Peter Hook’s Top 10 Joy Division and New Order Bass Lines

http://caughtinthecarousel.com/peter-hooks-top-10-joy-division-new-order-bass-lines/

In a Caught in the Carousel exclusive, legendary bassist and songwriter, Peter Hook, reveals to Paul Gleason the Top 10 bass lines that he wrote for Joy Division and New Order.

1. “Leave Me Alone,” New Order, Power, Corruption & Lies, 1983

I love the mood of this song and how Barney’s [Bernard Sumner’s] guitar works around the bass line.

2. “Twenty Four Hours,” Joy Division, Closer, 1980

I’m very proud of this one; I love the tempo changes.

3. “Sunrise,” New Order, Low-Life, 1985

The bass line every bass player would love to have! It really drives the whole song and is New Order at their most rocky.

4. “The Eternal,” Joy Division, Closer, 1980

A truly beautiful song.

5. “Everything’s Gone Green,” New Order, Single, 1981 (Rereleased on Substance, 1987)

This song signalled the beginning of dance and electronica becoming an influence on us.

6. “Wilderness,” Joy Division, Unknown Pleasures, 1979

This is really fun to play live, with three different riffs all combining to make quite a menacing tune.

7. “At a Later Date,” Joy Division, Short Circuit: Live at the Electric Circus, 1978

Simply because it was one of the first complete songs we ever wrote!

8. “Cries and Whispers,” New Order, Single, 1981 (Rereleased on Substance, 1987)

I loved exploring the use of harmonics on this track to be layered over the actual bass line.

9. “Denial,” New Order, Movement, 1981

One of the most intense New Order songs ever and a fitting end to Movement.

10. “Hurt,” New Order, Single, 1982 (Rereleased on Substance, 1987)

I could never manage to come in in the right key back then! But I think I’ve nailed it now…

Fine choices of course, but I would much rather have seen his top 10 bass lines from other artists.

Must be sick of "Ceremony"

All very much classics remembered for the bass, maybe never really thought of "Denial" as a stand out bass song but was always my favorite track from Movement. Except "At a Later Date" which is on the list for sentimentality.

OK, fellow bassists - which ones do you like to play? Mine (so far) in no particular order...

Someone Like You Recoil Lonesome Tonight Shadowplay Heart & Soul (though I think the main bass line is keyboard)