Enola Gay (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Enola Gay


Artist = Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Album = Organisation
B-side = "Annex"
Released = Start date|1980|9|26
Format = 7", 12"
Recorded = Ridge Farm Studios, Dorking, 1980
Genre = Post-punk
Electronica Synthpop
Length = 3:33
Label = DinDisc
Writer = Andy McCluskey
Producer = Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Mike Howlett
Last single = "Messages"
(1980)
This single = "Enola Gay"
(1980)
Next single = "Souvenir"
(1981)

"Enola Gay" is a song by British synthpop band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (normally abbreviated to OMD). It was written by frontman Andy McCluskey, and appears on the band's second album, "Organisation" (DinDisc/Virgin, 1980). It was released as a 7" single on 26 September 1980, and reached number 8 in the UK chart [cite web |url=http://www.everyhit.com |title=everyhit.com search results for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark |accessdate=2008-03-21] , also topping the charts in several European countries. An early version with a slightly different arrangement appears on the group's "Peel Sessions 1979-1983" album.

In 1998 David Guetta & Joachim Garraud and Sash! made remixed versions of the song for the intended second disc of "The OMD Singles". The second disc was dropped, and eventually only the Sash! remix appeared on "The OMD Remixes" EP's. In 2003 the double disc version was released in France only, which included the remixed versions by Guetta and Garraud as well. The Guetta and Garraud remixes were released on a limited 12" to promote the compilation album.

A live performance of this song, recorded at Guildhall, Portsmouth, England on Start date|1980|9|19, is featured in the film "Urgh! A Music War". [cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/release/1104550 |title=Discogs.com |accessdate=2008-03-22]

Serbian punk rock band KBO! recorded a version on their 2001 cover album "(Ne) Menjajte Stanicu" ((Do Not) Change The Station).

Title

The song is named after the aeroplane, a USAAF B-29 Superfortress called Enola Gay which dropped "Little Boy," the first atomic bomb to be used in an act of War on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, to bring an end to the Second World War.

Lyrics

The lyrics attack the decision to use the bomb, making use of sardonic black humour ("Is mother proud of Little Boy today?") and suggesting that the bombing was unnecessary ("It shouldn't ever have to end this way").cite web | url=http://www.omd.uk.com/songwords/html/enola.html | title=Songwords | accessdate=2007-01-22]

The song was also released during a major controversy surrounding then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's decision to allow US nuclear missiles to be stationed in Britain. [ [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:3xfexzq0ldje AllMusic.com - Enola Gay] ]

Music Video

The music video begins by showing sped up footage of clouds passing over sky. After the opening riff; which is shown as just the keyboardist's hands playing it whilst being animated using digital rotoscoping, it shows a transparent video image of MuCluskey vocalising and playing a bass guitar. The still photo from the album cover is taken from the video.

Track listing

# "Enola Gay" – 3:33
# "Annex" – 4:33

Unusually, the 12" single contained no additional material or alternative mixes, only the same tracks as on the 7".

Chart positions

Cover versions

The song was covered several times in 2007. Swedish artist Sommarkillen made a cover of the song called "Sommartjej" with new Swedish lyrics; the Danish electro-pop trio, Oliver North Boy Choir (formerly called Pierre) also recorded it. This track was posted on many MP3 blogs. In June 2007, José Galisteo released his cover of it on his debut album, "Remember". German techno group Scooter also covered the song on their 2007 album "Jumping All Over the World". There was also a 2007 dance version (with multiple remixes) of the single recorded by a French band Digital Air.

References

External links

[http://www.singingfool.com/player.asp?SRC=billboard&customerid=89260&PublishedId=219616 Music video]