Thieves Like Us (song): Difference between revisions

"Thieves Like Us"
"Thieves Like Us"
Single by New Order
B-side	"Lonesome Tonight"
Released	April 1984
Recorded	December 1983
Genre	Synth-pop; new wave;
Length	6:36
Label	Factory - FAC 103
Songwriter(s)	Arthur Baker; Gillian Gilbert; Peter Hook; Stephen Morris; Bernard Sumner;
Producer(s)	New Order
New Order singles chronology
Audio
	"Thieves Like Us" on YouTube

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"Thieves Like Us" is the seventh single by the British rock band New Order, released in April 1984 by Factory Records, catalogue number FAC 103. It is named after the 1974 film Thieves Like Us, directed by Robert Altman. Guitarist and lead singer Bernard Sumner stated during a TV interview in 1984 that the song's title was suggested by John Benitez (an associate of the song's co-writer, Arthur Baker).^[2]

The B-side is "Lonesome Tonight". Both tracks appear on the group's 1987 Substance compilation, and on the 2008 Collectors Edition of Power, Corruption & Lies, as well as the extended instrumental version of "Thieves Like Us" (originally the B-side to "Murder").

Like many of their releases, the record was produced by the band, although "Thieves Like Us" was co-written by Arthur Baker during the New York sessions for "Confusion".

An instrumental version of the song is featured in the 1986 movie Pretty in Pink.

The single's cover design by Peter Saville is based on a metaphysical painting by Giorgio de Chirico^[3] and the 19th century English board game The New and Fashionable Game of the Jew. It forms a set with their next single, "Murder".

Track listing

All tracks are written by Arthur Baker, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner; except where indicated

12": FAC 103 (UK)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Thieves Like Us"		6:36
2.	"Lonesome Tonight"	Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner	5:11

7": FAC 103 (UK Promo)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Thieves Like Us"		3:54
2.	"Lonesome Tonight"	Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner	3:52

7": Tonpress S-534 (Poland)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Blue Monday"	Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner	7:29
2.	"Thieves Like Us"		6:36

Released in Poland under licence of Factory Records, 1985

Chart positions

Chart (1984-1985)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[4]	84
Ireland (IRMA)^[5]	5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)^[6]	14
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[7]	14
UK Singles (OCC)^[8]	18

References

^ ASCAP entry
^ Pop Elktra. Belgium TV. 28-5-1984
^ Poynor, Rick No more rules: graphic design and postmodernism p.78
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, NSW, Australia: Australian Chart Book. p. 215. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Thieves Like Us". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 24, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
^ "New Order – Thieves Like Us". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
^ "New Order: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

3. Sumner, Bernard. Pop Elektron. Belgium TV. 28-5-1984.

[1] ASCAP entry

[2] Pop Elktra. Belgium TV. 28-5-1984

[3] Poynor, Rick No more rules: graphic design and postmodernism p.78

[aus-4] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, NSW, Australia: Australian Chart Book. p. 215. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[sc_Ireland2_New_Order-5] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Thieves Like Us". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

[6] "Tipparade-lijst van week 24, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

[sc_New_Zealand_New_Order-7] "New Order – Thieves Like Us". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

