Ceremony (New Order song)

"Ceremony" is a song written by Joy Division, and first released as New Order's debut single in 1981. The track and its B-side, "In a Lonely Place", were recorded as Joy Division prior to the death of Ian Curtis. Both were re-recorded and carried over to Joy Division's re-formation as New Order.

"Ceremony"
Sleeve for first version of 12-inch single, by Peter Saville
Single by New Order
B-side	"In a Lonely Place"
Released	January 1981 (1981-1)
Genre	New wave[1] post-punk[2]
Length	4:34 (original) 4:23 (re-recorded)
Label	Factory
Songwriter(s)	Ian Curtis Peter Hook Stephen Morris Bernard Sumner[3]
Producer(s)	Martin Hannett
New Order singles chronology
"Ceremony" (1981) "Procession" (1981)

"Ceremony"
Song by Joy Division
from the album Still
Released	8 October 1981
Recorded	2 May 1980
Studio	High Hall, Birmingham University
Genre	Gothic rock[4] post-punk
Length	3:51
Label	Factory
Songwriter(s)	Bernard Sumner Peter Hook Stephen Morris Ian Curtis[3]
Producer(s)	Martin Hannett

New Order released the song as a single twice, firstly in January 1981 and secondly in September 1981 featuring new member Gillian Gilbert, with the latter recording later appearing on the album Substance.

History

Joy Division

"Ceremony" was one of the last Joy Division songs to be composed, with lyrics written by Ian Curtis. According to guitarist Bernard Sumner, the group wrote the song a few weeks before Ian Curtis died "to try and heal him through music" and keep him "involved in the band and involved in music and remind him of what ... a great future he had". Sumner concluded, "Unfortunately, it didn't work".^[5]

At the time, the group felt that the song represented a major step forward and had the potential to be a major hit. Sumner characterised the song as "a very uplifting track, filled with and enhanced by Ian's lyrics".^[6] Drummer Stephen Morris, meanwhile, commented, "In my opinion, it had 'hit single' pressed through it like Blackpool rock. It was probably the only Joy Division song that I played repeatedly on cassette. I liked it that much. It was something uplifting and well...up [in mood]. It felt like the start of something new – or different, at least".^[6]

There are three recorded versions by Joy Division in existence. The first is a live version, available on the Still album, from their final concert at High Hall, Birmingham University on 2 May 1980. The second, available on the Heart and Soul four-disc box set, is from a studio session on 14 May 1980,^[7] four days before Curtis's suicide. It was the group's last recording. The third is a version recorded at the soundcheck on the afternoon of 2 May 1980 (along with "Decades") and is only available via bootleg. In all recordings, the vocals are only partially audible.^[6]

New Order

After the death of Ian Curtis, the remaining members of Joy Division regrouped as New Order. Their first release was a re-recording of "Ceremony" as a stand-alone single backed with "In a Lonely Place", with guitarist Bernard Sumner taking over lead vocals. Because Curtis had never transcribed the lyrics to "Ceremony" and because his singing was muted to the point of near-inaudibility on all surviving recordings, Sumner said he had to put them through a graphic equalizer to approximate the lyrics.^[8]

New Order "Version 1" March 1981

On 6 March 1981, the first single of New Order and the first version of the song "Ceremony" was released by Factory Records (with the name FAC 33). Initially released as a 7" single, it was reissued as a 12" two months later.^[9] Martin Hannett (Joy Division's producer) produced the record and Peter Saville designed the sleeve artwork for both releases.

The 7" record was issued in a stamped gold-bronze sleeve. The 12" sleeve was a completely separate design: gold typography on a green background.

New Order "Version 2" September 1981

In September 1981, "Ceremony" was re-released. Gillian Gilbert played guitar on this new recording just after she joined the band. Martin Hannett again produced the record. The single was re-issued as a 12" only, with the same catalogue number (FAC 33). The original is approximately 4:34 minutes in length while the re-recording is 4:23. The re-recorded version was used on all subsequent compilations until Singles in 2005, when the original March '81 recording was released on CD for the first time.

Re-issue

The single was re-issued again in April 2011 for Record Store Day in a white sleeve. This limited edition release (only 800 copies) plays at 33 rpm. It features the New Order recordings of "Ceremony" (the pre-Gillian Gilbert take) and "In a Lonely Place" on one side, with the rare Joy Division recordings of the same tracks on the flip side.

Track listing

7-inch: FAC 33 (UK)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Ceremony"	4:34
2.	"In a Lonely Place"	4:35

All tracks are written by Ian Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner

12-inch: FAC 33 (UK)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Ceremony"	4:34
2.	"In a Lonely Place"	6:12

• Usually a green sleeve.

12-inch: FAC 33 (UK) – Second pressing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Ceremony" (Sept. 1981 version featuring Gillian Gilbert)	4:22
2.	"In a Lonely Place" (Alternate mix)	6:12

• Usually a cream and blue sleeve.

12-inch: FAC 33 (UK) – 2011 Record Store Day pressing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Ceremony"	4:34
2.	"In a Lonely Place"	6:12
3.	"Ceremony" (Joy Division version (from the 1997 Heart and Soul box set))	4:14
4.	"In a Lonely Place" (Joy Division version (previously unreleased))	5:30

• White sleeve

Charts

Chart (1981)	Peak position
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart[10]1	7
UK Singles Chart[11]	34
UK Independent Singles Chart[12]	1
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[13]	61

Notes:

• ¹ – Charted in 1983 and 1984.