Tracklist
Blue Monday | 7:29 | ||
The Beach | 7:19 |
Credits (5)
- Peter Saville (2)Design [Uncredited]
- Michael JohnsonEngineer
- Barry SageEngineer [Assistant]
- Mark BoyneEngineer [Assistant]
- New OrderProducer
Notes
New Order's fifth single. A milestone, both by musical standards and by design standards.
Still considered to be the best-selling 12" of all time, selling over 1 million copies globally. However, since Factory wasn't part of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) at the time of release, there are no reliable figures nor certifications or awards. Altogether, the 1983, 1988 and 1995 releases have been sold over 10 million times.
Initial UK editions were released on 07 March 1983 in a die-cut cover with cut-outs and a silver cardboard inner sleeve, designed by Peter Saville.
Outer sleeve variations:
1. Original: die-cut with cut-outs.
2. Initial adaptation: Plain printed thus without cut-outs with the cut-outs left black.
3. Final adaptation: Plain printed thus without cut-outs, also missing the grey block prints.
Inner sleeve variations:
1. Silver cardboard
2. Black cardboard of different stock, weighing between 38 and 41 grammes. They might be glossy or matte and hazy black in combination with top openings ranging from 3 to 10 cm.
3. White paper inner sleeves were used to cut costs.
All outer sleeves bear the colour code, spelling "FAC 73 Blue Monday And The Beach New Order".
There is a common misconception that Factory lost money on the release due to the elaborate sleeve design. The original sleeve did in fact cost so much that Factory's profit lay under 1 UK Penny for each copy sold. But demand, production costs and timings meant that the sleeve became progressively simpler with each repressing, as explained above.
Different combinations of outer and inner sleeves were matched with the different pressing runs, so the 2nd outer sleeve adaptation as well as the white paper inner sleeves can be found with initial pressings of the record (A1/B1 runout matrices).
Vinyl : The original UK version was mastered and cut on 5 occasions:
- FAC-73-A-1 MT. STRAWBERRY OUT VOTED! // FAC-73-B-1 MT. HO.EL+TEL! STRAWBERRY
(runoff space 0,8 cm // 1,6 cm)
This original edition misses the first 2 beats of the 16-bar intro are cut off due to a mastering error by the Strawberry engineer, who brought up the fader too late and missed the first drumbeats.
"Out Voted!" refers to New Order taking a vote as to whether the mistake should stay, and the yes vote prevailed.
- FACT 73 A2 .THE ROBOT. STRAWBERRY GG // FACT 73 B2 .THE ROBOT. STRAWBERRY GG
(runoff space 2,2 cm // 2,2 cm)
- FAC 73 A2 GG POUNDA TA1PE R-CUT // FAC 73 B2 GG R-CUT
(runoff space 1,3 cm // 1,4 cm)
- FAC 73 A3 GG POUNDA TA1PE. WHERE'S MURDER? // FAC 73 B3 GG I SAID WHERE'S MURDER?
(runoff space 1,6 cm // 1,6 cm)
- FAC-73-A1 ✱ TOWNHOUSE MAX. // FAC-73-B1 ✱ MAX.
(runoff space 1,6 cm // 1,6 cm)
There also are many hybrid versions, e.g. A-1 + B2, A2 + B-1, A3 + B2, A-1 + B2 R-CUT, etc.
Known pressing plants:
MVS Record Pressing Ltd. (1983 - 1984 pressings): 32,5mm rings on flat labels.
MVS Record Pressing Ltd. (October 1983 - 1984 pressings): dipped labels.
CBS Aston Clinton (1983 - 1984 pressings): dipped labels - apparently white inner sleeves only!
Lyntone Recordings Ltd. (1983).
Linguaphone Institute Ltd. (1985 and 1986): 25mm rings.
Immediate Sound Services Ltd. (1987 and 1988): ✱ in runouts and/or 32,5mm rings on flat labels
Audio Services Ltd. (since 1989): ✱ in runouts and/or 32,5mm rings on flat labels
Peaked at #9 in the UK Single charts, and at #1 in the UK Indie Charts, where it stayed for a total of 186 weeks.
