Messages (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark song)

Last updated

"Messages"
OMD - Messages single picture cover.jpg
Sleeve of the UK 7-inch single
Single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
from the album Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
B-side
Released2 May 1980 (1980-05-02)
RecordedAdvision, London
Genre
Length3:59 (7" version)
4:06 (album version)
4:41 (10" version)
Label Dindisc
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Mike Howlett
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark singles chronology
"Red Frame/White Light"
(1980)
"Messages"
(1980)
"Enola Gay"
(1980)
Music video
"Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Messages" on YouTube

"Messages" is a song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) from their self-titled debut studio album (1980). A re-recorded version of the song was released on 2 May 1980 as the album's third and final single, reaching number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming OMD's first top-40 entry. [1] As with their debut single "Electricity", "Messages" features a melodic synth break instead of a sung chorus. [2]

Contents

Background

Most copies of the original 10-inch pressing with the album version were scrapped on behalf of the band (because they wanted to rerecord the song), but a handful did escape destruction. Some of these were given away as part of a competition for the OMD fan club in 1980. These pressings can be distinguished only by the shorter track time and different runout information.

The later grey two-tone labels incorrectly state the producer as Chester Valentino. Mike Howlett is the producer, as the track was remixed and times at 4:48 – later editions again feature grey labels correctly attributed to Howlett and were also issued with different coloured record labels including red, green and a pink/white combination. These labels also correctly credit Howlett for the production.

Reception

In Smash Hits , Esmé Sprigg wrote that "Messages" displays OMD's "gentle touch and masterly restraint to maximum advantage. Interlocking melodic ideas, plaintive vocal, generally haunting stuff. While all the competition are slapping posterpaint everywhere, [OMD] work with watercolours." Sprigg also had praise for the single's cover artwork. [3] Boston Rock stated, "They think they're so slick, don't they? OMD came up with another winner in 'Messages'. It's snappy, electro-disco beat music with cool vocals." [4]

In 1981, Sunie Fletcher of Record Mirror described the song as a "mini-classic". [5] AllMusic's Ned Raggett later wrote that the track "wears the emotion of its lyrics on its sleeve, with a killer opening line – 'It worries me, this kind of thing, how you hope to live alone and occupy your waking hours' – and a melody both propulsive and fragile". [6] Critic Dave Thompson called the song "haunting" and "sublime", with a "gorgeous melody [that] is swallowed in sorrow". [7]

Legacy

"Messages" has been named as one of 1980's best singles. [8] [9] Classic Pop placed the song at no. 5 in both the "Top 20 Liverpudlian Singles of the 80s", and OMD's "Top 25 Tracks". [10] [11] In the latter piece, the magazine observed "one hell of a [synthesizer] melody", and lauded the lyric, "memories are uncertain friends". [11] "Messages" was voted by Electronic Sound readers as the 18th-greatest electronic song in history. [12]

Ricky Wilde, brother and collaborator of Kim Wilde, cited the "gorgeous" track – in particular its ostinato synthesizer riff – as a major influence during the composition of Kim's 1981 hit "Kids in America". [13] Scott Simon of Our Daughter's Wedding likened the opening riff of his band's "Lawnchairs" to that of "Messages", calling it "something of an homage". [14] Singer-songwriter Jane Weaver named "Messages" as an "amazing" track that was important to her musical development. [15] Author and former Die Krupps bassist, Rudi Esch, described the song as a "personal favourite", adding that it is "surely the UK's answer to [Kraftwerk's] 'Antenna'." [13]

"Messages" has been covered by artists including White Town [16] and Frost, [17] and was featured in the second series of crime drama Ashes to Ashes (2009). [18]

Song versions and B-sides

An early version of "Messages" was recorded on 20 August 1979 and broadcast by John Peel on his Radio 1 programme on 3 September. [19] Although the song structure and lyrics remained the same, the song originally had a slower tempo than either the single or album versions, the latter being the first to be officially released on the band's debut album in February 1980.

