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Thieves Like Us

New Order

aka “Thieves Like Us (Instrumental)” aka “Thieves Like Us - 1984” aka “Thieves Like Us (12" Extended Mix)” aka “Thieves Like Us (12" Extended)”

1983
339
Live performances
1
Recording
83
Release appearances
4
Covered by

Credits

Words and music by Stephen Morris, Peter Hook, Bernard Sumner, Gillian Gilbert and Arthur Baker. (C) 1984 Be Music / Shakin' Baker Music / Warner Chappell Ltd. London W1Y 3FA

Lyrics

I've watched your face for a long time
It's always the same
I've studied the cracks and the wrinkles
You were always so vain
But now you live your life like a shadow
In the pouring rain
…
View full lyrics 
I've watched your face for a long time
It's always the same
I've studied the cracks and the wrinkles
You were always so vain
But now you live your life like a shadow
In the pouring rain

Oh, it's called love
Yes, it's called love
Oh, it's called love
And it belongs to us
Oh, it dies so quickly
It grows so slowly
But when it dies, it dies for good
It's called love
And it belongs to everyone but us

I've lived my life in the valleys
I've lived my life on the hills
I've lived my life on alcohol
I've lived my life on pills

But it's called love
And it belongs to us
It's called love
And it's the only thing that's worth living for

It's called love
And it belongs to us
It's called love
Yes it's called love

Oh love is found in the east and the west
But when love is at home, it's the best
Love is the cure for every evil
Love is the air that supports the eagle

It's called love
And it's so un-cool
It's called love
And somehow it's become unmentionable
It's called love
And it belongs to every one of us
It's called love
And it cuts your life like a broken knife

Oh love love love love love
It's called love and it belongs to us
It's called love love love love love
It's called love and it belongs to everyone but us

Versions & Mixes

Recordings, remixes and alternate mixes of this composition.

  • 12" Version 6:37
  • 7" Edit 3:54
  • Instrumental 6:57
  • Instrumental Edit 3:55
  • Original Version 4:30
  • Original Version 11:31
  • Original Version ?:??
  • Original Version 3:51
  • Razormaid 2002 Mix 8:08

Release Appearances

83 known appearances

Blue Monday

Blue Monday

1983
Murder

Murder

1984
Thieves Like Us

Thieves Like Us

1984
Bizarre Love Triangle

Bizarre Love Triangle

1986
Shellshock

Shellshock

1986
New Wave Agenda: The Best Of New Wave Megamix

New Wave Agenda: The Best Of New Wave Megamix

2003
12" X 12: New Order Vinyl Campaign

12" X 12: New Order Vinyl Campaign

2006
Bizarre Love Triangle / Jetstream / Shellshock / Thieves Like Us

Bizarre Love Triangle / Jetstream / Shellshock / Thieves Like Us

2006
Total (From Joy Division To New Order)

Total (From Joy Division To New Order)

2011
(the best & rest of) New Order

(the best & rest of) New Order

2026
Thieves Like Us

Thieves Like Us
Thieves Like Us

Thieves Like Us

Videos

View on Transmission →

Live History

339
Total performances
First known performance
25 Jun 1983
I-Beam Club, San Francisco
Last known performance
23 Mar 2026
Lucerna Music Bar, Prague

Recent performances

Showing 20 of 339 total

Covered By (4)

Evaluna Morgue Nyeed Shades of Grey

Sources

MusicBrainz work ↗ MusicBrainz recording ↗