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Rating: Hello everyone, after a bit of inactivity due to summer commitments, I'm back on Debaser this time presenting you a CD that kept me occupied throughout the holidays.
I'm talking about the compilation of the best hits of OMD, the so-called "The Best of", which I now listen to infinite times a day and consider one of the best "best of" in my collection. We're talking about "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark" a hugely successful group in the 80s. The Sex Pistols, Bauhaus, and others in the 70s elevated punk as a highly rebellious genre full of meanings ranging from social struggles to the rejection of society. Was punk coming to an end? Although it is still easy to find current punk bands today, it can be said that in the long historical line of music, a genre called "New Wave" aimed to capture punk and transport it towards pop standards, through electronics, with the aim of generating a new evolution of punk in the 80s, which although lasted very little, was an important period because it was first of all full of bands, and then because it was the so-called post-punk. New Wave is therefore electronic punk, and keyboards, which somehow symbolize the event of inserting music towards futuristic realms, become a necessary instrument, just think of the famous Depeche Mode who were once just synthesizer players, or rather synth-rockers.
These very considerations led New Wave as a musical current to completely detach from its objective of reviving punk, becoming a genre in its own right, self-contained and comprising all those musicians who made electronic, digital, futuristic, and innovative music. In a period between '81 and '84, MTV broadcast hours and hours of this music, almost to promote its development and consistency. However, the New Wave is still considered today as an intermediary current, never well established, but only comprised between punk and the underground rock that formed when artists achieved different musical results, turning their style towards a more sustained rock, as in the case of the Smiths. Within the New Wave period, various artists like Ultravox, the aforementioned DM, and not least our OMD created synth-pop, which subgenre was experimental already many years before, as the creation of digital pop/rock music and during this period had the greatest chance to develop and establish itself.
Today, we somewhat superficially label all 80s music as SynthPop, in which pop was synthesized and danceable, a project generated by Kraftwerk but partially revived by Duran Duran, who invented the term New Romantic. Today we know OMD mainly for one song, "Enola Gay", the bestselling single in 1981 and still widely played on the radio. The Enola Gay was the name of the B-29 Superfortress bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, christened by the pilot after his mother's name, and it's surprising how such a famous song for its danceable and playful melody, with its disco and psychedelic rhythms, still played by tourist animators, can actually describe a monstrous psychological condition in an ironic tone. "Enola Gay, you are a mother's pride for her son, today, Oh, this kiss you gave will never fade away. ".
The fundamental style, not to mention fascinating and absolute of OMD, was that of inserting melancholic adventures within digital games, it is indeed recognizable in every song a certain amount of sadness woven into the danceable melody, and this is what I love about OMD, they create a spiritual, psychedelic music in a certain sense, music that is not at all trivial like much of today's House, but at the same time danceable and energetic. With OMD in your ears, you embark on journeys, dives into human feelings and emotions, with clean and brilliant sounds, despite being produced in the 80s. We therefore deal with melodic and sentimental ballads, refined and expressive of pure existential decadence. McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, just two people birthing a fascinating and mystical musical genre, here summarized in a fantastic compilation that I never stop listening to. Another big hit by OMD was Electricity, the first track of the eighteen proposed here, famous especially for its strong dance-driven rhythm.
Every song is a small gem, every song has its rhythm that captivates and makes you dream, among all I recommend "Souvenir" with its mysterious and spiritual sound and the slow and cadenced rhythm, "Maid Of Orleans" which is perhaps the most dramatic of all, "Telegraph" with its excellent fluid and typical futurist pop sounds, "So in Love" for its captivating melody and the same goes for "Secret" among my favorites.
I open a small awareness campaign about synth-pop, a genre today anything but commercial, and I would dare to say increasingly unknown, pointing you to this wonderful website: http://spazioinwind.libero.it/electropolis/index.html
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Electricity ()
Our one source of energy
The ultimate discovery
Electric blue for me
Never more to be free
Electricity
Nuclear and HEP
Carbon fuels from the sea
Wasted electricity
Our one source of energy
Electricity
All we need to live today
A gift for man to throw away
The chance to change has nearly gone
The alternative is only one
The final source of energy
Solar electricity
Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
E . . .
