The most famous Joy Division song is one of the last they recorded. Love Will Tear Us Apart was recorded in March 1980, about two months before singer Ian Curtis took his own life, and released as a standalone single a few weeks after his death.
During the sessions, producer Martin Hannett became obsessed with the song, recording each instrument separately and spending a lot of time getting Curtis’ voice just right in the mix. The end result was something achingly sad with references to Curtis’ real-life marriage problems and his conflicted relationship with his Belgian mistress. but at the same time bright and strangely uplifting thanks to the song’s major key.
Given what we know about Ian’s last weeks, the song has been called Joy Division’s suicide note song.
© 2024 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Ad Choices