Messages (OMD song)

"Messages" is the third single of the synthpop group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released in 1980. The song originally featured on their eponymous debut album, but a re-recorded version provided OMD with their first Top 40 hit single in the UK, reaching number 13.^[1] As with debut single "Electricity", the band embraced the concept of machines singing the song's chorus.^[2]

Most copies of the original 10" pressing with the album version were scrapped on behalf of the Band (because they wanted to re-record the song), but a handful did escape destruction. Some of these were given away as part of a competition for the OMD fan club in 1980. These pressings can only distinguished by the shorter track time and different runout information.

The later Grey two tone labels incorrectly state the producer as Chester Valentino. Mike Howlett is the producer, as the track was remixed and times at 4:48 - later editions again feature Grey labels correctly attributed to Mike Howlett and were also issued with different coloured record labels including Red, Green and a Pink/White combination. These labels also correctly credit Mike Howlett for the production.

The song was featured in the second series of Ashes to Ashes (2009).

AllMusic critics Ned Raggett and Dave Thompson praised the re-recorded single version, which would later appear on the band's compilation albums;^[3]^[4] the former called it a "far more stunning reworking".

Song versions and B-sides

The re-recorded versions differ strongly from the album version. The 7" version is an early fade out of the 10" version. The 10" version is found on the compilation albums The Best of OMD (1989), The OMD Singles (1998) and Messages: Greatest Hits (2008), which takes its title from this song and also includes the music video. The 10" version was also added as a bonus track on the remastered Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark album, released in 2003.

An early version of "Messages", recorded on 20 August 1979, appears on the group's Peel Sessions 1979–1983 album, showing that the song originally had a slower tempo than either the single or album versions.

An instrumental dub version of "Messages", titled "Taking Sides Again" is featured as the B-side on both the 7" and 10" singles.

Live performances of "Messages" can be found on the DVD's OMD Live: Architecture & Morality & More (2007) and Electricity: OMD with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (2009).

On the 10" single, a cover version of The Velvet Underground's song "I'm Waiting for the Man" was included, retitled "Waiting for the Man". Both B-sides can be found as bonus tracks on the remastered Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, only "Waiting for the Man" was included on the Navigation: The OMD B-Sides compilation album, released in 2001.

Sleeve design

There are different sleeves for the 7" and 10". Both were designed by Peter Saville and Brett Wickens. The photography was done by Trevor Key.

Track listing

7" vinyl

UK: DinDisc DIN15

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Messages" (7" version)	Paul Humphreys, Andy McCluskey	3:59

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Taking Sides Again"	Humphreys, McCluskey	4:19

10" vinyl

UK: DinDisc DIN15/10

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Messages" (10" version)	Humphreys, McCluskey	4:41

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Waiting for the Man"	Lou Reed	2:54
2.	"Taking Sides Again"	Humphreys, McCluskey	4:19

References

↑ "Chart Stats - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Messages". Retrieved 2010-02-23.
↑ "Interview: Andy McCluskey, OMD". PRS for Music Online Magazine. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013. Many of our songs use the synth melody as the chorus. There are verses but generally the melody is the chorus.
↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark-mw0000202497
↑ http://www.allmusic.com/song/messages-mt0029928373

External links

Lyrics for "Messages"

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Andy McCluskey Paul Humphreys Malcolm Holmes Martin Cooper Dave Hughes Michael Douglas Graham Weir Neil Weir Phil Coxon Nigel Ipinson Abe Juckes Stuart Kershaw

Studio albums	Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Organisation Architecture & Morality Dazzle Ships Junk Culture Crush The Pacific Age Sugar Tax Liberator Universal History of Modern English Electric

Compilation albums	The Best of OMD The OMD Singles The OMD Remixes Navigation: The OMD B-Sides Messages: Greatest Hits

Live albums	Peel Sessions 1979–1983 OMD Live: Architecture & Morality & More

Singles and EPs	"Electricity" "Red Frame/White Light" "Messages" "Enola Gay" "Souvenir" "Joan of Arc" "Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc)" "Genetic Engineering" "Telegraph" "Locomotion" "Talking Loud and Clear" "Tesla Girls" "Never Turn Away" "So in Love" "Secret" "La Femme Accident" "If You Leave" "(Forever) Live and Die" "We Love You" "Shame" "Dreaming" "Brides of Frankenstein" "Sailing on the Seven Seas" "Pandora's Box" "Then You Turn Away" "Call My Name" "Stand Above Me" "Dream of Me (Based on Love's Theme)" "Everyday" "Walking on the Milky Way" "Universal" "If You Want It" "Sister Marie Says" "History of Modern (Part I)" "Metroland" "The Future Will Be Silent" "Dresden"

Videography	Live at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane Crush the Movie The Best of OMD Souvenir OMD Live: Architecture & Morality & More Messages: Greatest Hits Electricity: OMD with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Related articles	Discography The Id Dalek I Love You The Listening Pool Onetwo Atomic Kitten

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