She's Lost Control
Encyclopedia
"She's Lost Control" is a song by British post-punk
band Joy Division
. It was first introduced in a concert in June 1978. Two separate single recordings have been released: a guitar-dominated version appearing on the band's 1979 debut album Unknown Pleasures
, and a heavier and more electronic version first released in 1980 on a 12" single, coupled with "Atmosphere
". This version also sports an additional verse, not present in the earlier one and it was recorded in March 1980 at Strawberry Studios, Stockport, making it one of the last Joy Division studio recordings. There are also a number of live versions appearing on the bonus discs of the re-issues of the bands albums.
The song centres on Peter Hook
's cool, droning, minimalist bassline formed over a methodical and mechanistic drum beat, courtesy of Stephen Morris. The beat came together after each drum was recorded completely separately, as Martin Hannett obsessively pursued clean drum sounds with no "bleed through" (when one drum's sound is added to the signal of another drum unintentionally) on songs he considered potential singles. In dramatic contrast, Bernard Sumner
's guitar work is sharp and clipped, and bears a striking resemblance to Dave Davies
' work on early Kinks
singles such as "You Really Got Me
" and "All Day and All of the Night
". Ian Curtis
' lyrics concern a girl having an epileptic seizure (i.e. "losing control"), a condition which Curtis himself suffered from, and Curtis' delivery is nervy and paranoid, reflecting the ominous music. Many indie
bands have covered it, as well as Siobhan Fahey
and Grace Jones
.
Live, the song would be played at a faster pace, and much more aggressively, Curtis often shouting the lyrics before the bridge sections. The electronic drum used would often be more abrasive and louder in the mix than it was in the studio recordings. On later live recordings, Ian Curtis would play a keyboard line during the outro, one of only a few songs on which he would play an instrument.
The name of the song is referenced in the title of Control, a biopic of Ian Curtis
, which includes the incident inspiring the song, and also the recording of the song, showing Morris using an aerosol can sprayed into a microphone as percussion.
The film 24 Hour Party People
includes a scene dramatizing the recording of the song, and suggests that Morris recorded the drum beat on the roof of the studio, as well as continuing to play the beat long after the other band members recorded their parts and left the studio. This could have been simply for humour, or making reference to Martin Hannett
's eccentricity (in a previous scene, he is depicted recording "silence" atop a hill).
The song appears in Skins
in the series 3 episode "Effy".
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
band Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
. It was first introduced in a concert in June 1978. Two separate single recordings have been released: a guitar-dominated version appearing on the band's 1979 debut album Unknown Pleasures
Unknown Pleasures
Unknown Pleasures is the debut album by the English post-punk band Joy Division, released in 1979 through Factory Records. Martin Hannett produced the record at Strawberry Studios, Stockport, England. The album sold poorly upon release, but due to the subsequent success of Joy Division with the...
, and a heavier and more electronic version first released in 1980 on a 12" single, coupled with "Atmosphere
Atmosphere (Joy Division song)
"Atmosphere" is a song by the band Joy Division. It was originally released in 1980 as a France-only single under the title Licht und Blindheit with "Dead Souls" as the B-side....
". This version also sports an additional verse, not present in the earlier one and it was recorded in March 1980 at Strawberry Studios, Stockport, making it one of the last Joy Division studio recordings. There are also a number of live versions appearing on the bonus discs of the re-issues of the bands albums.
The song centres on Peter Hook
Peter Hook
Peter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
's cool, droning, minimalist bassline formed over a methodical and mechanistic drum beat, courtesy of Stephen Morris. The beat came together after each drum was recorded completely separately, as Martin Hannett obsessively pursued clean drum sounds with no "bleed through" (when one drum's sound is added to the signal of another drum unintentionally) on songs he considered potential singles. In dramatic contrast, Bernard Sumner
Bernard Sumner
Bernard Sumner , also known as Bernard Dickin, Bernard Dicken and Bernard Albrecht is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and producer....
's guitar work is sharp and clipped, and bears a striking resemblance to Dave Davies
Dave Davies
David Russell Gordon "Dave" Davies is an English rock musician best known for his role as lead guitarist and vocalist for the English rock band The Kinks....
' work on early Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
singles such as "You Really Got Me
You Really Got Me
"You Really Got Me" is a rock song written by Ray Davies and performed by his band, The Kinks. It was released on 4th August 1964 as the group's third single, and reached Number 1 on the UK singles chart the next month, remaining for two weeks...
" and "All Day and All of the Night
All Day and All of the Night
"All Day and All of the Night" is a song by the British band The Kinks from 1964. It can be found on their debut album "Kinks". It reached #2 on the UK Singles Chart and #7 on Billboards United States chart in 1965....
". 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...
' lyrics concern a girl having an epileptic seizure (i.e. "losing control"), a condition which Curtis himself suffered from, and Curtis' delivery is nervy and paranoid, reflecting the ominous music. Many indie
Indie (music)
In music, independent music, often shortened to indie music or "indie" is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
bands have covered it, as well as Siobhan Fahey
Siobhan Fahey
Siobhan Fahey is an Irish musician and founding member of the 1980s British girl group Bananarama, and later formed the BRIT Award and Ivor Novello award winning musical outfit Shakespears Sister.-Career:Fahey was born the eldest of three daughters to Helen and...
and Grace Jones
Grace Jones
Grace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, model and actress.Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance-club hits. In the late 1970s, she adapted the emerging electronic music style and adopted a severe, androgynous look with square-cut hair and...
.
Live, the song would be played at a faster pace, and much more aggressively, Curtis often shouting the lyrics before the bridge sections. The electronic drum used would often be more abrasive and louder in the mix than it was in the studio recordings. On later live recordings, Ian Curtis would play a keyboard line during the outro, one of only a few songs on which he would play an instrument.
The name of the song is referenced in the title of Control, a biopic of 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...
, which includes the incident inspiring the song, and also the recording of the song, showing Morris using an aerosol can sprayed into a microphone as percussion.
The film 24 Hour Party People
24 Hour Party People
24 Hour Party People is a 2002 British film about Manchester's popular music community from 1976 to 1992, and specifically about Factory Records. It was written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and directed by Michael Winterbottom...
includes a scene dramatizing the recording of the song, and suggests that Morris recorded the drum beat on the roof of the studio, as well as continuing to play the beat long after the other band members recorded their parts and left the studio. This could have been simply for humour, or making reference to Martin Hannett
Martin Hannett
Martin Hannett , sometimes credited as Martin Zero, was a record producer and an original partner in Factory Records with Tony Wilson...
's eccentricity (in a previous scene, he is depicted recording "silence" atop a hill).
The song appears in Skins
Skins (TV series)
Skins is a BAFTA award-winning British teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of college. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness , adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and death...
in the series 3 episode "Effy".