True Faith by New Order Lyrics Meaning – Peeling Back the Layers of a Synth-Pop Masterpiece
Lyrics
Something’s got a hold on me
I get this feeling I’m in motion
A sudden sense of liberty
I don’t care ’cause I’m not there
And I don’t care if I’m here tomorrow
Again and again I’ve taken too much
Of the things that cost you too much
I used to think that the day would never come
I’d see delight in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun
When I was a very small boy
Very small boys talked to me
Now that we’ve grown up together
They’re afraid of what they see
That’s the price that we all pay
And the value of destiny comes to nothing
I can’t tell you where we’re going
I guess there was just no way of knowing
I used to think that the day would never come
I’d see delight in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun
I feel so extraordinary
Something’s got a hold on me
I get this feeling I’m in motion
A sudden sense of liberty
The chances are we’ve gone too far
You took my time and you took my money
Now I fear you’ve left me standing
In a world that’s so demanding
I used to think that the day would never come
I’d see delight in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun
I used to think that the day would never come
I’d see delight in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun
New Order’s ‘True Faith’ is more than a synth-pop anthem strung together with an infectious beat and hypnotic melodies; it’s a vessel for profound existential contemplation and the human condition. Released in 1987, the song quickly became a hit, resonating with audiences worldwide. But behind its danceable rhythm lies a deep exploration of liberation, nostalgia, and the loss of innocence.
The track is imbued with a sense of bittersweet reflection, underscored by the band’s innovative mix of post-punk and electronic sounds. It’s a narrative caught between the euphoria of independence and the haunting reality of escapism’s cost. The lyrics, seemingly straightforward, veil a complex emotional landscape that invites listeners to discern their own truths within its verses.
The Ecstasy of Liberation and Its Price
New Order masterfully balances a sense of extraordinary liberation with an ambiguous cost. The opening line, ‘I feel so extraordinary, Something’s got a hold on me,’ suggests a narrator who has broken free from the mundane, experiencing a near-transcendental sense of motion and freedom. However, this revelatory state is not without consequence. The lines, ‘Again and again I’ve taken too much, Of the things that cost you too much,’ hint at a cyclical pattern of indulgence that suggests an undercurrent of addiction or compulsion.
This dual sense of freedom and its associated cost is woven through the song, challenging the listener to consider the price of their own desires. It’s a poignant reminder wrapped in an synth melody that joy often comes with its own debts, a universal reality that New Order encapsulates in the rhythm of ‘True Faith’.
Nostalgia and the Loss of Innocence in Melodic Waves
Amidst its energetic beats, ‘True Faith’ harbors a profound sense of nostalgia and mourning for lost childhood. The lyrics, ‘My morning sun is the drug that brings me near, To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear,’ capture a longing for the simplicity and innocence of bygone days. Unlike the warm, reassuring sunlight of youth, adulthood’s ‘morning sun’ is equated to a drug—a harsh, necessary fix that draws the narrator back to memories now tinted with fear.
The recurring motif of the ‘morning sun’ reflects the transformative journey from childhood’s perpetual delight to the stark reality faced in adulthood. This emotional dichotomy, presented so eloquently in ‘True Faith,’ encourages listeners to reflect on their own formative experiences and the subsequent evolution of their worldviews.
The Concealed Portraits of Identity and Growth
‘Very small boys talked to me,’ carries a weight of innocence disrupted. It speaks to a time when communication was unfiltered, open, and without judgment. Yet as they ‘grown up together,’ a fear settles in. The once innocent conversations give way to a dreadful realization of adulthood’s complexity. The psychic cost of evolving from who we were to who we become is underscored by the ‘price that we all pay,’ an inescapable destiny for every listener.
The song thus inverts the joyous connotations of growth, suggesting that with greater knowledge and experience comes an uncomfortable awareness. There’s wisdom, yes, but also trepidation, a sentiment to which many can relate. New Order connects these profound themes of identity and growth with a simplicity that belies their depth.
The Hidden Meanings Wrapped in Synth – ‘True Faith’ Decoded
‘True Faith’ is often pitched as an ode to the grim realities that emerge when the haze of youthful illusions dissipates. The vague allusions open a myriad of interpretations from drug dependency to the sobering effects of adulthood. The band’s reluctance to offer explicit meanings behind their words only intensifies the song’s enigmatic allure.
The elusive nature of the song’s lyrics often leads fans to project their internal struggles onto its canvas. Whether it’s the pursuit of pleasure or a reflection on time’s relentless march, the true meaning of ‘True Faith’ is less in its words and more in the responses they evoke—an individual map of empathy and longing that each listener charts for themselves.
Memorable Lines That Echo Through Decades
The song’s chorus, ‘I used to think that the day would never come, That my life would depend on the morning sun,’ encapsulates its enduring appeal. It’s a line that resonates with the universal human experience—anticipating moments of change and the sobering realities they can bring. This sense of hopeful anticipation, intermingled with a fear of what’s to come, strikes a chord across generational divides.
It’s in these artfully crafted lyrics that New Order’s ‘True Faith’ transforms from a chart-topping hit into a timeless narrative on human existence. As listeners parse through these memorable lines, the song continues to offer up new meanings, solidifying its legacy as a thought-provoking, synth-driven examination of the spirit.
