spirit, but lose the feeling; let it out somehow

Oh, I got the spirit, lose the feeling; let it out somehow

Oh, I got the spirit...

Lose the feeling!

Oh, I got the spirit, lose the feeling

I got the spirit

Lose the feeling, feeling, feeling, feeling, feeling, feeling...

Transmission

Radio, live transmission

Listen to the silence; let it ring on

Eyes, dark gray lenses, frightened of the sun

We would have a fine time, living in the night

Left to blind destruction, waiting for our sight

We would go on as though nothing was wrong

Hide from these days, we remained all alone

Stayed in the same place, just staying all the time

Touching from a distance, further all the time

Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance to the radio

Oh, I would call out when the going gets tough

The things that we’ve learned seemed no longer enough

No language, just sound, is all I need know

To synchronize love to the beat of the show

And we could DANCE!

Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance to the radio

*Audience cheers

*Silence, as the band takes a break

*Synth noise (that sounds like Atmosphere), bass plays single note repeatedly

*Ian plays a chord on his guitar, bass stops

Love Will Tear Us Apart

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

Then, love, love will tear us apart again

Love, love will tear us apart again

Why is the bedroom so cold? Turned away on your side

Is my timing that flawed? Our respect runs so dry

Yet there’s still this appeal that we’ve kept through our lives

But love, love will tear us apart again

Love, love will tear us apart again

Do you cry out in your sleep? All my failings exposed

There’s a taste in my mouth as desperation takes hold

Yet it’s something so good, just can’t function no more

But love, love will tear us apart again

Love, love will tear us apart again

These Days

Morning seems strange, almost out of place

Searched hard for you and your special ways

In these days, these days

Spent all my time, learnt a killer's art

Took threats and abuse, till I made my part

Can you stay, for these days?

These days

Use outward deceptions to get away

Broken hot romance to make it pay

Can you stay for these days?

These days

We'll drag through it all, it's the modern age

Take care of it all, now these debts are paid

Can you stay, for these days?

A Means to an End

A legacy so far removed

One day will be improved

Eternal rights, we left behind

We were the better kind

Two the same, set free too

I put my trust in you

Oh, I've put my trust in you

Oh, I put my trust in you

We fought for good, stood side by side

Our friendship never died

On stranger waves, lows and highs

Our vision touched the sky

Captive souls, depart too soon

Oh, I put my trust in you

Oh, I've put my trust in you

Oh, I put my trust in you

House somewhere, foreign soil

Where aging lovers call

It's come to this, hope to go

No life can't do it alone

Stranger part, racist still

Oh, I put my trust in you

In you, in you, in you

Put my trust in you, in you

Twenty-Four Hours

So this is permanence, love's shattered pride

What once was innocence, turned on its side

A cloud hangs over me, marks every move

Deep in this memory, what once was love

Oh, how I realized how I needed time

But into perspective, things I had to find

Just for one moment, thought I'd got my way

Looked beyond the day in hand, there's no way left to pay

Excessive flash-points, beyond all reach

Solitary demands for, all I'd like to keep

Let's take a ride out, see what we can find

Valueless collection of hopes and past desires

Oh, how I realized how I wanted time

Thought into perspective, see I had to find

Just for one moment, thought I'd heard a call

Looked beyond the day in heard, there's no one there at all

Now that I realized, how it's all gone wrong

Gotta find some therapy; before it takes too long

I knew a time pull, just to make a day

Gotta find my destiny before it gets too late

Shadowplay

To the center of the city where all roads meet waiting for you

To the depths of the ocean where all hope sank searching for you

Oh, I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you

In a room with no window in the corner, I found truth

In the shadowplay, acting out your own death; knowing no more

As the assassins all grouped in four lines dancing on the floor

Yeah, with cold steel odor on their bodies made a move to connect

Well, I could only stare in disbelief as the crowds all left

I did everything, everything I wanted to

I let them use you, for their own ends

To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you

She's Lost Control

Confusion in her eyes that says it all

She's lost control

And she's clinging to the nearest passerby

She's lost control

Yeah, she gave away the secrets of her past and said

"I've lost control again."

And of a voice that told her when and where to act

She said, "I've lost control again."

And she turned around and took me by the hand

And said, "I've lost control again."

Then how I'll never know just why or understand

She said, "I've lost control again."

And she screamed out, kicking on her side

And said, "I've lost control again."

Then seized up on the floor; I thought she'd die

She said, "I've lost control again."

She's lost control again

She's lost control

She's lost control again

She's lost control

And I had to 'phone a friend to state her case

And say, "She's lost control again."

And she showed up all the errors and mistakes

And said, “I've lost control again.”

But she expressed herself in many different ways until

She lost control again

I'd walked upon the edge of no escape, then laughed

"I've lost control again."

She's lost control again

She's lost control

She's lost control again

She's lost control

Atrocity Exhibition

Welcome to the Atrocity Exhibition.

Asylums with doors open wide

Where people can pay to see inside

For entertainment, they watch his body twist

Behind his eyes, he says, “I still exist.”

This is the way, step inside

This is the way, step inside…

In arenas, he kills for a prize

Wins a minute to add to his life

But the sickness is drowned by cries for more

Pray to God, make it quick; watch him fall

This is the way, step inside

This is the way, step inside…

This is the way

This is the way, step inside

You’ll see the horrors of a faraway place

You’ll see the crime, a scale never faced

You'll see mass murder on a scale you’ve never seen

And see the...time, no feel

This is the way, step inside

This is the way, step inside…

This is the way

This is the way, step inside

This is the way, step inside…

STEP INSIDE!

You wanna see some more?! Step inside!

Wanna see some more?! Step inside!

*Audience cheers, calls for encore

*Audience members call out for what sort of sounds like “Atmosphere”

*Bumping noises, sounds like someone hitting stage

Ian: Q. (faint)

*Synth chords for Atmosphere, bass note plays

Atmosphere

Walk, in silence

Don't walk away, in silence

See the danger

Always danger

Endless talking

Life rebuilding

Don't walk away

Walk, in silence

Don't walk away, in silence

Your confusion...

My illusion...

Worn like a mask of self hate

Confronts and then dies

Don't walk away

People like you find it easy

Naked to see

Walking on air

They're hunting by the rivers, through the streets, every corner

Abandoned too soon

Laid down with due care

Don't walk away

Interzone

I walked through the city limits

Attracted by some force within it

Around a corner where a prophet lay

Saw the bed where the body lay

A wire fence where the children played

And I was looking for a friend of mine

And I had no time to waste

Yeah, looking for some friends of mine

The car screeched, hear the sound on dust

Metallic blue turned red with rust

Pulled in close by the building’s side

In a group, all forgotten youth

Are turned on to a knife-edged view

And I was looking for a friend of mine

And I had no time to waste

Yeah, looking for some friends of mine

Down the dark streets, the houses looked the same

I walked round and round, they nailed me to a train

Trying to find a clue, had to find a way to get out!

Trying to find away

Saw twelve windows, ten in a row

The light shined like a neon show

The light shined like a neon show

No place to stop, no place to go

I guess they died some time ago

And I was looking for a friend of mine

And I had no time to waste

Yeah, looking for some friends of mine

Ian: K you, goodnight.

*Audience applauds, what sounds like a bass playing minutely