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Ceremony

New Order

aka “Ceremony (Album Version)” aka “Ceremony (Studio 54, Barcelona 7/7/84)” aka “Ceremony (Celebration 1981)” aka “Ceremony (Promo)”

1980
1064
Live performances
1
Recording
206
Release appearances
5
Covered by

Credits

Written by

Ian Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Bernard Sumner

Written by Joy Division

Lyrics

This is why events unnerve me,
They find it all, a different story,
Notice whom for wheels are turning,
Turn again and turn towards this time,
All she ask's the strength to hold me,
Then again the same old story,
…
View full lyrics 
This is why events unnerve me,
They find it all, a different story,
Notice whom for wheels are turning,
Turn again and turn towards this time,
All she ask's the strength to hold me,
Then again the same old story,
World will travel, oh so quickly,
Travel first and lean towards this time.

Oh, I'll break them down, no mercy shown,
Heaven knows, it's got to be this time,
Watching her, these things she said,
The times she cried,
Too frail to wake this time.

Oh I'll break them down, no mercy shown
Heaven knows, it's got to be this time,
Avenues all lined with trees,
Picture me and then you start watching,
Watching forever, forever,
Watching love grow, forever,
Letting me know, forever.

Versions & Mixes

Recordings, remixes and alternate mixes of this composition.

  • 12" Version with Gillian Gilbert 4:23
  • 7" Version 4:34
  • Demo Version 4:21
  • Demo Version 4:29
  • Live 1980-05-02 3:48
  • Live 1984-07-07 4:49
  • Original Version 4:38
  • Original Version 4:20
  • Original Version 4:07
  • Studio 54, Barcelona on 7 July 1984 4:51

Release Appearances

206 known appearances

Ceremony

Ceremony

1981
Still

Still

1981
1977 - 1980

1977 - 1980

1991
Palatine - The Factory Story

Palatine - The Factory Story

1991
Heart & Soul

Heart & Soul

1997
Heart And Soul

Heart And Soul

1997
Retro

Retro

2002
Ceremony / In A Lonely Place

Ceremony / In A Lonely Place

2011
Total (From Joy Division To New Order)

Total (From Joy Division To New Order)

2011

Videos

View on Transmission →

Live History

1064
Total performances
First known performance
2 May 1980
High Hall, Birmingham University, Birmingham
Last known performance
11 Jun 2026
Lincoln Castle, Lincoln

Recent performances

Showing 20 of 1064 total

Covered By (5)

Atlantic Popes Galaxy 500 Salt Lake The Echoing Green almanso

Sources

MusicBrainz work ↗ MusicBrainz recording ↗