Procession (song)
Encyclopedia
"Procession" is the second single by British group New Order
, released in September 1981 on 7" vinyl record
. The single's Factory Records
catalogue number is FAC 53.
", this one shows the band in an intermediate position between post-punk Joy Division and light electropop New Order. The lighter pop optimism, with a strong emphasis on rhythm, overcomes the song's gloomy title, "Procession". This "mixed message" may help to explain why the song remains obscure in the New Order repertoire, despite having been a single. The sound is much like Movements opening track "Dreams Never End", but with an even more upbeat flavor and vocals that have nearly shed the Ian Curtis
imitation. The lyrics are abstract and difficult to discern, given the density of the mix and the strength of the other instruments. The song is notable, also, because there are brief backing vocals by band member Gillian Gilbert
, which serve as a bell effect.
Though all of New Order's songs are credited as group compositions, it is known that the chief composer of "Procession" is Stephen Morris.
The song does not appear on any of New Order's studio albums; it does, however, appear on the EP 1981 – Factus 8 – 1982, 1987 singles compilation Substance, the 2005 compilation Singles
, and the 2008 Collector's Edition of the band's contemporaneous album Movement.
is an edited version of "Everything's Gone Green
", the full-length version of which was later released as a 12" single on its own.
Some Spanish and Portuguese pressings are mispressed with reversed labels.
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
, released in September 1981 on 7" vinyl record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. The single's Factory Records
Factory Records
Factory Records was a Manchester based British independent record label, started in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, which featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, Happy Mondays, Northside and James and...
catalogue number is FAC 53.
Overview
Compared to the band's previous single "CeremonyCeremony (song)
"Ceremony" is a song by Joy Division, released as New Order's debut single in 1981. The song, as well as the B-side, "In a Lonely Place", were written as Joy Division prior to the death of Ian Curtis...
", this one shows the band in an intermediate position between post-punk Joy Division and light electropop New Order. The lighter pop optimism, with a strong emphasis on rhythm, overcomes the song's gloomy title, "Procession". This "mixed message" may help to explain why the song remains obscure in the New Order repertoire, despite having been a single. The sound is much like Movements opening track "Dreams Never End", but with an even more upbeat flavor and vocals that have nearly shed the Ian Curtis
Ian Curtis
Ian Kevin Curtis was an English singer and lyricist, famous for leading the post-punk band Joy Division. Joy Division released their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, in 1979 and recorded their follow-up, Closer, in 1980...
imitation. The lyrics are abstract and difficult to discern, given the density of the mix and the strength of the other instruments. The song is notable, also, because there are brief backing vocals by band member Gillian Gilbert
Gillian Gilbert
Gillian Lesley Gilbert is an English musician, keyboardist, guitarist and singer, best known as a member of New Order and a founding member of The Other Two.-Biography:...
, which serve as a bell effect.
Though all of New Order's songs are credited as group compositions, it is known that the chief composer of "Procession" is Stephen Morris.
The song does not appear on any of New Order's studio albums; it does, however, appear on the EP 1981 – Factus 8 – 1982, 1987 singles compilation Substance, the 2005 compilation Singles
Singles (New Order album)
-Chart positions:...
, and the 2008 Collector's Edition of the band's contemporaneous album Movement.
Artwork
Notably, the UK release's sleeve came in nine differently coloured versions: black, blue, aqua, yellow, red, brown, orange, green and purple. The B-sideA-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
is an edited version of "Everything's Gone Green
Everything's Gone Green
"Everything's Gone Green" is the third single by the English alternative rock/electronic band New Order. It was released in December 1981 and reached number three on the UK Independent Singles chart, number twenty-nine on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles chart and number thirty-four on the U.S...
", the full-length version of which was later released as a 12" single on its own.
Some Spanish and Portuguese pressings are mispressed with reversed labels.
Chart positions
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
38 |
| UK Independent Singles Chart UK Indie Chart The UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered... |
1 |