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
Motion And Heart
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From motion to heart to the scenery
From make, to amend, to the new Paris trend
You said that you learned, then it happens again
What's so hard that refuses to be
Fortunes gained, lost on the street
I couldn't believe this would happen again
Each time we tried, you failed as before
From laissez-faire to the knock on the door
But everything is as it should be
When you give your heart to me
From mo-mo-mo-mo-motion and heart
To heart, heart, heart, heart, heart of gold
From mo-mo-mo-mo-motion and heart
To heart, heart, heart, heart, heart of gold
The song "Motion And Heart" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark talks about the cycle of life and how everything is as it should be. The lyrics suggest that everything in life, from motion to heart to scenery, follows a certain pattern, and that even though we may try to change it or amend it, it inevitably returns to its natural order. The song mentions the new Paris trend, which could represent new or changing ideas, but, ultimately, it leads to the same cycle.
The song then addresses an interpersonal relationship where one party has repeatedly failed to live up to expectations. The singer expresses their disbelief that the same situation has occurred again, despite the other person claiming to have learned from previous mistakes. From laissez-faire, meaning a nonchalant attitude, to a knock on the door, which could represent a wake-up call, the song implies that the other person needs to change course, or the same thing will keep happening.
Despite all of this, the song ends on an optimistic note. The final verse suggests that everything is as it should be when the two parties come together, and there is harmony between them. From motion and heart to heart of gold, the song implies that when we are in sync with ourselves and others, we are at our best.
Overall, "Motion And Heart" is a song that touches on themes of life, love, and growth, while also reminding us that everything follows a certain pattern.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything is as it should be
All is going according to plan
From motion to heart to the scenery
From physical motion to emotions to surroundings
From make, to amend, to the new Paris trend
From creation, to improvement, to current fashion in Paris
You said that you learned, then it happens again
You claimed to have learned from past mistakes, but repeat them
What's so hard that refuses to be
What is the difficulty that cannot be overcome
Fortunes gained, lost on the street
Money gained and lost in public places
I couldn't believe this would happen again
I was surprised at the recurrence of events
The things you said and I called you my friend
Your words led me to trust you as a friend
Each time we tried, you failed as before
Every attempt had the same unsuccessful result
From laissez-faire to the knock on the door
From relaxed approach to an unexpected visit
But everything is as it should be
Despite setbacks, all is still going according to plan
When you give your heart to me
When you entrust your emotions to me
From mo-mo-mo-mo-motion and heart
From physical activity and emotions
To heart, heart, heart, heart, heart of gold
To a pure and kind heart
From mo-mo-mo-mo-motion and heart
From physical activity and emotions
To heart, heart, heart, heart, heart of gold
To a pure and kind heart
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY, PAUL DAVID HUMPHREYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind