Souvenir (song)

Last updated

"Souvenir"
OMD Souvenir 7inch.gif
"Souvenir" 7" sleeve
Single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
from the album Architecture & Morality
B-side
  • "Motion & Heart" (Amazon Version)
  • "Sacred Heart"
Released21 August 1981 [1]
Recorded1981
Genre
Length
  • 3:39
  • 4:16 (10" extended souvenir)
Label Dindisc
Songwriter(s) Paul Humphreys,
Martin Cooper
Producer(s) Mike Howlett
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark singles chronology
"Enola Gay"
(1980)		"Souvenir"
(1981)		"Joan of Arc"
(1981)
Alternative cover
SouvenirOMD.gif
"Souvenir" 10" sleeve
The Palladian Bridge at Stowe House Stowe Park Palladian bridge.jpg
The Palladian Bridge at Stowe House

The song's promo video was filmed by Peter Saville in the grounds of Stowe House (the home of Stowe School, in Buckinghamshire, England) and Blenheim Palace Park, in Oxfordshire. It was an early MTV favourite and is among OMD's more well-known videos. [34]

Andy McCluskey is seen driving around in a classic red, convertible Volkswagen Karmann Ghia [35] (property of Peter Saville), while Paul Humphreys stands on, and leans against the pillars of, the Palladian Bridge while singing. The promo video is included on the video version of The Best of OMD , the bonus DVD of the 2007 reissue of Architecture & Morality and the DVD included in the 2008 Compilation album Messages: Greatest Hits . [36]

Live performances

The song was performed at live shows on a regular basis following the Architecture & Morality tour in 1981, except for when Paul Humphreys was no longer with the band during the 1990s. [37] A live performance from 1981 was filmed for the Live at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane concert in December 1981, initially released on VHS (1982) and laserdisc (1984) and later on DVD.

The song was also performed with The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in June 2009 as documented by the Electricity DVD release. [38]

On 26 July 2015 Paul Humphreys was unable to perform at the 80s Rewind Festival in Scotland and so the vocal was sung for the first time by Andy McCluskey. On seeing a clip of the performance from his hospital bed Humphreys said he felt he had "entered some kind of alternative universe". [39]

Sleeve design

The sleeve was designed by Peter Saville and Brett Wickens. The 7" sleeve has a die-cut hole in the middle, revealing the label. On the label is a picture of a Düsseldorf street scene. For the 10" this picture is printed on the sleeve. It was the first single released with OMD as the band name. The European releases have different artwork, some almost identical to the UK releases. A Canadian release of the 10" has green transparent vinyl.

Alternate versions

In May 1991 DMC released a 12" vinyl single with the "Postcards from the Edge Mix" by Brothers in Rhythm.

In 1998 four remixes of the song were made by Moby for the intended second disc of The OMD Singles . The second disc was dropped, but the remixes appeared on various The OMD Remixes EPs. In 2003 the double disc version was released in France only, which included all four remixes.

Joyce Manor, [40] Mike "μ-Ziq" Paradinas, [41] Moth Wranglers, [42] and Mark Morriss of the Bluetones, [43] are among those to have covered the song.

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [55] Silver250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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>Dazzle Ships</i> (album) 1983 studio album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

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<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>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.

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<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.

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"Joan of Arc" is a 1981 song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released as the second single from their third studio album Architecture & Morality. It was well-received by critics and became a hit in the British Isles, reaching number 5 in the UK and number 13 in Ireland.

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

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"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. As with their debut single "Electricity", "Messages" features a melodic synth break instead of a sung chorus.

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History of Modern is the eleventh studio album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on 20 September 2010 by 100% Records. It is their first album since 1996, and the first to feature the classic four-piece OMD line-up since 1986's The Pacific Age. It was recorded remotely, with band members compiling the tracks via the Internet.

