The Meaning of New Order's "1963"

[n/a5]

You asked for it you got it.


"1963"

It was January, 1963
When Johnny came home with a gift for me
He said I bought it for you because I love you
And I bought it for you because it's your birthday, too
He was so very nice, he was so very kind
To think of me at this point in time
I used to think of him, he used think of me
He told me to close my eyes
My gift would be a great surprise
I saw tears were in his eyes
He never meant to hurt me
Oh, God, Johnny, don't point that gun at me
There's so many ways our lives have changed
But please, I beg, don't do this to me
Johnny, don't point that gun at me
Can I save my life at any price?
For God's sake won't you listen to me?

And though he was ashamed that he had took a life
Johnny came home with another wife
And he often remembered how it used to be
Before that special occasion, 1963
There was too many ways that you could kill someone
Like in a love affair, when the love is gone
He told me to close my eyes
My gift would be a great surprise
I saw hatred in his eyes
He never meant to hurt me
Oh, God, Johnny, don't point that gun at me
There's so many ways our lives have changed
But please, I beg, don't do this to me
Johnny, you keep on using me
Can I change my life for any price?
Oh, Johnny, won't you listen to me?

He told me to close my eyes
My gift would be a great surprise
I saw hatred in his eyes
But he never meant to hurt me
Oh, God, Johnny, don't point that gun at me
There's so many ways our lives have changed
But please, I beg, don't do this to me
Johnny, you keep on using me
Can I change my life for any price?
Oh, Johnny, won't you listen to me?

I just want you to be mine,
I don't want this world to shine
I don't want this bridge to burn
Oh, Johnny, do you miss me?
I just want to feel for you
I will always feel for you...

[n/a5]

1963 was a year of change. A paradigm shift. A Shocking kick-off to a tumultous decade. A certain innocence was lost. That is my first shot at it. [8D] (pun intended)

[2Nu]

Again the thought of a war (Vietnam) vet (Johnny) coming home to confront "Reality" as portrayed by the 'narrator/singer'(female childhood or girl friend?) perhaps Johnny got 'hitched' while serving 'abroad' and just decided to bring her home along with a

[Frau_Blucher]

Crosspost for the sake of posterity...

Okay, found this ridiculous reference on the World in Motion web page:

>>From the Warner Brothers lyric/music book titled "New Order Music 1981-1989."

This is Bernard writing about 1963: "1963" is the year

[MikeP]

I guess Bernie overlooks the fact that Marilyn Monroe died in August of '62, more than a year before JFK was assassinated. I can understand all the speculation ... it's pretty hard not too see a JFK connection when you have a song called "1963" with a cha

[2Nu]

Like I said, 'Barney' is just messin with us![:D] 'cause he can![:D]
And just so happens he was born on <a href="http://www.neworderonline.com/Biography.aspx?Bio=BS" target="blank">Jan 4 1956</a>.
Perhaps history wasn't his 'forte'.[:I]

[Frau_Blucher]

OMG...ALL of their songs are about JFK, Jackie and Marilyn! WTF?!! [:0]

Blue Monday (Nov 25th, the day JFK was laid to rest) - But if it wasn’t for your misfortunes I’d be a heavenly person today (supporting the "1963" conspiracy!)

Bizarre Love Tria