Shadowplay (song)

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“Shadowplay”
Song by Joy Division
Album	Unknown Pleasures
Released	June 15, 1979
Recorded	April 1–17, 1979 at Strawberry Studios, Stockport
Genre	Post-punk
Length	3:55
Label	Factory Records
Writer	Ian Curtis
Producer	Martin Hannett, Joy Division
Unknown Pleasures track listing
"She's Lost Control" (6) “Shadowplay” (7) "Wilderness" (8)
Audio sample
Info "Shadowplay" (help·info)

Shadowplay is a song by the band Joy Division. It appeared on the 1979 album Unknown Pleasures. The song has been covered by other artists a number of times, most notably by The Killers.

Contents 1 Lyrics 2 The Killers version 2.1 Charts 3 External links 4 References

[edit] Lyrics

The lyrics, written and originally sung by Ian Curtis include a reference to suicide, he sings "In the shadowplay acting out your own death, knowing no more." Curtis himself committed suicide by hanging on May 18, 1980. Early recordings of the lyrics on the Warsaw album show the first line of the song as saying "To the centre of the city where all roads meet looking for you". In later recordings the word looking is replaced with waiting.

[edit] The Killers version

“Shadowplay”
Single by The Killers from the album Sawdust
Released	October 9, 2007
Format	Download
Genre	Post-punk revival
Length	4:09
Label	Island, Vertigo
Producer	Flood, Alan Moulder
The Killers singles chronology
"For Reasons Unknown" (2007) "Shadowplay" (2007) "Tranquilize" (2007)
Audio sample
Info (help·info)

The Killers released a cover of the song as a promotional single for their b-sides and rarities album, Sawdust. The song was initially recorded for the 2007 film Control.^[1] Their version plays during the credits to the film and appears on the Control soundtrack. It became a live staple for the band's 2006-2007 Sam's Town tour.

It was released as a single on the US iTunes Store on October 9, 2007. The song peaked at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100. A music video was released on November 21, 2007, featuring the band interspersed with clips from Control.

[edit] Charts

Chart (2007)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs	17
U.S. Billboard Modern Rock	19
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[2]	68
U.S. Billboard Pop 100	43
Canadian Hot 100 [2]	49

[edit] External links

• Shadowplay Fansite

[edit] References

v • d • e Joy Division Ian Curtis • Bernard Sumner • Peter Hook • Stephen Morris Terry Mason • Tony Tabac • Steve Brotherdale Albums Unknown Pleasures • Closer Compilations Still • Substance • Warsaw • Permanent • Heart and Soul • Martin Hannett's Personal Mixes • The Best of Joy Division Live albums Preston Warehouse • Les Bains Douches  • The Peel Sessions • Joy Division The Complete BBC Recordings • Let The Movie Begin Singles and EPs "An Ideal for Living" • "Transmission" • "Licht und Blindheit" • "Komakino" • "Love Will Tear Us Apart" • "Atmosphere/She's Lost Control" Related Discography • Factory Records • 24 Hour Party People • Martin Hannett • Peter Saville • Tony Wilson • Rob Gretton • Alan Erasmus • New Order • Control • Joy Division (2007 film)

v • d • e The Killers Brandon Flowers • Dave Keuning • Mark Stoermer • Ronnie Vannucci Jr. Albums Hot Fuss • Sam's Town • Third studio album Compilations Sawdust Singles "Somebody Told Me" • "Mr. Brightside" • "All These Things That I've Done" • "Smile Like You Mean It" • "When You Were Young" • "Bones" • "A Great Big Sled" • "Read My Mind" • "For Reasons Unknown" • "Shadowplay" • "Tranquilize" • "Don't Shoot Me Santa" Related Discography • Awards and nominations • Marrakesh Records (Lizard King Records) • Island Records • "Crystal"