Messages (OMD song)
Encyclopedia
"Messages" is the third single of the synthpop
group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
(OMD). The single has a re-recorded version of the song found on their debut album Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
. The single provided OMD with their first top 40 hit in the UK, reaching number 13. The original grey two tone labels incorrectly state the producer as Chester Valentino, later editions feature different coloured record labels that correctly credit Mike Howlett
for the production. The song was featured in the second series of Ashes to Ashes (2009).
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.
. The photography was done by Trevor Key.
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are a synthpop group whose founding members are originally from the Wirral Peninsula, England...
(OMD). The single has a re-recorded version of the song found on their debut album Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (album)
-U.S. release :The U.S. version, released in 1981, collects material from the first two OMD albums, but retains the sleeve-art of the debut LP. -Remastered CD release with bonus tracks:Virgin / DIDCDR2 -Notes:...
. The single provided OMD with their first top 40 hit in the UK, reaching number 13. The original grey two tone labels incorrectly state the producer as Chester Valentino, later editions feature different coloured record labels that correctly credit Mike Howlett
Mike Howlett
Mike Howlett is a Fijian-born musician, Grammy Award winning producer and teacher based in the United Kingdom and Australia....
for the production. The song was featured in the second series of Ashes to Ashes (2009).
Song versions and B-sides
The re-recorded versions differ strongly from the album version. The 7" version is an early fade outFade out
Fade out or Fadeout may refer to:*Fade , a cinematographic technique causing the picture to darken and disappear or the reverse...
of the 10" version. The 10" version is found on the compilation albums The Best of OMD
The Best of OMD
The Best of OMD is a compilation album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, released in 1988. Despite the band's waning popularity both in the UK and abroad, it sold extremely well....
(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
Dub music
Dub is a genre of music which grew out of reggae music in the 1960s, and is commonly considered a subgenre, though it has developed to extend beyond the scope of reggae...
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
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
's song "I'm Waiting for the Man
I'm Waiting for the Man
"I'm Waiting for the Man" is a song by the American rock band The Velvet Underground, written by Lou Reed. It was first released on their 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico....
" 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
Navigation: The OMD B-Sides
Navigation: The OMD B-Sides is a compilation album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark . It was released in 2001 by Virgin Records and contains a variety of B-sides from their DinDisc and Virgin output.-Reception:...
compilation album, released in 2001.
Sleeve design
There are different sleeves for the 7" and 10". Both were designed by Peter Saville and Brett WickensBrett Wickens
Brett Wickens , is a Canadian and British Creative Director living and working in the USA.Canadian-born Brett Wickens is a creative director and partner in the design studio Ammunition, which was named one of the top ten Most Innovative Companies in Design in 2011 by Fast Company magazine -- for...
. The photography was done by Trevor Key.
7" vinyl
- UK: DinDisc DIN15
10" vinyl
- UK: DinDisc DIN15/10