‘Power, Corruption and Lies’: the true story behind the title of New Order’s most mysterious album

New Order’s 1983 album *Power, Corruption and Lies* marked a deeper move into electronic music and helped establish the sound that would become central to the band. Its title has often been read as a political statement about Thatcher-era Britain, but Stephen Morris said it came from a description on the back of George Orwell’s *1984*, which Peter Hook was reading.

The article says the title’s origins were less mysterious than fan theories suggested, including a story about a visit to a German art gallery, which Morris dismissed. It argues that the album’s darker tone reflected the unsettled period around the band’s transition from Joy Division, while its music also offered listeners a sense of hope and helped New Order find their way towards dance.