Originals
Ceremony by Joy Division (covered by Galaxie 500)

Ceremony is the second track in this series to have a Wikipedia page all of its own, so head over there for the full history - in short the song was one of the last songs written by Joy Division and never properly recorded. The only three known recordings by the band are below. New Order recorded the song twice and released it as their first single - also twice (and below, twice)

Galaxie 500's version first turned up on the back of the Blue Thunder 12" single - and was a bonus track on all the recent CD reissues of their second album On Fire.

Joy Division - Ceremony - live version from Still recorded at their final concert at High Hall, Birmingham University on 2 May 1980. (play on YouTube)

Joy Division - Ceremony - studio session on 14 May 1980, four days before Curtis's suicide. It was the band's last recording. (play on YouTube)

Joy Division - Ceremony - recorded at the soundcheck at High Hall, Birmingham University on the afternoon of 2 May 1980. (play on YouTube)

New Order - Ceremony - In March 1981, the first version of (play on YouTube)

New Order - Ceremony - In September 1981, (play on YouTube)

Galaxie 500 - Ceremony - from the Blue Thunder 12"

Galaxie 500 - Ceremony - live at Club Lingerie, 1990 (play on YouTube)

Galaxie 500 - Ceremony (demo)

See all posts in the Originals series