Decades

Joy Division's song 'Decades' is a haunting exploration of the burdens and traumas carried by young men. The opening lines, 'Here are the young men, a weight on their shoulders,' immediately set a somber tone, suggesting that these individuals are grappling with heavy emotional and psychological burdens. The repeated question, 'Where have they been?' implies a sense of lost time and missed opportunities, as if these young men have been through experiences that have fundamentally changed them.

The lyrics delve into themes of suffering and degeneration, with lines like 'We knocked on doors of hell's darker chambers' and 'Portrayal of the traumas and degeneration.' These phrases evoke a sense of having faced extreme hardships and emotional turmoil. The imagery of 'hell's darker chambers' suggests a journey into the depths of despair, while 'traumas and degeneration' highlight the lasting impact of these experiences. The song paints a picture of young men who have been pushed to their limits and have emerged scarred and weary.

The chorus, with its repeated questioning of 'Where have they been?' serves as a poignant reminder of the lost innocence and the irreversible changes that have taken place. The final verse, 'Weary inside, now our hearts lost forever,' encapsulates the sense of hopelessness and emotional exhaustion. The rituals mentioned in the lyrics symbolize the repetitive and often futile attempts to find meaning or escape from their suffering. The door that 'opened and shut, then slammed in our face' represents the fleeting opportunities and the harsh realities that these young men face. Overall, 'Decades' is a powerful reflection on the struggles and disillusionment of youth, capturing the essence of a generation marked by its traumas and losses.