[sc_UKsinglesbyname_New_Order-8] "New Order: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Infobox Single
+{{Infobox song
-| Name = Thieves Like Us
+| name       = Thieves Like Us
-| Cover = Thieves_Like_Us.jpg
+| cover      = Thieves Like Us.jpg
+| alt        =
-| Artist = [[New Order (band)|New Order]]
+| type       = single
-| from Album =
-| B-side = "[[Lonesome Tonight]]"
+| artist     = [[New Order (band)|New Order]]
-| Released = April 1984
+| album      =
+| B-side     = Lonesome Tonight
-| Format = [[12-inch single|12"]]
-| Recorded = December 1983
+| released   = April 1984
+| recorded   = December 1983
-| Genre = [[Synthpop]]
-| Length = 6:36
+| studio     =
+| genre      = {{hlist|[[Synth-pop]]|[[New wave music|new wave]]|}}
-| Label = [[Factory Records|Factory]] - <small>FAC 103</small>
+| length     = 6:36
-| Writer      = [[Arthur Baker (musician)|Arthur Baker]], [[Gillian Gilbert]], [[Peter Hook]], [[Stephen Morris (musician)|Stephen Morris]], [[Bernard Sumner]]<ref>[http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=500379095&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=25&start=1 ASCAP entry]</ref>
+| label      = [[Factory Records|Factory]] - <small>FAC 103</small>
-| Producer = [[New Order (band)|New Order]]
+| writer     =
-| Last single = "[[Confusion (New Order song)|Confusion]]"<br />(1983)
+* [[Arthur Baker (musician)|Arthur Baker]]
-| This single = "'''Thieves Like Us'''"<br />(1984)
+* [[Gillian Gilbert]]
-| Next single = "[[Murder (song)|Murder]]"<br />(1984)
+* [[Peter Hook]]
+* [[Stephen Morris (musician)|Stephen Morris]]
+* [[Bernard Sumner]]<ref>[http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=500379095&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=25&start=1 ASCAP entry]</ref>
+| producer   = [[New Order (band)|New Order]]
+| prev_title = [[Confusion (New Order song)|Confusion]]
+| prev_year  = 1983
+| next_title = [[Murder (song)|Murder]]
+| next_year  = 1984
+| misc       = {{External music video|header=Audio|{{YouTube|njOAgpF9Urk|"Thieves Like Us"}}}}
 }}
-"'''Thieves Like Us'''" is a single by British group [[New Order (band)|New Order]], released in April 1984 by [[Factory Records]]. It is named after the 1974 film ''[[Thieves Like Us (film)|Thieves Like Us]]'', directed by [[Robert Altman]]. Bernard Sumner states during a TV interview in 1984, that the song title was suggested by John 'Jellybean' Benitez (an associate of the song's co-writer, Arthur Baker).<ref>Pop Elktra. Belgium TV. 28-5-1984</ref>
+"'''Thieves Like Us'''" is the seventh single by the British rock band [[New Order (band)|New Order]], released in April 1984 by [[Factory Records]], catalogue number FAC 103. It is named after the 1974 film ''[[Thieves Like Us (film)|Thieves Like Us]]'', directed by [[Robert Altman]]. Guitarist and lead singer [[Bernard Sumner]] stated during a TV interview in 1984 that the song's title was suggested by [[John Benitez]] (an associate of the song's co-writer, [[Arthur Baker (musician)|Arthur Baker]]).<ref>Pop Elktra. Belgium TV. 28-5-1984</ref>
-The B-side was "[[Lonesome Tonight]]" and the catalogue number FAC 103. Both tracks appear on the group's 1987 ''[[Substance (New Order album)|Substance]]'' compilation, and on the 2008 Collectors Edition of [[Power, Corruption & Lies]], as well as the extended instrumental version of Thieves Like Us (originally the B-side to "Murder").
+The B-side is "Lonesome Tonight". Both tracks appear on the group's 1987 ''[[Substance (New Order album)|Substance]]'' compilation, and on the 2008 Collectors Edition of ''[[Power, Corruption & Lies]]'', as well as the extended instrumental version of "Thieves Like Us" (originally the B-side to "[[Murder (song)|Murder]]").
-Like many of their releases, the record was produced by the band, although "Thieves Like Us" was co-written by [[Arthur Baker (musician)|Arthur Baker]] during the New York sessions for "[[Confusion (New Order song)|Confusion]]".
+Like many of their releases, the record was produced by the band, although "Thieves Like Us" was co-written by Arthur Baker during the New York sessions for "[[Confusion (New Order song)|Confusion]]".
-An instrumental of the track was featured in the 1986 movie ''[[Pretty in Pink]]''.
+An instrumental version of the song is featured in the 1986 movie ''[[Pretty in Pink]]''.
-The single's cover design by [[Peter Saville (designer)|Peter Saville]] was based on a '[[Metaphysical art|metaphysical]]' painting by [[Giorgio de Chirico]].<ref>Poynor, Rick ''No more rules: graphic design and postmodernism'' p.78</ref> It forms a set with their next single, "[[Murder (song)|Murder]]".
+The single's cover design by [[Peter Saville (graphic designer)|Peter Saville]] is based on a [[metaphysical painting]] by [[Giorgio de Chirico]]<ref>Poynor, Rick ''No more rules: graphic design and postmodernism'' p.78</ref> and the 19th century English board game ''The New and Fashionable Game of the Jew''. It forms a set with their next single, "Murder".
 ==Track listing==
+{{Track listing
-{{tracklisting
-| writing_credits = yes
 | all_writing     = [[Arthur Baker (musician)|Arthur Baker]], [[Gillian Gilbert]], [[Peter Hook]], [[Stephen Morris (musician)|Stephen Morris]] and [[Bernard Sumner]]; except where indicated
 | headline        = 12": FAC 103 (UK)
@@ Line 36: / Line 44: @@
 | title1          = Thieves Like Us
 | length1         = 6:36
-| title2          = [[Lonesome Tonight]]
+| title2          = Lonesome Tonight
 | writer2         = Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner
 | length2         = 5:11
 }}
+{{Track listing
-{{tracklisting
-| writing_credits = yes
 | headline        = 7": FAC 103 (UK Promo)
 | title1          = Thieves Like Us
 | length1         = 3:54
-| title2          = [[Lonesome Tonight]]
+| title2          = Lonesome Tonight
 | writer2         = Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner
 | length2         = 3:52
 }}
+{{Track listing
-{{tracklisting
-| writing_credits = yes
 | headline        = 7": Tonpress S-534 (Poland)
@@ Line 60: / Line 66: @@
 | length2         = 6:36
 }}
-*Released in Poland under license of Factory Records, 1985
+*Released in Poland under licence of Factory Records, 1985
 ==Chart positions==
 {|class="wikitable sortable"
-! Chart (1984)
+! Chart (1984-1985)
 ! Peak<br/>position
 |-
-|align="left"|Australian [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Singles Chart]]<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|title=Australian Chart Book 1970-1992|year=1993 |publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, NSW, Australia|isbn=0-646-11917-6|pages=215}}</ref>
+|align="left"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|title=Australian Chart Book 1970-1992|year=1993 |publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, NSW, Australia|isbn=0-646-11917-6|pages=215}}</ref>
 |align="center"|84
 |-
+{{single chart|Ireland2|5|artist=New Order|song=Thieves Like Us|access-date=26 March 2023}}
-|align="left"|[[Irish Singles Chart]]
-|align="center"|5
 |-
+|Netherlands ([[Dutch Top 40|Dutch Top 40 Tipparade]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/1984/week-24|title=Tipparade-lijst van week 24, 1984|lang=dutch| publisher=[[Dutch Top 40]]|access-date=26 March 2023}}</ref>
-|align="left"|New Zealand [[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|RIANZ]] Singles Chart
-|align="center"|14
+|align=center|14
 |-
+{{single chart|New Zealand|14|artist=New Order|song=Thieves Like Us|access-date=26 March 2023}}
-|align="left"|[[UK Singles Chart]]
-|align="center"|18
-|-
-|align="left"|[[UK Indie Chart|UK Indie Singles]]
-|align="center"|1
 |-
+{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|18|artist=New Order|artistid=25394|access-date=26 March 2023}}
 |}
@@ Line 89: / Line 91: @@
 {{New Order}}
+{{Authority control}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Thieves Like Us (Song)}}
-[[Category:New Order songs]]
+[[Category:New Order (band) songs]]
 [[Category:1984 singles]]
 [[Category:Songs written by Bernard Sumner]]
@@ Line 100: / Line 103: @@
 [[Category:Factory Records singles]]
 [[Category:1984 songs]]
+[[Category:UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles]]

