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
Was It Something I Said
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or something you read?
That's changing your mind,
That's turning you around?
Was somebody wrong,
Or somebody right?
What was it made up your mind?
What could change overnight?
That used to be mine
Come down off the fence
I'd swear that you'd find:
I can hate you no more
I can't even the score
Almost half of my life
Just fell right on the floor.
Don't you come 'round here no more
Don't you waste my time
Don't you dare to phone me
Don't you even have me on your mind!
Was there someone you know
Who won't let you go?
They're pushing you under,
And bleeding you slow.
They don't want your time,
They won't give you mine.
Their hand's in your pocket,
And your heart's on the line.
I know I'm not perfect
I wanted to be
I have this big mouth
It always contradicts me.
You say you don't know,
I say anything goes.
Baby, you think it's over,
Then this you should know:
Don't you come 'round here no more
Don't you waste my time
Don't you dare to phone me
Don't you even have me on your mind.
The song "Was It Something I Said" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark is a heartbreak song that portrays the emotions of a person who has been left by someone they loved. The song is based on uncertainty and the questions that arise when a relationship comes to an end. The opening lines of the song, "Was it something I said, Or something you read? That's changing your mind, That's turning you around?" show the confusion and the shock that a person experiences when someone they care for leaves them. The lyrics reveal that the singer is unsure as to what caused the breakup, and whether it was something they did or said, or something else altogether.
The chorus of the song, "Don't you come 'round here no more, Don't you waste my time, Don't you dare to phone me, Don't you even have me on your mind!" displays the frustration and anger at the person who left. The lyrics repeat the message of "if you're not going to be with me, don't waste my time" making it clear that the person wants nothing to do with their ex. There is also a line in the verse, "And if all of your friends, That used to be mine, Come down off the fence, I'd swear that you'd find" that suggests that the person feels like they have lost their circle of friends as well, which only adds to their heartache.
In conclusion, "Was It Something I Said" is a poignant song that depicts the complexity of human emotions after a breakup. The song portrays the feelings of confusion, frustration, and anger that a person can experience when someone they love leaves them without explanation. The lyrics resonate with anyone who has experienced heartbreak, making it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Was it something I said,
Did something I say cause you to change your mind?
Or something you read?
Did something you read influence your decision?
That's changing your mind,
What's the reason for your sudden change of heart?
That's turning you around?
What's making you change your position?
Was somebody wrong,
Did someone mess up?
Or somebody right?
Or was someone right all along?
What was it made up your mind?
What factor finally convinced you?
What could change overnight?
What could suddenly make you change your mind?
And if all of your friends
What about all the people you used to hang out with?
That used to be mine
That used to be my friends as well
Come down off the fence
Make a decision instead of being indecisive
I'd swear that you'd find:
I promise you'll see
I can hate you no more
I don't have any more hatred to give
I can't even the score
I can't get revenge
Almost half of my life
I invested a lot of time
Just fell right on the floor.
And now it feels like it was wasted
Don't you come 'round here no more
Stay away from me
Don't you waste my time
I don't want to deal with you
Don't you dare to phone me
Don't even attempt to contact me
Don't you even have me on your mind!
Don't even think about me!
Was there someone you know
Is there someone in your life
Who won't let you go?
That's keeping you trapped?
They're pushing you under,
They're pulling you down
And bleeding you slow.
And slowly draining you
They don't want your time,
They don't value your time
They won't give you mine.
And they definitely won't give you any of mine
Their hand's in your pocket,
They're taking advantage of you financially
And your heart's on the line.
And they're also hurting you emotionally
I know I'm not perfect
I'm aware that I have flaws
I wanted to be
But I tried to be better
I have this big mouth
I tend to talk too much
It always contradicts me.
And sometimes my words work against me
You say you don't know,
You claim you're not sure
I say anything goes.
I'm willing to try anything to fix things
Baby, you think it's over,
You believe it's the end
Then this you should know:
But you need to understand this:
Don't you come 'round here no more
Stay away!
Don't you waste my time
I don't have time for nonsense
Don't you dare to phone me
Don't even try to call me
Don't you even have me on your mind.
Remove any thoughts of me from your mind!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW MCCLUSKEY, STUART KERSHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind