Telecommunication is a 1981 song by A Flock of Seagulls, from their first album. Although it did not chart on either the traditional UK or US charts, it received considerable time on the dance charts. The up-tempo beat featuring power chords and heavy synth, along with the futuristic lyrics, has enabled the song to reach cult status. The song is noteworthy because the band eschewed the guitar-laden choruses many songs of this period had (e.g. power ballad), and instead relied on percussion arpeggios and multi-layered sounds. The effect is not unlike what is known as the wall of sound effect, although unlike recordings of Phil Spector (who expressed interest in the band, calling them "phenomenal"[1]), A Flock of Seagulls recorded in stereo.
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The song details types of energy transmitted across time and space. The first line mentions "ultraviolet..radio light..to your solar system..." indicating someone or something is attempting to communicate across the galaxy. In astronomy, UV light is emitted by very hot objects. A motif in the bands lyrics is alien life forms (with A Flock of Seagulls (album) being essentially a rock opera about alien abduction) and futuristic technology.[2] The song also includes references to nuclear energy and wireless communication, the latter not being in wide use until a decade after the song's release.