Ceremony (New Order song)
"Ceremony" is a song written by Joy Division, and first released as New Order's debut single in 1981. The track and its B-side, "In a Lonely Place", were recorded as Joy Division prior to the death of Ian Curtis. Both were re-recorded and carried over to Joy Division's re-formation as New Order.
"Ceremony"
"In a Lonely Place"
January 1981
4:34 (original)
4:23 (re-recorded)
8 October 1981
2 May 1980
High Hall, Birmingham University
3:51
New Order released the song as a single twice, firstly in January 1981 and secondly in September 1981 featuring new member Gillian Gilbert, with the latter recording later appearing on the album Substance.
History[edit]
Joy Division[edit]
"Ceremony" was one of the last Joy Division songs to be composed, with lyrics written by Ian Curtis. According to guitarist Bernard Sumner, the band wrote the song a couple of weeks before Ian Curtis died "to try and heal him through music" and keep him "involved in the band and involved in music and remind him of what ... a great future he had." Sumner concluded, "Unfortunately, it didn't work."[5]
At the time, the band felt that the song represented a major step forward and had the potential to be a major hit. Sumner characterized the song as "a very uplifting track, filled with and enhanced by Ian's lyrics."[6] Drummer Stephen Morris, meanwhile, commented, "In my opinion, it had 'hit single' pressed through it like Blackpool rock. It was probably the only Joy Division song that I played repeatedly on cassette. I liked it that much. It was something uplifting and well… up [in mood]. It felt like the start of something new – or different, at least."[6]
There are three recorded versions by Joy Division in existence. The first is a live version, available on the Still album, from their final concert at High Hall, Birmingham University on 2 May 1980. The second, available on the Heart and Soul four-disc box set, is from a studio session on 14 May 1980,[7] four days before Curtis' suicide. It was the band's last recording. The third is a version recorded at the soundcheck on the afternoon of 2 May 1980 (along with "Decades") and is only available via bootleg. In all recordings, the vocals are only partially audible.[6]
New Order[edit]
After the death of Ian Curtis, the remaining members of Joy Division regrouped as New Order. Their first release was a re-recording of "Ceremony" as a stand-alone single backed with "In a Lonely Place", with guitarist Bernard Sumner taking over lead vocals. Because Curtis had never transcribed the lyrics to "Ceremony" and because his singing was muted to the point of near-inaudibility on all surviving recordings, Sumner said he had to put them through a graphic equalizer to approximate the lyrics.[8]
Composition[edit]
"Ceremony" is a mid-tempo rock song in the key of C major. The song contains two implied chords, C major and F major, shown through the driving bassline. The song does not contain any keyboards, which became a common staple in Joy Division's later sound, and New Order's eventual sound. The song, in its original recording, featured a slower tempo than that of the September re-record, as well as clearer production and a more processed guitar tone. "Ceremony" utilises quiet-loud dynamics and artificial reverb to give the song its trademark flowing atmosphere. The song reverts to its quieter stage for the guitar solo, a practice carried over to New Order by Bernard Sumner.
The song has been covered by a number of artists, including:
Notes: