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Bizarre Love Triangle
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| "Bizarre Love Triangle" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by New Order | ||||
| from the album Brotherhood | ||||
| Released | 3 November 1986[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | Factory | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | New Order | |||
| New Order singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Bizarre Love Triangle” on YouTube | ||||
"Bizarre Love Triangle" is a song by English rock band New Order, released as a single in November 1986 from their fourth studio album, Brotherhood (1986). The song reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Dance/Disco Club Play chart and No. 5 on the Australian Kent Music Report in March 1987. It failed to enter the top 40 of both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100; however, a new mix included on The Best of New Order was released in 1994 and charted at No. 98 on the Hot 100. In 2003, the song was ranked No. 204 on Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."[9]
Releases
[edit]The 12-inch version, remixed by Shep Pettibone, also appears on the compilation Substance and a second remix by Stephen Hague features on their Best Of album. The original album version appears on the 2005 compilation Singles, the 7-inch version appears on the 2016 reissue of this compilation. New Order's live versions since 1998 are based on the Shep Pettibone remix.[10]
The single mix features more electronics than the album version, with the Fairlight CMI music workstation used to provide sounds such as the orchestral hits, and to sequence the song. All instruments except vocals and Peter Hook's melodic bass were sequenced (the song also prominently features synthesised bass and synth choir parts).[11]
Reception
[edit]"Bizarre Love Triangle" has been critically acclaimed since its release. In a 30th anniversary retrospective citing the song as one of the greatest of all time, Billboard described it as a "synth-pop masterpiece" and "an incandescent jewel of mid-'80s computer love."[12] NME praised the song as New Order's "finest pop moment" and credited its simplicity in comparison to previous singles such as "Blue Monday".[13] In 2004, the song was ranked No. 204 in Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."[9] In 2013, Stereogum ranked the song No. 2 on their list of the 10 greatest New Order songs,[14] and in 2021, The Guardian ranked the song No. 7 on their list of the 30 greatest New Order songs.[15]
Music video
[edit]The music video, which was released in November 1986, was directed by American artists Robert Longo and Gretchen Bender. It prominently featured shots of a man and a woman in business suits flying through the air as though propelled by trampolines; this is based directly on Longo's "Men in the Cities" series of lithographs.[16] The video has a black and white cut-scene where Jodi Long and E. Max Frye are arguing about reincarnation, in which Long emphatically declares "I don't believe in reincarnation because I refuse to come back as a bug or as a rabbit!" Frye responds, "You know, you're a real 'up' person," before the song resumes.[17]
Track listings
[edit]All tracks are written by Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Bernard Sumner.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bizarre Love Triangle" (Shep Pettibone Remix UK 7-inch edit) | 3:43 |
| 2. | "Bizarre Dub Triangle" | 3:23 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bizarre Love Triangle" (Shep Pettibone Remix US 7-inch edit) | 3:36 |
| 2. | "Every Little Counts" | 4:29 |
- Initial pressings (matrix FAC-26-A) were the UK 7-inch mix; later pressings (matrix FAC-26-A2) were the Canadian 7-inch mix
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bizarre Love Triangle" (Shep Pettibone Remix US 7-inch edit) | 3:36 |
| 2. | "State of the Nation" | 3:27 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bizarre Love Triangle" (Shep Pettibone extended remix) | 6:44 |
| 2. | "Bizarre Dub Triangle" | 7:02 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bizarre Love Triangle" (Shep Pettibone extended remix) | 6:41 |
| 2. | "I Don't Care" (Actually "Bizarre Dub Triangle") | 7:02 |
| 3. | "State of the Nation" | 6:31 |
| 4. | "Bizarre Love Triangle" (Shep Pettibone Remix UK 7-inch edit) | 3:43 |
- US editions mis-credit "Bizarre Dub Triangle" as "I Don't Care", reputedly due to a record company person contacting New Order's Manager Rob Gretton to ask what to name the mix as, Gretton is claimed to have said "I don't care"[18]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bizarre Love Triangle" (album version) | 4:20 |
| 2. | "Bizarre Love Triangle" (extended dance mix) | 6:44 |
| 3. | "I Don't Care" (actually "Bizarre Dub Triangle") | 7:02 |
| 4. | "State of the Nation" | 6:31 |
| 5. | "Bizarre Love Triangle" (single remix) | 3:43 |
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Cover versions and remixes
[edit]- Australian band Frente! released an acoustic cover version of the song in 1994, re-imagining it as a folk ballad. Issued as part of the Lonely EP in their home country, the cover peaked at No. 7 on the ARIA Singles Chart[28] and became a hit overseas, reaching No. 49 on the US Billboard Hot 100,[29] No. 53 in Canada,[30] and No. 76 in the United Kingdom.[31] In Australia, it came in at No. 63 on the 1994 year-end chart and was certified gold for shipments of over 35,000.[32]
References
[edit]- ^ Hook, Peter (6 October 2016). Substance: Inside New Order. Simon & Schuster UK. ISBN 9781471132438. Retrieved 19 July 2017 – via Google Books.
- ^ Proefrock, Stacia. "Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order". AllMusic.
- ^ Lindsay, Cam (8 September 2015). "An Essential Guide to New Order". Exclaim!. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ Andy Kellman. "Arthur Baker Presents Dance Masters: Shep Pettibone - The Classic 12-inch Master-Mixes". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ "Scarlett Johansson's band Sugar for Sugar covers New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" -- listen". 22 September 2016.
- ^ "80 best love songs of the 1980s". Cleveland. 31 August 2018.
- ^ "Dreams Never End". Uncut. 1 January 2003. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ Unterberger, Andrew (5 November 2016). "10 Reasons Why New Order's 'Bizarre Love Triangle' Is One of the Greatest Songs of All Time". Billboard.
- ^ a b "New Order, 'Bizarre Love Triangle'". Rolling Stone. 11 December 2003. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ Flint, Tom (April 2004). "Recreating New Order's 'Blue Monday' Live". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
- ^ Fortner, Stephen (September 2005). "New Order. New Album. Old School. All Good". Keyboard. Archived from the original on 18 December 2005.
- ^ Unterberger, Andrew. "10 Reasons Why New Order's 'Bizarre Love Triangle' Is One of the Greatest Songs of All Time". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ Elan, Priya (29 November 2017). "Why 'Bizarre Love Triangle' is New Order's finest pop moment". NME. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ Lariviere, Aaron (25 January 2013). "The 10 Best New Order Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (7 January 2021). "New Order's 30 greatest tracks – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ Shamberg, Michael. "Bizarre Love Triangle". kinoteca.net. Archived from the original on 15 January 2006.
- ^ "Gretchen Bender, Tracking The Thrill", Page 62, "Music Video's",2013.
- ^ "Recycle 13: Bizarre Love Triangle". neworder-recycle.blogspot. 5 September 2009. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, New South Wales, Australia: Australian Chart Book. p. 215. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 0796". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Bizarre Love Triangle". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
- ^ "New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 9/11/1986 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
- ^ "New Order Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
- ^ "New Order Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ "New Order Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
- ^ "Kent Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Kent Music Report, via Imgur.com. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "Australian-charts.com – Frente! – Lonely". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ "Frente! Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2505". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ^ "FRENTE Chart History". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1994". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 25 October 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
Bizarre Love Triangle
View on GrokipediaBackground and recording
Development
"Bizarre Love Triangle" originated in 1985 amid New Order's ongoing evolution from their post-punk beginnings, as the band aimed to refine and expand their synth-pop aesthetic following the releases of Movement (1981) and Power, Corruption & Lies (1983). The track first appeared in rehearsals and live performances that year under working titles such as "Broken Promises" and "Broken Guitar Strings," marking an early stage in the creative process that would culminate in its inclusion on the 1986 album Brotherhood. This period saw New Order balancing their rock heritage with increasing electronic elements, influenced by the vibrant UK club culture centered around venues like The Haçienda, which the band co-owned and which helped shape Manchester's emerging dance scene.[5][6][7] Bernard Sumner took the lead in songwriting for "Bizarre Love Triangle," crafting the melody on guitar and penning abstract, ambiguous lyrics as an afterthought to the music. The song's title derived from a headline in the News of the World tabloid, while the themes drew from emotional turmoil, possibly inspired by a real-life incident involving a friend and a romantic entanglement rather than Sumner's own experiences. This approach allowed Sumner to explore universal feelings of confusion and detachment without direct autobiography, aligning with New Order's tendency toward evocative yet non-literal narratives.[8] Early demos emphasized electronic experimentation, incorporating synthesizers like the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 for melodic layers and the Oberheim DMX drum machine for rhythmic precision, which helped bridge the band's post-punk foundations with dancefloor accessibility. These initial versions highlighted New Order's shift toward more groove-oriented structures, responding to the UK club scene's demand for tracks that fused moody introspection with propulsive beats, setting the stage for the song's polished Brotherhood incarnation.[9]Production
