He hoped the track “conveyed an ambivalence about whether it was the right or the wrong thing to do”. However, McCluskey stated that he “wasn’t really politically motivated to write the song”, which was informed by a fascination with World War II bombers. Note that the song was also released during controversy surrounding Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s decision to allow US nuclear missiles to be stationed in Britain. The track was written by vocalist/bass guitarist Andy McCluskey and is an OMD’s signature song, the track does not feature a vocal chorus for instance and is recognisable by its strong, distinctive lead synthesizer hook. The track, taken from the band’s 1980 album “Organisation”, has since its release been considered as a perfect soundtrack to the yearly remembrance of the bombing.
The phrase, “Is mother proud of Little Boy today?”, is an allusion to both the nickname of the uranium bomb, as well as the fact that pilot Paul Tibbets named the aircraft after his mother. Were these bombings war-crimes or a necessary evil thereby preventing casualties that an invasion of Japan would have involved (estimated at one million casualties)? Those who oppose the bombings believe that atomic bombing is fundamentally immoral, that the bombings counted as war crimes, and that they constituted state terrorism.Īlso OMD’s anti-war song “Enola Gay” reflects on the decision to use the bomb and ask the listener to consider whether the bombings were necessary (“It shouldn’t ever have to end this way”). It wasn’t the first time that the allied forces turned to killing large amounts of civilians as the Dresden bombing already showed earlier that same year when four raids – carried out between 13 and 15 February 1945 – destroyed the city of Dresden killing an estimated 22,700 to 25,000 people. It caused the death of around 140,000 civilians. The band will also perform a special live streamed show from London’s Indigo at The O2 on October 24th - set to raise money and awareness for their crew, whose livelihoods have been so affected in the wake of the global Covid-19 pandemic.74 years ago today, the Japanese city of Hiroshima was destroyed by an atomic bomb, ‘Little Boy’, carried by the USAAF B-29 Superfortress bomber, named Enola Gay. In April, OMD had also recorded a version of ‘Enola Gay’ for John Peel’s show based on this arrangement. At the time, the band were confident enough in the new song to introduce it into their live performances. Lyrically detailing the atomic bombing on Hiroshima during World War II by the B29 Superfortress aircraft, the song scored a UK Top 10 on the singles charts and went on to become an international success, selling more than 5 million copies worldwide and ingraining itself as a synth pop classic and arguably OMD’s signature track. Early versions of ‘Enola Gay’ featured a slightly different drum machine intro along with a more laid back vocal from Andy. Recorded at Ridge Farm Studios in Dorking, and released on September 26th, 1980, ‘Enola Gay’ was the only single from the band’s second studio album ‘Organisation’.
Listen to Hot Chip’s remix of Enola Gay HERE
It’s already a perfect song, so this is just a tribute and an homage, made all the more meaningful with the occurrence this year of the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombs on Japan. Of the remix, Al comments “Getting your hands on the raw material of ‘Enola Gay’ feels like stealing into hallowed halls. The single has also received a sublime hypnotic remix from Hot Chip’s Al Doyle, out today. The band have also unveiled a special new and enhanced HD version of the original ‘Enola Gay’ video - watch here. The digital version is available to purchase today, and pre-orders for the 12” coloured vinyl are available now HERE. The second is a slowed down, chilled out rework that is far removed from the original, but remains undeniably glorious. One extended mix uses the original master multi-track, that sounds like the 12” version that never was, but should have been released in 1980. The release features two brand new mixes of the track by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) have today announced a limited edition 12” coloured vinyl release of the band’s legendary anti-war hit single ‘Enola Gay’, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its original release, and 75 years since the World War II atomic bombing of Hiroshima by the Enola Gay aircraft. Special Live Stream Show ‘You Me & OMD’ London’s Indigo at The O2 New & Enhanced HD Version Of The Original ‘Enola Gay’ Video - Watch Here ‘Enola Gay’ With Limited Edition 12” Coloured Vinyl