Electricity

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

About Electricity

"Electricity" is the 1979 debut single of the English group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, featured on their eponymous debut album the following year. Inspired by Kraftwerk's "Radioactivity", the song addresses society's wasteful usage of energy sources. Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys sing the lead vocals on the track together in unison. As with single "Messages" from the same album, the song features a melodic synth break instead of a sung chorus. It was on the strength of "Electricity" that the band were offered a recording contract with Dindisc, who twice re-issued the single. In 2012, "Electricity" peaked at no. 126 in the French charts. Vince Clarke of Erasure (and formerly chief songwriter of Depeche Mode, Yazoo and The Assembly) has cited "Electricity" as his primary inspiration to pursue a career in electronic music, while BBC Radio's Steve Lamacq has named it as the track that made him want to become a DJ. 


Year:
1980
3:39
270 
#2

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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

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Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) are a British New Wave group formed in 1978, whose founding members, Andy McCluskey (vocals, bass guitar) and Paul Humphreys (keyboards, vocals), are originally from the Wirral Peninsula, England. The band rose to fame with their fourth single "Enola Gay", which became a major hit throughout Europe in 1980, and achieved worldwide popularity the following year with their third album Architecture & Morality. Regarded as the band's seminal work, it spawned three international hit singles and propelled them to superstar status in their home country. OMD, whose music frequently eschewed traditional pop music arrangements in favour of experimentation, were retrospectively described by AllMusic's Ned Raggett as having been… more »

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Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY, PAUL DAVID HUMPHREYS

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Release details
"Electricity" is the debut single by the English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD). - It was first released in the United Kingdom on Factory Records in May 1979.
Composition
The track is credited to both OMD members Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys. - It gives listeners a clear sense of the band's style: synth-driven pop with a knack for simple, infectious hooks.
Inspiration
The song is said to have been inspired by the Kraftwerk track "Radioactivity". - Its lyrics critique the wastefulness of the energy industry.
Multiple Releases
Interestingly, the song was released and re-recorded on a number of occasions. - After its initial 1979 release on Factory Records, it served as the lead single from OMD's eponymous debut studio album in 1980.
Chart Performance
The track didn't initially chart high, reaching No. 53 on the UK Singles Chart. - When it was re-released later in 1980, the song managed to peak at No. 29.
Later Use
In 1980, it was featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Nunzio". - Over the years, the song has been covered by a variety of artists, demonstrating its enduring influence. - It has also been used in various advertisements and video games.
Music Video
The music video for "Electricity" was shot in the band's hometown, featuring a nuclear power station in the background. - Alternate versions of the video were made for the song's different versions and releases.
Reviews
Even though the song did not climb high on music charts at the time, it has since been hailed by critics as a classic example of synth-pop. - The track is considered as one of OMD's finest, holding a key place in the canon of 1970s and 1980s electronic music.
Cultural Impact
"Electricity" helped set the stage for the rise of synth-pop in the early 1980s. - Its success led OMD to becoming one of the leading bands in the UK's electronic music scene.

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