The Perfect Kiss

"The Perfect Kiss" is a 1985 single by New Order. It was the first New Order song to be included on a studio album at the same time as its release as a single. The vinyl version has Factory catalog number FAC 123 and the video has the opposite number, FAC 321.

The song has a complex arrangement which includes a number of instruments and methods not normally used by New Order. For example, a breakdown features frogs croaking melodically. The band reportedly included them because Morris loved the effect and was looking for any excuse to use it. At the end of a track, the faint bleating of a (synthesised) sheep can be heard. Sheep samples would reappear in later New Order songs: "Fine Time" (1988) and "Ruined In A Day" (1992). Despite being a fan favorite, the song was not performed live between 1993 and 2006 due to the complexity of converting the programs from the E-mu Emulator to the new Roland synthesiser. However, it returned to the live set at a performance in Athens on June 3, 2006.

"The Perfect Kiss" reached only number 46 in the UK charts, most likely due to a lack of marketing by Factory Records and the obscure Peter Saville sleeve: uniform grey with the word "perfect" embossed on it.

[edit] Interpretations

Bernard Sumner has not clarified the song's meaning and as such it has many interpretations. In one, the lyrics describe a night out gone awry. The narrator describes a surprise visit by an unhinged friend who is carrying a firearm. Despite his better judgement, the narrator accepts his friend's invitation to go out. The friend is killed in some unspecified violent act and the narrator expresses regret that he had not stayed home. The song concludes with his understanding that "the perfect kiss is the kiss of death."

It is believed by many fans that this song is really about the suicide of his friend and fellow band member of Joy Division, Ian Curtis. The gun referenced is more likely a metaphorical gun. In the line "Then I knew it from the start this friend of mine would fall apart. Pretending not to see his gun..." suggests that he knew Curtis was having emotional problems yet he pretended not to. It is often the case to deny the warning signs completely or feel guilt over not trying to help, after a loved one's suicide.

[edit] Versions

Lasting nearly 9 minutes, the full 12" single version of the song is longer than even "Blue Monday", New Order's 1983 dance epic. This version also appears on the vinyl edition of Substance, but the CD deletes 44 seconds starting at 6 minutes, 45 seconds.

The version on the LP Low-Life and all post-Substance compilations is a 4:48 edit that omits the third verse, the one that mentions the song's title, and fades out before the climax; this same version (in some cases without the percussion introduction) appears on most 7" issues from various countries.

The UK 7" promo release on Factory Records is a rarely-heard edit which compresses most of the elements of the full 8:46 version into 3:27.

There is also a live studio recording which corresponds to the music video; it is available on the bonus disc included with some editions of Retro and on various promotional vinyl releases.

The song has been remixed by third parties like Razormaid and Hot Tracks and has been covered by bands including Capsule Giants, Nude^[1], International^[2], Paradoxx, Razed In A New Division Of Agony, and Amoeba Crunch^[3].

[edit] B-sides

"Kiss of Death" is a typical New Order dub version: it is a mostly instrumental remix of the a-side with added effects. "Perfect Pit" is a short, ambient recording that sounds like Gillian Gilbert or Stephen Morris practicing their parts.

[edit] Music video

Jonathan Demme directed "The Perfect Kiss" video, which is unlike any other New Order clip. Set in the band's practice room, it simply depicts the band playing the song from beginning to end. According to Factory Records owner Tony Wilson, Demme was looking forward to filming dynamic shots of Stephen Morris behind the drum kit and was dismayed to find that the drums in the song were all programmed. The video prominently features references to Joy Division, including a poster for Joy Division and a dimly lit figure resembling the late Ian Curtis watching the band from a doorway during the session.

The video appeared on the Substance 1989 VHS tape and the DVD A Collection. An edit of the video version appeared on a US 12" single in 1985. The full audio take, including Demme's remarks before and after the performance, appeared on a bonus CD included with early copies of the box set Retro. Since it is a unique live performance, the video version of the song sounds different from other released versions.

[edit] Track listing

[edit] UK 12" - FAC 123

"The Perfect Kiss" (8:46)
"Kiss of Death" (7:02)
"Perfect Pit" (1:24)

[edit] Notes and references

^ neworderonline.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-17., song browser entry for "The Perfect Kiss"
^ neworderonline.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-17., band bio for International
^ amoebacrunch.com. The Perfect Kiss. Retrieved on 2007-10-17.