The production of "Bizarre Love Triangle" took place during sessions for New Order's fourth studio album, Brotherhood, spanning several months in 1986. Backing tracks and initial vocals were recorded at Jam Studios in London over a six-week period, where the band laid down the core elements using a combination of live instrumentation and electronic programming. Overdubs, including additional vocals and layered synth elements, were completed at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, extending an initially planned two-week stay to three weeks to refine the track's dense arrangements. Final mixing occurred at Amazon Studios in Liverpool, emphasizing the song's blend of organic and synthetic sounds.[10][11] The track was self-produced by the band—comprising Bernard Sumner on vocals, guitar, and synthesizers; Peter Hook on bass and electronic drums; Gillian Gilbert on keyboards and programming; and Stephen Morris on drums and programming—with engineering handled by Michael Johnson. Sumner's composition, initially demoed on a four-track Teac 3340 during rehearsals, arrived at the studio largely complete, allowing focus on sonic enhancement rather than structural changes. The production highlighted New Order's evolving electronic approach, incorporating MIDI synchronization for precise sequencing.[10][11] Key equipment included the Roland TR-808 and Oberheim DMX drum machines, which provided the track's rhythmic foundation, with the TR-808 contributing distinctive bass drum patterns. The Emulator II sampler was used for the string-like synth pads and arpeggiated elements, adding textural depth, while synthesizers such as the Voyetra and Yamaha DX5 handled melodic and bass lines. MIDI tools like the Roland SBX-80 sync box and MSQ-700 sequencer facilitated the integration of these components on a 24-track setup, capturing the 1980s new wave aesthetic through gated reverb effects on percussion for a polished, expansive sound. The sessions underscored the band's hands-on experimentation, resulting in a finalized version incorporated into Brotherhood ahead of its September 1986 release.[10]Composition and lyrics
Musical elements
"Bizarre Love Triangle" is classified as synth-pop and new wave, incorporating elements of electronic dance music through its steady 4/4 beat and repetitive melodic motifs.[12][13] The song follows a conventional verse-chorus structure, bookended by an introductory and outro sequence of arpeggiated synthesizers that establish its electronic foundation. It is composed in the key of B♭ major at a tempo of 119 beats per minute, with the original album version lasting 4:23.[13][14] Central to the track's sound is bassist Peter Hook's pulsing, melodic bassline, which provides a driving rhythmic foundation layered over electronic percussion. Synthesizer contributions from Gillian Gilbert include shimmering arpeggios and melodic lines, while Bernard Sumner's vocals adopt a detached, ethereal delivery that floats above the instrumentation.[15][16][17] The harmonic progression, particularly in the verse, revolves around a sequence of E♭–F–D minor–E♭ chords, creating emotional tension through shifts between minor and major tonalities with emphasis on the bass root notes and melodic highlights on B♭.[18]Themes and interpretation
The lyrics of "Bizarre Love Triangle" portray a non-literal love triangle centered on confusion and unrequited affection, with the narrator expressing a mix of longing and helplessness. Key lines such as "Every time I see you falling, I get down on my knees and pray" symbolize the emotional turmoil of witnessing the object of desire in distress within a troubled relationship, while the singer remains on the sidelines, unable to intervene directly. This narrative highlights the excitement and conflict of passionate love, where the title's "bizarre" element underscores the singer's internal struggle without explicitly naming a third party in the verses.[19][20] Interpretations of the song frequently connect it to 1980s cultural themes of alienation and isolation in romantic relationships, drawing from the introspective ethos of post-punk that shaped New Order's evolution from Joy Division. Bernard Sumner's delivery adds layers of wistful ambiguity, evoking a sense of emotional detachment amid synthetic pop energy, which resonates with the era's exploration of modern disconnection.[21][22][23] The song's narrative is presented as fictional.Release and promotion
Commercial release
"Bizarre Love Triangle" was released as a single on 3 November 1986 by Factory Records in the UK.[20] The track had debuted earlier that year on New Order's fourth studio album, Brotherhood, issued on 29 September 1986.[11] The initial formats included a 7-inch vinyl single (catalog number FAC 163) featuring the edited version of "Bizarre Love Triangle" (3:40) on the A-side and the instrumental "Bizarre Dub Triangle" (3:23) on the B-side, alongside a 12-inch vinyl (FAC 163) with an extended mix of the title track (6:39) and the full "Bizarre Dub Triangle" (7:06); cassette singles were also available in select markets such as New Zealand.[24][25][26] Later reissues encompassed CD formats, including a 1994 US maxi-single on Qwest Records and a 2005 7-inch vinyl single featuring remixes of "Bizarre Love Triangle (Richard X Remix)" and "Waiting for the Sirens' Call (Jacknife Lee Remix)" as part of the promotional campaign for their album Waiting for the Sirens' Call.[27][28] International variations featured distribution through partners like Qwest Records for the US market in late 1986, reflecting New Order's growing alignment with major labels to enhance global reach beyond Factory's independent network.[27][29]Marketing and singles
