Versions
| Title, Format | Label | Cat# | Country | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremony (7") | Factory, Factory | FAC. 33, FAC 33 | UK | 1981 | |
| Ceremony (12", Gre) | Factory, Factory | FAC. 33, FAC 33/12 | UK | 1981 | |
| Ceremony (12", RE, Cre) | Factory, Factory | FAC. 33, FAC 33/12 | UK | 1981 | |
| Ceremony (12", RE, Cre) | Factory, Factory | FAC. 33, FAC 33/12 | UK | 1981 | |
| Ceremony (12", RE, Cre) | Factory, Factory | FAC. 33, FAC 33/12 | UK | 1981 | |
| Ceremony (12", RE, Promo, W/Lbl, 3rd) | Factory | FAC 33 | UK | 1981 | |
| Ceremony (12", Single) | Base Record, Base Record | FAC. 33, FAC 33/12 | Italy | 1981 | |
| Ceremony (12", Single) | Virgin | 600204 | France | 1981 | |
| Ceremony (7") | GAP Records, EMI (Australia) Limited | SFA 541 | Australia | 1981 | |
| Ceremony / In A Lonely Place (12", Single) | Nuevos Medios, Nuevos Medios | 31-007 M, 31-007 | Spain | 1982 | |
| Ceremony (12") | GAP Records, EMI Music (New Zealand) | FAC 33/12 | New Zealand | 1982 | |
| Ceremony (12") | GAP Records, EMI Music (New Zealand) | FAC 33 | New Zealand | 1982 | |
| Ceremony (12") | GAP Records | FAC 33/12 | Australia | 1983 | |
| Ceremony (12", Promo) | GAP Records | FAC 33/12 | Australia | 1983 |
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Reviews & Discussion
referencing Ceremony, 12", RE, Cre, FAC. 33, FAC 33/12
The first of many classic New Order singles. Ian Curtis was clearly following on from "Love Will Tear Us Apart" lyrically and running out of cohabitable space for both his world (lyrically) and the world around him. Bernard does a shadowy make-over but was never going to descend the depths of his friend and former frontman vocally. As ever the music of Peter, Stephen and Barney leaves no emotion untouched and powers through a music style that New Order never fully revisited after their debut LP, "Movement". Thankfully throughout the following 20+ years they proved they could make great music in various different styles and this is where it all started.
referencing Ceremony, 7", FAC. 33, FAC 33
Both recording of these songs didn't feature Gillian Gilbert and have a rougher sound the version that eventually appeard on the white & blue 12" single. As far as I know, these 7" versions have yet to appear on CD!
referencing Ceremony, 7", FAC. 33, FAC 33
Both the tracks were written by Joy Division and (I think) this is the first release by New Order. Both tracks are excellent but have a real melancholy atmosphere to them, but that's understandable... Versions of the 2 tracks also appear on the Joy Division box set Heart And Soul.
referencing Ceremony, 12", RE, Cre, FAC. 33, FAC 33/12
In spite of all the problems following the death of Ian Curtis (not least the difficulty in deciding who was going to sing in the new line-up), New Order hit their stride straight away with this superb debut single. At this stage they were still heavily reliant on traditional rock instrumentation and no-one could have predicted what the group would eventually become, but all the same it's a brilliant, energetic single and an essential link in the chain that would eventually lead to the full flourishing of New Order later in the decade.