"Confusion" is the sixth single by British group New Order, originally released in August 1983 on Factory Records with the catalogue number FAC 93.[5][note 1] The follow-up to their breakthrough hit "Blue Monday", it was produced and co-written by influential New York DJ Arthur Baker, charting at No. 1 on the UK Indie Chart, No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart and the top 10 in Ireland and New Zealand, as well as reaching No. 5 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs.
The song was recorded in New York with producer Arthur Baker. Three remixes served as B-sides on the initial 12" release: "Confused Beats", "Confusion Instrumental" and "Confusion Rough Mix". The two tracks on side A ("Confusion" and "Confused Beats") are mixed together, which when played in sequence, act as a thirteen and half minute long remix by Arthur Baker. The "Rough Mix" on side B is the original song mixed by New Order.[citation needed]
The video for the single features live footage of the band in concert, intercut with images of nightlife in New York City, specifically at the "Fun House", and producer Arthur Baker and DJ John "Jellybean" Benitez at work.
An edit of the Rough Mix represents the single on the 2005 compilation Singles. A re-recorded "Confusion" as well as the original "Confusion Instrumental" appear on the group's 1987 Substance release. The track reappeared on the 1995 remix collection The Rest of New Order as an acid techno remix by Pump Panel, which was used in 1998 as part of the soundtrack for the film Blade. Samples from The Pump Panel remix are featured on the tracks "Operation Blade (Bass in the Place)" by Public Domain, "Play It Louder" by Randy Katana and "Phatt Bass" by Warp Bros and Aquagen. The 2016 re-release of Singles includes the promo 7" edit of "Confusion".[6]
Considered a disappointing follow-up to "Blue Monday" upon its release, the song has retrospectively gained critical acclaim.[3]
All tracks are written by Arthur Baker, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner; except where indicated