Written by: Paul Gleason

By Paul Gleason

No other rock journalist knows the music of Manchester quite like Mick Middles.

Middles has been writing about the sounds of the city since 1977 and in his career he’s witnessed firsthand the apotheosis of everyone from The Fall to Joy Division to Oasis. Middles has written several books about Manchester bands, including indispensable volumes on The Smiths, The Stone Roses and Factory Records. Most recently he’s penned biographies on Ian Curtis of Joy Division and Arcade Fire.

Not an easy task, but Middles was kind enough to give CITC his top ten Joy Division and New Order songs…

Mick Middles’ Top 10 Joy Division Songs

1. “Dead Souls,” Licht und Blindhelt Single, 1980 (Rereleased on Substance, 1988)

2. “Isolation,” Closer, 1980

3. “New Dawn Fades,” Unknown Pleasures, 1979

4. “Twenty Four Hours,” Closer, 1980

5. “Transmission,” Single, 1979 (Rereleased on Substance, 1988)

6. “Atmosphere,” Licht und Blindhelt Single, 1980 (Rereleased on Substance, 1988)

7. “She’s Lost Control,” Unknown Pleasures, 1979

8. “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” Single, 1980 (Rereleased on Substance, 1988)

9. “Atrocity Exhibition,” Closer, 1980

10. “At a Later Date,” Short Circuit: Live at the Electric Circus, 1978 (Studio version released on Warsaw, 1994)

Mick Middles’ Top 10 New Order Songs

1. “Ceremony,” Single, 1981 (Rereleased on Substance, 1987)

2. “Temptation,” Single, 1982 (Rereleased on Substance, 1987)

3. “Your Silent Face,” Power, Corruption & Lies, 1983

4. “Confusion,” Single, 1983 (Rereleased on Substance, 1987)

5. “Sub-culture,” Low-Life, 1985

6. “True Faith, ” Single, 1987 (Rereleased on Substance, 1987)

7. “Krafty,” Waiting for the Sirens’ Call, 2005

8. “Everything’s Gone Green,” Single, 1981 (Rereleased on Substance, 1987)

9. “Thieves Like Us,” Single, 1984 (Rereleased on Substance, 1987)

10. “Shellshock,” Pretty in Pink Soundtrack, 1986 (Rereleased on Substance, 1987)