New Order appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night, performing “Love Vigilantes” on the broadcast and “Regret” as a web exclusive.

While any mention of New Order is bound to bring “Blue Monday,” “Bizarre Love Triangle,” and “True Faith” to mind first, let’s follow the band’s lead and not forget “Regret.” The lead single from 1993’s Republic (what is now mid-period New Order) absolutely deserves classic status.

“To my mind, ‘Regret’ was the last great New Order song,” ex-bassist Peter Hook said in an MTV interview earlier this year. “You could tell it was a different feel [from our earlier music, but] it’s such a great tune … and a great guitar riff.”

“Regret” spent six weeks at #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart, an impressive run that began on May 1, 1993. It’s also New Order’s highest charting song on the Hot 100, peaking at #28 20 years ago this month.

Bernard Sumner may sing there’s nothing he regrets, but I’ve got one as it relates to New Order. I wish I hadn’t missed out on their concert date last fall. I’ve never seen the band live, and while they’re back on tour in the U.S. ahead of their Lollapalooza appearance in two weeks, they’ve skipped the Bay Area this time through.

Purchase New Order – “Regret” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.