EXTENDED PLAY: 'Blue Monday' by New Order

"Blue Monday" by New Order is the best selling 12" single of all time. Regarded by many as one of the most important Synthpop songs, it peaked at #9 on the UK charts and #5 on the US Hot Dance Club chart in 1983. The 12" version of "Blue Monday" was actually the version that was often played on the radio, even though it was 7 minutes and 29 seconds. At that length, it is also one of the longest songs ever to chart. The B side is a track called "The Beach", which is a reworked instrumental of "Blue Monday." The main reason that the 12" single sold very well was that neither songs appeared on New Order's album Power, Corruption, & Lies.

In 1988, producer Quincy Jones remixed the song, titled "Blue Monday 88" and is the version most often heard in the US. It featured a shortened 4:07 radio version & a 7:10 version, the first of which charted at #3 in the UK and at #1 on the US Dance chart. In 1995, another remixed version "Blue Monday-95" was released and charted in the UK. American electronic rock band Orgy covered "Blue Monday" and charted in the top 5 on the US Alternative and Dance charts in 1999.

You can order a remastered pressing of single direct from New Order's shop or find a vintage copy on eBay or Amazon.

Watch the official lyric video below and connect with "Blue Monday" in your favorite music app using this Songwhip link.

Header Background Image courtesy Depositphotos