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
Julia's Song
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sinful distress
Of writing down mean in this words
Vaguley I've had
So the rest of the men
Can learn bout the bees and the birds
Constraint business man you haven't got it all
Been at it to rule in your heart
Kept you you for falling apart
Inhibit generalize
Sorted and wet
Someone advised me to die
Blowing your mind
Cause you know what you'll find
When you're looking for things in the sky
Under the influence
Rotting your nerves
Cutting us off at the base
Nearing the end is your grandmother's friend
Something to do when it wrythes
Something to do when it wrythes
Something to do when it wrythes
The lyrics of "Julia's Song" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark seem to reflect on the complexities of communication and the difficulties of expressing oneself through language. The first lines speak of writing down "mean" in words, a phrase that could suggest either the difficulty of expressing negativity or the tendency to project negativity onto others. The song goes on to describe a "constraint business man" who is limited in his ability to feel, and whose eyes may be burning from the pressure of his own expectations. The song seems to suggest that communication can be stifled by external pressures or by one's own emotional limitations.
As the song progresses the lyrics become more cryptic, with references to "the bees and the birds," finding "things in the sky," and someone advising the singer to die. The repeated line "something to do when it wrythes" suggests perhaps a way to cope with the pain or discomfort of self-expression. Overall, the song seems to grapple with the complexities of communication, and the ways in which language can both reveal and obscure meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
The means to an end
The purposeful action taken to achieve a desired outcome
The sinful distress
The negative emotional state that arises from immoral behavior
Of writing down mean in this words
Expressing hostility or ill will through writing
Vaguley I've had
I have had experiences that are not very clear or distinct
So the rest of the men
So that other people can learn and benefit from my experiences
Can learn bout the bees and the birds
Can learn about the fundamentals of sex education
Constraint business man you haven't got it all
The rigid and inflexible businessman does not have complete understanding or control
Been at it to rule in your heart
Trying hard to gain emotional control and dominance over others
Stilletos and ? may be burning your eyes
High heels and something else may be causing you discomfort or pain
Kept you you for falling apart
Keeping you from losing your composure or collapsing emotionally
Inhibit generalize
Restricting oneself from making broad or sweeping generalizations
Sorted and wet
Arranged and organized, possibly moistened
Someone advised me to die
Someone told me to end my life
Blowing your mind
Overwhelming or astonishing you
Cause you know what you'll find
Because you already know what you are seeking or expecting to discover
When you're looking for things in the sky
When you are searching for answers or meaning in the intangible or beyond what is visible
Under the influence
In a state of being affected or influenced by something, possibly drugs or alcohol
Rotting your nerves
Causing significant psychological damage or harm
Cutting us off at the base
Disconnecting or severing vital connections or foundations
Nearing the end is your grandmother's friend
Approaching the end of life is a close acquaintance or relative of yours
Something to do when it wrythes
Something to occupy oneself with or distract from pain and discomfort
Something to do when it wrythes
Something to occupy oneself with or distract from pain and discomfort
Something to do when it wrythes
Something to occupy oneself with or distract from pain and discomfort
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY, JULIA KNEALE, PAUL DAVID HUMPHREYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind