"Sub-culture" is a song by English rock band New Order. It was released as the second and final single from their third studio album, Low-Life (1985) on 28 October 1985 by Factory Records.
| "Sub-culture" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by New Order | ||||
| from the album Low-Life | ||||
| B-side | "Dub-vulture" | |||
| Released | 28 October 1985 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:58 (Album version) 7:26 (12" remix) 3:28 (7-inch version) 4:48 (Substance 1987 version) | |||
| Label | Factory - FAC 133 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | New Order | |||
| New Order singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Release edit
The single release, remixed by John Robie, is a drastic departure from the album version of the track. Robie's 12" and 7" single mixes feature more club-oriented, electronic instrumentation and prominent soulful female backing vocals.
The B-side is an instrumental remix titled "Dub-vulture". An alternate seven-inch edit of the Robie remix taken from the Benelux version of the "Sub-culture" single appears on the group's 1987 compilation, Substance. This version also appears on the US 12" alongside the longer mixes.
A collection of Razormaid remixes of the track were released in 1986, which include additional vocals by Deborah Iyall of Romeo Void.[4]
Making use of the word shaft with its possible sexual connotations, the song seems to be about sexual rejection, loneliness and alienation in an urban environment.
Artwork edit
"Sub-culture" has only a regular black sleeve, as graphic designer Peter Saville reportedly deemed the mix of the song unworthy of his talents.[5] Saville's input was present only in a P/S/A (Peter Saville Associates) credit for typography.[6] However this rumour was debunked in 2017 when Saville stated, "I never had the authority to say that there shouldn't be a sleeve. No, all I can presume is that one was not asked for."[7]
Track listing edit
All tracks are written by Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sub-culture" | 3:28 |
| 2. | "Dub-vulture" | 3:38 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sub-culture" (Remix Edit) | 4:57 |
| 2. | "Sub-culture" (Original Album Version) | 4:58 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sub-culture" | 7:26 |
| 2. | "Dub-vulture" | 7:57 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sub-culture" (Remix) | 7:26 |
| 2. | "Subvulture" | 7:57 |
| 3. | "Sub-culture" (Remix Edit) | 4:57 |
UK 7" free with Record Mirror - RM2 edit
- New Order: "Sub-culture" (exclusive remix) – 4:14
- Raymonde: "Jennifer Wants" (exclusive track) – 2:02
- Hipsway: "Bad Thing Longing" (preview from their forthcoming album) – 4:09
- Adventures: "Walk Away Renee" (specially recorded for RM) – 3:11
Chart positions edit
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart[8] | 29 |
| UK Singles Chart[9] | 63 |
| UK Independent Singles Chart[10] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[11] | 35 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales[11] | 18 |
References edit
- ^ Harrison, Ian (2 February 2023). "Joy Division And New Order's Top Ten Albums". Mojo. Bauer Media Group. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ Shade, Chris (2016). "New Order - Low-Life". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. London: Cassell Illustrated. p. 541.
- ^ ASCAP entry
- ^ "New Order:DJ Remixes:Sub-culture". www.niagara.edu. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "New Order Discography".
- ^ "Factory Records: FAC 133 NEW ORDER Sub-culture". Retrieved 27 August 2016.
- ^ "New Order--Sub-Culture". Discogs. 1985. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ ""Discography New Order". charts.nz. Retrieved 2010-11-23.
- ^ "The Official Charts Company: New Order". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
- ^ "Indie Hits "N"". Cherry Red Records. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2 Oct 2008.
- ^ a b "New Order: Billboard singles". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-11-23.