Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Genetic Engineering

[@ste9281]

When Dazzle Ships first came out, it was a commercial failure and it nearly killed OMD’s career as a result. But as the years went on, many began to realise it was an underrated masterpiece that was ahead of its time due to its experimental music.

[@marianovaliente2103]

Pies yo no recuerdo que dazzle ships fuera una mierda hijito..

[@jasonblake924]

Was the only OMD album I bought back in the day until last years Bauhaus Staircase.

[@dailyrider2975]

It's always been my favorite. Never gets boring.

[@AJAXKID123]

This song is almost 40 years old… and that’s probably the last time I heard it. I stumbled on this by accident and almost cried.

[@sensiblename295]

Today is the first time I have heard this track since the 1980s and it had an impact upon me I can't describe. Amazing sound. OMD were so superior to so many of the bands of the time, understated and without the massive egos or hype of some of them.

[@BACALL1965]

​@@sensiblename295 new album coming soon possibly with numan

[@mikehayes5889]

Not heard with Numan - but it’s definitely called Bauhaus Staircase due this month 💙

[@sawtoothiandi]

all moist...

[@cosetilo5]

1978 - 2018. 40 years. 13 studio albums. 39 singles. Millions moments of euphoria listening to superb music!!

[@Supersweetguy]

Don't forget they released a CD/DVD album called messages in 2008 to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

[@luiludena9228]

@@Supersweetguy Yep, Mervin, and it was a really resume how beautiful music we get with OMD

[@2532robh1]

40th Anniversary 7 disk set releasing next week.

[@clairduffy60]

Pretty damn prolific.

[@geoffreyjonathanwilson5826]

My thoughts too! I think Andy & Paul are geniuses

[@RAlanBryan2112]

i was in the USAF stationed in JAPAN when this came out. I bought Japanese editions of OMD releases while there. This band was and still is a band I collect and cherish to since Electricity was released. I have seen them in concert 4 times. most recently in 2013, 2018 and 2019...

[@buzzabuzza3494]

Brilliant👏👏thanks for sharing your personal experiences of the superb OMD.After 45 years I’m finally going to see them at Wolverhampton UK 2024.

[@glenncooney3959]

I really adored Joann Kenny (the young girl - she was 10 or 11 when the video was made). She was a versatile actress and had a great singing voice too. It’s so sad that she passed away so young. She will be forever young. ❤️

[@liamf7838]

Wow how she pass 😢

[@StarsManny]

@@liamf7838 I read that she died from alcoholism.

[@liamf7838]

@@StarsManny wow that's a shame

[@sensiblename295]

Grange Hill alumni and a Doctor Who villain. A good pedigree for any actor in our memories from the time.

[@RHINOWINOLUNATIC]

Also appeared in The Mobiles "Drowning In Berlin"?

[@simonecasadei7636]

Una delle migliori band di fine anni 70, una delle migliori band degli anni 80,una delle migliori band degli anni 90,una delle migliori band del nuovo millennio,una delle migliori band attuali.... Non resta nulla da aggiungere

[@frompixieland]

incredibly talented and creative musicians.

[@buzzabuzza3494]

I can’t imagine a song being produced like this now.Great innovative music from those times.

[@wendyhughes2234]

A Good Song. Heard it in the 1990s but couldn't remember the title and it took me a while to find the Title of this song to play it on YT. Glad i was able to find it.

[@douglasbell1227]

One of my favourite OMD tracks, from the hugely underrated album 'Dazzle Ships'.

[@alanfox4172]

I agree the first pieces of pop music apart from rap artists to use sample on the record.

[@paulbessant8182]

Dazzle Ships is absolutely brilliant

[@kinsmansteve]

Not underrated here, 'Dazzle Ship's was a superb album. Still is.

[@arshk3612]

Agree i saw them play Dazzle Ships at the Royal Albert Hall. Finalky got to see and hear gens like Radio Waves live.. Saw them same venue 2 nights back buts irs these sorts of non single tracks that make them so awesome.

[@curly_wyn]

@@kinsmansteve The album was met with largely negative reviews and was also a commercial failure when it came out, but has retrospectively been met with acclaim from critics and audiences alike! :)

[@user-eg7bs2fk3l]

This is the best 80's band EVER! I was only born in 1987 but I can't stop listening to them...

