One of the most well-known songs by New Order that can be interpreted from a homosexual standpoint is "1963".The lyrics tell of a male protagonist who has a relationship with a man named "Johnny". Johnny is clearly bisexual, or perhaps a closeted homosexual, as the lyrics "Johnny came home with another wife" indicate. In the song, Johnny attempts to kill the initial male protagonist. The protagonist pleads, "Johnny, don't point that gun at me." How did this romantic relationship become strained, then?
It is certain that both men love each other, however. Bernard's character begins the song, with the lyrics, "It was January, 1963, when Johnny came home with a gift for me. He said 'I bought it for you because I love you, and I bought it for you cause it's your birthday, too."
In other words, Bernard's character's birthday is in January, and Johnny gave him a birthday present. According to the protagonist, Johnny did not intend to hurt (emotionally and/or physically) him. Then why did Johnny intend to kill him?
"There are too many ways that you could kill someone, like in a love affair," reminds Bernard. Perhaps Johnny, frustrated with his feelings, and with what his wife demands, attempted to kill the protagonist out of desperation.
Bernard's character, on the other hand, is not as tormented as Johnny. Despite Johnny and his desire to kill, (not just literally, but metaphorically, to "kill" his troubles, his homosexual longings etc...) Bernard's character reamins devoted to Johnny. In the end, the protagonist's deep romantic love for the antagonist is prevalent and pervasive throughout the song, with Bernard singing, "I just want you to be mine" to Johnny.
Interestingly, "1963" is the B-side to their hit single, "True Faith". Whilst not as pervasively obvious, the lyrics of "True Faith" can also be read from a homosexual point of view. In this interpretation from a gay standpoint, Bernard's character is coming out of the closet, thus, revealing his true nature. "I get this feeling I'm in motion, a sudden sense of liberty," Bernard explains his liberated feelings. However, he had doubts about being open about his sexuality.
"I used to think that the day would never come," indicates his restrictions (whether they be social, emotional, or otherwise) regarding his coming out. The key portion in the lyrics are within the second verse.
The second verse contains the lyrics, "When I was a very small boy, very small boys talked to me. Now that we've grown up together, they're afraid of what they see." Bernard tells of childhood experiences that involves boys interacting with him, yet he claims that they are now afraid of him. This "fear" that the boys had of Bernard may be a for of homophobia directed towards him. "I guess there's just no way of knowing," Bernard ultimately tells the audience.
By 1987, the year that "True Faith" was released, AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) had become a worldwide epidemic. As early as 1985, AIDS had reached public awareness. New Order released the song "The Perfect Kiss" this year, and this song is widely interpreted to be about AIDS. Before this song's meaning is discussed, AIDS itself must be discussed. AIDS was initially called "GRID" or "Gay Related Immune Deficiency". This was due to high rates of the disease within the gay community. Later on, the name was changed to AIDS. In May of 1983, Luc Montagnier and his team at the Pasteur Institute in Paris indentified the virus that caused AIDS---HIV; this is short for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
It is not AIDS itself that kills; rather, the HIV virus weakens the immune system, and renders the body susceptible to various illnesses. However, not all HIV infections lead to AIDS, and HIV can take several years to lead to serious illnesses. The AIDS epidemic has caused numerous people to put the blame on homosexuals. This is entirely homophobic, bigoted, and irrational. But the gay community has been affected by the AIDS epidemic, and in "The Perfect Kiss", Bernard has a story to tell.
"I stood there beside myself, thinking hard about the weather. Then came by a friend of mine, suggested we go out together," begins Bernard. This friend is clearly male, as the lyrics, "Pretending not to see him guilt, I said, 'Let's go out and have some fun.'" indicate. Even though the friend feels somewhat guilty, Bernard's character pretends that he does not see any guilt, and suggests that both should have fun together. The chorus seems rather hopeful---"I know, you know, we believe in a land of love."
However, Bernard's character shows a hint of remorse. He regretfully tells the audience, "Tonight I should have stayed at home, playing with my pleasure zone." This is a subtle hint that the certain friend and Bernard had sex, and that Bernard wishes that he should have stayed at home masturbating, than going with the friend. Then why is Bernard remorseful? Perhaps it is because he may have been aware that his friend had AIDS. Then, there is the line, "Pretending not to see his gun, I said, 'Let's go out and have some fun.'"
Some have interpreted the gun literally, but I interpret this "gun" metaphorically. This gun may be the friend's certain body part. There is some element of hedonism here; both put their sexual pleasure in front of their worries. The reality confronts them in the third verse, however.
"When you are alone at night, you search yourselfd for all the things that you believe are right. If you give it all away, you throw away your only chance to be here today," begins the verse. Just what are these things that Bernard believes to be right? We can only speculate, though, because Bernard does not reveal what he believes in particular. But from the song's context, what if we were to assume that Bernard believes that it is right to be homosexual? If that is the case, to give up that belief is to commit emotional suicide. The verse continues with the lines, "We lose another broken heart in a land of meat." This phrase may be interpreted as a metaphor for libido and sex.
"My friend he took his final breath. Now I know the perfect kiss is the kiss of death," ends the song, indicating that Bernard's friend dies of AIDS.