Blue Monday 1988:
New Order's 16th single, released on 07 May 1988.
Produced by Quincy Jones with the actual remix done by John Potoker.
After New Order signed to Qwest in the US, Quincy Jones saw an opportunity for their groundbreaking track to have a legitimate single release and a shot at radio airplay.
In the UK it was released as 7", 12", CD-Single and as CD-V, featuring an alternate 7" mix.
In North America, 'Touched By The Hand Of God' was featured as B-side.
The video of Blue Monday 1988 is known for the Weimaraner dog 'Fay Ray', owned by video director William Wegman. The video also features a Robert Breer flicker book, that was given away by Factory as 1988 Christmas present (Fac 235).
In July 1995 reissued with techno and trance remixes.
In October 2020 re-released as remastered edition with original artwork.
New Order used a sample from Kraftwerk's track "Uranium" on Blue Monday.
Still considered to be the best-selling 12" of all time, selling over 1 million copies globally. However, since Factory wasn't part of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) at the time of release, there are no reliable figures nor certifications or awards. Altogether, the 1983, 1988 and 1995 releases have been sold over 10 million times.
Initial UK editions were released on 07 March 1983 in a die-cut cover with cut-outs and a silver cardboard inner sleeve, designed by Peter Saville.
Outer sleeve variations:
1. Original: die-cut with cut-outs.
2. Initial adaptation: Plain printed thus without cut-outs with the cut-outs left black.
3. Final adaptation: Plain printed thus without cut-outs, also missing the grey block prints.
Inner sleeve variations:
1. Silver cardboard
2. Black cardboard of different stock, weighing between 38 and 41 grammes. They might be glossy or matte and hazy black in combination with top openings ranging from 3 to 10 cm.
3. White paper inner sleeves were used to cut costs.
All outer sleeves bear the colour code, spelling "FAC 73 Blue Monday And The Beach New Order".
There is a common misconception that Factory lost money on the release due to the elaborate sleeve design. The original sleeve did in fact cost so much that Factory's profit lay under 1 UK Penny for each copy sold. But demand, production costs and timings meant that the sleeve became progressively simpler with each repressing, as explained above.
Different combinations of outer and inner sleeves were matched with the different pressing runs, so the 2nd outer sleeve adaptation as well as the white paper inner sleeves can be found with initial pressings of the record (A1/B1 runout matrices).
Vinyl : The original UK version was mastered and cut on 5 occasions:
- FAC-73-A-1 MT. STRAWBERRY OUT VOTED! // FAC-73-B-1 MT. HO.EL+TEL! STRAWBERRY
(runoff space 0,8 cm // 1,6 cm)
This original edition misses the first 2 beats of the 16-bar intro are cut off due to a mastering error by the Strawberry engineer, who brought up the fader too late and missed the first drumbeats.
"Out Voted!" refers to New Order taking a vote as to whether the mistake should stay, and the yes vote prevailed.
- FACT 73 A2 .THE ROBOT. STRAWBERRY GG // FACT 73 B2 .THE ROBOT. STRAWBERRY GG
(runoff space 2,2 cm // 2,2 cm)
- FAC 73 A2 GG POUNDA TA1PE R-CUT // FAC 73 B2 GG R-CUT
(runoff space 1,3 cm // 1,4 cm)
- FAC 73 A3 GG POUNDA TA1PE. WHERE'S MURDER? // FAC 73 B3 GG I SAID WHERE'S MURDER?
(runoff space 1,6 cm // 1,6 cm)
- FAC-73-A1 ✱ TOWNHOUSE MAX. // FAC-73-B1 ✱ MAX.
(runoff space 1,6 cm // 1,6 cm)
There also are many hybrid versions, e.g. A-1 + B2, A2 + B-1, A3 + B2, A-1 + B2 R-CUT, etc.
Known pressing plants:
MVS Record Pressing Ltd. (1983 - 1984 pressings): 32,5mm rings on flat labels.
MVS Record Pressing Ltd. (October 1983 - 1984 pressings): dipped labels.
