I agree with nswnsn in that I think this is a wisftul, sadly nostalgic, elliptic song about a past love in a past era. But for what it's worth, Noel Murray at AV Club says it's Britt Daniels paying homage to Factory Records. Factory was the home of Joy Division/New Order, Happy Mondays, etc. I don't the song sonically sounds like it's paying homage to Factory, so maybe it's in the lyrics. Haven't seen "24 Hour Party People," which is about Factory Records, either.
I agree with nswnsn in that I think this is a wisftul, sadly nostalgic, elliptic song about a past love in a past era. But for what it's worth, Noel Murray at AV Club says it's Britt Daniels paying homage to Factory Records. Factory was the home of Joy Division/New Order, Happy Mondays, etc. I don't the song sonically sounds like it's paying homage to Factory, so maybe it's in the lyrics. Haven't seen "24 Hour Party People," which is about Factory Records, either.