[@jeannineswart5554]

A very very catchy heart tugging song!!! BRILLIANT!!! I LOVE IT. YOU ROCK OMD. I had the fortune of touching your hsnd at The Good Hope Centre Concert CAPE TOWN South AFRICA Jeannine Caroline Ross Swart Swift, Andy McClusky! Thanx!!!

[@curiousottman]

Saw OMD open for the Thompson Twins in 85 in Ottawa Canada. Simply amazing show. OMD stole the show. Haven't had the privilege of seeing them since but would welcome the possibility if they ever tour in North America again.

[@AdrianBoyko]

Doctor! Doctor!

[@rmccp]

One of the most unique and important band of my era. I wish I could see them live one day.

[@davidgrant3936]

Seriously insightful. They were way ahead of their time in so many ways. Growing up with Speak & Spell helped make this one of my all time favorite O.M.D. songs.

[@donbuck8110]

Speak and Spell was a Depche Mode record not OMD, but who cares good stuff

[@rapmaster]

@@donbuck8110 I think David's referring to the Speak & Spell educational toy that inspired both bands!

[@donbuck8110]

I think your'e right but that was before my time, I'm an old fucker. LOL

[@marcuswerker]

@@donbuck8110 😂😂😂 He means the toy, the robot voice in the song is from the real Speak & Spell by Texas Instruments. Kraftwerk used this machine too.

[@arnoldlayne2011]

The first song I ever heard by OMD in 1982-83 when I first got my Apartment. I loved it then and now to see the video it on KZbin makes it even better. Such good memories R.E.M., Psych. Furs, The Clash and Modern English-I Melt With You!!

[@mcjones127]

Only just discovered this song, now I can't stop playing it, over and over.

[@dannylarue1940]

I did that back in the early nineties. Covid tune.

[@themoores9817]

Im seeing them live tonight. So excited

[@debra1232]

Brilliant '80s band! Loved this band since '79, when I was 16-yrs-old. Favourite '80's band for me.

[@sbrenn8578]

Brilliant song love this tune back in the day and if u ever got the chance to see them in concert this was the loudest track played or it felt like it . seen them around 40times and still as good as they was back in 79 if not better

[@mgparis]

How cute do the boys look in their suits? Underrated musical geniuses PS - Listen at your own risk, this song gets stuck in your brain! :)

[@wendyhughes2234]

The tune stuck in my head and remembered my brother bringing the music home one day in the early 1990's while he was on leave while he was a fireman in the Airforce in South Africa. I tried to find out what the name of the group was. [Eventually found out].

[@Marge719]

Very catchy song, I always loved it UNTIL I learned the lyrics; The message is very creepy and fits our time peprfectly!

[@usa567hjfth7]

Yes I totally agree with you Marge.

[@lewisner]

To some extent it is based on Numbers by Kraftwerk.

[@matelot95]

​@@lewisner👍

[@loosart5909]

The past Shows us the future !

[@Valisk]

Once you learn the lyrics, you should love it more!

[@garethnoall2843]

RIP Joann Kenny Very underrated actress.

[@wilco1969]

They play this song 2 days ago here in Holland,as a song vote. It was a great concert 21 songs and every song they play it so good. Have seen OMD now 8 time,s live here in Holland and 1 time in Belgium. My no 1 band for so many years.

[@BH-hx4hf]

Way before my time, very jealous. Amazing track. 👍

[@Supersweetguy]

Funfacts (by songfacts) :Genetic Engineering by OMD OMD's Andy McCluskey told The Guardian March 7, 2008 about this song, which as the title suggests, is about genetic engineering: "I was very positive about the subject! I didn't expect someone like (multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation) Monsanto to come along and say, 'F--k it, we can make money out of cross-pollination.'" He added, "People didn't listen to the lyrics. I think they automatically assumed it would be anti. Generally, I was pretty dark and pessimistic. Very precious and strong-minded." After the commercial success of OMD's Architecture and Morality album, which included their smash hit "Joan of Arc" and "Maid Of Orleans (The Waltz Joan Of Arc)," this first release from its follow-up album Dazzle Ships was too difficult for many and flopped, selling 300,000 compared to Architecture and Morality's 3 million. McCluskey told The Guardian: "It all made sense to us. We wanted to be Abba and Stockhausen. The machinery, bones and humanity were juxtaposed." He added: "I was the ideas man, Paul Humphreys made it happen. It was a symbiotic relationship. But I'm the one who took us right to the edge of the plank. When people heard Dazzle Ships, they obviously preferred our music with the sweet wrapper on. Not a song about someone's hand being cut off by a totalitarian regime. After that, there was a conscious and unconscious reeling-in of our experimental side. We got more conservative."

