"Thieves Like Us" is a single by British group New Order, released in April 1984 by Factory Records. It is named after the 1974 film Thieves Like Us, directed by Robert Altman. Bernard Sumner states 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]
The B-side was "Lonesome Tonight" and the catalogue number FAC 103. 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]
Track listing[edit][]
All songs written and composed by Arthur Baker, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner; except where indicated.
| 12": FAC 103 (UK) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |||||||
| 1. | "Thieves Like Us" | 6:36 | ||||||||
| 2. | "Lonesome Tonight" | Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner | 5:11 | |||||||
| 7": FAC 103 (UK) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |||||||
| 1. | "Thieves Like Us" | 3:54 | ||||||||
| 2. | "Lonesome Tonight" | Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner | 3:52 | |||||||
| 7": Tonpress S-534 (Poland) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |||||||
| 1. | "Blue Monday" | Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner | 7:29 | |||||||
| 2. | "Thieves Like Us" | 6:36 | ||||||||
- Released in Poland under license of Factory Records, 1985
Chart positions[edit][]
| Chart (1984) | Peak
position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 84 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 5 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart | 14 |
| UK Singles Chart | 18 |
| UK Indie Singles | 1 |