References

  1. ↑ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 14.
  2. 1 2 "Official OMD Website discography entry for "Souvenir" 7". Archived from the original on 3 March 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
  3. 1 2 "252-281: The '80s". 501 Lost Songs. IPC Media: 53. 2011. [T]his was originally known as 'The Choir Song', as the intro consisted of slowed-down loops of a choir tuning up. This classic piece of early '80s melancholy got its eventual title as Peter Saville was about to deliver the artwork for what would become the band's massive-selling Architecture & Morality album.
  4. ↑ "Interview: Andy McCluskey, OMD". PRS for Music Online Magazine . 19 March 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. 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.
  5. ↑ Waller, Johnny; Humphreys, Mike. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: Messages. Sidgwick & Jackson. 1987. ISBN   0-283-99234-4. p. 91.
  6. ↑ "Official OMD Website discography entry for "Souvenir" 10". Archived from the original on 14 March 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  7. ↑ "Aspect Television". 8 July 2007. Archived from the original on 8 July 2007.
  8. ↑ "Singles". Cashbox . 20 March 1982. pp. 3, 9.
  9. ↑ Fletcher, Sunie (22 August 1981). "Singles". Record Mirror . p. 16.
  10. ↑ Hall, Neal (31 December 1981). "Pop/rock records". Vancouver Sun . p. 91 (L35).
  11. ↑ Silverton, Pete (3–16 September 1981). "Reviews: Singles". Smash Hits . Vol. 3, no. 18. p. 24.
  12. 1 2 "Smash Hits 1981 Poll Winners". Smash Hits . Vol. 3, no. 26. 24 December 1981 – 6 January 1982. pp. 15, 17.
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  14. ↑ "The Official Top 50 best-selling songs of 1981". Official Charts. 5 March 2021. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  15. ↑ Raggett, Ned. Architecture & Morality review Archived 5 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine at AllMusic
  16. ↑ Lindores, Mark (1 August 2019). "Classic Album: Architecture & Morality". Classic Pop . Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  17. ↑ "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark". Trouser Press . Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
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  19. ↑ "The RM Selection 1981". Record Mirror . 26 December 1981. pp. 20–21. No. 2 (Soave), No. 10 (Martin).
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  23. ↑ Houghton, Richard (2019). OMD: Pretending to See the Future (expanded paperback ed.). This Day in Music Books. p. 136. ISBN   978-1-9161156-2-0.
  24. ↑ "Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins". My Absolute 80s. 16 October 2024. Absolute Radio 80s . Retrieved 20 October 2024– via Rayo. Iconic 80s artists pick their favourite 80s classics...
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  27. ↑ Burgess, Tim (14 April 2020). "Architecture and Morality replay". Tim's Twitter Listening Party. Event occurs at 9:08 PM. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021. Absolute classic. Gorgeous. I had it on a 7" (as well as the 'other' massive song from this record). So atmospheric.
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  29. ↑ "Track Record: Jonn Penney of Ned's Atomic Dustbin". Music Republic Magazine. 29 June 2020. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
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  31. ↑ Turner, Luke (24 March 2010). "Orchestral Manoeuvres & Homoerotica: Owen Pallett Opens His Heartland". The Quietus . Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  32. ↑ Rocket in the Pocket (Media notes). Payola Records. 1998. Payola A4.
  33. ↑ Pytlik, Mark (2003). Björk: Wow and Flutter. ECW Press. pp. 160–161, 179. ISBN   978-1-55022-556-3.
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  35. ↑ "Softwave Souvenir". 14 August 2020. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
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  38. ↑ "Souvenir song". musicbrainz.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  39. ↑ "OMD Official page - Message from Paul 27 July 2015". facebook.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  40. ↑ Croft, Virginia (8 June 2022). "Joyce Manor : 40 Oz. to Fresno | Album review". Treble. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  41. ↑ "µ-Ziq digs up cover of OMD's 'Souvenir' he recorded as a 13-year-old in 1985". Slicing Up Eyeballs . 2 March 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  42. ↑ Edwards, Michael (1 February 2002). "Moth Wranglers: Never Mind the Context". Exclaim! . Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  43. ↑ Lay, Sarah (16 August 2015). "Mark Morriss (The Bluetones) – interview". Louder Than War . Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  44. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 224. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
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  46. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Souvenir". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  47. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark".
  48. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
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  50. ↑ "Hits of the World". Billboard . Vol. 94, no. 16. 24 April 1982. p. 63. ISSN   0006-2510. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2016– via Google Books.
  51. ↑ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
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  54. ↑ Scaping, Peter, ed. (1982). "The Top 200 Singles: January–December 1981". BPI Year Book 1982 (5th ed.). London: The British Phonographic Industry Ltd. pp. 46–49. ISBN   0-906154-03-0.
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