Atmosphere is the last single by Joy Division. Released on 18 March 1980, and later on 2 September 1980. It, as well as having post-punk music, has dark and ethereal waves. It is the last piece of music Joy Division released before New Order formed, due to being released in the US two months after Ian Curtis's suicide. Peter Hook has said that it was the best Joy Division song ever played. The song has been a part of New Order live sets since 1998.
Releases[]
Licht Und Blindheit was what Atmosphere's name used to be when it was a limited French only single. It is German for Light and Darkness (Blindness). It was paired with "Dead Souls." It released on 18 March 1980, technically making it Joy Division's second single.
The US version was released on August 1980, with an alternate version of "She's Lost Control" on the A-side instead, as a tribute to Ian Curtis. The UK version came out one day later, with She's Lost Control on its B-side.
Substance would later re-release the song in 1988 on 12", 7" and CD. The 7" and 12" contain The Only Mistake as its B-side, with the 12" also including Sound of Music. The CD single includes a live version of Transmission (live in Hulme) and the standard version of Love Will Tear Us Apart.
Lyrics[]
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 turn 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.
Hunting by the rivers,
Through the streets,
Every corner abandoned too soon,
Set down with due care.
Don't walk away in silence,
Don't walk away.