The single performed poorer than expected mainly due to a lack of media coverage. Controversy surrounded the song's video, which some in the media had slammed as 'sexist'. In fact, the video, which was largely Andy McCluskey's idea, was lampooning the style of American music videos the band was pressured into making by Virgin Records in the hope of breaking into the U.S. market. He believed that American music videos relied heavily on attractive young female models posing and preening in front of the camera.
While no one but the band appeared to get the joke, a furor did develop. It was the last time Virgin Records interfered with the style of videos of the band's singles.
The song featured in the 1985 film Weird Science.
B-Side
The live version of "Telegraph" was recorded in 1983 at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. "Telegraph" was the second and final single from their fourth studio album, Dazzle Ships. The other B-side, "Garden City", was only released on the 12" vinyl and cassette single versions. "Garden City" was featured on the B-sides album Navigation: The OMD B-Sides, released in 2001.
B-side "Telegraph" (Live)
"Garden City"
Released 28 August 1984
Format 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl
Recorded Air Studios, Montserrat
Length 3:51
Label Virgin
Writer(s) Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Producer Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Brian Tench
Tesla Girls
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No, no, no
No, no, no
Tesla girls, Tesla girls
Testing out theories
Electric chairs and dynamos
Dressed to kill, they're killing me
No, no, no
You wouldn't believe me if I said
The things I've seen went over my head
I've been patient, heaven knows
I've learned the rules and how it goes
I can't sit still or settle down
And when I walk I don't touch the ground
See those girls, they're heaven blessed
I guess it's so they know best
Tesla girls, Tesla girls
Writing in their diaries
Now and then they'll watch TV
Now and then they'll speak to me
But heaven knows their recipe
No, no, no, what
You wouldn't believe them if they said
The things they've seen went over their heads
They've been patient, heaven knows
They seem to care and so it goes
They can't sit still or settle down
And when they walk they don't touch the ground
See those girls, they're heaven blessed
I guess it's so they know best
Tesla girls
Tesla girls
Tesla girls
Tesla girls
Tesla girls, Tesla girls
Testing out theories
Electric chairs and dynamos
Dressed to kill, they're killing me
Tesla girls, Tesla girls
I'm in love with Tesla girls
Now and then they'll watch TV
Now and then they'll speak to me
But heaven knows, but heaven knows, but heaven knows their recipe
No, no, no
No, no, no
No, no
No, no
No
The song "Tesla Girls" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) is a tribute to the legacy of the great inventor and scientist, Nikola Tesla. The titular girls in the song are imagined as a group of smart and fearless women who experiment with devices invented by Tesla, such as electric chairs and dynamos. The lyrics suggest that these girls are not afraid of taking risks, even if they are potentially dangerous, and that they are constantly on a mission to prove their theories. The singer of the song is enamored with these Tesla girls, but seems to be aware that they are out of his league, as they possess a recipe that he doesn't understand.
The chorus of the song repeats the words "Tesla girls" several times, emphasizing the central theme of the song. The second verse suggests that the Tesla girls are not only accomplished scientists, but also have a sensitive and artistic side, as they write in their diaries and watch TV. The repetition of "heaven knows their recipe" throughout the song adds a mystical and enigmatic quality to the Tesla girls, heightening their allure and emphasizing their otherworldliness.
Line by Line Meaning
No
Rejection or refusal.
Tesla girls, Tesla girls, testing out theories, electric chairs and dynamos, dressed to kill, they're killing me, but heaven knows their recipe
Girls who embody the innovative and experimental spirit of Nikola Tesla, who have a profound understanding of electricity and use it to create devices that utilize it to its full potential. They present themselves in a deadly yet attractive manner, and their intentions and methods are a mystery.
You wouldn't believe me if I said the things I've seen went over my head, I've been patient, heaven knows, I've learned the rules and how it goes, I can't sit still or settle down, and when I walk I don't touch the ground, see those girls, they're heaven blessed, I guess it's so they know best
The singer has seen remarkable events and encountered unimaginable things that defy natural laws - but he cannot convince others of what he has seen, and he has come to terms with the reality that he must follow society's expectations. Despite this, he feels a sense of restlessness and a desire to go beyond what is allowed. The Tesla girls seem to have access to information from another realm, which makes them superior to others.
Tesla girls, Tesla girls, writing in their diaries, now and then they'll watch TV, now and then they'll speak to me, but heaven knows their recipe
The Tesla girls are highly intellectual and capable, and record their knowledge and ideas in their diaries. They occasionally engage in the recreational and social activity of watching TV, and selectively communicate their information to others. Their true intentions and plans remain unknown.
No, no, no, what
A dismissive statement used to interrupt or stop someone from continuing a conversation or action.
You wouldn't believe them if they said the things they've seen went over their heads, they've been patient, heaven knows, they seem to care and so it goes, they can't sit still or settle down, and when they walk they don't touch the ground, see those girls, they're heaven blessed, I guess it's so they know best
The Tesla girls possess knowledge that is beyond ordinary comprehension, and even they have difficulty comprehending the full extent of their experiences. Despite their mysterious and elusive nature, they show concern and compassion for those around them, displaying a sense of kindness and altruism. The Tesla girls possess a sense of restlessness and desire to seek something more than the normal world allows, which causes them to feel as if they are walking above the ground.
Tesla girls, Tesla girls, I'm in love with Tesla girls, now and then they'll watch TV, now and then they'll speak to me, but heaven knows, but heaven knows, but heaven knows their recipe
The singer is infatuated with the Tesla girls and their enigmatic and experimental nature. They occasionally interact with him through watching TV and communication. However, their true intentions and methods remain unknown even to the singer.
No, no, no, no, no, no
A dismissive statement used to interrupt or stop someone or something from continuing a conversation, action, or thought.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: George Andrew McCluskey, Paul David Humphreys
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind