"1963"

so what does it all mean...?

???

i've thought and read many different things but i'm still confused and shellshocked by this track about a bizarre love triangle (sorry)

i've even read in reviews that it is about an homoerotic revelation/awakening by Barney ....

and i've heard some one else claim it was about Barney getting molested as a child? and that the gun is an euphenism for "penis"

so, what are your opinions?

Originally posted by i don't know so what does it all mean...???? i've thought and read many different things but i'm still confused and shellshocked by this track about a bizarre love triangle (sorry)i've even read in reviews that it is about an homoerotic revelation/awakening by Barney .... and i've heard some one else claim it was about Barney getting molested as a child? and that the gun is an euphenism for "penis" so, what are your opinions?

It's supposedly about JFK and Marilyn Monroe, never mind the chronological inconsistancies (Marilyn was long dead by January 1963).

Originally posted by i don't know so what does it all mean...???? i've thought and read many different things but i'm still confused and shellshocked by this track about a bizarre love triangle (sorry)i've even read in reviews that it is about an homoerotic revelation/awakening by Barney .... and i've heard some one else claim it was about Barney getting molested as a child? and that the gun is an euphenism for "penis" so, what are your opinions?

you know, that was my first interpretation of the song...a homosexual lover gone trigger happy. except i never thought it was autobiographical in anyway. just barney thinking of a story to sing about.

Originally posted by i don't know so what does it all mean...???? i've thought and read many different things but i'm still confused and shellshocked by this track about a bizarre love triangle (sorry)i've even read in reviews that it is about an homoerotic revelation/awakening by Barney .... and i've heard some one else claim it was about Barney getting molested as a child? and that the gun is an euphenism for "penis" so, what are your opinions?

This one crops up every month or so on this forum. The last time was http://neworderonlinecom.nexpoint.net/thread.asp?action=&thread_id=5609&forum_id=1 where the gist of the posts is as follows...

The comments about 1963 and JFK was just Barney talking generally about the year 1963, and JFK, not the song. There was an online streamed interview at the time Get Ready was released (an interview from GetMusic. To hear the interview just follow this link http://www.getmusic.com/calendar/audiochats/neworder/index.html and click on Hear The Chat Now) and a fan emailed in the question about the lyrics to 1963, and Barney just said it's a song from the point of view of a wife, being shot by her partner Johnny, then him going on to get another wife. The interviewer was a complete twat. Barney explained "1963" lyrics, saying that is a fictitious story about a man who kills his wife and the guy went "It sounds like an Eminem track to me". Really embarrassing.

The description he gives in that book doesn't marry up with the lyrics, as that would mean JFK shooting his missus, then remarrying, wouldn't it?

Just wish I could remember what site hosted the interview!

Hope that clears it all up, once and for all - although I'm sure someone else will be posting this question again in the near future!

Regards, Andrew Morrison Website: http://www.TrustNoOne.org.uk

i always thought originally that the "Johnny" was a father figure/"big brother" type who let Barney down... and that the gun wes a euphenism for something (i.e. you don't have to literally shoot somebody to kill them inside)

and if Bernard's childhood history is to be believed... he did have missing father figures, one reason he was so indecisive about what last name he was going to use.

just some thoughts... sorry about humping a dead camel...

getmusic hosted that interview.

I heard that sorry ass interview, at the AREA ONE in Mountain View right? That guy, funkin' Danny I think was his name, was an idiot...but oh well, there's always gonna be dumb pukes and dumb questions...

I think what is important to remember here is don't worry about what the twat one the other side was thinking about when he wrote the damn song...what does it mean to YOU!!!!

Leave Barney alone dammit!! He's a busy guy...delaying the release of tonz of material!!

it doesn't matter what the author meant?... i can just make up any interpretation that i like?...geezus... ...i know it is not that important, but what the hell is wrong with trying to understand where Barney's head was/is at? if he expects us to buy and listen to his warbling, we can at least ask a few questions every once in a while...

and looking at the song as Barney role playing as a wife's ghost who was shot by her husband doesnt seem to make a hellava lot of sense, and the song would be awfully stupid IMO... why would the man have a tear in his eye while he shot her and "never meant to hurt her" and all the dramatic emotion from the singers viewpoint? the woman still felt for her husband even thou he had to kill her, he didnt really want to hurt her, he just had to shoot her, well, because he wanted to marry another woman, sorry...??? if that was the case, what the hell is Barney's motivation to write the song in the viewpoint of the woman's ghost??? the song does have some strong emotion, one must assume that at least on some level it has some shadow of a meaning to him.

i think that Barney was just bullshitting in the interview(s), as many do who are uncomfortable talking about themselves in public, especially to obnoxious superficial interviewers, so they make shit up (or even Moby, who is comfortable talking about himself, but still bullshits and makes up stories about his life).

maybe the song is about a father figure leaving his mum in 1963??? or even a story made up about a man leaving a woman, based very loosely on his childhood?

Its a great song that is (shock!) well sung and they murdered it on 1963-94.

"Johnny don't play that remix to me..."

Originally posted by i don't care it doesn't matter what the author meant?... i can just make up any interpretation that i like?...geezus... ...i know it is not that important, but what the hell is wrong with trying to understand where Barney's head was/is at? if he expects us to buy and listen to his warbling, we can at least ask a few questions every once in a while...and looking at the song as Barney role playing as a wife's ghost who was shot by her husband doesnt seem to make a hellava lot of sense, and the song would be awfully stupid IMO... why would the man have a tear in his eye while he shot her and "never meant to hurt her" and all the dramatic emotion from the singers viewpoint? the woman still felt for her husband even thou he had to kill her, he didnt really want to hurt her, he just had to shoot her, well, because he wanted to marry another woman, sorry...??? if that was the case, what the hell is Barney's motivation to write the song in the viewpoint of the woman's ghost??? the song does have some strong emotion, one must assume that at least on some level it has some shadow of a meaning to him.i think that Barney was just bullshitting in the interview(s), as many do who are uncomfortable talking about themselves in public, especially to obnoxious superficial interviewers, so they make shit up (or even Moby, who is comfortable talking about himself, but still bullshits and makes up stories about his life). maybe the song is about a father figure leaving his mum in 1963??? or even a story made up about a man leaving a woman, based very loosely on his childhood?

You have made some interesting points here and although i have often wondered about this song,1963 being one of my all time faves,i still don't really know if there is any relevance to BARNEY'S memories.

Originally posted by Major Tarantino Its a great song that is (shock!) well sung and they murdered it on 1963-94. "Johnny don't play that remix to me..."

Amen to that! Another case of the original being better than the remix.

As for the story, I'm sure Barney has his own explination, and we all have our own. It's all a matter of relevancy, really.

Originally posted by i don't care it doesn't matter what the author meant?... i can just make up any interpretation that i like?...geezus... ...i know it is not that important, but what the hell is wrong with trying to understand where Barney's head was/is at? if he expects us to buy and listen to his warbling, we can at least ask a few questions every once in a while...and looking at the song as Barney role playing as a wife's ghost who was shot by her husband doesnt seem to make a hellava lot of sense, and the song would be awfully stupid IMO... why would the man have a tear in his eye while he shot her and "never meant to hurt her" and all the dramatic emotion from the singers viewpoint? the woman still felt for her husband even thou he had to kill her, he didnt really want to hurt her, he just had to shoot her, well, because he wanted to marry another woman, sorry...??? if that was the case, what the hell is Barney's motivation to write the song in the viewpoint of the woman's ghost??? the song does have some strong emotion, one must assume that at least on some level it has some shadow of a meaning to him.i think that Barney was just bullshitting in the interview(s), as many do who are uncomfortable talking about themselves in public, especially to obnoxious superficial interviewers, so they make shit up (or even Moby, who is comfortable talking about himself, but still bullshits and makes up stories about his life). maybe the song is about a father figure leaving his mum in 1963??? or even a story made up about a man leaving a woman, based very loosely on his childhood?

nah, i still see it as a good piece of fiction. i think it would be wrong to assume that songs of an emotional nature are autobiographical. sure, it's nice to think that we could somehow know barney better as a person through his lyrics, but who are we kidding? i used to do that too! i would dissect a song, make some sort of conclusion about how the song is autobiographical to the singer. and 5 years later, i find out it's all fictional!

point is, i think barney was being sincere about his explanation of 1963 in that getmusic interview. it's not a very complex story compared to some of the others barney has concocted...special is still a mystery to me. 1963 is on the same plane as flicker...both are fictional and it's a matter of barney experimenting with what he could do with lyrics. whether it be story telling or making lyrics out of newspaper headlines. i could dissect flicker and come to conclusions about how it's about barney wanting to open people's eyes to the world's problems and maybe one day will become bono and meet with presidents.

i'm absolutly certain that there is more to it than meets the eye....

but then again theres a lot more to many of Barneys lyrics than meets the eye ;)

Originally posted by Major Tarantino Its a great song that is (shock!) well sung and they murdered it on 1963-94. "Johnny don't play that remix to me..."

Oooooh No! I love 1963-94! Didn't think it was possible to take a brilliant song and make it better but this one proves that theory wrong.

On the subject of what the lyrics mean.....I'm sorry but New Order lyrics have never meant zip to me. I don't listen to them. They just compliment the music. But then I don't listen to anyone's lyrics, or read poetry or very many books. The only song whose lyrics I know off by heart is "Your Song" by Elton John cos it's my karaoke number.

Just rembered....I know all the words to "The WellyBoot Song" by Billy Connoly.

'If it wisnae fur yer wellies Where would ye be? You'd be in the hospital Or infirmaree (infirmary)

You would have a dose of the flu Or even plurasee (plurasy) If ye didnae huv yer feet in yer wellies...'

Now that's a lyric.

