[2] Ned Raggett of AllMusic described it as "one of the least likely opening songs from any album—even if the core chorus from Ian Curtis is 'This is the way, step inside'".
[3] The song was originally recorded at Pennine Studios for a Piccadilly Radio Session on 4 June 1979.
Hook said that the track was mixed on one of his days off, and when he heard the final product was disappointed that the abrasiveness of his guitar part had been laden with effects and toned down.
Unknown Pleasures number two ... Martin [Hannett] had fucking melted the guitar with his Marshall Time Waster.
[6] The track, especially Stephen Morris's tribal drum pattern, seems influenced by krautrock band Can.