The song was re-recorded for the release as a single in May 1980 and this new version differs from the album version. The single was produced by Mike Howlett who would go on to produce the band's highly successful follow up single "Enola Gay" and their second album Organisation later in the year. The 7" version is slightly shorter than the 10" with an earlier fade out. The 10" version is featured on the compilation albums The Best of OMD (1988), The OMD Singles (1998) and Messages: Greatest Hits (2008), which takes its title from this song and also includes the music video. The 10" version was also added as a bonus track on the remastered Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark album, released in 2003.

An instrumental dub version of "Messages", titled "Taking Sides Again" is featured as the B-side on both the 7" and 10" singles. On the 10" single, a cover version of The Velvet Underground's song "I'm Waiting for the Man" was included, retitled "Waiting for the Man". Both B-sides can be found as bonus tracks on the remastered Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark; only "Waiting for the Man" was included on the Navigation: The OMD B-Sides compilation album, released in 2001.

Sleeve design

There are different sleeves for the 7" and 10". Both were designed by Peter Saville and Brett Wickens. The photography was done by Trevor Key and depicts a ballpoint pen by Parafernalia.

TV promotion and chart performance

The band performed the song live for a showcase appearance on the BBC music programme The Old Grey Whistle Test in May 1980. The performance was later featured in the Synth Britannia at the BBC programme following the Synth Britannia documentary first broadcast in October 2009. The group also made their Top of the Pops debut on 8 May 1980 when the single was at just no. 53 in the UK Singles Chart. Sheffield electronic music band The Human League also made their Top of the Pops debut on the same show. Although "Messages" made slow progress in the charts, the band made a second performance on the programme on 29 May when it was at no. 26 for the second week running. The single eventually made it to no. 13 but was not featured on Top of the Pops again due to the UK Musicians Union strike.

Live performances

The song has been regularly performed live by the band during concerts since 1979. Official audio releases can be found on Live at Leigh Rock Festival 1979 (released 2006), Access All Areas (1980 performance, CD/DVD released 2015), "Universal" CD single (1993 performance, released 1996), Dazzle Ships at The Museum of Liverpool (2014 performance, CD/DVD released 2015) and Architecture & Morality / Dazzle Ships – Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2016).

Video releases of live performances of "Messages" can be found on the DVDs OMD Live: Architecture & Morality & More (2007) and Electricity: OMD with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (2009) as well as on the Access All Areas and Dazzle Ships at The Museum of Liverpool DVDs.

The band performed their version of "Waiting For the Man" during live shows in 1979 and 1980, and later performed a radical reworking of the song featuring brass instruments on their Junk Culture tour in 1984. A recording of the latter version at the Hammersmith Odeon in London features on the 12" version of the "Never Turn Away" 12" single release in 1984.

Track listing

UK 7-inch single (DIN15)

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Messages" (7″ version)3:59
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Taking Sides Again"
  • Humphreys
  • McCluskey
4:19

UK 10-inch single (DIN15/10)

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Messages" (10″ version)
  • Humphreys
  • McCluskey
4:41
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Waiting for the Man" Lou Reed 2:54
2."Taking Sides Again"
  • Humphreys
  • McCluskey
4:19

Charts

Chart (1980)Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC) [1] 13
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [20]
with "Red Frame/White Light"
67

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark</span> English band

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) are an English electronic band formed on the Wirral, Merseyside, in 1978. The group consists of founding duo and principal songwriters Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, along with Martin Cooper and Stuart Kershaw (drums). Regarded as pioneers of electronic music, OMD combined an experimental, minimalist ethos with pop sensibilities, becoming key figures in the emergence of synth-pop; McCluskey and Humphreys also introduced the "synth duo" format to British popular music. In the United States, the band were an early presence in the MTV-driven Second British Invasion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy McCluskey</span> British singer, songwriter and bass guitarist

George Andrew McCluskey is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. He is best known as the lead singer and bass guitarist of the electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), which he founded alongside keyboard player Paul Humphreys in 1978: McCluskey has been the group's sole constant member. He has sold over 40 million records with OMD, and is regarded as a pioneer of electronic music in the UK. McCluskey is noted for his frenetic onstage "Trainee Teacher Dance".

<i>Architecture & Morality</i> 1981 studio album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Architecture & Morality is the third studio album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 6 November 1981 by Dindisc. Inspired by religious music, the group sought to broaden their musical palette by utilising elaborate choral samples, the Mellotron, and other new instruments to create a more naturalistic, emotive sound. The artwork was designed by longtime OMD collaborator Peter Saville, along with associate Brett Wickens, while its title was derived from the book Morality and Architecture by David Watkin.

<i>Organisation</i> (album) 1980 studio album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Organisation is the second studio album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 24 October 1980 by Dindisc. On Organisation the group worked with a producer for the first time, enlisting former Gong bass player Mike Howlett, while session musician Malcolm Holmes became the band's full-time drummer. The record is noted for its dark, melancholic tone in comparison to other OMD releases.

<i>Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark</i> (album) 1980 studio album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark is the debut studio album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 22 February 1980 by Dindisc. Recorded at the group's Liverpool studio, it showcased their minimal synth-pop style and peaked at number 27 on the UK Albums Chart. "Electricity" and "Red Frame/White Light" were released as singles; a re-recorded version of "Messages" provided OMD with their first hit in the UK, reaching number 13.

<i>Crush</i> (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark album) 1985 studio album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Crush is the sixth studio album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 17 June 1985 by Virgin Records. It is the first of two OMD studio albums to be produced by Stephen Hague. Aimed primarily at the US market, Crush is notable for moving the group towards a more polished sound, although elements of earlier experimentation are still present. During recording the band employed a greater use of organic instrumentation than in the past.

<i>Liberator</i> (album) 1993 studio album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Liberator is the ninth studio album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 14 June 1993 by Virgin. Recorded by OMD frontman Andy McCluskey along with musicians enlisted for the multi-million selling Sugar Tax (1991), the album ventures further into the dance-pop style explored by its predecessor.

<i>The Best of OMD</i> 1988 compilation album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

The Best of OMD is a compilation album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released in 1988; marking a decade since the band's beginnings. The record essentially delineates the group's experimental early years from their pop-oriented later work: side one features recordings from 1979 to 1984, while side two is drawn from the group's 1984–1988 efforts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electricity (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark song)</span> 1979 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Electricity" is the 1979 debut single by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), featured on their eponymous debut album the following year. Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys sing the lead vocals on the track together in unison. Recognised as one of the most influential singles of its era, "Electricity" was integral to the rise of the UK's synth-pop movement. It has garnered praise from music journalists and other recording artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enola Gay (song)</span> 1980 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Enola Gay" is an anti-war song by the English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), and the only single taken from their second studio album Organisation (1980). Written by lead vocalist and bassist Andy McCluskey, it addresses the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by the aircraft Enola Gay on 6 August 1945, toward the conclusion of World War II. As is typical of early OMD singles, the song features a melodic synthesizer break instead of a sung chorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walking on the Milky Way (song)</span> 1996 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Walking on the Milky Way" is a song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD). It was released as a single on 5 August 1996 and appeared on their Universal album a month later. The song reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the group's first UK top-20 hit in over five years, and their last UK top-40 single. The band were flanked by a full string orchestra for their Top of the Pops performance of the song broadcast on 16 August 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing on the Seven Seas</span> 1991 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Sailing on the Seven Seas" is a song by English electronic music band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 18 March 1991 by Virgin as the first single from their eighth studio album, Sugar Tax (1991). Along with 1981's "Souvenir", it is the band's highest-charting UK hit to date, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart. It also charted at number three in Austria and Sweden, number five in Ireland and number nine in Germany. The single was the first to be released by OMD without co-founder Paul Humphreys, who had left to form his own band the Listening Pool.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc)</span> 1982 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)" is a song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released in 1982 as the third single from their third studio album, Architecture & Morality. To prevent confusion with the group's previous single "Joan of Arc", the song was retitled "Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc)" for its single release. Both songs are about the French heroine Joan of Arc and both reached the Top 5 of the UK Singles Chart—although this release was more successful internationally, topping the charts in several countries including Germany, where it was the biggest-selling single of 1982. "Maid of Orleans" has sold four million copies worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Frame/White Light</span> 1980 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Red Frame/White Light" is the second single by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD). The song is about a red telephone box in Meols, on the Wirral peninsula in Merseyside, that was used by the group to make calls to organise their gigs in the late 1970s. The track is composed of two alternating major/minor sections, each built around a synthesizer hook. Lyrical content is minimal, comprising mostly brief, spoken word utterances. It was the band's first single to chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stand Above Me</span> 1993 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Stand Above Me" is a song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released by Virgin Records as the first single from their ninth album, Liberator (1993), and their 26th single overall. It was the last OMD single released on a 12-inch format before the group took a break in 1996. The next 12-inch to be released under the OMD name was "Metroland" in March 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Locomotion (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark song)</span> 1984 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Locomotion" is a song by the English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 2 April 1984 as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Junk Culture (1984). It was one of the band's biggest European hits, charting within the Top 5 in the UK, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands, while also peaking at No. 14 in Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Souvenir (song)</span> 1981 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Souvenir" is a song written by Paul Humphreys and Martin Cooper of English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), and released as the first single from the group's 1981 album Architecture & Morality. Sung by Humphreys, the track is characterised by its use of slowed-down choral loops, and showcases OMD's early approach of utilising a synthesizer hook in place of a vocal chorus. The song has garnered praise from critics and fellow artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genetic Engineering (song)</span> 1983 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Genetic Engineering" is a 1983 song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released as the first single from their fourth studio album Dazzle Ships. The synthesized speech featured on the track is taken from a Speak & Spell, an educational electronic toy developed by Texas Instruments in the 1970s intended to teach children spelling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tesla Girls</span> 1984 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Tesla Girls" is a song by the English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released as the third single from their fifth studio album, Junk Culture (1984). It peaked at No. 21 in the UK and Ireland, and No. 8 on the Dutch Top 40. Although only moderately successful on the charts, it became one of the group's biggest club hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreaming (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark song)</span> 1988 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Dreaming" is a song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark initially released in January 1988 as a single from their compilation album The Best of OMD.

References

  1. 1 2 "OMD: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  2. "Interview: Andy McCluskey, OMD". PRS for Music Online Magazine . 19 March 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013. Many of our songs use the synth melody as the chorus. There are verses but generally the melody is the chorus.
  3. Sprigg, Esmé (15–28 May 1980). "Singles". Smash Hits . Vol. 2, no. 10. pp. 30–31.
  4. "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: Messages". Boston Rock . July 1980. p. 41.
  5. Fletcher, Sunie (22 August 1981). "Singles". Record Mirror . p. 16.
  6. Ned Raggett (22 February 1980). "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  7. Dave Thompson. "Messages - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark | Song Info". AllMusic . Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  8. Canty, Ian (22 November 2019). "OMD: Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth – live review". Louder Than War . Retrieved 12 July 2024. 'Messages' [came] early in the set. It's just a great single, one of 1980's best.
  9. "Top 100 Songs of 1980: Slicing Up Eyeballs' Best of the '80s Redux — Part 1". Slicing Up Eyeballs . 10 February 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  10. Page, Barry (July–August 2023). "Top 20 Liverpudlian Singles of the 80s". Classic Pop . No. 82. pp. 68–71.
  11. 1 2 "OMD: Top 25 Tracks". Classic Pop . No. 4. May–June 2013. pp. 26–33.
  12. "The 100 Greatest Electronic Tracks of All Time". Electronic Sound. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  13. 1 2 Houghton, Richard (2019). OMD: Pretending to See the Future (expanded paperback ed.). This Day in Music Books. pp. 387–388 (Esch), 454 (Wilde). ISBN   978-1-9161156-2-0.
  14. Stone, Jools (10 November 2016). "Scott Simon 'Lawnchairs'". Electronic Sound. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  15. "Jane Weaver: The Musical Ups and Downs of My Life". Journeys in Sound. 16 May 2024. BBC Radio 6 Music. British Broadcasting Corporation.
  16. Grant, Steven; Robbins, Ira; Reno, Brad. "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark". Trouser Press . Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  17. Ryan, Gary (14 October 2019). "Does Rock 'N' Roll Kill Braincells?! – Andy McCluskey". NME . Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  18. "Ashes to Ashes - Music - Series Two - Episode 2". BBC. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  19. "Peel Sessions 20/08/1979 - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  20. "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard . Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2020.