In 1998 David Guetta & Joachim Garraud and Sash! made remixed versions of the song for the intended second disc of The OMD Singles. The second disc was dropped, and eventually only the Sash! remix appeared on The OMD Remixes EP's. In 2003 the double disc version was released in France only, which included the remixed versions by Guetta and Garraud as well. The Guetta and Garraud remixes were released on a limited 12" to promote the compilation album.
A live performance of this song, recorded at Guildhall, Portsmouth, England on September 19, 1980 (1980-09-19), is featured in the film Urgh! A Music War.
Title
The song is named after the aeroplane, a USAAF B-29 Superfortress called Enola Gay (after Enola Gay Tibbets, the name of the mother of the bomber pilot) which dropped "Little Boy," the first atomic bomb to be used in an act of War on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. It was an attempt to bring an end to the Second World War, but also killed more than 200.000 civilians.
Lyrics
The lyrics attack the decision to use the bomb, making use of sardonic black humour ("Is mother proud of Little Boy today?") and suggesting that the bombing was unnecessary ("It shouldn't ever have to end this way").
The song was also released during a major controversy surrounding then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's decision to allow US nuclear missiles to be stationed in Britain.
Track listing
1. "Enola Gay" â 3:33
2. "Annex" â 4:33
Unusually, the 12" single contained no additional material or alternative mixes, only the same tracks as on the 7".
Chart positions
French Singles Chart - 1
Irish Singles Chart - 14
Italian Singles Chart - 1
Portuguese Singles Chart - 1
Swiss Singles Chart -2
UK Singles Chart - 8
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play - 34
Enola Gay
OMD Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah-ha words can't describe the feeling and the way you lied
These games you play they're going to end in more than tears some day
Ah-ha Enola Gay it shouldn't ever have to end this way
It's eight fifteen and that's the time that it's always been
We got your message on the radio
Conditions normal and you're coming home
Enola Gay, is mother proud of little boy today
Enola Gay, it shouldn't ever have to end this way
Ah-ha Enola Gay, it shouldn't fade in our dreams away
It's eight fifteen and that's the time that it's always been
We got your message on the radio
Conditions normal and you're coming home
Enola Gay, is mother proud of little boy today
Ah-ha this kiss you give, it's never ever going to fade away
The lyrics to OMD's song "Enola Gay" are a poignant commentary on the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by the United States during World War II. The Enola Gay was the name of the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945, and the song addresses the plane directly. The opening lines, "Enola Gay, you should have stayed at home yesterday," suggest regret for the decision to drop the bomb and the immense destruction that followed. The verse goes on to say that "words can't describe the feeling and the way you lied," suggesting a sense of betrayal.
The second verse explores the personal impact of the bombing, with the line "these games you play they're going to end in more than tears some day" referring to the devastating physical and emotional consequences of the attack. The repeated refrain of "Enola Gay, it shouldn't ever have to end this way" speaks to the tragedy of war and the loss of innocent lives.
The final verse reflects on the aftermath of the bombing, with the lines "is mother proud of little boy today, this kiss you give, it's never going to fade away" suggesting the personal toll on those involved in the decision to use atomic weapons. The repetition of "it's eight fifteen and that's the time that it's always been" reinforces the timelessness of the tragedy and the need to remember the lessons of history.
Overall, "Enola Gay" is a powerful song that speaks to the human cost of war and the need for peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Enola Gay, you should have stayed at home yesterday
The singer implies that Enola Gay was responsible for some destructive acts and should have stayed at home instead of causing harm.
Ah-ha words can't describe the feeling and the way you lied
The singer expresses inability to find words that can convey the feeling and the level of deception involved in Enola Gay's actions.
These games you play they're going to end in more than tears some day
The singer warns that the actions taken by Enola Gay will result in more than tears in the future, possibly a tragic event.
Ah-ha Enola Gay it shouldn't ever have to end this way
The singer expresses regret that the events that transpired involving Enola Gay should have never ended in such a manner.
It's eight fifteen and that's the time that it's always been
The singer mentions the time, implying that time has not changed despite the events taking place.
