My Take on True Faith (Feedback please)

First, I’m sorry for posting another song meaning thread but I just found out that I am going to the Show at the Greek tomorrow so I wanted to see what others thought on my interpretation. New Order’s music had a big impact on me in my teens and it’s been a lifelong dream to see them live and tomorrow it’s happening for the first time. New Order played the biggest role in me finding my passion for music. It was the first music I didn't just hear, I felt.

I’ve always had a very different view than most on the meaning of True Faith. My view is heavily influenced by my childhood and I just want feedback to see if my take makes sense or if I’m just seeing what I want to see. I'd appreciate any comments anyone has.

For me True Faith is full of symbolism about breaking the shackles of everything from your childhood like parents, religion, society expectations, etc to find who you really are and your purpose in life. I don’t see the common drugs theme because I believe drugs is symbolic of the high of happiness and freedom. The following is my interpretation, I’ve removed repeat verses to make it easier to read.

I feel so extraordinarySomething's got a hold on meI get this feeling I'm in motionA sudden sense of liberty

I feel like I never have. Free of the pain, baggage, and everything that has held me back in my life. I was chained by my past and I’ve broken free and can move toward self discovery.

I don't care 'cause I'm not thereAnd I don't care if I'm here tomorrow

I don’t care about the past or the future because I’m free to be who I am now. Again and again I've taken too muchOf the things that cost you too much

I always did what was expected and I lost who I am. It prevented me from growing or following my passions. I used to think that the day would never comeI'd see the light in the shade of the morning sunMy morning sun is the drug that brings me nearTo the childhood I lost, replaced by fearI used to think that the day would never comeThat my life would depend on the morning sun...

(The morning sun brings light in darkness and you see what was previously hidden. It symbolizes finding yourself.) When I was young my dreams and passion were discouraged and replaced by the expectations of others. I never thought I’d break free and live my own life. Discovering who I was brought me closer to my true self and not the self I was told to be. Now I know that to be alive I need to be myself and not who I was always told to be.

When I was a very small boy,Very small boys talked to meNow that we've grown up togetherThey're afraid of what they see

When we were young we were free to be ourselves. Growing up, society stifled individuality and demanded we do what was expected. As adults most are afraid to break from society and be themselves.

That's the price that we all payOur valued destiny comes to nothing

When you live by the expectations of society and do what is expected you will never find out who you are or experience true happiness. It leads to a life unfulfilled.

I can't tell you where we're goingI guess there was just no way of knowing

Since I’m not following the plan I was giving I don’t know where following my passions will lead me.

I feel so extraordinarySomething's got a hold on meI get this feeling I'm in motionA sudden sense of liberty

The chances are we've gone too farYou took my time and you took my moneyNow I fear you've left me standingIn a world that's so demanding

So much has happened and so many people tried to change me and destroyed my dreams I will never be the person I could have been. I’m starting from scratch now like a child and have to find my true place in the world.

Interesting.. yeah can see where yer coming from on all points, can agree and relate to all.Society eh? It's a f****r ain't it

What's your take on 1963?

Thanks But No Thanks wrote: Interesting.. yeah can see where yer coming from on all points, can agree and relate to all.Society eh? It's a f****r ain't it

What's your take on 1963?

There’s been a lot of speculation that its about killing someone or a gay relationship.

My take is based on the fact that there has been a lot of talk about Bernard having childhood trauma that he won’t talk about. In 1963 he would have been 7 years old. So it must be something that happened when he was 7. This is pure speculation but if the stories of Bernards childhood are true it might fit to describe either sexual abuse by an older man or a homosexual encounter with an older boy.

I have no idea if this is anywhere close but it feels like there is this type of story in the lyrics.

It was January, 1963 When Johnny came home with a gift for me He said I bought it for you because I love you And I bought it for you because it's your birthday, too He was so very nice, he was so very kind To think of me at this point in time

A boy who had been neglected and felt unloved received the attention of an older male in his life, Johnny. (Abusers tell their victims they are doing it because the love them) In the boys eyes the gift was the love and attention the boy was so desperately in need of but it came in the form of sexual abuse or homosexual encounter.

*I used to think of him, he used think of me**The boy thinking of the attention he so desperately needed and in his mind Johnny was thinking of him too or it could be describing Johnny's lust for the boy.*He told me to close my eyes My gift would be a great surprise I saw tears were in his eyes He never meant to hurt me

The boys was blind that it was abuse; to him it was love and Johnny would never hurt him becasue he loved him. Johnny’s tears are the guilt over hurting the boy or guilt from breaking the relationship. It a little muddled here.

Oh, god, johnny, don't point that gun at me There's so many ways our lives have changed But please, I beg, don't do this to me Johnny, don't point that gun at me Can I save my life at any price? For god's sake won't you listen to me?

Point the gun symbolizes ending the relationship and in essence killing the love the boy couldn't live without. The boy is trying to save the relationship and talk Johnny out of leaving becasue his world is falling apart over the loss.

And though he was ashamed that he had took a life Johnny came home with another wife And he often remembered how it used to be Before that special occasion, 1963

Taking the life is killing/destroying the boys soul/innocence or destroying the only love he’s ever know. Johnny is either ashamed for abusing the boy or ashamed of his homosexual desire and got married to hid his sexuality. There was too many ways that you could kill someone Like in a love affair, when the love is gone

I think this is the biggest clue in the lyric. It's saying taking your love away from someone is like killing them. He told me to close my eyes My gift would be a great surprise I saw hatred in his eyes He never meant to hurt me

The Hatred Johnny feels is either over the acts he did or that the boy represents his homosexual desires and the boy represents Johnny's self hate.

I just want you to be mine, I don't want this world to shine I don't want this bridge to burn Oh, johnny, do you miss me? I just want to feel for you I will always feel for you...

The boy still wants Johnny, who represents his desperate desire to be loved, in his life and doesn’t want him to leave. His whole life was wrapped up in the relationship and feels like he is dying.

Like I said I honestly have no idea but it is what it looks like to me.

Isn't True Faith just about drugs?

Probably.

Just like every other New Order song.

El Jarvo wrote: Isn't True Faith just about drugs?

Probably.

Just like every other New Order song.

I looked at the words trying to find how it could be about drugs but i couldn't find any coherent way to make it about drugs.

The word drug is in the song and that's to obvious for NO. There is a lot of symbolism and metaphors in their lyrics that's why so many people can find so many different meanings to each song. They never come out and say it they leave the door open so the song means something different to each person.

Just my opinion, I doubt we will ever know for sure.

The original post explanation kinda reminds me of Second Nature lyrics on Raise the Pressure... so maybe you have a point

I used to think that I was lonely When I was a young boy Doin’ what they told me Too many lessons in the school class Stated my allegiance Mixing with the wrong class

I lived at home with all my family Even had my own key It was given to me I like to be alone There was never any friction Starring in my own film It was my addiction

*You don't have to wait The world will carry on They stare in your face But it won't stay for long Blessed be our nation And sit upon her throne (But) Don't ever hesitate Just carry on

(*Repeat)

Your older boys were rather surly Livin’ in the wrong place Made me grow up early But it was my home As I complete my own existence Staring at my own life Fading in the distance Down I stand in time

Smiling faces of the neighbors Proud of their endeavors Gonna play forever Watch tv at home

(*Repeat)

**You don't have to wait The world will carry on They stare in your face But it won't stay for long Blessed be our nation And sit upon our throne (But) Don't ever hesitate Don’t get it wrong

Don't ever wait Don't hesitate Don’t ever wait Don’t hesitate

Thought true faith was about michael jackson.

now that weve grown up together