The haunted lyrics that Ian wrote in the last few months of his life seemed to echo his understanding that his life was to be cut short, if not by the health problems that plagued him, then the stress of balancing family life, and the tempestuous affair he was having with a Belgian journalist. This along with his already crippling depression made death seem like the only solution.
I write this today, and think about the influence Joy Division has had on countless scores of musicians, artists, writers and most importantly fans. I ask that any readers of this blog take a moment to reflect on not only on Ian and the legacy he left behind, but life, and how precious it really is. I'll leave you with the lyrics to Digital. It was the last song preformed by Joy Division on May 2, 1980.
Feel it closing in,
Feel it closing in,
The fear of whom I call,
Every time I call
I feel it closing in,
I feel it closing in,
Day in, day out,
Day in, day out...
I feel it closing in,
As patterns seem to form.
I feel it cold and warm.
The shadows start to fall.
I feel it closing in,
I feel it closing in,
Day in, day out,
Day in, day out...
I'd have the world around,
To see just whatever happens,
Stood by the door alone,
And then it's fade away,
I see you fade away.
Don't ever fade away.
I need you here today.
Don't ever fade away.
Don't ever fade away...
1 comment:
I can remember the first time i heard "love will tear us apart" unfortunately it wasn't joy division, it was paul young, in 1983, but the song was familiar to me, yes a 12 year old. it would be a couple of years before i would her the original, and it was so familiar to me, and i have no idea why. the sound, the voice.
when i was in high school a good friend of mine, would constantly play joy division. it really was my first exposure to all of the short catalogue of music by them. the haunting voice and lyrics, that sorta stays with you for a while. i remember people telling me they had tickets for the ill fated joy division tour. i think that became a legend, a myth; like how many people attend the first sex pistols show.
what i feel is the important thing about ian curtis, is that is music and lyrics are not placed by time, they are current today as they were 27 years ago. there is the whole thing of people dying to soon, what would have happen if he didn't live the life he did leave- would his music been as important, if he didn't kill himself. but i think even if he was still living, i don't think it would have made a difference. the music has stood across time. and still brings me to tears today as it did the first time i heard them.
In fear every day, every evening,
He calls her aloud from above,
Carefully watched for a reason,
Painstaking devotion and love,
Surrendered to self preservation,
From others who care for themselves.
A blindness that touches perfection,
But hurts just like anything else.
Isolation, isolation, isolation.
Mother I tried please believe me,
I'm doing the best that I can.
I'm ashamed of the things I've been put through,
I'm ashamed of the person I am.
Isolation, isolation, isolation.
But if you could just see the beauty,
These things I could never describe,
These pleasures a wayward distraction,
This is my one lucky prize.
Isolation, isolation, isolation...
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