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Atmosphere

Joy Division

aka “Atmosphere (Original Mix)” aka “Atmosphere (1988 Promo)” aka “Chance”

1979
590
Live performances
1
Recording
168
Release appearances
3
Covered by

Credits

Written by

Ian Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Bernard Sumner

Written by Joy Division

Lyrics

Walk in silence, 
Don't walk away, in silence. 
See the danger, 
Always danger, 
Endless talking, 
Life rebuilding, 
…
View full lyrics 
Walk in silence, 
Don't walk away, in silence. 
See the danger, 
Always danger, 
Endless talking, 
Life rebuilding, 
Don't walk away.

Walk in silence, 
Don't turn away, in silence. 
Your confusion, 
My illusion, 
Worn like a mask of self-hate, 
Confronts and then dies. 
Don't walk away.

People like you find it easy, 
Naked to see, 
Walking on air. 
Hunting by the rivers, 
Through the streets, 
Every corner abandoned too soon, 
Set down with due care. 
Don't walk away in silence, 
Don't walk away.

Versions & Mixes

Recordings, remixes and alternate mixes of this composition.

  • Chance (Demo Version) 4:54
  • Live 1979-12-18 4:47
  • Live Reading Festival 1998 4:16
  • Peel Sessions 1998 4:30
  • Single Version 4:10
  • Video ?:??

Release Appearances

168 known appearances

Atmosphere / She's Lost Control

Atmosphere / She's Lost Control

1980
Licht Und Blindheit

Licht Und Blindheit

1980
She's Lost Control / Atmosphere

She's Lost Control / Atmosphere

1980
Atmosphere

Atmosphere

1988
Substance

Substance

1988
1977 - 1980

1977 - 1980

1991
Palatine - The Factory Story

Palatine - The Factory Story

1991
Love Will Tear Us Apart 95

Love Will Tear Us Apart 95

1995
Permanent

Permanent

1995
Permanent: Joy Division 1995

Permanent: Joy Division 1995

1995
Heart & Soul

Heart & Soul

1997
Heart And Soul

Heart And Soul

1997
Crystal

Crystal

2001

Fractured Box

2001
Les Bains Douches 18 December 1979

Les Bains Douches 18 December 1979

2001
+ - Singles 1978-80

+ - Singles 1978-80

2010
Total (From Joy Division To New Order)

Total (From Joy Division To New Order)

2011
Instrumental Edits

Instrumental Edits

Videos

View on Transmission →

Live History

590
Total performances
First known performance
22 Sep 1979
Nashville Club, London
Last known performance
10 Jun 2026
Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow

Recent performances

Showing 20 of 590 total

Covered By (3)

Codeine Nau Ensemble Ocaso

Sources

MusicBrainz work ↗ MusicBrainz recording ↗