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.
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
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
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
It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill
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
It's another, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother kill
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
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
Na na na na na na na na no good
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
Na na na na na na na na no good
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
Yeah, you're being insulted but you're no good for me
Thanks for reading, and happy listening!
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