As the creator of my New Order and Joy Division discography map, I've spent countless hours tracing the band's studio journey, album by album, lineup by lineup. But when it comes to ranking the best New Order songs? That's a different challenge entirely.
Formed from the ashes of Joy Division, New Order became one of the most influential bands of the 1980s and '90s, blending the raw emotion of post-punk with groundbreaking electronic sounds.
In this post, I'm ranking their ten best songs, considering:
- Cultural Impact, how much the song resonated and endured.
- Innovation, whether it pushed sonic boundaries.
- Longevity, does it still hold up today?
- Emotional Weight, that mix of joy and melancholy that defines New Order.
Here's my countdown of the 10 greatest New Order tracks:
1. Blue Monday (1983)
The biggest-selling 12-inch single of all time, and for good reason. A revolutionary track that combined post-punk with synth-pop, electro, and dance music. It practically invented the remix culture of the '80s and still resonates in clubs today.
Key facts: Pioneered electronic rock crossover. Landmark moment in UK dance history.
2. Temptation (1982)
The sound of euphoria and yearning all at once. 'Temptation' marks New Order's breakaway from the shadow of Joy Division with a hypnotic groove and a heartfelt vocal from Bernard Sumner.
Why it matters: A turning point. Where their identity is fully formed.
3. Bizarre Love Triangle (1986)
Arguably their most perfect pop song. Shimmering synths, a heart-wrenching chorus, and pristine production make this one of New Order's most beloved and enduring tracks.
Legacy: A club and radio staple. Immortal in alternative pop.
4. Love Will Tear Us Apart (1980)
Though technically a Joy Division track, it casts a long shadow over New Order's early years. Its live and symbolic presence in the band's story earns it a spot here.
Emotional impact: The ultimate post-punk anthem of loss and legacy.
5. Your Silent Face (1983)
Often cited as their most beautiful song. Minimalist, melodic, and heartbreakingly honest, with one of the bluntest lyrical twists in their catalogue.
Sound: Kraftwerk-meets-English melancholy.
6. The Perfect Kiss (1985)
This is a multi-layered, electronic epic. The extended 12" version is a production masterclass, complete with frogs, sequencers, and emotionally detached vocals.
Visual companion: Jonathan Demme's live studio video captures the band's dynamic at its peak.
7. Ceremony (1981)
The first single released as New Order, and a farewell to Ian Curtis. It straddles Joy Division's intensity with the shimmer of what would come.
Why it's essential: A historical pivot point in the band's evolution.
8. Regret (1993)
A moment of mid-career clarity. 'Regret' captures the band's maturity, with sharp guitar hooks and Sumner's reflective, wistful lyrics. It also marked a return to form.
Success: Their biggest US alternative hit.
9. Thieves Like Us (1984)
A dreamy, often overlooked track that blends melancholy with lush instrumentation. Hooky's bass is hypnotic, and the synth work is quietly gorgeous.
Verdict: A slow-burn masterpiece.
10. True Faith (1987)
A late '80s anthem with abstract lyrics and irresistible hooks. Paired with one of the most iconic music videos of the decade, it's New Order at their most accessible and inventive.
Legacy: One of their most celebrated tracks, timeless and universal.
Honourable Mentions
- Touched by the Hand of God, satirical dancefloor brilliance.
- Crystal, the 2001 comeback whose video band name gave The Killers theirs.
- 1963, a cult B-side that became a fan favourite.
- Round and Round, an overlooked gem with an addictive rhythm.
Final Thoughts
New Order weren't just survivors, they were sonic pioneers. Whether redefining dance music or exploring emotional disconnection with synths and sequencers, their discography still inspires today.
As someone who maps their musical journey, I can say their songs are more than tracks, they're chapters in a cultural revolution.
Agree with this list? Got your own top 10? Feel free to share your favourites in the comments below.
Follow the full journey of New Order, Joy Division, and their related side projects on my studio album map right here.
The Best New Order Songs: Chart Success vs My Own Ranking
How do New Order's biggest songs fare when you set commercial performance against my own view of them? Here's the comparison across my top 10. The chart positions are a matter of record. The score in the final column is mine, and it is a judgement rather than a measurement.
| Song | UK Chart Peak | US Chart Peak | My score (/10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Monday | #9 | #5 (Dance) | 10 |
| Temptation | #29 | N/A | 9.5 |
| Bizarre Love Triangle | #56 | #98 (Hot 100), #4 (Dance) | 9.5 |
| Love Will Tear Us Apart* | #13 | N/A | 10 |
| Your Silent Face | N/A (album track) | N/A | 9 |
| The Perfect Kiss | #46 | N/A | 9 |
| Ceremony | #34 | N/A | 9.5 |
| Regret | #4 | #28 | 8.5 |
| Thieves Like Us | #18 | N/A | 8.5 |
| True Faith | #4 | #32 | 9 |
*Originally released by Joy Division, but included due to its symbolic and live presence in New Order's story.
The table shows the New Order dynamic clearly: not every great track was a chart hit, and not every hit tells the whole story. The deeper cuts and the innovations are what define their legacy, which is what I set out to show visually in my New Order map.
The New Order and Joy Division Discography Map
The map plots the studio albums as stations and every credited musician as a line running between them, so you can follow the Joy Division players straight through into New Order and out again into the side projects. Live albums and compilations are not on it, which is an editorial rule I apply right across the range.
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