02 Messages ()
It worries me this kind of thing
How you hope to live alone
And occupy your waking hours
We're taking sides again
I just wept I couldn't understand
Why you started this again
And every day you send me more
It makes it worse is this a plan of yours
To ensure I don't forget
I'd write and tell you that I've burnt them all
But you never send me your address
And I've, I've kept them anyway
So don't ask me if I think it's true
That communication can bring hope to those
Who have gone their separate ways
It hardly touched me when it should have then
But memories are uncertain friends
When recalled by messages
Coded messages
Poison letters
03 Enola Gay ()
Enola Gay
You should have stayed at home yesterday
Ah-ha words can't describe
The feeling and the way you lied
These games you play
They're going to end in more than tears some day
Ah-ha Enola Gay
It shouldn't ever have to end this way
It's eight fifteen
And that's the time that it's always been
We got your message on the radio
Conditions normal and you're coming home
Enola Gay
Is mother proud of little boy today
Ah-ha this kiss you give
It's never going to fade away
Enola Gay
It shouldn't ever have to end this way
Ah-ha Enola Gay
It shouldn't fade in our dreams away
It's eight fifteen
And that's the time that it's always been
We got your message on the radio
Conditions normal and you're coming home
Enola Gay
s mother proud of little boy today
Ah-ha this kiss you give
It's never ever going to fade away
04 Souvenir ()
It's my direction
It's my proposal
It's so hard
It's leading me astray
My obsession
It's my creation
You'll understand
It's not important now
All I need is
Co-ordination
I can't imagine
My destination
My intention
Ask my opinion
But no excuse
My feelings still remain
My feelings still remain
05 Joan of Arc ()
A little Catholic girl who's fallen in love
A face on a page, a gift from above
She should have known better than to give her heart
She should have know better than to ever part
Without me
Without me
I gave her everything that I ever owned
I think she understood but she never spoke
She shouldn't ought to try to be that way
She shouldn't have to go there ever again
Without me
Without me
Now listen to us good and listen well
Listen to us all and everything we tell
We should have known better than to give her away
We should have know better to this very day
Without me
Without me
Now listen Joan of Arc
All you have to do
Is say the right words and I'll be coming through
Hold you in my arms and take you right away
Now she's on her way to another land
We never understood why she gave her hand
She shouldn't ought to promise because it's just pretend
I know she doesn't mean it and she'll leave again
Without me
Without me
Without me
Without me
06 Maid of Orleans ()
If Joan of Arc
Had a heart
Would she give it as a gift
To such as me
Who longs to see
How an angel ought to be
She seems to give
Her heart away
Like an orphan on the wain
She cared so much
She offered up
Her body to the flames
07 Telegraph ()
I've got a telegraph
In my hand
Words on paper
Written in sand
We've got telegraph (we've got telegraph)
Right across this land (all across this land)
It doesn't mean a damn thing
We don't understand
But who needs telegraph anyway?
I've got a telegraph (I've got a telegraph)
In my hand (in my hand)
Words on paper (words on paper)
Written in sand (written in sand)
We've got telegraph (we've got telegraph)
Right across this land (all across this land)
It doesn't mean a damn thing (it doesn't mean a thing)
We don't understand (we never understand)
God's got telegraph
On his side (on his side)
It makes him powerful
Gives him pride (gives him pride)
Even in America (God bless America)
They understand (they understand)
The value of telegraph (the value of telegraph)
Hand in hand (hand in hand)
08 Tesla Girls ()
NO NO NO
Tesla Girls Tesla Girls
Testing out theories
Electric Chairs and dynamos
Dressed to kill They’re killing me
But Heaven knows their recipe
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 learnt 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
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 their recipe
NO NO NO
09 Sailing on the Seven Seas ()
You say that love will capture me
But not unless you give it free
We're sailing on the seven seas
Sister Ray is on TV
The light of love that shines so bright
That the F.B.I won't sleep tonight
Because I'm so in awe of you
That I don't know what to do
And I'm sailing on the seven seas so blue
Sick and tired and I don't know why
Skin and bone won't touch the sky
Sex and lies can't bring me down
Because I've sold my soul all over town
Because I'm so in awe of you
That I don't know what to do
And I'm sailing on the seven seas so blue
People try and drag us down
So we learn to swim before we drown
Because I'm so in awe of you
That I don't know what to do
And I'm sailing on the seven seas so blue
And I’m so in awe of you
That I don't know what to do
