Atmosphere

An early version called Chance was recorded for a Manchester radio session in June 1979. The final Atmosphere was recorded in October 1979 with Hannett at Cargo Studios in Rochdale. Sumner played a Woolworth's reed organ and a Solina String Ensemble. Morris said the shimmering sound came from hitting a tambourine balanced on a pair of scissors and putting the result through effects including delay.

The French label Sordide Sentimental released it on 18 March 1980 as a 7-inch titled Licht und Blindheit, limited to 1578 copies with Dead Souls on the B-side. John Peel first played it on 11 March 1980. Factory issued it as a 12-inch in September 1980 with She's Lost Control on the other side. It reached number 1 in New Zealand in August 1981, and a 1988 reissue reached number 34 on the UK Singles Chart, with a video directed by Anton Corbijn.

NME voted it number 1 in its 2009 list of the 20 greatest goth tracks. It was played at Tony Wilson's funeral and is used in 24 Hour Party People and at the end of Control. Hook counts it among the band's greatest songs.