Love will tear us apart, again.

Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” has a lot of contradictory concepts going on. Ultimately it is an upbeat song in a major key (two uplifting sounding things), sung in a depressing manner about a love falling apart (two depressing things). That is why the song creates so much dissonance when we listen to it. It has the effect of forcing us to listen to the lyrics.

The lyrics of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” tell the story of a man analyzing his relationship in a fairly detached manner. Once there was love here…he thinks he remembers it. It was so long ago, and this is so far removed from a loving relationship that he questions himself. What did he do? Is he really that repulsive that he doesn’t at least deserve respect? Why does she cry when she sleeps? He is lost.

The most interesting word in the song is the word “again”: “Love will tear us apart, again.” Apparently, he has experienced this pattern with other women. Or perhaps, these two keep hurting each other. Either interpretation works. Because of his inability to break free when the love leaves, he is beginning to associate love as a negative thing.

The sound of the song is unique. Ian Curtis’ vocals are clear and dark while the keyboards almost sound like a psychedelic fairground. This song has one of the most tragic stories behind it. The lead singer, Ian Curtis, hanged himself a couple weeks before this song was released. The lyrics are about his marriage.

Love Will Tear Us Apart Lyrics

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.

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 run 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,
Gets a taste in my mouth.
As desperation takes hold
And it’s something so good.
Just can’t function no more?

Love, love will tear us apart again.
Love, love will tear us apart again.
Love, love will tear us apart again.
Love, love will tear up apart again.

Songwriters: Bernard Sumner / Ian Kevin Curtis / Peter Hook / Stephen Paul David Morris