Souvenir (song)
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| “Souvenir” | |||||
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| Single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark from the album Architecture & Morality |
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| B-side | "Motion & Heart (Amazon Version)" "Sacred Heart" |
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| Released | August 4, 1981 | ||||
| Format | 7", 10" | ||||
| Recorded | 1981 | ||||
| Genre | Electronica, Synthpop | ||||
| Length | 3:39 (7"), 4:16 (10") | ||||
| Label | DinDisc | ||||
| Writer(s) | Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper |
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| Producer | Mike Howlett | ||||
| Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark singles chronology | |||||
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"Souvenir" 10" sleeve
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"Souvenir" is a song written by Paul Humphreys and Martin Cooper of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and released as the first single off their 1981 album Architecture & Morality.
The song proved to be their greatest chart hit as of 2008, reaching #3 in the UK in 1981,[1] and peaking at #1 in Portugal, Germany and France.
Some copies of The Human League's single Love Action (I Believe in Love) were mispressed with Souvenir as the A-side.[2]
The title of the song was used for a documentary DVD about the reformed OMD, released in 2007 by Aspect Television.
Contents |
[edit] The song
A tape consisting of slowed-down loops of a choir tuning up lent by ex-OMD member Dave Hughes had been the initial inspiration for the song.[2] Although very displeased with the original version, they decided it had some merit after all, after having re-recorded it previously.
The tune has a very strong synthesised melody, with a rare lead vocal by Paul Humphreys. Although he is not the band's main singer, he was satisfied with his attempts nonetheless, and would do lead vocals for some of OMD's other well-known releases.
An extended version of the song (with an additional verse) was released as a 10" single [3] and included as a bonus on the digitally remastered copies of Architecture & Morality.
[edit] The B-sides
There are two songs on the B-sides of the 7" and the 10" singles, Motion & Heart (Amazon Version) and Sacred Heart. The original version of Motion & Heart can be found on the Organisation album. The Amazon Version was recorded at Amazon Studios in Kirkby as a possible single after Enola Gay, but that plan was dropped.[2] Both songs are produced by OMD and can be found on the remastered re-issues of Architecture & Morality. Sacred Heart is also included on Navigation: The OMD B-Sides.
[edit] Track listings
[edit] 7"
- UK: DinDisc DIN 24
Side one
- "Souvenir" (Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper) – 3:39
Side two
- "Motion & Heart" (Amazon Version) (P. Humphreys, Andy McCluskey) – 3:07
- "Sacred Heart" (P. Humphreys, A. McCluskey) – 3:30
[edit] 10"
- UK: DinDisc DIN 24-10
Side one
- "Extended Souvenir" – 4:16
Side two
- "Motion & Heart" (Amazon Version) – 3:07
- "Sacred Heart" – 3:30
[edit] Chart performance
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Singles Chart | 13 |
| Dutch Singles Chart[4] | 29 |
| French Singles Chart | 1 |
| German Singles Chart | 1 |
| Irish Singles Chart [5] | 9 |
| Portuguese Singles Chart | 1 |
| UK Singles Chart | 3 |
[edit] Music video
The song's promo video was filmed in Blenheim Park and close to Stowes School in England. It was an early MTV favorite and is among OMD's more well-known videos.
Andy McCluskey spends the entire video driving around in a classic red, convertible Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, while Paul Humphreys is standing on a bridge while singing and leaning against the pillars of the bridge. The video ends with Andy and Paul driving off into the distance. Paul has expressed a strong dislike in the video, because it seems misleading and can make people think it has a homoerotic theme.[6]
The promo video is included on the video version of The Best of OMD and on the bonus DVD of the 2007 reissue of Architecture & Morality.
[edit] Sleeve design
The sleeve was designed by Peter Saville and Brett Wickens. The 7" sleeve has a die-cut hole in the middle, revealing the label. On the label is a picture of a Düsseldorf street scene. For the 10" this picture is printed on the sleeve. It was the first single released with OMD as the band name. The European releases have different artwork, some almost identical to the UK releases. A Canadian release of the 10" has green transparent vinyl.
[edit] Other versions
[edit] Remix versions
In May 1991 DMC released a 12" vinyl single with the Postcards from the Edge Mix by Brothers in Rhythm.
In 1998 four remixes of the song were made by Moby for the intended second disc of The OMD Singles. The second disc was dropped, but the remixes appeared on various The OMD Remixes EP's. In 2003 the double disc version was released in France only, which included all four remixes of Souvenir. The remixes are:
- Moby remix – 4:41
- Hard House version – 5:47
- 7 AM version – 6:47
- Me & Us remix – 11:32
[edit] Cover versions
Nino de Angelo recorded a German version of the song in 1982, titled Und ein Engel fliegt in die Nacht. The Genie Queen used the main melody of Souvenir in their 1995 song What a Girl Goes Through. Paul Humphreys' new band Onetwo plays the song regularly at gigs in the style of the Moby remix. Polish singer Ania recorded the song as a bonus to her debut album Samotność po zmierzchu in 2004.
[edit] References
- ^ everyhit.com search results for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
- ^ a b c Official OMD Website discography entry for Souvenir 7". Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
- ^ Official OMD Website discography entry for Souvenir 10". Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
- ^ De Nederlandse Top 40, week 47, 1981. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
- ^ irishcharts.ie search results for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
- ^ OMD DVD: "Souvenir", Aspect Television, 2007
