Thieves Like Us vs Lonesome Tonight

Big LT fan here, though TLU has been the track that's I've come to appreciate more over the years than any other.

After buying the 12" single, I accidentally played LT first..........and then kept replaying it for about an hour. When I finally made it to the proper A-side, I was put off by the lyrics to be honest. Got to thinking a few years later that sometimes, the lyrics aren't the best thing about any particular song, I don't always wanna hear something "meaningful" and "relevant" to the modern world. This was helped by Bernard saying things like "I don't have a message for the world" in interviews.

Lonesome Tonight but only just. As someone mentioned the London Poly version 06/12/1985 is class.

Thieves was better on vinyl than live IMO, however it's nice to hear the edit on Singles though.

Fogface wrote:

Jed Stephens wrote: Who's the mystery TLU fan, six votes, five posts from people admitting to it

Ok, you asked for it.

Oh, and this non-musician wants an impartial opinion from someone with medically proven pitch-perfect hearing in order to believe that "TLU" is sung out of key.

I'll take that as a bit of an ear bashing (should that be eye bashing as i read it).

I didn't say he was out of key, I said he struggles with that key, he quite clearly strains a few times, as he does on several early songs until he learnt his range properly, that said I wouldn't like a perfect performace anyway, I like it rough and ready, (bit like my women), and I'm definately not saying I could do better, I strain like fuck singing TLU, which again lessens my enjoyment of it.

Fogface wrote: "Thieves Like Us" is absolute perfection. (etc.)

You stole my words.

T L U

both good though.

Thieves Like Us is a nice tune. The other song has too many Country influences for my taste.

Wow...I can't believe the result of this. As people have said already, the intro of TLU is one of the best parts of any NO song full-stop, and overall I love it, even if some of the vocals make me cringe a little...but....

I really think LT is one of the most overrated songs in the NO back catalogue , I can't believe how many people love it so much! Okay the last instrumental part I like, but I just find it such a forgettable song.

So, TLU by a mile.

I love TLU I REALLY love LT I find myself listening to it over and over, wishing it would never end...

frankly, the only version of TLU i like is evaluna's on community. they did wonders with the song.

i do have to admit that the original does have a good intro.

I would argue Thieves Like Us as a single (including Lonesome Tonight) is the debut of Barney as a newly confident singer. Up until that point, there was not yet a New Order single that played fair distribution with the instruments and the voice (Temptation, yes, but Barney isn't quite soulful in his performance yet). Thieves Like Us has the grand opening, bass lines in lovers' dialogue, and a singer front and center. The only bum notes I hear occur during parts of the end of each chorus. I think a lot of people on this board have no sense of when Barney is in or out of key. They're just guessing when it seems to suit their opinion about a particular song. Original Ceremony: "Fore v e

                                                                                                             r" (displaced letters are meant to suggest total loss of pitch)

Temptation 7": Up Down Turn Around bit is totally dodgy pitch wise. That's straining for you.

So, I've made my case for TLU. In my top 10, and would be in my top 5 had the Perfect Kiss never been born.

The 'Forever' bit didn't format right, but you get the idea.

Steve Lea wrote:

CuanaD wrote: I remember something similar Marko - TLU is BLAND 'love is the air that supports the eagle' - not something a 16year old can play to his mates as proof of NO's brilliance. But Lonesome tonight - that has everything, its still one of my (many) faves!

I remember then getting the Murder single - with Thieves instrumental, & thinking that way was far better - a properly 'marketed' NO would have released LT & Murder(probably together as a Double A side), and hidden TLU as a B side/album track.

Absolutely agree - Murder came out very soon after I think (?) There was a guy at college with me (who used to waterski with IC btw)and he played it to death, over and over and over...think he went and bought a second one in the end! Plus the artwork is better for Murder too..

Gotta agree totally. The TLU vocal has to be one of the worst NO songs. The TLU instrumental on Murder was so much better to listen to. I played the hell out of the B-side LT and barely touched the A-side TLU until Murder was released which I then proceeded to wear the grooves out on.

Lonesome Tonight is a vastly superior song. I personally find TLU to be one of their absolute worst songs, and LT one of their finest.

Thieves like us (forever)

I went for TLU on the strength of the intro, and the fact that basically its a weird song, Bernard is off key but there is also a nice rasp on his voice... but now i'm thinking about my favourite grunting bits in LT. mmm grunting. luckily for me (and all of us) in real life I don't have to choose!

but what about the bits that sound like a train in TLU? I will never be able to decide.

I've lived my life in the valleys I've lived my life on the hills I've lived my life on alcohol I've lived my life on pills

But it's called love

the second verse has anaphora

JV wrote: the second verse has anaphora

ana who? did she do the duet on jetstream

the two songs are so different!two different moods ,of course,and each side is characteristic of N.O musical style. We've got the "day side" and the"night side" as always. But,wooowww! the Lonesome tonight final bass line is a masterpiece!!!

TLU wins my vote. The song is awesome with the intro being pure joy to my ears!

BUT...

LT is also a great song that could have been a A track too.

Check your dictionary, Jed. Barney may be using more lyrical devices than some might think.

Thanks for the excuse to give both a good listen! TLU wins out for accessibility (i.e. play for your unenlightened mates) but for that "crank the volume and remind yourself again how great NO are" feeling it's got to be LT.

Has this poll gained more votes than any other poll on NOOL ever?

McCavity wrote: Thanks for the excuse to give both a good listen! TLU wins out for accessibility (i.e. play for your unenlightened mates) but for that "crank the volume and remind yourself again how great NO are" feeling it's got to be LT.

My sentiments exactly, I've given both tracks a bit of a bashing, I've probably been a little harsh on TLU, t is a cracking song, but for me LT beats it on all levels, it's perfect NO.

still can't vote, it's like Breathing in Vs Breathing out

i chose TLU but there really isnt much init.

wish NO would go back to producing Bsides for their singles rather than giving us remixes - lazy b@stards :)