Roots of a Classic

New Order's "Blue Monday" is the best selling 12 inch of all time. It's a sequencer-fueled, sample-rich classic -- belonging in equal measure to dance clubs and alternative radio. And I'm learning more about the roots of this classic track.

First, check out Donna Summer's "Our Love" (and the great dancing in this video) -- New Order borrowed the beat wholesale.

Next, some arrangement from Italian club hit "Dirty Talk" by Klein & MBO.

Add a sample from Kraftwerk's "Uranium" (listen for that droning sound)

Finally, as James Nice puts it in his very thorough book about Factory Records Shadowplayers, the "grove and bassline" from "(You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real" by Sylvester. And who says disco is dead?

Oh yeah, add acid. Which Bernard Sumner says the band was out of their heads on when they wrote "Blue Monday". Either way, the result is undeniable: A track that -- three decades on -- has stood the test of time.