.

Song Stories

“Love Will Tear Us Apart”

Joy Division | 1980

This haunting ode to romantic melancholia was the crowning moment in Joy Division's brief career, but Ian Curtis wasn't around to savor its success. "Love Will Tear Us Apart" was released just prior to the British postpunk group's 23-year-old frontman hanging himself two days before the band's scheduled first U.S. tour. "Ian's influence seemed to be madness and insanity," said Joy Division guitarist Bernard Sumner -- who, with his surviving bandmates, carried on as the worldwide successful New Order.

prev
Song Stories Main Next

blog comments powered by Disqus

Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

More Song Stories entries »