Ian Curtis (15/1/56 -18/5/80) - Gone but not forgotten T

Today marks the tragic anniversary of the suicide of  Ian Curtis,  the  mercurial,  singer and lyricist  of the band Joy Division.after struggling with depression and epilepsy throughout his life. A lot of my formative years were   spent listening to his songs, and in a roundabout way,  introduced me to the work of such  fascinating literary writers like William Burroughs and  J G Ballard. Words meant a lot to him as they do to me. 

He left behind  at the young age of 23, a wife and daughter  and for many the whiff of sadness, but also left a musical legacy of much genius and musical depth.that  continues to illiuminate.

I still dig out his records, and find them the opposite to the labels put on them, like depressing and bleak, I genuinely find them uplifting. His poetic magnificence and majesty of his lyrics matched by his compelling stage presence as front man of Joy Division reveasaled his one of talent.

Here are a few of my favourites songs of his. His absence still  resonates with many, gone but not forgotten. Love, love does not need  to tear us apart . 

"Reality is only a term, based on values and well worn principles, whereas the dream goes on forever."

'Existence is.. well.. what does it matter? I exist on the best terms I can. The past is now part of my future. The present is well out of hand.” --Ian Curtis:

 Joy Division - Transmission (1978)

Radio, live transmission.
Radio, live transmission.

Listen  to the silence, let it ring on.
Eyes, dark grey lenses frightened of the sun.
We would have a  fine time living in the night.
Left to blind destruction,
Waiting for  our sight.

And we would go on as  though  nothing was wrong
And  hide from these days we remained all alone.
Staying in the same place, just staying out the time.
Touching from a distance,
Further all the time.

Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio.
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio.
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio.
Dance,dance. dance, dance, dance, to the radio.

Well I could call out when the going gets tough.
The things that we've learnt are no longer enough.
No language that we've  learnt are no longer enough.
No language, just sound, that's all we need know, to synchronise
love to the beat of the show.

And we could dance

Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio.
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance to the radio.
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance to the radio.
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance to the radio.

New Dawn fades (1979)

A change of speed, a change of style.
A change of scene ,with no regrets,
A chance  to watch,  admire the distance,
Still occupied, though you forget.
Different colours, different shades,
Over each mistakes were made.
I took the blame.
Directionless so plain to see,
A loaded gun won't set  you free.
So you say.

We'll share a drink and step outside,
An angry voice and one who cried,
Well give you everything and more,
The strains too much, can't take much more.
Oh, I've walked on water, run through fire,
Can't seem to feel it anymore.
It was me, waiting for me,
Hoping for something more.
Me, seeing me this time, hoping for something else.

Shadowplay (1979)

To the centre of the city, where all roads meet, waiting for you,
To the depths  of the ocean when all hopes sank, searching for you,
I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you,
In a room with a window in the corner I found truth.

In the shadowplay, acting out your own death, knowing no more,
As the assassins all grouped in four lines, dancing on the floor,
And with  the cold steel, odour on their bodies made a move to connect,
But I could only stare in disbelief as the crowds all left.

I did everything, everything I wanted to,
I bet them use you for their own ends,
To the centre of the city in the night, waiting for you,
To the centre  of the city in the night, waiting for you.

Love will tear us apart (1980)

When routines bites hard,
and ambitions are low,
And resentments rides high,
But emotions won't grow
And were changing our ways, taking different roads.

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

Why is the bedroom so cold?
You've turned away on your side.
Is my timing that flawed?
Our respect runs 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.

You cry out in your sleep,
All my feelings exposed.
And there's a taste in my mouth,
As desperation takes hold.
Just that something so good just can't function no more.

But  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 us apart again.