Transmission (song)

"Transmission" is a song by post-punk band Joy Division, released on Factory Records in October 1979 on 7" and re-released as a 12" single with a different sleeve in December 1980.

The single charted twice in New Zealand, debuting at number two in September 1981, and re-appearing again at number 24 in July 1984.

In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Transmission" at number 20 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever,[2]  one place below "Love Will Tear Us Apart".

It was played on-stage in the film 24 Hour Party People, a scene in which Ian Curtis suffers an epileptic fit.

It has been covered by Low (on its EP Transmission), Bauhaus (as well as by frontman Peter Murphy on his solo tours) and Innerpartysystem, andGirl in a Coma. A version by Hot Chip is on the War Child charity album, Heroes, released in February 2009.[3]  It was also covered by the cast ofControl, a biographical film about the life of Ian Curtis. [4]

It was also played by The Smashing Pumpkins on the Adore Tour in 1998, with performances of the song usually lasting from 15 to 25 minutes.[5] ==Track listing[ edit] == All tracks written by Joy Division.


 * 7" vinyl (Factory FAC 13)
 * 1) "Transmission" – 3:36
 * 2) "Novelty" – 3:59
 * 12" vinyl (Factory FAC 13.12)
 * 1) "Transmission" – 3:36
 * 2) "Novelty" – 3:59