| Sub-culture | |
| Cover: | Sub-culture 12 Inch Vinyl Cover - New Order.jpeg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | New Order |
| Album: | Low-Life |
| Released: | 28 October 1985 |
| B-Side: | Dub-vulture |
| Genre: | |
| Length: | 4:58 (Album version) 7:26 (12" remix) 3:28 (7-inch version) 4:48 (Substance 1987 version) |
| Label: | Factory - FAC 133 |
| Producer: | New Order |
| Prev Title: | The Perfect Kiss |
| Prev Year: | 1985 |
| Next Title: | Shellshock |
| Next Year: | 1986 |
"Sub-culture" is the tenth single by English rock band New Order. It was released as the second and final single from their third studio album, Low-Life (1985) on 28 October 1985 by Factory Records.
The single release, remixed by John Robie, is a drastic departure from the album version of the track. Robie's 12" and 7" single mixes feature more club-oriented, electronic instrumentation and prominent soulful female backing vocals.
The B-side is an instrumental remix titled "Dub-vulture". An alternate seven-inch edit of the Robie remix taken from the Benelux version of the "Sub-culture" single appears on the group's 1987 compilation, Substance. This version also appears on the US 12" alongside the longer mixes.
A collection of Razormaid remixes of the track were released in 1986, which include additional vocals by Deborah Iyall of Romeo Void.[3]
Making use of the word shaft with its possible sexual connotations, the song seems to be about sexual rejection, loneliness and alienation in an urban environment.
"Sub-culture" has only a regular black sleeve, as graphic designer Peter Saville reportedly deemed the mix of the song unworthy of his talents.[4] Saville's input was present only in a P/S/A (Peter Saville Associates) credit for typography.[5] However this rumour was debunked in 2017 when Saville stated, "I never had the authority to say that there shouldn't be a sleeve. No, all I can presume is that one was not asked for."[6]
| Chart (1985) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart[7] | 29 | |
| UK Singles Chart[8] | 63 | |
| UK Independent Singles Chart[9] | 1 | |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[10] | 35 | |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales | 18 |