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
The Misunderstanding
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and you can't say it's our imagination
just because we cannot find the proof
we stare at the start for some considerable time
it's increasingly unlike the rest
for as we get older we've become less aware
security lies at the heart of our lives
attaching ourselves to ourselves
misunderstood but our intention is good
we will not question on our advice
it does you no good
though you think that it should
and it would given half a chance
if there's compassion in your hearts
now that you've seen enough
we've given all of our best
for god's sake enough
please please please please please please please we're standing alone
this is the time of let me say goodbye
regardless I'll find my final truth
we'll sneak out the back door and close it.
The lyrics in Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's song The Misunderstanding speak to the human experience of feeling misunderstood, even when one's intentions are good. The singer acknowledges that as they have grown older, they have become less aware, highlighting the universal human struggle to make sense of a complex and ever-changing world. They note that security is at the heart of our lives and that we often attach ourselves to ourselves, creating a paradoxical existence where we are simultaneously extinguished and alive.
The plea in the second half of the song is particularly poignant. The singer begs for compassion from those who have misunderstood them, acknowledging that despite their good intentions, their advice may have been perceived as useless. They recognize that they are standing alone and that this is a time to say goodbye to their current situation, but they remain resolute in their search for the truth. The final line, "we'll sneak out the back door and close it," creates a sense of finality and closure, implying that they are ready to move on from this misunderstanding.
Line by Line Meaning
well we go at it through our lives
We continually strive through our lives.
and you can't say it's our imagination
Our efforts are real and not just imagined.
just because we cannot find the proof
Even if we lack evidence to support our efforts.
we stare at the start for some considerable time
We look at the beginning for a significant while.
it's increasingly unlike the rest
It becomes more dissimilar to other things.
for as we get older we've become less aware
As we age, we become less cognizant.
security lies at the heart of our lives
Our lives revolve around the notion of security.
attaching ourselves to ourselves
We tend to cling to ourselves.
we are extinguished but we're still alive
Despite feeling extinguished, we're still living.
misunderstood but our intention is good
We're often misinterpreted, but our motives are pure.
we will not question on our advice
We stand firm in our guidance.
it does you no good
Rejecting our advice won't benefit you.
though you think that it should
Even if you believe it will.
and it would given half a chance
It likely would if you'd allow it.
if there's compassion in your hearts
If you hold compassion within you.
now that you've seen enough
After reaching the point of seeing enough.
we've given all of our best
We've expended all our effort.
for god's sake enough
Please, let it be enough.
please please please please please please please we're standing alone
We implore you to acknowledge our solitude.
this is the time of let me say goodbye
This is the moment for us to bid farewell.
regardless I'll find my final truth
Despite everything, I'll discover my ultimate reality.
we'll sneak out the back door and close it.
We'll discreetly depart and shut the door behind us.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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