[@rapmaster]

Which is sad. Telegraph was genius; Tesla Girls was the beginning of the end...

[@marpsr]

So sad. Their experimental side was amazing.

[@mick5831]

Great. Thanks

[@apollocvermouth2915]

Sadly Joann Elizabeth Kenny, the girl in this video died at just 37 years old. She was in Dr. Who and Grange Hill.

[@NathanArnoldCharging]

Regardless, a pretty cool legacy to leave behind.

[@mkshannon3]

Thought I recognised her

[@tonymeola9702]

apollo c vermouth causes of dead may I know?

[@trevl8955]

@tony meola Google is your friend. Use it lazy ass.

[@jamesking3654]

@@tonymeola9702 She died of liver and other organ failure due to alcoholism.

[@Aramanth]

*When I got this album* years and years ago I was blown away... _Architecture & Morality_ was so sophisticated and experimental but not on the grand plane of musique concrete as _Dazzle Ships!_ It became a springboard for me to explore other experimental artists like Leon Theremin, Karlheinz Stockhausen, George Crumb, Kraftwerk, etc. It still remains a *"GO"* mark on my monopoly board of avant-garde music. Thanks for posting!!!!!!! 💟

[@deinklopapier809]

One of my favorite videos!!! ♥

[@thombears]

I have loved omd since I first heard them back in 1980 but this is my favourite track by a long way.

[@Brixtaan]

With this being released when I was 13, and being addicted to it on my suitcase-sized Sony Walkman it's quite possible OMD are responsible for my unquenching thirst for alternative music. Thank the lord for 83 and OMD

[@Brixtaan]

I mean the whole Dazzle Ships album

[@KazisCollection]

I found this on my dad’s ipod at a similar age. I couldn’t stop listening-it felt like I had found a secret

[@cheekymouse4]

Me too. I wonder if it is an aspergian thing! I have aspergers x

[@smith6677]

They might be responsible for a sore shoulder as well.

[@nickandrew1089]

One of th few truly great bads from the 80s. great track.

[@mrgod679]

I got this album when it came out I never saw the video of this song until just now. Of course the video is just as weird as the song. Loved it!

[@nosnad71]

Dazzle Ships - great album! Slated on release because it wasn't poppy/commercial enough in line with the increasingly naff chart fodder of the time. They made up for that with Junk Culture and proved they were able to craft poppy tunes which still maintained a bit of originality . OMD - I doff my cap to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@paulbessant8182]

nosnad71 Dazzle Ships was and is a fantastic album. I must have been one of the few that actually liked it when it came out!

[@jeffwilley2164]

Dazzle was underrated along with sugar tax.

[@warlock242]

Junk Culture they began to sell-out.

[@rjjcms1]

I remember one music mag reviewer saying "I think they've gone mad". I'd forgotten about this song but from Souvenir,Joan of Arc,etc. to this period they dared to produce creative and different tracks that didn't rely on conventional pop hooks,yet still had several big hits.

[@jasoncollins1702]

Melody Maker liked it.

[@warlock242]

Epic video of one of my favourite songs.

[@gavinjesse6862]

Joann Kenny was my favourite in Grange Hill. Should have had a bigger part.

[@garychurchward1704]

I thought I recognised her from Grange Hill. One of those where are they now moments.

[@raultthierry6480]

J'adore ce clip, il est génial !

[@bensemr5109]

Oh ja, das ist er.

[@wiskeydog100]

The public wasn't expected to welcome omd in the early years of this fantastic synthpop Double act who performed on stage. With a reel to reel eight track recorder called winston , the guys done good

[@daymja]

One of my favourite tracks of O.M.D

[@ELEcomments]

These lyrics are haunting af holy crap

[@jmedia1102]

My life wouldn't have been complete without buying this single record as soon as it came out.

