The English Breakdown | Teen Ink

The English Breakdown

January 14, 2010
By teenage_breakdown GOLD, Hudson, Massachusetts
teenage_breakdown GOLD, Hudson, Massachusetts
10 articles 0 photos 1 comment

(Verse 1)
In the polluted skies over the North Seas
Throughout the nightclubs and factories
In the lands north of the cliffs of Dover
Lives desolate souls whose life soon will be over

And in the death machines of hazy gloom
A man stands alone, desperation in his room
All of his records and shows have lost all hope
All that is left is escape in the form of the rope

(Chorus)
When his epileptic attacks start
He finds himself on the ground
In his room and in his shows
His attacks play with his sonic sound

He did not come here to hurt us
So why are you here Ian Curtis
Why have you brought your melodrama sound
We don't want your English Breakdown

(Verse 2)
Like all the king's horses and all of his men
We shake at the enemies' battle cries
And each and everyone lost control again
But we all know we started it with our lies

We are your audio prisoners of war
Prostitute our ears for your collection of fears
With your lyrics of pain, our love is torn
We've been like this for Twenty Four Years

(Chorus)
When his epileptic attacks start
He finds himself on the ground
In his room and in his shows
His attacks play with his sonic sound

He did not come here to hurt us
So why are you here Ian Curtis
Why have you brought your melodrama sound
We don't want your English Breakdown

(Outro)

He did not come here to hurt us
So why are you here Ian Curtis
Why have you brought your melodrama sound
We don't want your English Breakdown

Why have you brought your melodrama sound
We don't want your English Breakdown

The author's comments:
This song was inspired by the tale of Ian Curtis, leader singer of the British band Joy Division. He had a form of epilepsy which would show up in attacks, some of which happening during his shows. This resulted in powerful songs but also depression. After his wife left him and another attack, Curtis decided to end his life on the eve of his band's U.S. tour.

This song is meant to honor him and the genre of music he influenced. In now way or form does this song glamorize suicide, and should be seen as the opposite.

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