Transmission (song)

"Transmission"
Single by Joy Division
B-side "Novelty"
Released October 1979
Format 7" and 12" vinyl
Recorded 1979
Genre Post-punk
Label Factory
Writer(s) Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Ian Curtis[1]
Producer(s) Martin Hannett
Joy Division singles chronology
"Transmission"
(1979)		 "Komakino"
(1980)
Alternative cover
12" cover

"Transmission" is a song by English post-punk band Joy Division. It was released in 1979 by record label Factory as the band's debut single.

Release

"Transmission" was released on 7" vinyl in October 1979 by record label Factory. It was re-released as a 12" single with a different sleeve in December 1980.

The single charted twice in New Zealand, debuting at number 2 in September 1981 and re-appearing again at number 24 in July 1984.

Legacy

In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Transmission" at number 20 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever,[2] one place below "Love Will Tear Us Apart".

Cover versions

"Transmission" has been covered by: Low (on its EP Transmission); Bauhaus (as well as by frontman Peter Murphy on his solo tours); Innerpartysystem; Girl in a Coma; BADBADNOTGOOD; and Hot Chip on the 2009 War Child charity album Heroes. It was played by The Smashing Pumpkins on their Adore Tour in 1998, with performances of the song usually lasting from 15 to 25 minutes.[3][4] It was also covered by the cast of Control, a biographical film about the life of Ian Curtis.[5]

Track listing

All tracks written by Joy Division.

7"
  1. "Transmission" – 3:36
  2. "Novelty" – 3:59
12"
  1. "Transmission" – 3:36
  2. "Novelty" – 3:59

References

  1. ↑ Ascap entry
  2. ↑ The Greatest Indie Anthems Ever, NME (accessed 8 January 2009).
  3. ↑ SPFC.com, 1998 Tour Dates, (accessed 16 August 2009).
  4. ↑ Adam Woods, Humbling response delays Heroes, Music Week (accessed 8 January 2009).
  5. ↑ Andy Kellman, Control - Original Soundtrack (accessed 1 February 2013).

External links