And I'm sailing on
The seven seas so blue
10 Locomotion ()
Crossing every ocean for the sake of Locomotion
Crossing every ocean for the sake of Locomotion
Across every ocean
For the sake of Locomotion
But I wouldn’t have a notion
How to save my soul
I walk down the sidewalk
Run down the boardwalk
Stop and make small talk
But I can’t say no to you
I can’t say no I can’t say yes
I can’t even write down my own address
I can’t touch Heaven it’s a little too far
It’s the only way to travel
Got dreaming on a par
I’m staring through the window
Wondering where you are
Moving through the landscape at a million miles an hour
Across every nation
From the harbour to the station
It’s a form of inspiration
It’s a power to the state
They run down the railways
Sail across the seaways
Fly through the airways
But they can’t say no
To you
I can’t stand up I can’t stand still
I know you wouldn’t like it if I told you how I feel
I just want to say that it’s only common sense
But the words always fail me at my own expense
I’m staring out the window
Wonder where you are
Moving through the landscape at a million miles an hour
Across every ocean
For the sake of Locomotion
But I wouldn’t have a notion
How to save my soul
I walk down the sidewalk
Run down the boardwalk
Stop and make small talk
But I can’t say no to you
11 Pandora's Box ()
Born in Kansas
On an ordinary plain
Ran to New York
But ran away from fame
Only seventeen
When all your dreams came true
But all you wanted
Was someone to undress you
And all the stars you kissed
Could never ease the pain
Still the grace remains
The face has changed
And you're still the same
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long road
But you're too blind to see
Frame of silence
Of an innocence divine
Is a dangerous creation
When you fail the test of time
And all the photographs
Of ghosts of long ago
Still they hurt you so
Won't let you go
And you still don't know
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long road
But you're too blind to see
When you look around yourself now
Do you recognize the girl
The one who broke a thousand hearts
Terrified the world
And all the stars you kissed
Could never ease the pain
And if the face has changed
The grace remains
And you're still the same
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long road
But you're too blind to see
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long road
And you're too blind to see
And it's a long long way
From where you want to be
And it's a long long road
And you're too blind to see
And it's a long long way...
12 Talking Loud and Clear ()
Talking loud and clear
Saying just what we feel
Lying in the grass
With the sun on our backs
It doesn’t really matter
What we do or what we say
With every little movement
We give ourselves away
Opposite and opposite
Decisions are reversed
Facing one another
With words that couldn’t hurt
With every little word
You’re getting closer to me
Talking loud and clear
Saying just what you feel today
Talking loud and clear
Saying just what we feel
Lying in the grass
We’ve got time on our hands
Body next to body
With silence all around
We understand each other
But didn’t make a sound
Promises and promises
Of vows we shall return
Facing one another
I thought my heart would burn
You turn to move away
But then get closer to me
Talking loud and clear
Saying just what you feel today
13 So in Love ()
Talk to me, don't lie to me
Save your breath
Don't look at me, don't smile at me
Just close your eyes
I was so impressed by you
I was running blind
I would fall for every trick
Every twist of mind
Heaven is cold
Without any soul
It's hard to believe
I was so in love with you
Don't say your prayers, don't build your hopes
Just walk away
Don't phone me up, don't call around
Don't waste your time
You were so in awe of me
You were so divine
You would do just anything
To still be mine
Heaven is cold
Without any soul
It's hard to believe
I was so in love with you
All the things you said to me
I was so obsessed
You were always talking talking
God I did my best
Heaven is cold
Without any soul
It's hard to believe
I was so in love with you
Etc....
14 Secret ()
Secret.
Secret.
I've got a secret and I can't explain
all the time I've waited for this day
all along I was never in doubt
I've always knew it could ever get out
There are things that I cannot tell
and there are things that you know damn well
This is getting very hard for me
I guess you'd better just wait and see
Shut up!
This is all
This is all
secret.
You brought a message and the message was clear
all the time you wipe away that tear
all I want is to hold your hand
to see the sun and walk the sand
You make me sad as you make me glad
And now you see all my secret is is love (is love...)
Everyday I'm always there
you can't fight me
and make me feel it's worth my while
and then I look around and you're not there
and every day you say you can't hang out beware
Secret.
This is all
This is all
secret.
