Nineteen63
Encyclopedia
"Nineteen63" or "1963" is a track by British dance/rock group New Order
. It was originally released as a B-side
to "True Faith" in 1987 and appeared on the Substance
compilation of the same year. It was then released as a single in January 1995, in a radio mix by Arthur Baker
.
"Nineteen63"'s B-sides were all remixes of the title track or songs previously released.
, the song is about the JFK assassination, which occurred in 1963. In the song, Sumner sings from the point of view of Jackie Kennedy, and theorises that John F. Kennedy
(a devout Catholic for whom divorce was unthinkable) paid the mobster Jack Ruby
to arrange for a hitman to take out his wife so that he could continue his relationship with actress Marilyn Monroe
. It further theorises that Monroe committed suicide
when she found out that the hired gun, Lee Harvey Oswald
, had hit the wrong target. Oswald was, according to Sumner, then in turn assassinated by Ruby for causing his hitman
business to go bust.
Sumner's theory is unlikely to be intended seriously, given that Marilyn Monroe died in 1962, over a year before the assassination took place.
The producer Stephen Hague
has referred to the song as "the only song about domestic violence you can dance to".
has nothing to do with JFK; it depicts British comic actress Jane Horrocks
waking up in a box in the countryside and hitch-hiking to the city. Jane's suitcase becomes bigger in each camera take.
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
. It was originally released as a B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
to "True Faith" in 1987 and appeared on the Substance
Substance 1987
-Chart positions:...
compilation of the same year. It was then released as a single in January 1995, in a radio mix by Arthur Baker
Arthur Baker (musician)
Arthur Baker is an American record producer and DJ best known for his work with hip hop artists like Afrika Bambaataa, Planet Patrol, and the British group New Order.-Early career:...
.
"Nineteen63"'s B-sides were all remixes of the title track or songs previously released.
Lyrics
According to the band's lyricist, Bernard SumnerBernard Sumner
Bernard Sumner , also known as Bernard Dickin, Bernard Dicken and Bernard Albrecht is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and producer....
, the song is about the JFK assassination, which occurred in 1963. In the song, Sumner sings from the point of view of Jackie Kennedy, and theorises that John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
(a devout Catholic for whom divorce was unthinkable) paid the mobster Jack Ruby
Jack Ruby
Jacob Leon Rubenstein , who legally changed his name to Jack Leon Ruby in 1947, was convicted of the November 24, 1963 murder of Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of President John F. Kennedy. Ruby, who was originally from Chicago, Illinois, was then a nightclub operator in Dallas, Texas...
to arrange for a hitman to take out his wife so that he could continue his relationship with actress Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
. It further theorises that Monroe committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
when she found out that the hired gun, Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald was, according to four government investigations,These were investigations by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Warren Commission , the House Select Committee on Assassinations , and the Dallas Police Department. the sniper who assassinated John F...
, had hit the wrong target. Oswald was, according to Sumner, then in turn assassinated by Ruby for causing his hitman
Hitman
A hitman is a person hired to kill another person.- Hitmen in organized crime :Hitmen are largely linked to the world of organized crime. Hitmen are hired people who kill people for money. Notable examples include Murder, Inc., Mafia hitmen and Richard Kuklinski.- Other cases involving hitmen...
business to go bust.
Sumner's theory is unlikely to be intended seriously, given that Marilyn Monroe died in 1962, over a year before the assassination took place.
The producer Stephen Hague
Stephen Hague
Stephen Hague is an American music producer most active with various British acts in the 1980s. He was an influential figure in the synthpop movement.-Early career:...
has referred to the song as "the only song about domestic violence you can dance to".
Versions
The original 1987 version ended in a fade-out while repeating the last line of the outro, "I will always feel for you". The "94 album mix", also included on the international edition of (The Best of) New Order as "1963-94", had all new orchestration and is similar in structure to the original version, except that the outro is removed and replaced with a repeat of the final bridge and chorus, faded out. The 1995 Arthur Baker remix restores the original outro, and, instead of fading out, has a cold ending after four repeats of the last line.Music video
The video for the single's release, directed by Michael ShambergMichael Shamberg
Michael Shamberg is an American former Time-Life correspondent and current film producer.-Life and career:His credits include Erin Brockovich, A Fish Called Wanda, Garden State, Gattaca, Pulp Fiction and The Big Chill...
has nothing to do with JFK; it depicts British comic actress Jane Horrocks
Jane Horrocks
Barbara Jane Horrocks is an English voice, stage, screen and television actress, voice artist, musician, and singer. She is best known for her role as "Bubble" in the TV series Absolutely Fabulous as well as her distinctive voice....
waking up in a box in the countryside and hitch-hiking to the city. Jane's suitcase becomes bigger in each camera take.
UK CD1 - NUOCD6
- "1963" (95 Arthur BakerArthur Baker (musician)Arthur Baker is an American record producer and DJ best known for his work with hip hop artists like Afrika Bambaataa, Planet Patrol, and the British group New Order.-Early career:...
Radio remix) – 4:04 - "1963" (94 Album mix) – 3:47
- "1963" (LionrockLionrockLionrock was a British big beat group, comprising record producer Justin Robertson, MC Buzz B, and Roger Lyons. Lyons replaced recording engineer Mark Stagg in 1995...
Full Throttle mix) – 7:50 - "1963" (Joe T. Vanelli Dubby mix)" – 7:13
UK CD2 - NUCDP6
- "1963" (95 Arthur Baker remix) – 5:05
- "Let's Go" – 3:56
- "Spooky" (Night Stripper mix) – 7:03
- "True Faith" (Shep PettiboneShep PettiboneRobert E. Pettibone, Jr. is a record producer, remixer, songwriter and club DJ, one of the most prolific of the 1980s. His earliest work known to the public was for one of New York City's top disco/dance radio stations, WRKS 98.7 "Kiss" FM, and later as remixer/producer for the disco label Salsoul...
'87 mix) – 9:02
UK 12" - NUOX6
- "1963" (Joe T. Vanelli Dubby mix) – 7:13
- "1963" (Joe T. Vanelli Light mix) – 8:59
- "1963" (Lionrock Full Throttle mix) – 7:50
- "1963" (Lionrock M6 Sunday Morning mix) – 6:25
Chart positions
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
21 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
29 |