Top 10 Favorite 80's Synth-Pop Songs #2 - "Messages"
@teamfreak16 (43418)
Denver, Colorado
May 24, 2016 3:04pm CST
We return to England, specifically the Liverpool area, for #2 in my Top 10 Favorite 80's Synth-Pop Songs series, home of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD.)
OMD was formed in 1978 by vocalist Andy McCluskey and keyboardist Paul Humphreys. While the band has sold over 40-million records, they are probably best-known for John Hughes using their song "If You Leave" in his movie Pretty in Pink.
"Messages" is from the band's 1980 self-titled record, but was re-recorded for release as a single (B-side? A remake of The Velvet Underground's "I'm Waiting for the Man.")
"Messages" peaked at #13 in the UK, and hit #67 on the Billboard US Dance chart, but it was far from an international sensation. I find no evidence that the song charted in any other countries.
"Messages" is, however, a catchy piece of 80's synth-Pop, and a favorite. Not just a favorite synth-pop tune, but an overall, all-time favorite.
Music video by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark performing Messages. (P) 1980 The copyright in this audiovisual recording is owned by Virgin Records Ltd
4 people like this
4 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
24 May 16
I was wondering when you´d get round to the king OMD. Feel like dancing now Scott thanks
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
26 May 16
@teamfreak16 But are you feeling Electricity?
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
24 May 16
I know, huh. And they have always done, for the most part, smart songs, like "Enola Gay" and "Joan of Arc."
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
26 May 16
Needless to say I am big on OMD. Pandora's Box (It's a Long Long Way) if my favorite.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
26 May 16
@teamfreak16 Pandora's Box is actually about a silent film actress named Louise Brooks who is now a cult figure. It's her image story in the song and her image on the CD single.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
26 May 16
@JohnRoberts - Huh. I had no idea. I swear I learn something new everyday here.
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
26 May 16
Oh yeah, that's a good one. OMD is awesome!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
24 May 16
I was lucky enough to do my growing up in the 80's, which had a lot of good music. The only other decade I'd have wanted, music-wise, to do that would have been the 60's.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
24 May 16
@teamfreak16 100% agree there.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 May 16
Yeah, it really wasn't a big hit here. If you didn't listen to this stuff back then, odds are that you probably never heard it. Scary to think of all the music out there that we never get to hear!
