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
Telegraph
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Words on paper, written in sand.
We've got telegraph, right across this land.
It doesn't mean a damn thing.
We don't understand.
But who needs telegraph anyway?
Words on paper, written in sand.
We've got telegraph, right across this land.
It doesn't mean a damn thing.
We don't understand, we never understand!
God's got a telegraph on his side.
It makes Him powerful, gives Him pride.
Even in America, God bless America!
They understand the value of the telegraph.
Hand in hand, hand in hand...
The first two lines of this song, "I've got a telegraph in my hand. Words on paper, written in sand," suggest a fleeting sense of communication. The telegraph symbolizes a means of communication, but the words written in sand suggest that the communication is temporary, with sand being a metaphor for something that is easily washed away. The mention of sand suggests that the message delivered via the telegraph may not endure, simply becoming lost or forgotten.
The second and third lines, "We've got telegraph, right across this land. It doesn't mean a damn thing," implies that the telegraph is widespread and is just there, it doesn't serve any real importance or purpose. Despite being easily accessible, it doesn't really matter if it's there or not. The following line, "We don't understand. But who needs telegraph anyway?" suggests that the writer is questioning the importance of communication in general, and questioning if the telegraph even serves a purpose anymore.
Towards the end of the song, the line "God's got a telegraph on his side. It makes Him powerful, gives Him pride," suggests that God has a form of communication that makes Him powerful, this could be interpreted as God's faith, religion or a personal relationship with him. The line "Even in America, God bless America!" shows an element of patriotism and possibly suggesting that religion and faith are important to Americans. The final line, "Hand in hand, hand in hand..." likely signifies an understanding of something bigger than ourselves, something spiritual or transcendent.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a telegraph in my hand.
I possess a telegraph machine in my hand.
Words on paper, written in sand.
The messages that I receive through the telegraph are fleeting and impermanent.
We've got telegraph, right across this land.
Telegraph technology is widely available and accessible in our society.
It doesn't mean a damn thing.
Despite its ubiquity, the telegraph has little meaning or purpose.
We don't understand.
We do not comprehend the usefulness or significance of the telegraph.
But who needs telegraph anyway?
The rhetorical question implies that telegraph is useless and unnecessary.
God's got a telegraph on his side.
Metaphorically, God has a means of divine communication at his disposal.
It makes Him powerful, gives Him pride.
God's access to divine communication technology signifies His strength and importance.
Even in America, God bless America!
Even in a prosperous nation like America, divine guidance is necessary and appreciated.
They understand the value of the telegraph.
America recognizes the significance of communication technology like the telegraph.
Hand in hand, hand in hand...
Repetition of this phrase suggests a unity or partnership, perhaps between God and the people who use the telegraph.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY, PAUL DAVID HUMPHREYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind