Joy Division and Torn Love After 40 Years

Yo Ho, WeRCatz here.

The June 1980 single “Love Will Tear Us Apart” from post-punk gothic-rock band Joy Division turns 40 this year. This release, however, also reminds us of the suicide of lead singer and lyricist Ian Curtis from May 18, 1980.

“Love Will Tear Us Apart” sings about Curtis’ own marital problems and mental illness that leads to the disintegrating relationship between Curtis and his wife Deborah. Epilepsy was one of the causes of the couple’s woes while Curtis’ affair with Annik Honore contributed to his guilt. This puts the meaning of the chorus in a dark perspective since he believed that his “love” is only reserved for his wife.

After the initial release, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” made the charts and is considered one of the greatest singles ever released. But we cannot dismiss the fact that Ian Curtis will never see such accolades. As for Joy Division, they changed their name to New Order and began making albums such as Technique and releasing the greatest 12 inch single of all time “Blue Monday.”