Top 50 Best Songs by New Order
-
Aug 03, 2026
-
By Learn How To Be a DJ
-
DJ Playlist Ideas
-
7 min read
Top 50 Best Songs by New Order
New Order are one of the most influential and commercially successful British bands of the modern era. Emerging from the ashes of Joy Division in 1980 following the death of Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and later Gillian Gilbert created a sound that blended post punk, electronic music, synth pop and dance music into something entirely new. Their innovative approach transformed alternative music while simultaneously influencing club culture, electronic dance music and generations of DJs and producers.
Unlike many bands of their era, New Order achieved success across multiple genres. Their records regularly appeared in both mainstream singles charts and specialist dance charts, becoming favourites in clubs throughout Europe, North America and beyond. Their catalogue remains one of the most played in clubs, on radio and across streaming platforms.
The following list brings together New Order’s fifty most commercially significant and best known official songs based on a combination of worldwide sales, UK and international chart performance, enduring popularity, certifications, streaming success and historical impact. While exact worldwide sales figures are not available for every release, the ordering reflects the broad industry consensus regarding the band’s biggest commercial and cultural songs.
Every title below represents an official commercial release. Release dates refer to the original commercial issue, while record labels reflect the original label that first released each recording. Reissues, remixes, promotional releases and live recordings have intentionally been excluded to maintain historical accuracy.
For DJs, collectors, journalists and music historians, New Order’s singles catalogue represents one of the finest examples of how electronic music crossed into mainstream popular culture. Tracks such as Blue Monday, Bizarre Love Triangle, True Faith and Regret remain dance floor staples more than four decades after their original release. Their music has been sampled extensively, covered by countless artists and continues to inspire producers working across house, techno, synth pop, indie dance and electronic music.
Whether you are discovering New Order for the first time or expanding your DJ collection, these records remain essential listening and continue to demonstrate why the band are regarded as pioneers of modern electronic music.
| No. | Track | Featured Artist(s) | Original Release Date | Original Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Monday | None | 7 March 1983 | Factory Records |
| 2 | True Faith | None | 20 July 1987 | Factory Records |
| 3 | Bizarre Love Triangle | None | 10 November 1986 | Factory Records |
| 4 | Regret | None | 5 April 1993 | London Records |
| 5 | Temptation | None | 10 May 1982 | Factory Records |
| 6 | World in Motion | EnglandNewOrder | 21 May 1990 | Factory Records |
| 7 | Confusion | None | August 1983 | Factory Records |
| 8 | Thieves Like Us | None | 30 April 1984 | Factory Records |
| 9 | The Perfect Kiss | None | 13 May 1985 | Factory Records |
| 10 | Shellshock | None | March 1986 | Factory Records |
| 11 | Fine Time | None | 13 November 1988 | Factory Records |
| 12 | Round & Round | None | 28 February 1989 | Factory Records |
| 13 | Crystal | None | 27 August 2001 | London Records |
| 14 | Krafty | None | 7 March 2005 | London Records |
| 15 | Ceremony | None | 6 March 1981 | Factory Records |
| 16 | Age of Consent | None | 1983 | Factory Records |
| 17 | Everything’s Gone Green | None | 13 December 1981 | Factory Records |
| 18 | Run 2 | None | 17 August 1989 | Factory Records |
| 19 | 1963 | None | 9 January 1995 | London Records |
| 20 | Touched by the Hand of God | None | 7 December 1987 | Factory Records |
| 21 | State of the Nation | None | 28 September 1986 | Factory Records |
| 22 | Here to Stay | None | 28 April 2002 | London Records |
| 23 | Waiting for the Sirens’ Call | None | 28 March 2005 | London Records |
| 24 | Restless | None | 17 August 2015 | Mute Records |
| 25 | Singularity | None | 18 May 2015 | Mute Records |
| 26 | Tutti Frutti | None | 11 December 2015 | Mute Records |
| 27 | Be a Rebel | None | 8 September 2020 | Mute Records |
| 28 | Ruined in a Day | None | 21 June 1993 | London Records |
| 29 | World | None | 1993 | London Records |
| 30 | Spooky | None | 6 February 1995 | London Records |
| 31 | Jetstream | Ana Matronic | 16 May 2005 | London Records |
| 32 | Academic | None | 2013 | Rhino Records |
| 33 | Plastic | None | 2 October 2015 | Mute Records |
| 34 | People on the High Line | None | 2016 | Mute Records |
