Crystal (New Order song)

Lore & Background

The song was originally given by singer-guitarist Bernard Sumner to German label Mastermind for Success and recorded by artist Corvin Dalek. However, DJ Pete Tong heard it and declared it the best New Order single since "Blue Monday", prompting Sumner to have New Order record and release it themselves. The single was released in multiple formats, including a Japanese version with different cover art to promote the DVD 316. B-sides included live tracks from that DVD, remixes, and an original song "Behind Closed Doors" produced by Arthur Baker. All versions feature extensive backing vocals from Dawn Zee, who continued to perform with New Order on all subsequent studio albums. A remix contest after release drew thousands of entries worldwide.

Reader's Guide

The song "Crystal" entered the UK Singles Chart at number eight and found international success, peaking at number three in Canada and number seven in Finland, and reaching the top 50 in Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Sweden. Critical reception was strong: Pitchfork called it 'possibly one of New Order's best singles', Drowned in Sound rated it 9/10 and described it as 'fantastic', and Stereogum placed it at number ten on their list of the band's best songs. The main music video, directed by Johan Renck, does not feature New Order but a younger band miming; at the end, a crowd pulls them offstage. The fictional band in the video is named 'The Killers', which inspired the name of the American rock band the Killers, who later lifted elements of the set layout for their own video 'Somebody Told Me'. New Order and the Killers have performed the song together multiple times, including at T in the Park in 2005, in Manchester in 2013, in Bogotá in 2013, and in Las Vegas in 2016.

Did You Know?

• The song was originally given to German label Mastermind for Success and recorded by Corvin Dalek before New Order reclaimed it.
• A remix contest after the song's release drew thousands of entries worldwide.