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 Romance of the Telescope
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How they held you so
Never once did they fail you
They won't let you go
We're just waiting, looking skyward
As the days come down
Someone promised there'd be answers
Over decades, now this romance
Has sustained us all
Never questioned, only giving
What it made us for
The Romance of the Telescope is a song by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark that tells a story about two lovers who are looking for answers and comfort in an uncertain world. The lyrics "See these arms that were broken, how they held you so, never once did they fail you, they won't let you go," suggest that the singer has undergone a great deal of hardship, but their love prevails despite adversity. The repetition of the phrase "they won't let you go" implies that the singer is holding on tight to what they have, and refuses to let it slip away.
The second verse, "We're just waiting, looking skyward, as the days come down, someone promised there'd be answers if we stayed around," suggests that the couple is waiting for something greater to come along, perhaps a sign or answer to their questions. The "romance" of the telescope refers to this sense of longing, as the singer waits patiently for the universe to reveal its secrets. The final verse, "Over decades, now this romance has sustained us all, never questioned, only giving what it made us for," suggests that the couple has found meaning and purpose in this waiting, and that their love has endured over time.
Line by Line Meaning
See these arms that were broken
Observe the damaged limbs that once embraced you
How they held you so
In the past, they securely held you
Never once did they fail you
They never disappointed you
They won't let you go
They will never release you
We're just waiting, looking skyward
We are merely waiting, observing the heavens above
As the days come down
As time passes
Someone promised there'd be answers
An individual made a vow that answers would be provided
If we stayed around
If we remained in place
Over decades, now this romance
For ages, this love affair
Has sustained us all
Has kept us all going
Never questioned, only giving
Without doubt, only providing
What it made us for
What it was created to accomplish
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY, PAUL DAVID HUMPHREYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind