Thieves Like Us (song)

"Thieves Like Us" is a single by British group New Order, released in April 1984 by Factory Records, catalogue number FAC 103. It is named after the 1974 film Thieves Like Us, directed by Robert Altman. Bernard Sumner stated during a TV interview in 1984 that the song title was suggested by John "Jellybean" Benitez (an associate of the song's co-writer, Arthur Baker).[2]

"Thieves Like Us"
Single by New Order
B-side"Lonesome Tonight"
ReleasedApril 1984
RecordedDecember 1983
GenreSynthpop, new wave
Length6:36
LabelFactory - FAC 103
Songwriter(s)Arthur Baker, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Bernard Sumner[1]
Producer(s)New Order
New Order singles chronology
"Confusion"
(1983)		 "Thieves Like Us"
(1984)		 "Murder"
(1984)
Audio
"Thieves Like Us" on YouTube

The B-side was "Lonesome Tonight". Both tracks appear on the group's 1987 Substance compilation, and on the 2008 Collectors Edition of Power, Corruption & Lies, as well as the extended instrumental version of Thieves Like Us (originally the B-side to "Murder").

Like many of their releases, the record was produced by the band, although "Thieves Like Us" was co-written by Arthur Baker during the New York sessions for "Confusion".

An instrumental of the track was featured in the 1986 movie Pretty in Pink.

The single's cover design by Peter Saville was based on a 'metaphysical' painting by Giorgio de Chirico[3] and the 19th century English board game The New and Fashionable Game of the Jew. It forms a set with their next single, "Murder".

Track listing

All tracks are written by Arthur Baker, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner; except where indicated.

12": FAC 103 (UK)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Thieves Like Us" 6:36
2."Lonesome Tonight"Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner5:11
7": FAC 103 (UK Promo)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Thieves Like Us" 3:54
2."Lonesome Tonight"Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner3:52
7": Tonpress S-534 (Poland)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Blue Monday"Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner7:29
2."Thieves Like Us" 6:36
  • Released in Poland under licence of Factory Records, 1985

Chart positions
Chart (1984-1985) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart[4] 84
Irish Singles Chart 5
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart 14
UK Singles Chart 18
UK Indie Singles 1

References
  1. ASCAP entry
  2. Pop Elktra. Belgium TV. 28-5-1984
  3. Poynor, Rick No more rules: graphic design and postmodernism p.78
  4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, NSW, Australia: Australian Chart Book. p. 215. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

3. Sumner, Bernard. Pop Elektron. Belgium TV. 28-5-1984.

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