Atrocity Exhibition Lyrics - Joy Division
Review The Song (6)
Asylums with doors open wide,
Where people had paid to see inside,
For entertainment they watch his body twist,
Behind his eyes he says, 'I still exist.'
This is the way, step inside.
This is the way, step inside...
In arenas he kills for a prize,
Wins a minute to add to his life.
But the sickness is drowned by cries for more,
Pray to God, make it quick, watch him fall.
This is the way, step inside.
This is the way, step inside...
This is the way, step inside.
This is the way, step inside...
You'll see the horrors of a faraway place,
Meet the architects of law face to face.
See mass murder on a scale you've never seen,
And all the ones who try hard to succeed.
This is the way, step inside.
This is the way, step inside...
And I picked on the whims of a thousand or more,
Still pursuing the path that's been buried for years,
All the dead wood from jungles and cities on fire,
Can't replace or relate, can't release or repair,
Take my hand and I'll show you what was and will be.
Where people had paid to see inside,
For entertainment they watch his body twist,
Behind his eyes he says, 'I still exist.'
This is the way, step inside.
This is the way, step inside...
In arenas he kills for a prize,
Wins a minute to add to his life.
But the sickness is drowned by cries for more,
Pray to God, make it quick, watch him fall.
This is the way, step inside.
This is the way, step inside...
This is the way, step inside.
This is the way, step inside...
You'll see the horrors of a faraway place,
Meet the architects of law face to face.
See mass murder on a scale you've never seen,
And all the ones who try hard to succeed.
This is the way, step inside.
This is the way, step inside...
And I picked on the whims of a thousand or more,
Still pursuing the path that's been buried for years,
All the dead wood from jungles and cities on fire,
Can't replace or relate, can't release or repair,
Take my hand and I'll show you what was and will be.
Writer: CURTIS, IAN KEVIN / HOOK, PETER / MORRIS, STEPHEN PAUL DAVID / SUMNER, BERNARD
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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snakes | Reviewer: slave | 6/8/12
this song could perhaps relate to the world and it's people as a whole. some are tortured by the horrors of this race, while others have the money to sit back and watch it happen, and pay for certain "atrocity exhibitions" (i.e., television, brutality in the media, etc.)
It's about Ian | Reviewer: Anonymous | 3/30/12
I think Ian's writing simply about how he's become a some kind of show. Freak show maybe. Altough there might be some deeper explanation, dunno.
Tis some amazing band and amazing lyricist.
hmm | Reviewer: Anonymous | 4/28/10
although there are parallels to the book, like someone else said, he hadn't realized them until the song was just about written. if you consider the way that ian danced and his condition, the song seems to be about himself and crowds paying to see him writhing around and baring his darkest sides and wanting more even though it was killing him
ian's masterpiece | Reviewer: Thomas Whiteside | 10/26/08
For the record the song itself was not actually inspired or based around the Ballard novel on the same name, Ian was indeed a Ballard fan, but did not read Atrocity Exhibition until after he'd finished the song, the song however was at that stage in need of a title, as Ian saw paralells between his untitled song and the book, he figured Atrocity Exhibition was a perfect title.
Love & Napalm | Reviewer: Anonymous | 10/14/08
The lyrics take a basis from the brilliant J.G. Ballard book of the same name (occasionally the book is titled Love & Napalm: Export U.S.A., though).
Curtis is one of my favourite lyricists, and this exemplify why. It's haunting for its reality and put forth with such a mastery of words.
The Heart Of The Matter | Reviewer: keving | 11/27/06
Inspired by a book, I believe, Ian Curtis produces lyrics that fight with the music, as the feedback and ceremonial drums hold sway. Delving deep into humanity's lust for power, payback, and bloodsport, the song takes you into a world too honest for most to really see. The song starts off their 2nd album/cd, "Closer!" "This is the way, step inside!"
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