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Age of Consent

New Order

aka “Age Of Consent (Album Version)” aka “Age Of Consent (Howie B. Remix)”

1983
431
Live performances
1
Recording
119
Release appearances
3
Covered by

Overview

Bernard Sumner mostly sings "What the fuck you want me too" instead of "About the birds and bees" when this song is played live.

Credits

Written by New Order.

Lyrics

Won't you please let me go
These words lie inside they hurt me so
And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you
Just what I want to do
I'm not the kind that needs to tell you
Just what you want me to
…
View full lyrics 
Won't you please let me go
These words lie inside they hurt me so
And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you
Just what I want to do
I'm not the kind that needs to tell you
Just what you want me to

I saw you this morning
I thought that you might like to know
I received your message in full a few days ago
I understood every word that it said
And now that I've actually heard it
You're going to regret

And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you
Just what you want me to
You're not the kind that needs to tell me
About the birds and the bees

Do you find this happens all the time
Crucial point one day becomes a crime
And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you
Just what I want to do
I'm not the kind that needs to tell you
Ow Ow

I've lost you (x5)
I've lost you (x5)
I've lost you (x5)

Versions & Mixes

Recordings, remixes and alternate mixes of this composition.

  • Album Version 5:13
  • Howie B Remix 5:23
  • Live 1985
  • Live 1986-03-01 5:02
  • Live 1987-06-19 5:20
  • Original Version 3:58
  • Spectrum Arena, Warrington 1 March 1986 5:01

Release Appearances

119 known appearances

Power, Corruption & Lies

Power, Corruption & Lies

1983
Palatine - The Factory Story

Palatine - The Factory Story

1991
Before & After

Before & After

2002
Retro

Retro

2002
(the best & rest of) New Order

(the best & rest of) New Order

2026
Touched By The Hand Of God

Touched By The Hand Of God

Videos

View on Transmission →

Live History

431
Total performances
First known performance
30 Aug 1982
The Venue, Blackpool
Last known performance
4 Jun 2026
Manchester Academy 1, Manchester

Recent performances

Showing 20 of 431 total

Covered By (3)

Kil Noo Masters of the Hemisphere Thursday 29

Sources

MusicBrainz work ↗ MusicBrainz recording ↗