CBS Aston Clinton (1983 - 1984 pressings): dipped labels - apparently white inner sleeves only!
Lyntone Recordings Ltd. (1983).
Linguaphone Institute Ltd. (1985 and 1986): 25mm rings.
Immediate Sound Services Ltd. (1987 and 1988): ✱ in runouts and/or 32,5mm rings on flat labels
Audio Services Ltd. (since 1989): ✱ in runouts and/or 32,5mm rings on flat labels
Peaked at #9 in the UK Single charts, and at #1 in the UK Indie Charts, where it stayed for a total of 186 weeks.
Blue Monday 1988:
New Order's 16th single, released on 07 May 1988.
Produced by Quincy Jones with the actual remix done by John Potoker.
After New Order signed to Qwest in the US, Quincy Jones saw an opportunity for their groundbreaking track to have a legitimate single release and a shot at radio airplay.
In the UK it was released as 7", 12", CD-Single and as CD-V, featuring an alternate 7" mix.
In North America, 'Touched By The Hand Of God' was featured as B-side.
The video of Blue Monday 1988 is known for the Weimaraner dog 'Fay Ray', owned by video director William Wegman. The video also features a Robert Breer flicker book, that was given away by Factory as 1988 Christmas present (Fac 235).
In July 1995 reissued with techno and trance remixes.
In October 2020 re-released as remastered edition with original artwork.
New Order used a sample from Kraftwerk's track "Uranium" on Blue Monday.
Versions
Filter by
213 versions
Image | , | – | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory | Version Details | Data Quality | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single | Factory – FAC 73, Factory – FAC SEVENTY THREE | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single | Factory – FACX 10 | Canada | 1983 | Canada — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, Black Inner Sleeve | Factory – FAC 73, Rough Trade – RTD 10, Factory – FAC SEVENTY THREE +1 more label... | Germany | 1983 | Germany — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single | Factory – FAC 73, Factory – VR 22504 | Netherlands | 1983 | Netherlands — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | Factory – 600717, Factory – 600 717 | France | 1983 | France — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single | Factory – FAC 73, Base Record – FAC 73 | Italy | 1983 | Italy — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM | Factory – FAC 73, Nuevos Medios – 31-035 | Spain | 1983 | Spain — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM | GAP Records – FAC 73, Factory – FAC 73 | Australia | 1983 | Australia — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM | Factory – GOOD 10 | New Zealand | 1983 | New Zealand — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Promo | Factory (US) – FACTUS 10 | US | 1983 | US — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM, Silver Inner | Factory (US) – FACTUS 10 | US | 1983 | US — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, Black Labels | Factory – FAC 73 | Scandinavia | 1983 | Scandinavia — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM, Repress, A2/B2, MVS, Die-cuts, Silver Inner | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM, Repress, A3/B3, Die-cut Cover, Black Glossy Inner Sleeve | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, White Label | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single | Factory – YW-7418-AX, Columbia – YW-7418-AX | Japan | 1983 | Japan — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday + The Beach Cassette, Single | Factory – FACC 73, GAP Records – FACC 73 | Australia | 1983 | Australia — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM, Repress, A2/B2; MVS; Cut-outs; Black Inner | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, A3/B3, Plain Cover | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM, Repress | Factory – FACT 73, Factory – FAC SEVENTY THREE, Factory – VR 22504, Factory – FAC 73 +2 more labels... | Netherlands | 1983 | Netherlands — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday Cassette, Single | Factory – TC-GOOD 10, Factory – TCGOOD 10, EMI – TC-GOOD 10, EMI – TCGOOD 10 +2 more labels... | New Zealand | 1983 | New Zealand — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Pallas Pressing | Rough Trade Deutschland – RTD 10, Factory – FAC 73 | Germany | 1983 | Germany — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM, White Labels | Factory – FAC 73 | Scandinavia | 1983 | Scandinavia — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, A2/B2, Die-cut Cover, Black Inner Sleeve | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM | Factory – FAC 73, Base Record – FAC 73 | Italy | 1983 | Italy — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, A-1/B2; MVS; Die-cuts, Glossy Black Inner | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM, Repress, A2/B2, MVS, Plain Cover, Black Inner | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Silver Inner, LC | Factory – RTD 10, Factory – FAC 73 | Germany | 1983 | Germany — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM, Repress, A-1/B2; MVS; Plain Cover, Thick Black Inner | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM, Black Glossy Inner | Factory (US) – FACTUS 10 | US | 1983 | US — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, Sonopress Pressing | Factory – RTD 10, Factory – FAC 73, Factory – FAC SEVENTY THREE +1 more label... | Germany | 1983 | Germany — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, A-1/B-1, MVS, Plain Cover, Black Inner | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, A3/B3; Lyntone; Plain Cover | Factory – FAC 73, Factory – FAC SEVENTY THREE | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single | Factory – FAC 73, Factory – FAC SEVENTY THREE, Factory – VR 22504 +1 more label... | Netherlands | 1983 | Netherlands — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, A2/B2; Plain Cover, Thick Black Glossy Inner | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, A-1/B2; MVS Pressing; Die-cuts | Factory – FAC 73 | UK | 1983 | UK — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single | Factory – FAC 73 | Ireland | 1983 | Ireland — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", Single, 45 RPM, Silver Inner, No LC | Factory – RTD 10, Factory – FAC 73 | Germany | 1983 | Germany — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Single, CP Pressing | Factory – FAC 73 | Ireland | 1983 | Ireland — 1983 | ||||
![]() | Blue Monday 12", 45 RPM, Repress | Factory – FACT 73, Factory – VR 22504 | Netherlands | 1983 | Netherlands — 1983 |
Recommendations
- Released1983 — UKVinyl —LP, Album
- Vinyl —12", 45 RPM, Single
- Released1984 — UKVinyl —12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Released1981 — UKVinyl —LP, Album, Stereo
- Vinyl —LP, Album
- Released1984 — UKVinyl —LP, Album
- Vinyl —LP, Album
- Released1980 — UKVinyl —LP, Album
- Released1984 — UKVinyl —LP, Compilation
- Released1987 — UKVinyl —12", 45 RPM, Single
Reviews
- My copy is variant 2, and it sounds amazing. Side A has a big patch of fine scratches, but not audible. But yeah, the sound, it’s awesome. Sounds like it is cut from tape.
- Fantastic pressing, sound and mastering, this album makes any speakers sound great, it truly thumps! Prepare to be blown away.
referencing Blue Monday (12", 45 RPM, Single) FAC 73
New Order - Blue Monday - Rare 124 BPM Version - ID Track?
_______
Hi track collectors enthusiasts!
I recently stumbled upon an 8:15-minute version of New Order's "Blue Monday" at 124 BPM, but unfortunately, the compression quality is pretty bad at 128 kbps. I'm hoping to find a better digital version of it.
I've attached a download link for you to listen to it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FQDIda1N2pogLK1g8KIX1Vre-BZcyvd3/view?usp=sharing
Does anyone have any advice on the exact name of this version?- Tiene una falla de fabrica al principio del lado A el vinilo salta , el sonido es bueno pero tiene error de prensado una pena lo compre el 2021 creo todas las copias estan iguales
referencing Blue Monday (12", 45 RPM, Promo) FACTUS 10
I really don't see why anybody would want to buy this, aside for historical significance. Part of the appeal of the single to me is the unique packaging, and this promo release completely strips that away.- Acabo de obtener mi copia en Chile a buen precio y debo decir que suena excelente. Más de lo que esperaba de un disco nuevo
referencing Blue Monday (12", 45 RPM, Single) FAC 73
Hello
I bought this 12 inch and the cover, inner sleeve and matrices match this version. However the record has the dipped label, I don't understand which version it is
anyone can help me?- Thought I would grab this to celebrate the 40th anniversary and wow! What a fantastic repress. This tune still sounds vibrant and timeless today as it did back in 1983. Hats off to the chaps at Abbey Road for this remaster. An excellent reproduction of the iconic sleeve is a very nice touch.
- I have one with runout "Townhouse" which seems to be the third pressing with plain cover. Not listed on Discogs.
Master Release
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