The single "Bizarre Love Triangle" was promoted through extensive radio airplay and club DJ sets in 1986, including sessions and plays on BBC Radio 1, which helped build anticipation ahead of its November release.[30] It was closely tied to New Order's late 1986 tour supporting the Brotherhood album, where the track became a live staple, performed at venues like the Tower Ballroom in Birmingham on October 2.[31] In the United States, the single was issued by Qwest Records in late 1986 rather than a delayed 1987 launch, featuring 12" formats with radio edits and extended mixes tailored for airplay and dancefloors.[32] European releases on Factory Records included various vinyl variants such as 7" and 12" singles, though picture discs were not part of the original rollout; special editions emphasized the label's distinctive artwork by Peter Saville.[1] Marketing efforts highlighted New Order's enduring ties to Factory Records, utilizing posters and press materials that showcased the band's evolution within the synth-pop genre, without relying on major television advertising campaigns.[33] The track received a push in the UK independent charts through these grassroots tactics. In the 2010s, it underwent digital re-promotion via streaming platforms, including remastered versions released in 2015 as part of the Brotherhood Collector's Edition and further updates in 2024, including a remastered 12-inch vinyl reissue released on November 22 by Rhino/Factory Records and a 2024 digital master as part of the Brotherhood Definitive Edition campaign.[34][35]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release in late 1986, "Bizarre Love Triangle" received positive feedback from UK music publications for its catchy electronic elements and emotional lyricism, marking a high point in New Order's evolving sound. In the United States, the song was noted for its place in the band's repertoire during the mid-1980s. Overall, reactions in the UK indie press leaned positive, acknowledging the track's role in revitalizing the band's presence amid the synth-pop era, though its modest chart performance reflected tempered initial enthusiasm.Retrospective views
In the early 2000s, retrospectives began to solidify "Bizarre Love Triangle" as a cornerstone of New Order's catalog and 1980s synth-pop. A 2002 review of the Substance compilation highlighted the track's role in bridging post-punk melancholy with danceable electronic elements, noting its lasting impact on subsequent rave and house scenes.[36] By 2005, Pitchfork's assessment of the Singles compilation described it as a "Common-Culture icon," underscoring its transformation of introspective themes into accessible pop anthems.[37] The 2010s saw further acclaim for the song's enduring emotional resonance. Pitchfork's 2015 ranking of the 200 best songs of the 1980s placed "Bizarre Love Triangle" at No. 43, praising its "giddy, romantic optimism" that contrasted New Order's typical melancholy, likening the narrative to a romantic comedy rather than a tragic entanglement and affirming its influence on synth-pop's evolution.[38] Similarly, a 2016 Guardian concert review of a retrospective orchestral performance described the track as eliciting a "mighty cheer," emphasizing its timeless appeal in reimagined arrangements that highlighted its symphonic electronic pop qualities.[39] Into the 2020s, scholarly and journalistic analyses have credited "Bizarre Love Triangle" with pioneering the electronic indie crossover. Simon Reynolds' influential 2005 book Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978–1984 (reprinted and referenced in later music histories) positions New Order's work as a seminal shift from post-punk to electronic dance, blending underground ethos with mainstream accessibility and influencing indie electronic acts. A 2020 Guardian guide to New Order's back catalog listed it among essential tracks, calling it the band's biggest U.S. hit for its sticky melody and intriguingly ambiguous lyrics that capture timeless relational complexity.[40] Modern reviews occasionally critique its 1980s production as sounding dated compared to contemporary electronic standards, yet consistently praise its queer-coded undertones—evident in the lyrics' fluid depiction of desire and emotional ambiguity—which have cemented its popularity in gay club culture and handbag dance repertoires.[41]Commercial performance
Chart performance
"Bizarre Love Triangle" experienced varied chart performance across international markets upon its 1986 release, with stronger showings in dance-oriented and regional charts despite modest mainstream success. In the United Kingdom, the single debuted and peaked at No. 56 on the Official Singles Chart on November 15, 1986, remaining on the chart for two weeks.[3] In the United States, the original version failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986 or 1987, though a 1995 remix reached No. 98. It fared better in club play, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in December 1986 after debuting at No. 33.[42][20] The track achieved greater commercial traction in other territories, particularly through club and radio airplay. It peaked at No. 5 on the Australian Kent Music Report with a 5-week run and No. 19 on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart in early 1987 with a 10-week run. In Ireland, it reached No. 25 on the Irish Singles Chart for one week in November 1986.[43]| Chart (1986–1987) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart (OCC) | 56 | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | — | — |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) | 5 | 13 |
| Australian Singles (Kent) | 5 | 5 |
| New Zealand Singles (RIANZ) | 19 | 10 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 25 | 1 |
