Atmosphere – English Lyrics

• By: Joy Division

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the profound emotional landscape of Joy Division's "Atmosphere." This iconic post-punk track offers a unique opportunity to explore English through its hauntingly beautiful lyrics and the distinct vocal delivery of Ian Curtis. The song's evocative imagery and the way it conveys deep, universal feelings of sorrow and introspection make it a compelling piece for understanding nuanced expression in English, while its sparse arrangement allows for clear focus on the lyrical narrative and emotional depth. What makes this song special is its ability to communicate profound human experience with remarkable subtlety and power, leaving a lasting impression on listeners worldwide.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
walk /wɔːk/ A1	verb - to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn noun - an act of traveling or an excursion on foot
silence /ˈsaɪləns/ B1	noun - the state of not speaking or making noise
danger /ˈdeɪndʒər/ B1	noun - the possibility of suffering harm or injury
endless /ˈendləs/ B2	adjective - having or seeming to have no end
talking /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/ A2	noun - the activity of expressing ideas by means of speech
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death
rebuilding /riːˈbɪldɪŋ/ B2	noun - The act of building again.
turn /tɜːrn/ A2	verb - move in a circular direction wholly or partly around an axis or point
confusion /kənˈfjuːʒən/ B2	noun - lack of understanding; uncertainty
illusion /ɪˈluːʒən/ C1	noun - an instance of a wrong or misinterpreted perception of a sensory experience
worn /wɔːrn/ B1	verb - past participle of wear
mask /mæsk/ B1	noun - a covering for all or part of the face, worn as a disguise, or for protection.
hate /heɪt/ A2	noun - intense dislike; ill will
confronts /kənˈfrʌnts/ B2	verb - face (someone) with something; present something to (someone)
naked /ˈneɪkɪd/ B1	adjective - without clothing
hunting /ˈhʌntɪŋ/ B1	noun - The activity of hunting
abandoned /əˈbændənd/ B2	adjective - having been deserted or cast off
care /keər/ A2	noun - the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something

Key Grammar Structures

• Walk in silence

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ This is a direct command. The verb "walk" is used in its base form to tell someone to perform the action. It implies a strong request or order.

• Don't walk away, in silence

  ➔ Negative Imperative

  ➔ The use of "Don't" + base verb forms a negative command. It tells someone not to perform an action. The phrase "walk away" is a phrasal verb indicating departing or leaving.

• Your confusion, My illusion

  ➔ Possessive Adjectives

  ➔ "Your" and "My" are possessive adjectives that modify the nouns "confusion" and "illusion" respectively, indicating to whom the confusion and illusion belong. The lack of a verb here creates a sense of fragmentation and incompleteness.

• Worn like a mask of self-hate

  ➔ Past Participle as adjective and simile

  ➔ "Worn" (past participle of 'wear') acts as an adjective describing something. The phrase "like a mask of self-hate" is a simile, comparing the 'worn' entity to a mask of self-hate. It expresses a hidden or concealed feeling.

• People like you find it easy

  ➔ Complex Sentence Structure with a Relative Clause

  ➔ "People like you" is the subject. "like you" functions as a post-modifier (a type of relative clause where the relative pronoun is omitted: People *who are* like you). "find it easy" is the predicate. 'It' is a dummy pronoun, it refers to a situation which could be clarified in other lyrics.

• Walking on air

  ➔ Present Participle Phrase acting as an adverbial of manner

  ➔ "Walking on air" is a present participle phrase. It describes the manner in which something is being done, expressing a feeling of lightness, elation or surrealism.

• Every corner abandoned too soon

  ➔ Past Participle as a reduced relative clause

  ➔ "abandoned too soon" acts as a post-modifier for "Every corner." The full relative clause would be "Every corner which was abandoned too soon". The past participle "abandoned" describes the state of the corner.