We got your message on the radio
The singer references a communication from Enola Gay that was received via radio.
Conditions normal and you're coming home
The message from Enola Gay indicates that conditions are normal and they are returning home.
Enola Gay, is mother proud of little boy today
The singer questions whether Enola Gay's mother is proud of their actions, suggesting that their actions were dishonorable.
Ah-ha this kiss you give, it's never going to fade away
The singer implies that the damage caused by Enola Gay's actions will never be forgotten.
Ah-ha Enola Gay, it shouldn't ever have to end this way
The singer repeats the sentiment that the events involving Enola Gay should never have ended in such a manner.
Ah-ha Enola Gay, it shouldn't fade in our dreams away
The singer suggests that the events involving Enola Gay should remain in the memories of people so that they do not fade away and are not repeated in the future.
Enola Gay, is mother proud of little boy today
The singer repeats the sentiment to question Enola Gay's actions and whether their mother would be proud of them.
Ah-ha this kiss you give, it's never ever going to fade away
The singer repeats the sentiment that the damage caused by Enola Gay's actions will never be forgotten.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miguelservetus9534
@@emeroregan5298
All war is horrendous.
Everyoneâs death diminishes me, for I am a part of mankind.
Is it the #âs?
The number of deaths at once?
Or is it the fact that war is now home and can wipe out all?
Some argue that WW3 has not occurred yet because we realize it will be the last.
Remember, the US estimated that 10 million Japanese would die in a conventional invasion. The Japanese government expected 1/3 to 1/2 of its population would die.
@frenkimizdrak2871
Enola Gay
You should have stayed at home yesterday
Ah-ha, words can't describe
The feeling and the way you lied
These games you play
They're going to end in more than tears some day
Ah-ha Enola Gay
It shouldn't ever have to end this way
It's 8:15
And that's the time that it's always been
We got your message on the radio
Conditions normal, and you're coming home
Enola Gay
Is mother proud of little boy today?
Ah-ha this kiss you give
It's never ever gonna to fade away
Enola Gay
You shouldn't ever have to live this way
Ah-ha Enola Gay
You should've faded our dreams away
It's 8:15
And that's the time that it's always been
We got your message on the radio
Conditions normal, and you're coming home
Enola Gay
Is mother proud of little boy today?
Ah-ha this kiss you give
It's never ever going to fade away
@valentine2037
Lyrics :
Enola Gay
You should have stayed at home yesterday
Ah-ha words can't describe
The feeling and the way you lied
These games you play
They're going to end in more
Than tears some day
Ah-ha Enola Gay
It shouldn't ever have to end this way
It's eight fifteen
And that's the time that it's always been
We got your message on the radio
Conditions normal and you're coming home
Enola Gay
Is mother proud of little boy today?
Ah-ha this kiss you give
It's never ever gonna to fade away
Enola Gay
It shouldn't ever have to end this way
Ah-ha Enola Gay
Should've faded our dreams away
It's eight fifteen
And that's the time that it's always been
We got your message on the radio
Conditions normal and you're coming home
Enola Gay
Is mother proud of little boy today?
Ah-ha this kiss you give
It's never ever going to fade away
@omarcopol
Read it somewhere: "80's music had got to come from another planet". Good decade for music.
@wcoke
The 80s were fucking awesome wish I could go back thank god for youtube đđ»
@retro_man5879
Ho ho! THE BEST!
@newnew3321
@@wcoke ppp
@EuropeanQoheleth
There was no good decade for music. People just forget the crummy songs. The vast majority of songs in any decade were mediocre.
@EuropeanQoheleth
@@wcoke There being no treatment for AIDS and the threat of nuclear annihilation? The 80s were not awesome.
@adrinathegreat3095
The best dance song about nuclear destruction ever made
@jma1795
I also like RADIOACTIVITY from KRAFTWERK even if it's a little more difficult to dance on it
@applejuicefool69
@@jma1795 and 99 Luftballons...
@NemesisRTCW
Vamos a la playa is also quite good.