Originally posted by Grahame Ferguson Just rembered....I know all the words to "The WellyBoot Song" by Billy Connoly.'If it wisnae fur yer welliesWhere would ye be?You'd be in the hospitalOr infirmaree (infirmary)You would have a dose of the fluOr even plurasee (plurasy)If ye didnae huv yer feet in yer wellies...'Now that's a lyric.

they always used to play thison junior choce

WUFF WUFF to arnold

Originally posted by HOOKY'S WALLET > Originally posted by Grahame Ferguson> Just rembered....I know all the words to "The WellyBoot Song" by Billy Connoly.> > 'If it wisnae fur yer wellies> Where would ye be?> You'd be in the hospital> Or infirmaree (infirmary)> > You would have a dose of the flu> Or even plurasee (plurasy)> If ye didnae huv yer feet in yer wellies...'> > Now that's a lyric.

they always used to play thison junior choce

WUFF WUFF to arnold

along with 'Don't jump off the roof dad'

Originally posted by Grahame Ferguson > Originally posted by Major Tarantino Its a great song that is (shock!) well sung and they murdered it on 1963-94. "Johnny don't play that remix to me..."

Oooooh No! I love 1963-94! Didn't think it was possible to take a brilliant song and make it better but this one proves that theory wrong.

On the subject of what the lyrics mean.....I'm sorry but New Order lyrics have never meant zip to me. I don't listen to them. They just compliment the music. But then I don't listen to anyone's lyrics, or read poetry or very many books. The only song whose lyrics I know off by heart is "Your Song" by Elton John cos it's my karaoke number.

Are you mad?? they removed the amazing hooky bass bit at the end and the whole "i don't want this bridge to burn" genius part!!

The 'bridge burn' lyric is still in and they did include more audible Hooky throughout which was (I thought) in answer to Republican's Hooky leave-off move.

Original is best, but 1693-94 part III is at least quite pleasant.

When refering to "1963-94" do you mean the "best of" version or the single version, "Nineteen63"?

Originally posted by JORGE TEIXEIRA When refering to "1963-94" do you mean the "best of" version or the single version, "Nineteen63"?

...wich, of course, was released in 1995. Maybe that's the answer to my question!

Yes George, 1963-95 (white cardboard and colour block release) is the version I meant. I'm not sure what 1963-94 is ... I just copied what Major had put.

I should have known. He's led us up the garden wall.

Is there such a version? ... there must be a re-mix out there, is it just a matter of time?

Originally posted by JORGE TEIXEIRA > Originally posted by JORGE TEIXEIRA> When refering to "1963-94" do you mean the "best of" version or the single version, "Nineteen63"?

...wich, of course, was released in 1995. Maybe that's the answer to my question! This is the one with the FANTASTIC cover for the PROMO for the 12 inch.White cover with the 1963 LOGO cut out showing the lovely blue through it.Wish i had this...oh i have!:D

Originally posted by ROCKET MICK This is the one with the FANTASTIC cover for the PROMO for the 12 inch.White cover with the 1963 LOGO cut out showing the lovely blue through it.Wish i had this...oh i have!:D

Ooh, a New Order rarity I was unaware of... Mr Mick, what's the catalogue number, and what tracks are on it?

The best version of '1963' is the 'Substance' version - a nice way to end the album, but the Arthur Baker full-length remix (not the '95 Radio Remix') is a close second - just a shame it's so damn tinny - where's the bass?!

For everyone's information, '1963-94' is the obscenely truncated mix on 'The best of', sometimes reffered to as the 'album version', with the best bits of the song (i.e. the last chorus and ending) missing. 'Nineteen63', or '1963-95' was released early '95 with some seriously bnoring remixes, and a couple of good modernized versions by Arthur Baker, one of which wouldn't be out of place on this 'International'/'Here To Stay'/'The Greatest Hits' 12/14 track compilation album/double album (whatever). 1963-95 is also worth checking out for the vocal re-recording of 'Let's Go' on the white-boxed CD single.

I'm fed up of people telling me 1963's about Marylin and JF-bloomin-K! That would only make sense if JFK had a gun to his missus head in the back of the car... But didn't Elvis shoot JFK anyway, or something? I thought Barney kind of cleared all that palarver up with the interview at http://www.getmusic.com/calendar/audiochats/neworder/index.html, but there you go.

Andy "how do you spell pallarver?" Morrison http://www.TrustNoOne.org.uk

Originally posted by ROCKET MICK > Originally posted by JORGE TEIXEIRA> > > > Originally posted by JORGE TEIXEIRA> > When refering to "1963-94" do you mean the "best of" version or the single version, "Nineteen63"?>

...wich, of course, was released in 1995. Maybe that's the answer to my question! This is the one with the FANTASTIC cover for the PROMO for the 12 inch.White cover with the 1963 LOGO cut out showing the lovely blue through it.Wish i had this...oh i have!:D

I've got the CD box of that one, very nice it is too. But the 12" is better.