Song: "As It Is When It Was"
Artist: New Order
Album: Brotherhood
Year: 1986
Heard this song on my iPhone on random play the other day, bringing back memories of my first year at college, when I discovered all kinds of new music, primarily from the two girls who lived down the hall from me, Anna and Kate -- I remember Anna because she had a crush on my roommate Alec and I don't remember if they ever hooked up or not, but her roommate, she was the one with the cool music collection, a box of cassette tapes -- hell yeah we listened to cassette tapes in 1990, bitches! -- and I don't remember her exact collection and what great music she introduced me to, but I did know New Order before I met her (although only the "True Faith" and "Bizarre Love Triangle" songs that were played on even mainstream radio in the '80s), but I didn't realize what incredible music they made throughout the entire decade until I met her, and met the real quality of music out there beyond the Top 40 jammed down my immature throat. We went to a couple concerts together -- The Replacements played at Rutgers the following year! -- and I do owe some of my lifelong obsession with quality underground music to her. Short brown hair and an "F the world" attitude, I was too shy to ever do more than listen to music with her, but this song brings back memories of my freshman year, beginning a life of beginning new things and learning about the wonders of music and the world that still inspire me today. I don't know whatever happened to you, Kate, or Anna, and I don't remember your last names. But I hope all is well in your lives. As it is when it was.
I've kept my head against the wall
I've been this way for so long now
You weren't exactly falling over yourself
When last I saw you
Well I always thought
We'd get along like a house on fire
Until you told me that I'd have to go
How can someone like you work that slow
Whatever you think of me
You listen hard and I will make you see
Whatever you think of me
You listen hard and I will make you see
I don't feel anything no more
This state of grace is consuming me
I'm not grown up and I am not a boy
I feel no pain and I feel no joy
Well I always thought
We'd get along like a house on fire
In those days when the sun was warm
I ran in the street where I was born
Whatever you think of me
You listen hard and I will make you see
Whatever you think of me
You listen hard and I will make you see
The streets are so empty at this time of night
I'd rather walk on my own than fight
In a world where I'd forgotten you
I found myself forgotten, too
That's the danger of believing books
And all the lies of those thieves and crooks
We sing intellectual songs of love
From a stolen pen to a velvet glove.
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