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Atrocity Exhibition

Joy Division

aka “Atrocity”

1979
239
Live performances
1
Recording
109
Release appearances
0
Covered by

Lyrics

Asylums with doors open wide, 
Where people had pay to see inside, 
For entertainment they watch his body twist, 
Behind his eyes he says I still exist.

This is the way, step inside. 
…
View full lyrics 
Asylums with doors open wide, 
Where people had pay to see inside, 
For entertainment they watch his body twist, 
Behind his eyes he says I still exist.

This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside. 
In arenas he kills for a prize, 
Wins a minute to add to his life. 
But the sickness is drowned by cries for more, 
Pray to God, make it quick, watch him fall.

This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside.

This is the way.
This is the way. 
This is the way. 
This is the way. 
This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside. 
You'll see the horrors of a faraway place, 
Meet the architects of law face to face. 
See mass murder on a scale you've never seen , 
And all the ones who try hard to succeed.

This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside. 
This is the way, step inside -- 

And I picked on the whims of a thousand or more, 
Still pursuing the path that's been buried for years, 
All the dead wood from jungles and cities on fire, 
Can't replace or relate, can't release or repair, 
Take my hand, and I'll show you what was and will be.

Versions & Mixes

Recordings, remixes and alternate mixes of this composition.

  • Album Version 6:05
  • Live 1979-07-13 5:52
  • Live 1979-12-18 6:56

Release Appearances

109 known appearances

Closer

Closer

1980
1977 - 1980

1977 - 1980

1991
Heart & Soul

Heart & Soul

1997
Heart And Soul

Heart And Soul

1997

Fractured Box

2001
Les Bains Douches 18 December 1979

Les Bains Douches 18 December 1979

2001
Closer / Unknown Pleasures

Closer / Unknown Pleasures

2010

Videos

View on Transmission →

Live History

239
Total performances
First known performance
11 Jul 1979
Roots Club, Leeds
Last known performance
2 Apr 2026
Ancienne Belgique, Brussels

Recent performances

Showing 20 of 239 total

Sources

MusicBrainz work ↗ MusicBrainz recording ↗