Icon Joy Division Shadowplay
Songs and Lyrics
 
The Only Mistake

This page contains the following information about this Joy Division song:
  • details of every known studio recording and every official release;
  • details of any live performances which appear on an official release;
  • my transcription of the song lyrics, noting any significant variations;
  • known cover versions by other artists, and any other interesting facts.
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Track history
Recorded in April 1979 at Strawberry Studios, Stockport
Released on Still, on Permanent and on Heart and Soul
Also released on some versions of the 1988 Atmosphere single
Recorded on June 4th 1979 at Pennine Sound Studios, Oldham for Piccadilly Radio
This version released only on Heart and Soul
Live performance on July 13th 1979 at The Factory released on Heart and Soul
Lyrics
Made the fatal mistake like I did once before
A tendency just to take, till the purpose turned sour
Strain - take the strain - these days we love --
[or in the Piccadilly Radio version:
  Change - feel the change - the change we love -- ]

Yeah, the only mistake was that you ran away
Avenues lined with trees planned your course for today
Yeah, the only mistake - like I made once before
Yeah, the only mistake - could have made it before
Strain - take the strain - these days we love --
[or in the Piccadilly Radio version:
  Change - feel the change - the change we love -- ]

And the only mistake led to rumours unfound
Led to pressures unknown - different feelings and sounds
Yeah, the only mistake - like I made once before
Yeah, the only mistake - could have made it before
Other information
Cover version by:Released on:
Explosivos AcmeWarsaw (El Colectivo Karma 011 1998)
Design and original content copyright © Chris Warren 1997 to 2007
You may take a copy for personal use only
Icon go to the Shadowplay Home Page and Index