Sub-Culture

Subculture is the tenth single by New Order, released in November 1985, along with remixer John Robie. The album version and 12" version are drastically different.

Song on the album

The song contains piano synths and chaotic beats and lasts for four minutes. There is some controversy of the use of the word "shaft" meaning sex in the song. Bernard Sumner sings badly in the song.

Song as the single

John Robie used many loud dub techniques, synths, and backstage singers to hide Bernard's awful singing, however, critics frowned upon the song, being more club-unfriendly than the album version. Peter Saville disliked it so much, he did not make a sleeve for it. Despite this, New Order used John Robie for mixing Shellshock. In 1991, the clubs accepted the song as "club-OK" and plays Sub-Culture from time to time.

It's B-side is Dub-Vulture.

Lyrics

I like walking in the park
When it gets late at night
I move 'round in the dark
And leave when it gets light
I sit around by day
Tied up in chains so tight
These crazy words of mine
So wrong they could be right
What do I get out of this?
I always try, I always miss
One of these days you'll go back to your home
You won't even notice that you are alone
One of these days when you sit by yourself
You'll realize you can't shaft without someone else
In the end you will submit
It's got to hurt a little bit

I like talking in my sleep
When people work so hard
They need what they can't keep
A choice that leaves them scarred
A room without a view
Unveils the truth so soon
And when the sun goes down
You've lost what you had found
What do I get out of this?
I always try, I always miss
One of these days you'll go back to your home
You won't even notice that you are alone
One of these days when you sit by yourself
You'll realize you can't shaft without someone else
In the end you will submit
It's got to hurt a little bit

What do I get out of this?
I always try, I always miss
One of these days you'll go back to your home
You won't even notice that you are alone
One of these days when you sit by yourself
You'll realize you can't shaft without someone else
In the end you will submit
It's got to hurt a little bit (2x)

What do I get out of this?
I always try, I always miss
One of these days you'll go back to your home
You won't even notice that you are alone, baby