True Faith
Encyclopedia
"True Faith" is a 1987 track from New Order
, produced by Stephen Hague
. It was the first New Order
single since their debut "Ceremony
" to be issued in the UK as two separate 12" singles. The second 12" single features two remixes of "True Faith" by Shep Pettibone
. Both versions of the 12" (and also the edited 7") also include the song "1963". "True Faith" is one of New Order's most popular songs.
The single peaked at number four in the United Kingdom
on its original release in 1987. The single also became the first New Order
single to chart on the Hot 100 in the United States
that same year and their first ever Top 40 hit, peaking at number 32.
A "True Faith" remix 12" single and CD single were released in 1994, and another "True Faith" remix 12" single and CD single were released in 2001. The 1994 remix charted in the UK at number 9.
"True Faith" was never used as a track on a regular album, though it did appear on most of New Order's "best of" collections (Substance 1987, The Best of New Order, Retro, Singles and International). The first public performance of the song took place at the 1987 Glastonbury Festival
; this version appears on the group's BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert album.
The original 7" version of the song did not appear on any album until 2011's "Total from Joy Division to New Order".
directed and choreographed by Philippe Decouflé
. In it, bizarrely costumed dancers leap about, fight and slap each other in time to the music; while a girl in dark green makeup emerges from an upside down boxer's speed bag and signs
the lyrics. The video has often been voted amongst the best music videos of its year. Sky Television's channel The Amp
, for instance, has it rated as the best video of 1987, and it won the BPI
award for Best Promotional Video in 1988. The video was inspired by Bauhaus
artist Oskar Schlemmer
's Triadische Ballet.
The overall tonality, themes and various elements from the video re-occurred in Decouflé's scenography and choreography for the inauguration ceremonies of the 1992 Winter Olympics
in Albertville.
The band was surprised by the fact that the single widened their audience with younger children despite the mature subject matter, because the video's characters, some of them in primary bauhaus colours, were reminiscent of children's programming.
The original lyrics included a verse that read "Now that we've grown up together/They're all taking drugs with me". Hague convinced Sumner to change the latter line to "They're afraid of what they see" because he was worried that otherwise it would not get played on the radio. When performing the song live, the band have always used the original line.
's film adaptation
of Bret Easton Ellis
's novel American Psycho
and in James Bridges
's 1988 film adaptation
of Jay McInerney
's novel Bright Lights, Big City
. It also appears at the end of the 14th episode of the third season of the American TV series Queer as Folk and in the season finale of the first season of the series The Vampire Diaries
.
US 7" - Qwest 7-28271
UK 12" 1 - FAC 183
UK 12" 2 - FAC 183R True Faith Remix
UK Video CD (PAL) - FACDV 183
UK & Europe 12" - NUOX 5
UK & Europe CD - NUOCD 5
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
, produced by Stephen Hague
Stephen Hague
Stephen Hague is an American music producer most active with various British acts in the 1980s. He was an influential figure in the synthpop movement.-Early career:...
. It was the first New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
single since their debut "Ceremony
Ceremony (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...
" to be issued in the UK as two separate 12" singles. The second 12" single features two remixes of "True Faith" by Shep Pettibone
Shep Pettibone
Robert E. Pettibone, Jr. is a record producer, remixer, songwriter and club DJ, one of the most prolific of the 1980s. His earliest work known to the public was for one of New York City's top disco/dance radio stations, WRKS 98.7 "Kiss" FM, and later as remixer/producer for the disco label Salsoul...
. Both versions of the 12" (and also the edited 7") also include the song "1963". "True Faith" is one of New Order's most popular songs.
The single peaked at number four in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on its original release in 1987. The single also became the first New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
single to chart on the Hot 100 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that same year and their first ever Top 40 hit, peaking at number 32.
A "True Faith" remix 12" single and CD single were released in 1994, and another "True Faith" remix 12" single and CD single were released in 2001. The 1994 remix charted in the UK at number 9.
