Shellshock is the twelfth single by New Order. It was released on 17 March 1986 and has FAC number 143. It was given a music video later that year. The 12" version is the second-longest New Order single cut, running nearly 10 minutes.
There are three officially released edits, and they all use sections from the 12" version (no new material):
- A 4½-minute edit was released on the UK 7".
- A 6-minute edit was released on the Pretty in Pink soundtrack in February 1986 (US) and June 1986 (UK). The first 4:19 is the same as on the 12" version.
- A 6½-minute edit was released on Substance in 1987. The first 4:19 is the same as on the 12" version, but after that, the edit differs from the Pretty in Pink version.
The song is notable for having the title in the lyrics, unusual for New Order at the time. The instrumentation, made by New Order with remixer John Robie, is in an electro/freestyle-influenced style, with many stabs and samples. Robie previously collaborated with New Order on the 12" Sub-Culture.
The sleeve is a photograph of graffiti that was taken by Geoff Power (see The Perfect Kiss). The "Alex" seen at the top middle of the painting was originally on the graffiti and not put in by Peter Saville.
The 12" UK release of Shellshock had the remix "Shellcock" as a B-side. Other releases had Thieves Like Us Instrumental.
Lyrics
Note: The 4th stanza is only in the full 12" version.
That's the way - Shellshock
Hold on! It's never enough
It's never enough until your heart stops beating
The deeper you get, the sweeter the pain
Don't give up the game until your heart stops beating
You call me on the phone, you left me all alone
All I get from you is shellshock
Another day goes by and all I do is cry
All I get from you is shellshock
I'd tell the world and save my soul
But rain falls down and I feel cold
A cold that sleeps within my heart
It tears the earth and sun apart
But that's the way that I can win
A victim of your evil sin
You've lost the hold you've had on me
By causing the changes that you never see
Hold on! It's never enough
It's never enough until your heart stops beating
The deeper you get, the sweeter the pain
Don't give up the game until your heart stops beating
When we walk through open doorways,
Counting time in one or more ways
We can't find our peace of mind
And life becomes a life of crime
And that's the day I call your name
I came to you, I called in vain
You lost the faith within your heart
The fire in your soul from the end to the start
Hold on! It's never enough
It's never enough until your heart stops beating
The deeper you get, the sweeter the pain
Don't give up the game until your heart stops beating
After all the years now I can't stand the tears,
But nothing's gonna happen to shellshock
Blood that comes from pain, the joys the very same
Now I can't hear the sound of shellshock
I've been good and I've been bad
But common sense I've never had
No matter how I try and try,
I hide the truth behind a lie
But that's the way that I can win
A victim of your evil sin
You lost the faith within your heart
The fire in your soul from the end to the start
Hold on! It's never enough
It's never enough until your heart stops beating
The deeper you get, the sweeter the pain
Don't give up the game until your heart stops beating