v t e New Order
Bernard Sumner Stephen Morris Gillian Gilbert Phil Cunningham Tom Chapman Peter Hook
Studio albums	Movement Power, Corruption & Lies Low-Life Brotherhood Technique Republic Get Ready Waiting for the Sirens' Call Lost Sirens Music Complete
Live albums	BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert Live at the London Troxy Live at Bestival 2012
Compilation albums	Substance 1987 The Best of New Order International Retro Singles Total: From Joy Division to New Order
Remix albums	The Rest of New Order Complete Music
EPs and other releases	1981–1982 The Peel Sessions The Peter Saville Show Soundtrack In Session 12″ × 12
Singles	"Ceremony" "Procession" "Everything's Gone Green" "Temptation" "Blue Monday" "Confusion" "Thieves Like Us" "Murder" "The Perfect Kiss" "Sub-culture" "Shellshock" "State of the Nation" "Bizarre Love Triangle" "True Faith" "Touched by the Hand of God" "Blue Monday 1988" "Fine Time" "Round & Round" "Run 2" "World in Motion" "Regret" "Ruined in a Day" "World (The Price of Love)" "Spooky" "True Faith-94" "1963" "Blue Monday-95" "Video 5 8 6" "Crystal" "60 Miles an Hour" "Someone Like You" "Here to Stay" "Krafty" "Jetstream" "Waiting for the Sirens' Call" "Restless" "Tutti Frutti"
Other songs	"Doubts Even Here" "Love Vigilantes" "Age of Consent" "Elegia" "Plastic"
Videos	Substance 1987 New Order Story 316 511 A Collection Live in Glasgow
Tours	North American Tour 2012
Related groups	Joy Division Electronic Revenge Monaco The Other Two Freebass Bad Lieutenant Peter Hook & The Light
Related articles	Discography Songs The Haçienda Control Rob Gretton List of tribute albums