Original releases
New Order wrote and recorded "True Faith" and "1963" during a 10-day studio session with producer Stephen Hague. The two songs were written as new material for New Order's first singles compilation album, Substance 1987. After the two songs were recorded, the band's US management decided that "True Faith" was the stronger track and would be released as the new single, with "1963" as the B-side. "1963" was remixed and issued as a single in its own right in 1994."True Faith" was never used as a track on a regular album, though it did appear on most of New Order's "best of" collections (Substance 1987, The Best of New Order, Retro, Singles and International). The first public performance of the song took place at the 1987 Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
; this version appears on the group's BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert album.
The original 7" version of the song did not appear on any album until 2011's "Total from Joy Division to New Order".
Music video
The release of "True Faith" was accompanied by a surreal music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
directed and choreographed by Philippe Decouflé
Philippe Decouflé
Philippe Decouflé is a French choreographer, dancer, mime artist, and theatre director. As a child he travelled extensively around Lebanon and Morocco, before learned his skills as a teenager at the Annie Fratellini Ecole du Cirque and the Marceau Mime School...
. In it, bizarrely costumed dancers leap about, fight and slap each other in time to the music; while a girl in dark green makeup emerges from an upside down boxer's speed bag and signs
Sign language
A sign language is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses visually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning—simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's...
the lyrics. The video has often been voted amongst the best music videos of its year. Sky Television's channel The Amp
The Amp
The Amp was a satellite and cable television channel, showing music videos, owned by British Sky Broadcasting, and operated on their behalf by Chart Show Channels...
, for instance, has it rated as the best video of 1987, and it won the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
award for Best Promotional Video in 1988. The video was inspired by Bauhaus
Bauhaus
', commonly known simply as Bauhaus, was a school in Germany that combined crafts and the fine arts, and was famous for the approach to design that it publicized and taught. It operated from 1919 to 1933. At that time the German term stood for "School of Building".The Bauhaus school was founded by...
artist Oskar Schlemmer
Oskar Schlemmer
Oskar Schlemmer was a German painter, sculptor, designer and choreographer associated with the Bauhaus school. In 1923 he was hired as Master of Form at the Bauhaus theatre workshop, after working some time at the workshop of sculpture...
's Triadische Ballet.
The overall tonality, themes and various elements from the video re-occurred in Decouflé's scenography and choreography for the inauguration ceremonies of the 1992 Winter Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
in Albertville.
The band was surprised by the fact that the single widened their audience with younger children despite the mature subject matter, because the video's characters, some of them in primary bauhaus colours, were reminiscent of children's programming.
Lyrics
As is the case for many New Order songs, the words in the title do not appear anywhere in the lyrics.The original lyrics included a verse that read "Now that we've grown up together/They're all taking drugs with me". Hague convinced Sumner to change the latter line to "They're afraid of what they see" because he was worried that otherwise it would not get played on the radio. When performing the song live, the band have always used the original line.
Cover versions
- The Boo RadleysThe Boo Radleys-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:-Extended plays:-Singles:-External links:* * * * * * by Laurent Orseau * *...
as "Boo! Faith" (Learning to Walk, 1993) - Dreadful ShadowsDreadful ShadowsDreadful Shadows is a German Gothic metal band, formed in 1993 in Berlin. Initially part of the Gothic rock and Dark Wave movement, the band had developed considerably by the time of the release of their debut album, incorporating metal elements and modern electronics, causing the band to be...
(Homeless, 1994) - Ghoti HookGhoti HookGhoti Hook was a pop punk band from Fairfax, Virginia. The band formed in 1991, signed to Tooth & Nail Records in 1996, and disbanded in 2002.-History:...
(Songs We Didn't WriteSongs We Didn't WriteSongs We Didn't Write is Ghoti Hook's third CD on Tooth & Nail Records. A cover album, it contains Ghoti Hook versions of songs both from secular and Christian music.- Track listing :# I Love Rock 'n' Roll ...
