The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I'm back in Liverpool
And everything seems the same
But I worked something out last night
That changed this little boy's brain
A small piece of advice
That took twenty-two years in the making
And I will break it for you now
Please learn from my mistakes
Please learn from my mistakes
Let's dance to Joy Division
And celebrate the irony
Everything is going wrong
But we're so happy
Let's dance to Joy Division
And raise our glass to the ceiling
'Cause this could all go so wrong
But we're so happy
Yeah, we're so happy
So, if you're ever feeling down
Grab your purse and take a taxi
To the darkest side of town
That's where we'll be
And we will wait for you
And lead you through the dance floor
Up to the DJ booth
You know what to ask for
You know what to ask for
Go ask for Joy Division
And celebrate the irony
Everything is going wrong
But we're so happy
Let's dance to Joy Division
And raise our glass to the ceiling
'Cause this could all go so wrong
But we're so happy
Yeah, we're so happy
Let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart
Let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart (let it tear us apart)
So, let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart (let it tear us apart)
So, let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart, let it tear us apart, let it tear us apart
Let's dance to Joy Division
And celebrate the irony
Everything is going wrong
But we're so happy
Let's dance to Joy Division
And raise our glass to the ceiling
'Cause this could all go so wrong
But we're so happy
Yeah, we're so happy
So happy
Yeah, we're so happy
So happy
Yeah, we're so happy
And everything seems the same
But I worked something out last night
That changed this little boy's brain
A small piece of advice
That took twenty-two years in the making
And I will break it for you now
Please learn from my mistakes
Please learn from my mistakes
Let's dance to Joy Division
And celebrate the irony
Everything is going wrong
But we're so happy
Let's dance to Joy Division
And raise our glass to the ceiling
'Cause this could all go so wrong
But we're so happy
Yeah, we're so happy
So, if you're ever feeling down
Grab your purse and take a taxi
To the darkest side of town
That's where we'll be
And we will wait for you
And lead you through the dance floor
Up to the DJ booth
You know what to ask for
You know what to ask for
Go ask for Joy Division
And celebrate the irony
Everything is going wrong
But we're so happy
Let's dance to Joy Division
And raise our glass to the ceiling
'Cause this could all go so wrong
But we're so happy
Yeah, we're so happy
Let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart
Let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart (let it tear us apart)
So, let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart (let it tear us apart)
So, let the love tear us apart
I found the cure for a broken heart
Let it tear us apart, let it tear us apart, let it tear us apart
Let's dance to Joy Division
And celebrate the irony
Everything is going wrong
But we're so happy
Let's dance to Joy Division
And raise our glass to the ceiling
'Cause this could all go so wrong
But we're so happy
Yeah, we're so happy
So happy
Yeah, we're so happy
So happy
Yeah, we're so happy
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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No Surprises
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They've even said the title and lyrics could be tweaked to be "let's dance to Radiohead... or Cure" Every Joy Division fan needs to chill, this song is defiantly celebrating the music they made.
The idea is the irony in dancing to dark music with cynical subject matter. Joy Division fits that description, so this song basically shows off the irony of dancing to dark songs, with a happy sound.
I see the song as making fun of the music Joy Division. I don't see why anyone would dance to a Joy Division. They may be have been just a band, but Ian Curtis was a real person that killed himself. At the time, people that their music was calculated, constructed to appeal to a certain audience. Once Curtis died, we all realized he really meant what he said in his lyrics.
i think this song's mint, i never thought of it as offensive to Joy Division in any way untill reading this, and don't think it is meant to be or is offensive in anway. Besides, if music wasn't controversial we'd all still be listening to symphonies. And I don't mean the bittersweet variety.
Okay for those Wombat haters and Joy Division lovers. If I had not found "Moving to New York" by The Wombats I would have never discovered "Let's Dance to Joy Division" thus researching Joy Division on the internet and discovering what a great story that was Joy Division. One thing for sure, had you haters and lovers not had your own opinion I would have never researched Joy Division to see what all the fuss is about.
Everyone's a winner winner chicken dinner! :D adds song to playlist
Actually, i'm a Joy Division fan AND i like this song, it makes me happeh, i don't understand why everyone's bashing the Wombats? seriously, FOAD whiners.
Yes me to!! finally some 1agrees
Oh for Gods sake. What is wrong with you people? I'm a Joy Division fan too, and I'm not a teenager, and I love this song.
Are you so thick you don't get the irony? Why can't a band write a song about a band THEY like? It's like Robbie Williams doing that awful Madonna song, or the Scouting for Girls song that talks about Elvis. For crying out loud, if all these bands wrote about was alcohol and drugs and girls, you'd be whinging too. I think it's refreshing for a band to write about something different to these things and if you can't actually READ/LISTEN to the lyrics and work out what they're saying like everyone's commented on, ie. the whole irony of dancing to Joy Division, then there's something wrong with you, or you're extremely uneducated or narrow minded.
Do you honestly think the band would have been offended if they had heard this song? They'd probably love it/laugh at it. It's like me writing a song about how me and my mates used to get slaughtered and have a dance in a nightclub to The Smiths! And if I did, I'd write to Morissey myself and ask him what he thought about it and when he told me it was hilarious, or ironic or whatever, I'd make sure I put that in the sleeve of my CD so that all The Smiths fans who kicked up a fuss would read it and shut the hell up.
It's an ok song. The part that annoys me is the "irony" bit. There's nothing ironic about dancing to Joy Division.
the irony isn't in the dance to Joy Division, it's that "I'm back to liverpool and everything seems the same". Life isn't going anywhere, everything is static, and your dreams are still dreams, you went for them, and you didn't make it. You'll find that the irony is in dancing to the joy, when you are unhappy, and that's beautiful.
I think it has something to do with the band "Joy Division". Their songs aren't excactly very dance songs, and that's the part 'celebrate the irony', 'cause it's quite ironic to call a band Joy Division when their songs aren't very joyful.
I like The Wombats, and I like Joy Division. I really don't se the issue, it's just a tribute to a great band. I think the song is all about being optimistic even though things aren't going your way. Brilliant! So really, stop whining and, errr, dance to Joy Division, which obviously makes those somewhat obstinate fans happy. Win-win.
I love Joy Division and I have nothing against this band. But it really annoys me when people see a celebrity wearing a t shirt with a bands' name on and they go out and buy the same one, even though they have never heard of the band or ever listen to it. Grrrrrr.....
Ok guys, really? It doesn't really matter if you like the song or not, everyone has different music tastes. And to some people lyrics don't really matter, just the music. And another thing, there is no BAD music, just because you don't like it doesn't mean everyone has to agree with you. I'm sure someone out there likes it. And there's no need to be all rude about it. Everyone is different. And MAYBE the lyrics are a bit rude, but maybe they're really not. Maybe they have some deep intellectual meaning or something. What do we know? We didn't write it.
great tune. amazing full blast at a party.