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
Talking Loud and Clear
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saying just what I feel
Lying in the grass
With the sun on our backs
It doesn't really matter
What we do or what we say
With every little movement
We give ourselves away
Opposite and opposite
Decisions are reversed
Facing one another
With words that couldn't hurt
With every little word
You're getting closer to me
Talking loud and clear
Saying just what we feel today
Talking loud and clear
Saying just what we feel
Lying in the grass
We've got time on our hands
Body next to body
With silence all around
We understand each other
But didn't make a sound
Promises and promises
Of vows we shall return
Facing one another
I thought my heart would burn
You turn to move away
But then get closer to me
Talking loud and clear
Saying just what we feel today
The song "Talking Loud and Clear" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark is a romantic song about two people lying in the grass and talking to each other freely and honestly. The singer emphasizes the importance of saying what you feel and not hiding your true emotions. The first verse sets up the scene of the two lovers lying in the grass, with the sun on their backs. The singer communicates how they can expose their inner emotions with every little movement, which shows how familiar they are with each other. It implies that they have an intimate relationship where the need for communication between the two is not filled by words alone but is also communicated through their movements.
The chorus of the song expresses the importance of honesty in communication. The two lovers are lying in the grass, with time on their hands and silence all around, a peaceful and calming atmosphere. They take the time to lie with each other without saying as they can understand each other without words. The second verse continues with this message, of communicating and understanding each other intimately. They make promises to each other, to keep the same emotional connection and vows to return to it. They express their deep love for each other, the singer emphasizing the alignment of their movement and the closeness they are feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
Talking loud and clear
Expressing myself loudly and clearly
Saying just what I feel
Communicating my true feelings honestly
Lying in the grass
Reclining on the ground
With the sun on our backs
Feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin
It doesn't really matter
The details are unimportant
What we do or what we say
Our actions and words are inconsequential
With every little movement
Even our small gestures reveal our thoughts and feelings
We give ourselves away
We expose our true selves to each other
Opposite and opposite
Two opposing forces
Decisions are reversed
Choices are flipped around
Facing one another
Looking directly at each other
With words that couldn't hurt
We speak kindly to each other
With every little word
Each thing we say brings us closer
You're getting closer to me
Our connection is growing deeper
Talking loud and clear
We speak openly and freely
Saying just what we feel today
We share our present emotions
We've got time on our hands
We have no rush, we can take our time
Body next to body
We are physically close to each other
With silence all around
The only sound is our breathing
We understand each other
We comprehend each other's feelings
But didn't make a sound
We don't need words to communicate
Promises and promises
We make and keep pledges to each other
Of vows we shall return
We will honor and renew our commitments
I thought my heart would burn
I felt intense passion
You turn to move away
You seem to want to depart
But then get closer to me
But then return to my side
Talking loud and clear
We continue to speak our minds
Saying just what we feel today
We express our present feelings
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY, MARTIN HANDSLEY COOPER, PAUL DAVID HUMPHREYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rebeccadoran7054
Absolutely love this my dad introduced me to this great band,he sadly passed at the end of March this year and this with always be our tune ❤❤❤❤
@grahamcheesman2252
Sorry for your loss, take care of yourself and keep listening to this great band and remember the good times. Look after yourself and your family
@mgparis
So sorry for your loss, stay strong!
You dad had excellent taste
@sharonhopton
❤️❤️❤️❤️
@britta998
I love this beautiful song whenever I hear it... and no matter if it is 1984 or 2021 the magic is still there...never forget the 80's, when music was true.. and I will be always an 80's girl❤️
@carolinalys2974
Fui fan de OMD durante mi adolescencia y esta canción era mi favorita. Tiene magia, sí. Es totalmente evocadora.
@michaelrodgers7109
Thanks 😊
@ClaireDeLune12
Me too! Once a kid of the 80s...always a kid of the 80s..!
@catherinecarroll5135
Loved this so long and I’m 69!
@alistairmcewan7705
The 80's gotta love them