Get the Message (song)

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"Get the Message"

Single by Electronic
Released	15 April 1991
Format	7", 12", CD, cassette
Label	Factory (UK); Virgin (Europe); Warner Bros (America and Australia).
Producer(s)	Bernard Sumner & Johnny Marr
Chart positions
#8 (UK) #1 (Modern Rock Tracks, USA) #8 (Hot Club Play, USA) #15 (Maxi-Singles Sales, USA)
Electronic singles chronology
"Getting away with it" (1989)	"Get the Message" (1991)	"Feel Every Beat" (1991)

"Get the Message" was the second single released by the English band Electronic, formed by Bernard Sumner of New Order and ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. It was issued in the UK on 7", 12", CD and cassette by Factory Records on 15 April 1991 (and two weeks later as a second 12" comprising two additional remixes), and as a three-format maxi-single and standard cassette by Warner Bros in the USA. The single was a commercial success around the world, and is one of the best examples of Marr and Sumner's initial concept of mixing the fluid synthesizers of New Order with The Smiths' rich guitar sound.

The first releases were packaged by Johnson/Panas (the monicker of Trevor Johnson), who also designed Electronic's then imminent first album. Each format bore a unique colour scheme, all versions featuring the artist and single name with a bold number "2" underneath, signifying its place in Electronic's discography, and perhaps the number of musicians in the group. The only format which differs from this theme is the second British 12" release, which was designed by 3a (who also oversaw third single "Feel Every Beat").

The cover of the second 12".

"Get the Message" appeared as a subtly remixed 7" edit on most of the formats, and in its original, full-length version on the first UK 12". The second pressing of the UK 7" and the German CD maxi-single, meanwhile, featured an edit of the album version, also used for the promotional film and on some subsequent various artists compilations. The US and German maxi-singles compiled all of these versions collectively; the only recordings from this single that remain scarce are two edits of the DNA remixes which were released as a promo.

Like its predecessor "Getting away with it", "Get the Message" featured a non-album track as its b-side, "Free Will", a mercurial, sample-heavy dance track. This appeared in greatly edited form on the 7" releases (and the German CD maxi-single), and in its original six-minute form on all the others.

The single was promoted by a colourful music video in which Marr and Sumner strolled through the Philippines and atop a still-active volcano - which Marr narrowly missed falling into. Electronic also appeared on Top of the Pops in April and May 1991, miming to the album edit and the "DNA Groove Mix" respectively.