Thieves Like Us is the seventh single by New Order, released in April 1984. Its FAC number is 103.
Song and Sleeve
Thieves Like Us is a quiet synthpop piano, written by Arthur Baker. New Order said they got the title from a 1974 film Thieves Like Us, although this was actually John "Jellybean" Benitez's idea. A song having a title taken from a film is also seen in Cries and Whispers.
The numbers on the cover were thought to have some meaning, but Peter Saville actually got it from the board game "The New and Fashionable Game of the Jew" (yet another accidental connection between New Order and antisemitism). The lack of a number seven and Thieves Like Us being the 7th single was coincidental. The center of the sleeve is a metaphysical painting inspired by Giorgio de Chirico.
An instrumental of the song (not the one on the Murder B-side) was used in Pretty In Pink, where Elegia and Shellshock also appeared.
Its B-side has always been Lonesome Tonight. It has been the B-side to a 1985 Polish release of Blue Monday.
Niel Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys has said it is his favorite New Order song. Tennant would later work with Bernard Sumner in the project Electronic.
Thieves Like Us Instrumental
Thieves Like Us Instrumental is an instrumental remix of New Order's Thieves Like Us by Arthur Baker. It was paired with the song Murder as well as Shellshock. The song shows some unused bases and synths in the song, as well as a clip of Sumner saying "come in". It was released to the 24-song version of Substance 1987 and has never been released on a unique album or single since.
Lyrics
I've watched your face for a long time
It's always the same
I've studied the cracks and the wrinkles
You were always so vain
Well, now you live your life like a shadow
In the pouring rain
Oh, it's called love
Yes, it's called love
Oh, it's called love
And it belongs to us
Oh, it dies so quickly
It grows so slowly
But when it dies, it dies for good
It's called love
And it belongs to everyone but us
I've lived my life in the valleys
I've lived my life on the hills
I've lived my life on alcohol
I've lived my life on pills
But it's called love
And it belongs to us
It's called love
And it's the only thing that's worth living for
It's called love
And it belongs to us
It's called love
Yes it's called love
Oh, love is found in the east and west
But when love is at home, it's the best
Love is the cure for every evil
Love is the air that supports the eagle
It's called love
And it's so uncool
It's called love
And somehow it's become unmentionable
It's called love
And it belongs to every one of us
It's called love
And it cuts your life like a broken knife
It's called love, love, love love love
And it belongs to every on of us
It's called love, love, love love love
And it belongs to every one but us