The Myths of New Order's Blue Monday

US Trash Theory unpacks the facts vs folklore 12/02/24

New Order's Blue Monday is an iconic dance track, surrounded by numerous stories on it's creation, release, and reception. Trash Theory has made his latest documentary covering this track in it's entirety, with all the folklore which surrounds it. Using extensive levels of research, he references interviews, band member quotes, and hazy recollections from the time - for a phenomenally detailed look and definitive guide to the real story. In his words...

Emerging out of the embers of Joy Division, New Order spent the 1980s smashing together the worlds of punk and disco. In 1983 they gave the world a shuddering party starter that took elements from Black Gay club music, Giorgio Moroder, Kraftwerk, Spaghetti Westerns and British melancholy. Such a revolution in sound that "Blue Monday" perhaps became the biggest selling 12 inch single of all time.

Perhaps, because the myths surrounding "Blue Monday" are belligerent and numerous, impeded by each member of the band having conflicting accounts of their 1980s. Many of the rumours and legends about the song are provably wrong, and yet still persist. It may be the song to get indie kids to the dancefloor, but what do we really know about this 7 and half minute groove-automaton? This is New British Canon and this is the story of "Blue Monday."

Awesome stuff, more from Trash Theory here. I also recommend the XTC one!

About the author [midierror]: midierror makes nifty Max For Live devices, innovative music hardware, award winning sample packs and hosts a podcast speaking to people in the music world.