Telegraph (song)
Encyclopedia
"Telegraph" is a song by British band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
released as the second single from their studio album Dazzle Ships
. "Telegraph" had originally been considered as the first release, but not being happy with the mix and, with pressure from Virgin
, the band opted for "Genetic Engineering
" instead.
The song was first recorded in 1981 at The Manor studios
and had been under consideration for the Architecture & Morality
album. The lyrics on the original 1981 version and the 1983 version are different in places, reflecting the harder edge the original version presented. The 1981 version was released on the 2008 re-released Dazzle Ships album as an extra track.
The original inspiration for "Telegraph" came from Andy McCluskey
's strong feelings against politics and religion at the time. These motifs were weakened for the version on Dazzle Ships.
Side one
Side two
Side one
Side two
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are a synthpop group whose founding members are originally from the Wirral Peninsula, England...
released as the second single from their studio album Dazzle Ships
Dazzle Ships (album)
The "Manor Version" of "Telegraph" was recorded at the same time as Architecture & Morality. "Swiss Radio International" was dropped from the album at the last minute...
. "Telegraph" had originally been considered as the first release, but not being happy with the mix and, with pressure from Virgin
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
, the band opted for "Genetic Engineering
Genetic Engineering (song)
"Genetic Engineering" is a song by British band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, released as the first single from their fourth studio album Dazzle Ships....
" instead.
The song was first recorded in 1981 at The Manor studios
The Manor Studio
The Manor Studio was a recording studio in the manor house at the village of Shipton-on-Cherwell in Oxfordshire, England, north of the city of Oxford. It was the first residential recording studio in the UK...
and had been under consideration for the Architecture & Morality
Architecture & Morality
Architecture & Morality is the third album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, released in 1981. It is the group's most commercially and critically successful album, selling over 3 million copies. Released just eighteen months after their debut album, it demonstrated both OMD's continuing musical...
album. The lyrics on the original 1981 version and the 1983 version are different in places, reflecting the harder edge the original version presented. The 1981 version was released on the 2008 re-released Dazzle Ships album as an extra track.
The original inspiration for "Telegraph" came from Andy McCluskey
Andy McCluskey
George Andrew "Andy" McCluskey is the lead singer, bass guitarist, and primary songwriter for the band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark ....
's strong feelings against politics and religion at the time. These motifs were weakened for the version on Dazzle Ships.
7" vinyl single and 7" picture disc
- UK: Telegraph VS 580
- UK: Telegraph VSY 580
Side one
- "Telegraph" (Paul HumphreysPaul HumphreysPaul Humphreys is a British musician.-Life and career:He is best known as a member of synth pop group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark , which he founded with Andy McCluskey in 1978.He grew up on the Wirral Peninsula in North West England, during which time he developed his interest in German...
/Andy McCluskeyAndy McCluskeyGeorge Andrew "Andy" McCluskey is the lead singer, bass guitarist, and primary songwriter for the band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark ....
) – 2:57
Side two
- "66 and Fading" (Humphreys/McCluskey) – 6:31
12" vinyl single (extended version)
- UK: Telegraph VS 580-12
Side one
- "Telegraph (extended version)" (Humphreys/McCluskey) – 5:53
Side two
- "66 and Fading" (Humphreys/McCluskey)
Chart performance
| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Media Control Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... Singles Chart |
39 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
28 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
42 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 32 |