, 1998) - DonotsDonots-Albums:-Compilation albums:-Split albums:-Exclusive compilation tracks:-Singles:-Videography:-Music videos:-External links:***** with Truepunk.com * with Truepunk.com * with Truepunk.com...
(Better Days Not Included, 1999) - FlunkFlunkFlunk is a Norwegian electronic band consisting of producer Ulf Nygaard, guitarist Jo Bakke, drummer Erik Ruud, and vocalist Anja Oyen Vister.-Biography:...
(Morning StarMorning Star (Flunk album)Morning Star is the third album by Norwegian electronic band Flunk released in 2004 on Beatservice Records. A later version with a revised tracklisting featured additional songs and was released in the United States by Kriztal Entertainment. The additional songs included "Play" which was used in an...
, 2004) - WakingWaking (band)Waking is an alternative rock band formed in 2000 in New York / New Jersey area by guitarist J.P. and lead vocalist Perf. Bassist Ray Greico, and drummer Dann LeMunyan joined the band project...
(The Maze EP, 2004) - Code 64Code 64Code 64 are an electronic music band from Lysekil, Sweden formed in 2000 by the three teenagers Christian Espeland, Hasse Mattsson, and Henrik Piehl.-Biography:...
("Leaving Earth" single, 2005) - Anew RevolutionAnew RevolutionAnew Revolution is an American hard rock band.-History:Anew Revolution was formed by ex-Unloco frontman Joey Duenas and includes Frank "Frankie" Salvaggio and Rob Urbani, former members of Slaves on Dope...
(RiseRise (Anew Revolution Album)Rise is the first full-length debut album from Anew Revolution. The album was released on April 15th, 2008 via Koch Records. The songs "Rise", "Let Go" and "Saddest Song" return from the Revolution EP while "True Faith" returns from its original MySpace page incarnation. All reappearing songs have...
, 2008) - And OneAnd OneAND ONE is a German New Wave, synthpop and EBM band founded by Steve Naghavi and Chris Ruiz.-History:The band formed after Steve Naghavi and Chris Ruiz met in 1989 at a Berlin club. Being fans of early EBM music, Naghavi and Ruiz decided to follow in the footsteps of New Wave/synthpop band Depeche...
(Bodypop 1 1/2, 2009) - AnberlinAnberlinAnberlin is an American rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, the band has consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young.Members of Anberlin originally formed...
(2009) iTunes digital single - Woven Hand (The Threshingfloor, 2010)
- George MichaelGeorge MichaelGeorge Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
(2011) UKUK Singles ChartThe 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 ...
: #27, IREInternational Recording Media AssociationThe International Recording Media Association , previously known as the International Tape Association , is an international trade association dealing with every facet of recording, media and related industries...
: #38 - LorD and Master (2011) using the original lyrics vetoed by Stephen Hague.
In film
This track was used in the opening nightclub scene in Mary HarronMary Harron
Mary Harron is a Canadian filmmaker and screenwriter best known for her films I Shot Andy Warhol, American Psycho and The Notorious Bettie Page.-Overview:...
's film adaptation
American Psycho (film)
American Psycho is a 2000 cult thriller film directed by Mary Harron based on Bret Easton Ellis's novel of the same name. Though predominantly a psycho thriller, the film also blends elements of horror, satire, and black comedy...
of Bret Easton Ellis
Bret Easton Ellis
Bret Easton Ellis is an American novelist and short story writer. His works have been translated into 27 different languages. He was regarded as one of the so-called literary Brat Pack, which also included Tama Janowitz and Jay McInerney...
's novel American Psycho
American Psycho
American Psycho is a psychological thriller and satirical novel by Bret Easton Ellis, published in 1991. The story is told in the first person by the protagonist, serial killer and Manhattan businessman Patrick Bateman. The book's graphic violence and sexual content generated a great deal of...
and in James Bridges
James Bridges
James Bridges was an American screenwriter and film director.Bridges was born in Paris, Arkansas. He got his start as a writer for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and one of his episodes, "An Unlocked Window", earned him a 1966 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Episode in a TV...
