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
Electricity
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The ultimate discovery
Electric blue for me
Never more to be free
Electricity
Nuclear and HEP
Carbon fuels from the sea
Wasted electricity
Our one source of energy
Electricity
All we need to live today
A gift for man to throw away
The chance to change has nearly gone
The alternative is only one
The final source of energy
Solar electricity
Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
The lyrics to Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's song "Electricity" describe society's dependence on electricity as the ultimate form of energy. The first verse mentions nuclear, hydro-electric power, and carbon fuels from the sea, alluding to the different methods of generating electricity. The second verse emphasizes the need to find an alternative to traditional forms of electricity, as we are reaching a point of no return. The final source of energy is suggested to be solar electricity, a cleaner and more sustainable form of energy.
The chorus of "Electricity" repeats the title of the song several times, emphasizing the importance and pervasiveness of electricity in our lives. The overall message of the song can be interpreted as a warning for society to find more sustainable forms of energy before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Our one source of energy
Electricity is the primary source of energy we rely on
The ultimate discovery
Its discovery opened up new doors for progress
Electric blue for me
Electricity appeals to the singer in a personal way
Never more to be free
We have become dependent on electricity and can no longer be free from it
Electricity
An ode to electricity and its importance in our lives
Nuclear and HEP
Electricity can be generated through nuclear power plants and hydroelectric power plants
Carbon fuels from the sea
Electricity can also be obtained through the burning of carbon fuels found in the ocean
Wasted electricity
Electricity is often wasted and not utilized efficiently
All we need to live today
Electricity has become a necessary part of our daily lives
A gift for man to throw away
Electricity has been taken for granted and treated as disposable
The chance to change has nearly gone
We have limited time to make amends for the damage caused by our misuse of electricity
The alternative is only one
The alternative to wasteful use of electricity is to embrace solar electricity
The final source of energy
Solar electricity is the ultimate and last sustainable source of energy
Electricity
An emphasis on the importance and significance of electricity in the song
Electricity
A repetition of the title to reinforce its central theme
Electricity
An emphasis on the role of electricity in our lives
Electricity
An insistence on the significance of electricity
Electricity
A final reiteration of the title and its importance
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY, PAUL DAVID HUMPHREYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mistressofthenight91
Lyrics:
Our one source of energy
The ultimate discovery
Electric blue for me
Never more to be free
Electricity
Nuclear and HEP
Carbon fuels from the sea
Wasted electricity
Our one source of energy
Electricity
All we need to live today
A gift for man to throw away
The chance to change has nearly gone
The alternative is only one
The final source of energy
Solar electricity
Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
E...
@tangerine825
OMD...Erasure...Eurythmics...Pet Shop Boys...Depeche Mode...Great UK Synthpop Groups ! Greets From Poland ;-)
@husnaazizadah6608
I completely agree
@Garrett1974
43 years old but still gold... man I love 80s music ❤
@eddiek0507
Can't believe it's 43 years ago! Where has time gone? Seems like yesterday, Unbelievable...🤔
@freqeist
@Eddie K my era...And I'm 60 next year..
Where has it gone?
@eddiek0507
@@freqeist I know it's frightening isn't it? I'm 59 next year. All of a sudden you realise time is starting to run out! ...🤔
@vouspartezenvoyagenoncarje1972
55 and that's all my youth
@kath6720
The best!
@tbowman0060
So I’m now 29 and just now heard this absolute banger of a song. This came out before I was born but I’m jamming here in 2023. Amazing music. I wish I grew up in these times. Thank you for this great song
@TheKitticatti
🎉 cool!
Loved this song in the 90‘s… now i‘m 47… 🫢