| 35 | Love Vigilantes | None | 1985 | Factory Records |
| 36 | Vanishing Point | None | 1995 | London Records |
| 37 | Brutal | None | 2001 | London Records |
| 38 | Run Wild | None | 2001 | London Records |
| 39 | Turn | None | 2005 | London Records |
| 40 | I’ll Stay with You | None | 2005 | London Records |
| 41 | Hellbent | None | 2005 | London Records |
| 42 | Someone Like You | None | 2001 | London Records |
| 43 | Sunrise | None | 1983 | Factory Records |
| 44 | Dream Attack | None | 1989 | Factory Records |
| 45 | As It Is When It Was | None | 1986 | Factory Records |
| 46 | Sub Culture | None | 1985 | Factory Records |
| 47 | Lonesome Tonight | None | 1985 | Factory Records |
| 48 | Procession | None | 29 September 1981 | Factory Records |
| 49 | Murder | None | 1984 | Factory Records |
| 50 | Everything’s Gone Green (Original Single) | None | 1981 | Factory Records |
Why These Records Belong in Every DJ Collection
New Order occupy a unique position in music history by successfully bridging rock and electronic dance music. Their records helped define the sound of the 1980s while remaining hugely influential in clubs decades later.
Blue Monday remains the biggest selling 12 inch single of all time and continues to fill dance floors worldwide. Bizarre Love Triangle, True Faith, Temptation, Confusion and Regret are equally timeless, regularly appearing in club nights ranging from indie and alternative through to house, disco and electronic music events.
Arthur Baker’s production work on Confusion helped connect New Order with the emerging New York electro scene, while Blue Monday became one of the defining records that inspired house music in Chicago and techno in Detroit.
Their music has been remixed by many of the world’s leading producers and sampled countless times, making their catalogue essential listening for DJs, producers and anyone interested in dance music history.
A Brief History of New Order
New Order were formed in Manchester in 1980 after the end of Joy Division. Rather than continue in the same musical direction, the group embraced synthesisers, drum machines and sequencers alongside traditional rock instrumentation.
Working closely with Factory Records and producer Martin Hannett during their early years, before developing their own production style, they became pioneers of electronic alternative music. Their association with Manchester’s legendary Hacienda nightclub further cemented their role in shaping British club culture.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s they released a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful singles that crossed over into mainstream charts while maintaining underground credibility.
Today, New Order continue to perform internationally and remain one of Britain’s most respected live acts.
10 Fun Facts About New Order
- Blue Monday is widely recognised as the best selling 12 inch single ever released.
- The famous floppy disk sleeve for Blue Monday was designed by Peter Saville.
- Factory Records reportedly lost money on every original copy of Blue Monday because of the expensive packaging.
- New Order were formed immediately after Joy Division ended in 1980.
- The band were closely associated with Manchester’s legendary Hacienda nightclub.
- Arthur Baker produced the influential dance classic Confusion.
- World in Motion reached Number One in the UK Singles Chart during the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
- Gillian Gilbert became one of electronic music’s most influential female keyboard players.
- New Order have influenced artists across synth pop, house, techno, indie rock and EDM.
- Their catalogue remains one of the most sampled and remixed in electronic music history.
Learn How to Become a DJ
If listening to New Order has inspired you to start mixing music yourself, there has never been a better time to learn. Understanding how legendary artists structured their songs, built energy and created unforgettable dance floor moments is an excellent foundation for developing your own DJ skills.
Whether you want to DJ at home, perform in clubs, play weddings, host parties or build a professional career, learning the fundamentals properly can dramatically accelerate your progress.
The comprehensive <a href=”https://www.learnhowtobeadj.com/”>How to Become a DJ</a> guide covers everything beginners need to know, including choosing your first DJ equipment, beatmatching, mixing techniques, reading a crowd, creating playlists, building confidence behind the decks and taking your first steps towards paid DJ gigs. It is designed to help aspiring DJs avoid common mistakes while learning the skills used by experienced professionals.