I got a secret and I can't explain
.. is this all
All I want is to hold your hand
.. is this all
All along I was never in doubt
.. is this all
To see the sun and to walk the sand
.. is this all Secret
(fade)
I got a secret and I can't explain
All I want is to hold your hand
15 If You Leave ()
If you leave, don’t leave now
Please don’t take my heart away
Promise me, just one more night
Then we’ll go our separate ways
We’ve always had time on our side
Now it’s fading fast
Every second, every moment
We’ve gotta make it last
I touch you once, I touch you twice
I won’t let go at any price
I need you now like I need you then
You always said we'd still be friends someday
If you leave I won't cry
I won't waste a single day
But if you leave don't look back
I'll be running the other way
Seven years went under the bridge
Like time was standing still
Heaven knows what happens now
You’ve gotta say you will
I'll touch you once, I'll touch you twice
I won't let go at any price
I need you now like I need you then
You always said we'd meet again someday
I touch you once, I touch you twice
I won’t let go at any price
I need you now like I need you then
You always said we’d meet again someday
If you leave
If you leave
Don’t look back
Don’t look back
17 Dreaming ()
If you were born in heaven girl
I'd understand so well
But ever since I've met you child
You've made my life such hell
With every day that passes
I fall nearer to the ground
It seems that I've been looking for
Something that won't be found
I was only Dreaming
I was only trying to catch your eye
I was only wishing you would notice me
Instead you said goodbye
Could this be the new answer then
To all the dreams we've made
Could there be some solution please
To rid me of this grace
But every single second that you held me in your arms
You build me up
You raise me up
You kill me with your charms
I was only Dreaming
I was only trying to catch your eye
I was only wishing you would notice me
Instead you said goodbye
Would you stay with me tonight
Won't you make these feelings last
Can we start this all again
Would that be just to much to ask
I was only Dreaming
I was only trying to catch your eye
I was only wishing you would notice me
Instead you said goodbye...
18 Genetic Engineering ()
Efficient, logical, effective, and practical
Using all resources to the best of our ability
Changing, designing, adapting our mentalities
Improving our abilities for a better way of life
Babies Mother Hospital Scissors
Creature Judgement Butcher Engineer
These are the little children
The future in our hands
When all God's children on this Earth
Inherit all our plans
These are the lies they tell us
But this is the only way
When all God's children on the Earth
Will ever more be saved
Babies Mother Hospital Scissors
Creature Judgement Butcher Engineer
Babies Mother Hospital Scissors
Creature Judgement Butcher Engineer
These are the little children
The future's in their hands
When all God's children on this Earth
Inherit all our plans
These are the lies they tell us
The future's good as sold
In all the things we say and do
We really must be bold
20 Call My Name ()
I've seen a new sensation
I heard you call in pain
But running round in circles
Won't make it right again
The telephone keeps ringing
Your head is in the sand
The future is unfolding
But it's not what you had planned
No matter what you do
There's no escape for you
You say we go too far
You say I'll take my car
So it always ends the same
There's no one else to blame
But I'd die
If you would call my name
Caught between two evils
You should have stayed at home
To wish upon and walk upon
A planet of your own
No matter what you do
There's no escape for you
You say we go too far
You say I'll take my car
So it always ends the same
There's no one else to blame
But I'd die
If you would call my name
Yes I'd die
If you would call my name
No matter what you do
There's no escape for you
You say we go too far
You say I'll take my car
So it always ends the same
There's no one else to blame
But I'd die
If you would call my name
Oh yes I'd die
If you would call my name
22 Walking on the Milky Way ()
When I was only seventeen
My head was full of brilliant dreams
My heart would call and I would gladly go
At twenty one the world was mine
And I was yours and you're divine
And nothing else would matter to us so
I don't believe in destiny
I don't believe in love
I don't believe that anything will ever be enough...
Man you should have seen us
On the way to Venus
Walking on the milky way
It was quite a day hey hey...
Walking on the big stuff
Acting like we're real tough
Baby we were on our way
So what do you say hey hey.
As time goes by reality
Destroys your hope and dignity
There's nothing left but shadows on the wall
But just remember who you are
And where you've been you've come so far
And never ever let them see you fall
I don't believe in miracles
I don't believe in truth
I don't believe that anything can recreate your youth
Man you should have seen us
On the way to Venus
Walking on the milky way
It was quite a day hey hey...
Walking on the big stuff
Acting like we're real tough
Baby we were on our way
So what do you say hey hey
Man you should have seen us
On the way to Venus
Walking on the milky way
It was quite a day hey hey...
Walking on the big stuff
Acting like we're real tough
Baby we were on our way
So what do you say hey hey
Man it's you to seen us this way we runaway with yuo (x3)
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