The group was founded in 1978 by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, after they had been involved in several bands, including The Id. Later drummer Malcolm Holmes and saxophonist Martin Cooper joined. McCluskey and Humphreys formed the core of the outfit until 1989, when the group split in two. McCluskey retained the name and continued to record and tour as OMD with a new line-up until 1996, while Humphreys, Holmes, and Cooper formed "The Listening Pool".
According to Songfacts, Enola Gay was the first of 7 Top 10 UK singles for the group; their only US hit was If You Leave, which was written for the 1985 movie Pretty In Pink.
In late December 2005, OMD's official website announced a 2006 reformation, for both live performances and a new album, with rehearsals beginning in summer 2006. The line up features the original 1980's members (Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Malcolm Holmes and Martin Cooper). The "Architecture & Morality" tour for late 2006 was postponed until the beginning of 2007.
The tour finally took place in the spring of 2007 featuring "Architecture & Morality" played in its entirety plus a 'greatest hits' set, although each concert famously ended with stirring rendition of B side/album track and fan favourite "The Romance of the Telescope".
Plans are now ahead for the release of a documentary DVD (since released and available here), a live DVD of the 2007 tour (release postponed until 2008) and a new studio album released in 2010, entitled "History of Modern".
The group's 12th studio album, English Electric, was released on 5 April 2013. The group's 13th studio album, The Punishment Of Luxury, was released on 1 September 2017. The group's 14th studio album, Bauhaus Staircase, was released on 27 October 2023.
Official OMD website: http://www.omd.uk.com
Burning
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gentlemen, may I have your attention please?
[sample2]:
There's stuff coming back at you all the time!
[sample3]:
You have to do it and do it together, do it and do it together
(sample2)
(sample3)
Destiny comes knocking on your door
Takes you were the money meets the floor
Jealousy comes creeping up on you
And make you do those things that you hate to do
[chorus 1]:
Yes I'm burning
She won't get away
(Burning) 'cause I'm here to say
She's coming back
And it's a fact
She's here to stay
Everybody wants a piece of you
And charity begins at the age of two
So baby, baby, baby, shut your door
'Cause I won't leave you on this killing floor
[chorus 2]:
'Cause I'm burning
She won't get away
(Burning) 'cause I'm here to say
She's coming back
And it's a fact
She's here to stay
[sample 4]
Hello. Yes, you're on the air
[sample 5]
Hello?
[lots of jumbled repetitions of parts of samples 4 and 5]
Burning, Burning
Burning, Burning
(chorus 2)
The song Burning by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark talks about the intense feeling of burning desire for someone and the willingness to do anything to have them. The lyrics begin with the sound of a man requesting everyone's attention and warning them about the constant challenges of life. The samples also include sounds of people talking about working together and the need for practicality in life. The singer emphasizes how destiny knocks on the door, and when money meets the floor, life becomes a fighting match. Jealousy keeps creeping, and people end up doing things they originally despised.
The chorus is repeated twice, with the singer claiming that they are burning, and the target of their burning desire won't get away. They are determined to keep the person close to them, declaring that "she's coming back, and it's a fact, she's here to stay". The lyrics seem to be addressed to a woman who is continuously sought after by others, with everyone wanting a piece of her. The suggestion is to shut the door and stay on the killing floor with the singer, who is confident that she wants to stay.
Line by Line Meaning
Burning, burning
A feeling of intense emotion, possibly anger, frustration, or passion
Destiny comes knocking on your door
Fate has brought you to this moment, and now you must face it head-on
Takes you were the money meets the floor
Money is a powerful motivator, and it can drive people to do things they might not otherwise do
Jealousy comes creeping up on you, And make you do those things that you hate to do
Jealousy can be a powerful force, causing people to act out of character or do things they regret
Yes I'm burning, She won't get away
The artist is passionate and determined to catch someone they feel is escaping them
(Burning) 'cause I'm here to say, She's coming back, And it's a fact, She's here to stay
The singer believes that despite previous setbacks, they will be successful in their pursuit
Everybody wants a piece of you, And charity begins at the age of two, So baby, baby, baby, shut your door
People will try to take advantage of you, so it's important to be cautious and protect yourself
'Cause I won't leave you on this killing floor
The artist is committed to protecting their interests and will not allow themselves to be harmed in the process
Contributed by Colin L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.