[@anjaminnemann4744]

Love this vid...omg...time goes by so fast...from 1983....I can not believe..heard this 100 of times..thanks for sharing it

[@cheekymouse4]

Back here. Loved this as a child. I had a Caveman arcade game and Donkey Kong but never got Speak N Spell to recreate this gem x

[@cheekymouse4]

This song brings back happy memories. Speak And Spell, Commodore Vic 20 (Hoppit and Blitz!) Being a nine year old, great time to absorb synthesizers x

[@paulmccluskey2993]

R.I.P to Joanne Kelly, who appears as the little girl in the video. She was an actress in Grange Hill until she died very suddenly :(

[@50018Resolution]

Paul McCluskey Joann Kenny, so sad she's no longer with us, watched her many times playing Jane Bishop in Grange Hill, a very pretty girl throughout her short life, always had a cheeky smile, Miss her loads......

[@donbuck8110]

How did she die

[@wolfgangdevries127]

From the Dr Who cast and crew site: Joann Kenny (Jean) Feb 11 1972 to Jan 3 2010 (multiple organ failure, pneumonia and alcoholic liver disease*) Career highlights Joann will perhaps be best remembered for playing Jane Bishop in school drama Grange Hill between 1985-88; her only other acting credit was The Bill in 1989. Facts As part of the Grange Hill cast she appeared on the Just Say No anti-drugs single in 1986, which peaked at number 5 on the chart. She can also be seen in the videos for The Mobiles' 1981 single Drowning in Berlin and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's Genetic Engineering (1983). You can watch a video tribute to Joann here. * Some reports claim she died of cancer, but her death certificate apparently reads as this.

[@droberts753]

Brilliant and addictive omd track

[@FarrierNoire]

One of my favorite OMD songs. Such a legendary sound to this and the Dazzle Ships album in its entirety. The video for this is super interesting too.

[@ThePegasus101]

the uks version of kraftwerk..brilliant,grew up with OMD

[@jamesdoyle3885]

This needs to be turned up very loud to appreciate how good the intro sounds when it kicks in!

[@abrahamulagay4495]

I really love this song, one of my most favourites of the OMD, thank you so much guys for posting it.

[@trendydelquendy]

My dad loved this song, as I did. I wonder if he ever knew it was about him.

[@JoseSanchez-96]

So stylish video and Andy-Paul!

[@albertomolina3868]

Brilliant music! We'll always have a special place in my heart.

[@timdowns7937]

Paul and Andy, the Wirral’s answer to Ralf and Florian. Love OMD 🤗

[@femme-mirage]

Andy and Paul were smiling

[@AlldaylongRock]

Science in a song.... awesome...

[@vsander09]

Jorge M She blinded me with Kraftwerk

[@MegaMikey1966]

Architecture and Morality was their best album in my opinion.Brings back some great memories :)

[@eduavalos8116]

Very vissionary!!.....they rule!...pioneers of the electro pop!...And they will be in concert in Mexico City next month!

[@shawnhayden6674]

Amazing even in these times.

[@keplertagapan2912]

Top 10 Orchestra Manoeuvres In The Dark OMD English British 🇬🇧 Band Best Of Collection Single Hits New Waves 80s 90s Billboard Chart European Waves Legendary

[@richardrickford3028]

Its amazing what they build up from the brilliantly simple musical idea at the beginning and at the end of the song. The lyrics feel rather Orwellian.

[@maximilianogabriel9982]

GATTACA

[@TheDiveO]

I didn't knew OMD sang about JRM...

[@luiludena9228]

I really appreciate OMD to make me feel so good with this Masterpiece. I saw in a Shop both DAZZLE SHIPS and ORGANISATION but in Vinyl...Wow!!! My eyes were open wide...Just wait til the moment I purchase them and the LP Player to play it in Dolby Sorround..

[@NOV17MAY16]

Masterpiece!

[@M2019-k9u]

WHAT A BRILLIANT VIDEO!!!!!

[@briankrause2359]

You know, upon watching this video (for the 1000th time, it is so awesome)I just noticed that the deck of cards the boys & girls are playing around with at 1:20ish is of the exact same art style of a book I had read to me as a child, which I've recently read to my boys. The book is about a boy that has magical dreams that his toys come to life and how they interact with him when his neighbour (a young girl) gets a broken leg. After watching this video and only caring how awesome the music is, it is kind of wild to make that mental connection on something from my childhood, which my boys have now been exposed to too (though both the song, and I've also read them that same book, thankfully, my parents never tossed it). This song is still amazing after 35+ years.

