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Blue Monday by the band New Order, released as a 12-inch single on March 7, 1983 through Factory Records, not only became a massive hit but also redefined the way electronic and dance music was created and perceived. With its innovative sound, unique packaging and a history that spans multiple remixes and covers, Blue Monday is a track that holds a special place in music history.
New Order was conceived by former members of Joy Division, on a quest to explore new musical technologies and sounds. This led them to create Blue Monday in their rehearsal room in Cheetham Hill, Manchester. The song was a product of experimentation with synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines, all before the advent of MIDI technology. To synchronise these instruments, the band enlisted engineer Martin Usher to design a custom circuit, which played a pivotal role in shaping the song's unique sound.
The iconic bassline, performed on a Moog Source and sequenced by Bernard Sumner, set the foundation for the track. The use of an Oberheim DMX drum machine for rhythm, with the kick drum recorded through a studio monitor to capture natural reverb, further enhanced the song's distinctive groove. However, it was the use of an early sampler, the Emulator 1, that added an extra layer of uniqueness to the song.
The track was not just a product of experimentation but also drew inspiration from various sources. Bassist Peter Hook cited influences such as Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder, and Sparks, while Bernard Sumner mentioned that parts of the song were taken from tracks like Dirty Talk by Klein + MBO and You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester. Gillian Gilbert revealed that Hook's bassline was inspired by Ennio Morricone's film soundtrack. The band's willingness to acknowledge these influences and incorporate them into their unique sound demonstrates their creative approach to music. Rather than merely imitating their inspirations, they used them as a foundation to build something entirely new and exciting.
Beyond the groundbreaking sound, Blue Monday also made waves with its iconic packaging. Designed by Peter Saville and Brett Wickens, the 12-inch single's die-cut sleeve was created to resemble a floppy disk, a nod to the technology of the time. What makes this packaging even more unique is that it features no words, only a series of coloured blocks that contain artist, song, and label information in code. The packaging was not only innovative but also expensive to produce, to the extent that Factory Records lost money on each copy sold.
Blue Monday became a massive hit and made its mark in music history. It reached the top 10 in many countries and remains the best-selling 12-inch single of all time. In the UK, it has sold over a million copies across various formats.
The song has been remixed twice, in 1988 and 1995, and these versions also achieved considerable success. It has been covered by various bands, further solidifying its influence on the music industry. In 2021, Rolling Stone included Blue Monday at number 235 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Blue Monday not only marked the evolution of electronic and dance music but also showcased New Order's creative genius and willingness to push boundaries. As an iconic track that continues to resonate with music lovers today, it's a testament to the enduring power of innovation in the world of music.
Blue Monday by the band New Order, released as a 12-inch single on March 7, 1983 through Factory Records, not only became a massive hit but also redefined the way electronic and dance music was created and perceived. With its innovative sound, unique packaging and a history that spans multiple remixes and covers, Blue Monday is a track that holds a special place in music history.
New Order was conceived by former members of Joy Division, on a quest to explore new musical technologies and sounds. This led them to create Blue Monday in their rehearsal room in Cheetham Hill, Manchester. The song was a product of experimentation with synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines, all before the advent of MIDI technology. To synchronise these instruments, the band enlisted engineer Martin Usher to design a custom circuit, which played a pivotal role in shaping the song's unique sound.
The iconic bassline, performed on a Moog Source and sequenced by Bernard Sumner, set the foundation for the track. The use of an Oberheim DMX drum machine for rhythm, with the kick drum recorded through a studio monitor to capture natural reverb, further enhanced the song's distinctive groove. However, it was the use of an early sampler, the Emulator 1, that added an extra layer of uniqueness to the song.
The track was not just a product of experimentation but also drew inspiration from various sources. Bassist Peter Hook cited influences such as Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder, and Sparks, while Bernard Sumner mentioned that parts of the song were taken from tracks like Dirty Talk by Klein + MBO and You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester. Gillian Gilbert revealed that Hook's bassline was inspired by Ennio Morricone's film soundtrack. The band's willingness to acknowledge these influences and incorporate them into their unique sound demonstrates their creative approach to music. Rather than merely imitating their inspirations, they used them as a foundation to build something entirely new and exciting.
Beyond the groundbreaking sound, Blue Monday also made waves with its iconic packaging. Designed by Peter Saville and Brett Wickens, the 12-inch single's die-cut sleeve was created to resemble a floppy disk, a nod to the technology of the time. What makes this packaging even more unique is that it features no words, only a series of coloured blocks that contain artist, song, and label information in code. The packaging was not only innovative but also expensive to produce, to the extent that Factory Records lost money on each copy sold.
Blue Monday became a massive hit and made its mark in music history. It reached the top 10 in many countries and remains the best-selling 12-inch single of all time. In the UK, it has sold over a million copies across various formats.
The song has been remixed twice, in 1988 and 1995, and these versions also achieved considerable success. It has been covered by various bands, further solidifying its influence on the music industry. In 2021, Rolling Stone included Blue Monday at number 235 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Blue Monday not only marked the evolution of electronic and dance music but also showcased New Order's creative genius and willingness to push boundaries. As an iconic track that continues to resonate with music lovers today, it's a testament to the enduring power of innovation in the world of music.
