Released 15 June 1979 Length 3:55 | Genre Post-punk Label Factory Records | |
Recorded 1–17 April 1979 at Strawberry Studios, Stockport Writer(s) Bernard Sumner
Peter Hook
Stephen Morris
Ian Curtis | ||
"Shadowplay" is a song by the band Joy Division. It appeared on the 1979 album Unknown Pleasures. The song was covered by The Killers in 2007, Carpathian in 2010, and Kevin Max in 2012.
Contents
Lyrics
Early recordings of the lyrics on the Warsaw album show the first line of the song as saying "To the centre of the city where all roads meet looking for you". In later recordings the word looking is replaced with waiting.
Cover versions
The Killers recorded a version of "Shadowplay" for the 2007 film Control; it plays during the film's credits and was included on the soundtrack album. It became a live staple for the band's 2006-2007 Sam's Town Tour. Their recording was also included on the group's b-sides and rarities album, Sawdust. Rolling Stone magazine said the recording "should have stayed in the vaults". In April 2013, The Killers were joined onstage by Joy Division/New Order guitarist Bernard Sumner for the first time to perform this song live at Festival Estéreo Picnic in Bogotá, Colombia. They did it once again at their 2013 Lollapalooza appearance.
It was released as a digital download single on October 9, 2007 and peaked at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100. A music video, directed by Spencer Kaplan and Jonathan V. Sela, was released on November 21, 2007, featuring the band interspersed with clips from Control.
Kevin Max recorded a version for his 2012 EP Fiefdom of Angels-Side One.
Charts
Carpathian covered the song for their 2010 "Wanderlust" 7" EP.