Joy Division Quotes

“How unhappy does one have to be before living seems worse than dying?”
― Deborah Curtis, Touching from a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division

“Reality is only a dream, based on values and well worn principles, whereas the dream goes on forever.”
― Ian Curtis

“Now I don't know why, but Morrissey had always hated Joy Division. Maybe Rob got it right when after a lively debate as the cameras were turned off he turned to Morrissey and said, 'The trouble with you, Morrissey, is that you've never had the guts to kill yourself like Ian. You're fucking jealous.' You should have seen his face as he stormed off. I laughed me bollocks off.”
― Peter Hook, The Haçienda: How Not to Run a Club

“Ian was living in fairyland and in our own way we all helped him to stay there.”
― Deborah Curtis, Touching from a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division

“The music was so mournful and emotional that it seemed like the only suitable thing to play.”
― Deborah Curtis, Touching from a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division

“The things that we've learned are no longer enough.”
― Ian Curtis

“Joy Division throbbed in the background.”
― David Mitchell

“Ten things you should always do when you form a group

1. Work with your friends
2. Find like-minded people
3. Have ultimate self-belief
4. Write great songs
5. Get a great manager
6. Live in Manchester
7. Support each other through thick and thin
8. Realise no one person is bigger than the group (thanks to Gene Simmons for that one)
9. Watch where the money goes
10. Always get separate legal advice for everything before you sign; failing that, ask your mam and dad”
― Peter Hook, Substance: Inside New Order

“We sang 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' in full voice, in our native language, which was English tinged with sorrow and longing.”
― Mo Daviau, Every Anxious Wave

“The barrels were on a platform and to keep the platform level someone had shoved a quarter-inch tape box underneath it.
I pulled it out. Covered in old beer and sweat and condensation, it was one of the master tapes of Joy Division's debut album, Unknown Pleasures.
It made me smile. It was an absolutely perfect metaphor for the Haçienda.
Joy Division had held the whole fucking thing up.”
― Peter Hook, The Haçienda: How Not to Run a Club