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
Shame
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Things are gonna change
There's gonna be a different ending
Though I'm not one to complain
But there's never been a right time
And we've never been too far
But you're the only single thing I know
Take your kiss from my mouth
Take your heart from my heart
This will never happen again
You know that your promises
Won't last for one day
God knows it's a shame
But it's always the way
And the second time
Just wouldn't be the same
But you're changing with your faces
And you're gonna be lost again
If you're with or without me
I've made up my mind
Well, I'm hoping and praying
But you're running out of time
Take your kiss from my mouth
Take your heart from my heart
This will never happen again
You know that your promises
Won't last for one day
God knows it's a shame
But it's always the way
Take your kiss from my mouth
Take your heart from my heart
This will never happen again
You know that your promises
Won't last for one day
God knows it's a shame
But it's always the way
God knows it's a shame
But it's always the way
Oh, God knows it's a shame
But it's always, it's always the way
God knows it's a shame
But it's always the way
The song "Shame" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark talks about change, heartbreak and acceptance. The lyrics reflect on a situation that is ending, and although the singer is not complaining about it, they are aware that things will never be the same again. The singer knows that the person they are addressing is the only thing holding back their heart, and even though they have never been too far, the timing was never right. The singer seems to have accepted the situation and is ready to move on, asking the other person to take their kiss from their mouth and their heart from their heart as they know that their promises won't last more than a day.
The lyrics suggest that the singer has come to terms with the fact that their relationship is not going to last, and even though they are hoping and praying for a different outcome, they know that the other person is running out of time. The line "God knows it's a shame, but it's always the way," seems to depict a sense of resignation and acceptance, highlighting that heartbreak is unfortunately a common occurrence.
Overall, "Shame" is a melancholic song that talks about the difficulties of dealing with change and heartbreak and trying to make peace with them, representing a situation that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
If there's one thing I know
I am aware that change is inevitable
Things are gonna change
There will be a new outcome, a different ending
There's gonna be a different ending
The situation will not remain the same, things will turn out differently
Though I'm not one to complain
I'm not going to grumble or whine about it
But there's never been a right time
The perfect opportunity has eluded us so far
And we've never been too far
We have always been close to each other
But you're the only single thing I know
You are the sole constant in my life
That's holding back my heart
You are inhibiting me from expressing my true emotions
Take your kiss from my mouth
Do not kiss me anymore
Take your heart from my heart
Remove the love you have for me from your heart
This will never happen again
Our relationship will not be repeated
You know that your promises
You are aware that your commitments are unreliable
Won't last for one day
They will not endure even for a single day
God knows it's a shame
It is unfortunate, and God is aware of it
But it's always the way
It is typical or expected
And the second time
If we decide to try again
Just wouldn't be the same
The experience would not be identical
But you're changing with your faces
Your behavior is inconsistent, you are not reliable
And you're gonna be lost again
You will experience confusion and indecisiveness once more
If you're with or without me
Whether or not we are together
I've made up my mind
I have come to a decision
Well, I'm hoping and praying
I am wishing and asking for divine help
But you're running out of time
You are quickly losing your opportunity to rectify things
God knows it's a shame
It is regrettable and God is aware of it
But it's always the way
It is a typical occurrence
Oh, God knows it's a shame
God is aware that it is disappointing
But it's always, it's always the way
It is consistently predictable
God knows it's a shame
It is unfortunate, and God is aware of it
But it's always the way
It is a typical occurrence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY, GRAHAM WEIR, NEIL WEIR, PAUL DAVID HUMPHREYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markherron1407
Congratulations on your 310 milestone and Happy Birthday to Andy McCluskey of OMD Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕
@soggiestcrumpets
this song has got to be one of their most overlooked tracks in their 40 years of music. ok i can just imagine a million different scenarios everytime i listen to this song.
@studonaldson1497
Stu again. Pop perfection. Just remembered this almost forty years since I first heard it and its better than ever. Deserved more exposure at the time methinks, Stu X
@dirtysouthlepluv
This is actually one of my fave OMD songs! Very underrated. Guess I'm one of the few who prefers THIS version. Plus Andy and Paul look super gorgeous in this vid. "Take your kiss from my mouth, take your heart from my heart..." 😍
@debz4722
Paul 😍
@eightiesmusic1984
By far the best version compared to the album. It should have been a hit in the UK but struggled to get radio play and Radio 1 did not push it. Forever Live and Die in 1986 was their last success in Britain until 1991 when McCluskey returned after the 1988 split with Sailing on the Seven Seas. It was great to see them climb to number two in the charts.
@archibaldcabebe6062
I like both versions.
@volkgeor
mit OMD bin ich aufgewachsen Danke für eure Musik schön daß es euch gibt
@debz4722
Absolutely beautiful song. Love the piano and chords on this. One of my faves off what is in my opinion OMD’s best album ❤️
@skyhawk747
The Pacific Age is one of my favs too. Amazing album!