Vanishing Point by: New Order
 
                         Grow up children, don't you suffer
                         At the hands of one another
                         If you like a sleeping demon
                         Listen can you hear him weeping?
                         Tears of joy and tears of sorrow
                         He buys love to sell tomorrow
 
                         My life ain't no holiday
                         I've been through the point of no return
                         I've seen what a man can do
                         I've seen all the hate of a woman too
 
                         Feel your heartbeat lose the rhythm
                         He can't touch the world we live in
                         Life is short but love is strong
                         There lies a hope that I have found
                         And if you try you'll find it, too
                         Remember why I'm telling you
 
                         My life ain't no holiday
                         I've been through the point of no return
                         I've seen what a man can do
                         I've seen all the hate of a woman too
 
                         And they gave him away
                         Let him whistle downwind
                         By the look on his face
                         He never gave in

 

 Vanishing Point , is a masterful warning against love, yet somehow, it advocates it. As the first stanza breaks, a direct warning is issued , warning children about the affects of love and not to be advocates of it. Bernard Sumner (lead singer of New Order), relates recieving love to a "sleeping demon", perhaps because love often possesses its victim and causes them to act abnormally. The demon is a sleeping one or passive , in that it inflicts love but does not warn or help a person once they have broken by love. The demon buys and sells love, like a meaningless object. It does not have regard for its own product. The main chorus is a reflection or the consequence of Sumner's life after love. He can't recover from the devastation of realizing the inherent evil of man and womans' hearts. Most likely, inspired by rejection or a series of horrible break-ups. In the second stanza, it refers to the positive aspect of love by asking the audience to notice the heart losing its rhythm, or the excitement love can cause. The demon , then is recalled, as the author claims that their (he and his lover) love is safe from the demon. He acknowledges that the demon is immortal, but that love is also, and thus love can override the pain. He urges the audience or the children to remember this. The song leaves us with an uneasy , unoptimistic feeling, as he talks about the demon. The love he gives is given away, and the pain with it, and the demon never relents. The pain always comes with his gift of love.  The title might suggest the time when love vanishes and pain resumes. This pain , then can only be healed by love, therefore pain of love is always vanishing in the presence of its opposite.  I had considerable difficulty analyzing this song, and called in some good friends to help me out. I would like to thank Tom and Ryan. This song was requested by Tom, being his favorite New Order song ( I think he relates in many ways). Ryan helped me pick apart                                       the demon and his intentions. Thank you , Tom and Ryan.
 
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