On this day (October 7, 1979) in history, Factory Records released the debut single for Joy Division – Transmission as a 7″ vinyl single. One year later, it was released as a 12″ with a different sleeve. Transmission was originally recorded in 1978, intended for the bands abandoned self-titled debut album, now known as Warsaw. It was later re-recorded at a faster tempo for this official release on this date in history.
Charts
In May 2007, NME magazine listed the song as number 20 on it’s list of the Greatest Indie Anthems ever. Coincidentally, Love Will Tear Us Apart was number 19 on that list. In 2016, Pitchfork magazine places the song at number 10 in it’s list of the 200 best songs of the 70’s.
Lyrics
Radio, live transmission
Radio, live transmissionListen to the silence, let it ring on
Eyes, dark grey lenses frightened of the sun
We would have a fine time living in the night
Left to blind destruction
Waiting for our sightAnd we would go on as though nothing was wrong
And hide from these days we remained all alone
Staying in the same place, just staying out the time
Touching from a distance
Further all the timeDance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radioWell I could call out when the going gets tough
The things that we’ve learnt are no longer enough
No language, just sound, that’s all we need know, to synchronise
Love to the beat of the showAnd we could dance
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio
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