's 1988 film adaptation
Bright Lights, Big City (film)
Bright Lights, Big City is a 1988 drama film starring Michael J. Fox, Kiefer Sutherland and Phoebe Cates, based on the novel of the same name by Jay McInerney. It was the last film directed by James Bridges before his death in 1993.-Plot:...
of Jay McInerney
Jay McInerney
John Barrett McInerney Jr. is an American writer. His novels include Bright Lights, Big City; Ransom; Story of My Life; Brightness Falls; and The Last of the Savages...
's novel Bright Lights, Big City
Bright Lights, Big City (novel)
Bright Lights, Big City is an American novel by Jay McInerney, published by Vintage Books on August 12, 1984.- Plot :It is written about a character's time spent caught up in, and notably escaping from, the mid-1980s New York City fast lane. It is one of the few well-known English-language novels...
. It also appears at the end of the 14th episode of the third season of the American TV series Queer as Folk and in the season finale of the first season of the series The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries is a young adult vampire horror series of novels written by L. J. Smith. The story centers around Elena Gilbert, a high school girl torn between two vampire brothers. The series was originally a trilogy published in 1991, but pressure from readers led Smith to write a fourth...
.
1987 release
UK 7" - FAC 183/7- "True Faith" – 4:02
- "1963Nineteen63"Nineteen63" or "1963" is a track by British dance/rock group New Order. It was originally released as a B-side to "True Faith" in 1987 and appeared on the Substance compilation of the same year...
" – 5:32
US 7" - Qwest 7-28271
- "True Faith (The Morning Sun)" – 4:02
- "1963Nineteen63"Nineteen63" or "1963" is a track by British dance/rock group New Order. It was originally released as a B-side to "True Faith" in 1987 and appeared on the Substance compilation of the same year...
" – 5:32
UK 12" 1 - FAC 183
- "True Faith" – 5:55
- "1963" – 5:32
UK 12" 2 - FAC 183R True Faith Remix
- "True Faith" (Remix) – 8:59 (US title: "True Faith (The Morning Sun Extended Remix)")
- "1963" – 5:32
- "True Dub" – 10:41 (US title: "True Faith (Alternate Faith Dub) ")
UK Video CD (PAL) - FACDV 183
- "True Faith" (12-inch remix) – 8:59
- "Evil Dust" – 3:43
- "True Faith" (7-inch) – 4:06 (actually Shep PettiboneShep PettiboneRobert E. Pettibone, Jr. is a record producer, remixer, songwriter and club DJ, one of the most prolific of the 1980s. His earliest work known to the public was for one of New York City's top disco/dance radio stations, WRKS 98.7 "Kiss" FM, and later as remixer/producer for the disco label Salsoul...
's 'The Morning Sun Remix/Edit' and not the regular UK 7" version) - "True Faith" (Video) – 4:20
True Faith-94 release
UK & Europe 7" - NUO5 / UK & Europe 7" - NUOMC 5- "True Faith-94" (Radio Edit) – 4:28
- "True Faith-94" (Perfecto Radio Edit) – 4:05
UK & Europe 12" - NUOX 5
- "True Faith-94" (Perfecto Mix) – 6:23
- "True Faith-94" (Sexy Disco Dub) – 5:49
- "True Faith-94" (TWA Grim Up North Mix) – 6:11
- "True Faith-94" (The 94 Remix) – 5:34
UK & Europe CD - NUOCD 5
- "True Faith-94" (Radio Edit) – 4:28
- "True Faith-94" (Perfecto Radio Edit) – 4:05
- "True Faith-94" (Perfecto Mix) – 6:23
- "True Faith-94" – 5:34
- "True Faith-94" (TWA Grim Up North Mix) – 6:11
Chart positions
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
8 |
| German Media Control Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... Singles Chart |
8 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
5 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... Singles Chart |
4 |
| 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 ... |
4 |
| 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 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
32 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes... |
10 |
| Chart (1994, True Faith-94) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
11 |
| UK Singles Chart | 9 |