[@JohnLouisBishop84]

Don't be too hard on yourself...I'm a 90s kid, too. And like all great things passed onto me from the prior decade that I took a shine to (Peter Gabriel, Diane Franklin, "Stand By Me"), there's a good reason we call these timeless. The sensation is still there and built to last.

[@danielbowen8417]

This song is so lit i cruise down the street in my 64 and blast it

[@tonymeola9702]

Cool video. Far ahead of time

[@earthangelofGod]

This is what I loved about OMD.🙌🙌💕😊

[@mcosgrove91010]

Oh man! They were so sexy! And BRILLIANT! I love being alive at the same moment in time as all their amazing music has been released.

[@alexfong289]

You get to hear this and everything the future finds and uploads you have your music and music to come. Maybe you will be making this music for my kid to listen to. You are in a good place in life. I'm happy for us.

[@markhinsley4339]

One of the best omd songs ever done 👍

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

Yes so too.

[@danstapleton9620]

I absolutely LOVE Dazzle Ships. Never understood the criticisms.

[@ludwigmiddel8072]

Klasse Lied, jetzt erst zufällig gehört und sofort übernommen

[@MissKitty21]

OMD is just awesome ❤

[@mjdomicello]

ONE OF THE GREATEST... FOR NEARLY 4 DECADES

[@natluisnatluis1522]

OMD? used to phone my girlfriend from 632-3003 (red frame, white light). Got original covers for electricity and 1st album, all dindisc. Unfortunately too young to meet Andy McCluskey as I was a1styearwhen he was a 6th former. Memories of listening to John Peel,waitingto hear OMD.

[@Frieddie1]

This Song bring Me Back in The Eighties 👍

[@fredmila]

Great song I had forgotten it

[@stefanmatthews5306]

Would love to do a dance remix to this. I bet it would be very interesting playing with beats and melody in this song. Never forget Mr mccluskys lyrics.

[@refrescospepitocanarias7581]

Never understood this video, but the music is great!

[@lauramarshall3230]

Awesome intro to this song

[@iturriso]

Definitivamente, los 80 eran la modernidad, algo ahora inimaginable. Qué obra maestra Dazzle ships.

[@seangrag4055]

Brilliant

[@spikeburst6527]

Show in Miami some years ago at Grand Central. Absolute passionate performance. Search vids on YT.

[@Pedy1968]

Wonderful song and video!!!

[@magdalenaw991]

I love this song 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@barbarakirk3064]

Matt Lucas's team passed on a link to a TV ad for Speak & Spell toys on Twitter, which made me think of this!

[@georgehinojosa431]

I'm 59. First album from OMD was Dazzle Ships after that I was hooked.OMD should do the next James Bond song.

[@MarcelNL]

God, I love this song!

[@espresso5512]

A bit reminds me about Kraftwerk - Computer World

[@vsander09]

Espresso Rapido and Radiohead reminds you of this

[@alexchristianmusic]

Yeah that computer voice.

[@synthwave7]

They don't make music videos like they did in the 80's anymore.

[@chrisboyle7994]

Great song which got to No.20 in The UK back in March 1983. Children delivering a suitcase of money to some criminals......whatever next?

[@MarkBruceUK]

2018 still love it

[@spacy7test812]

Filmed in Brompton you can see Empress state building in the background

[@RTK171]

This, album was way ahead of its time

[@Valisk]

Babies Mother Hospital Scissors Creature Judgement Butcher Engineer Drove me mad trying to work out the words as a kid in the 80's. I was sure one of them was 'plumber'. Love OMD. And just like most of the best bands in the world, just a stone's throw from where I live.

[@adamfilipovic4281]

First single i ever bought i think. Must have been 11

[@FadGadget1]

Great album

[@eduavalos8116]

u r so cool!!..nice music taste!..heehe....i will be at their conct in cMexico City..next month...

[@rustypadhraigdiarmuidseano3192]

Je t'aime Dazzle Ships. C'est belle

[@baddmanaz]

those were the days...