So in Love (OMD song)

"So in Love"
Single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
from the album Crush
B-side "Maria Gallante",
"Concrete Hands",
"White Trash (Live)"
Released 13 May 1985
Format 7" vinyl,
12" vinyl
Recorded Amazon Studios,
The Manor
Genre New wave, synthpop
Length 3:29
Label Virgin
Writer(s) Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Producer(s) Stephen Hague
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark singles chronology
"Never Turn Away"
(1984)		 "So in Love"
(1985)		 "Secret"
(1985)
Alternative cover
7" double pack (limited edition)

"So in Love" is a song by the band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, released in 1985 as the first single from the album Crush. The artwork, designed by XL Design, and the promo video were both influenced by the Mexican Day of the Dead festival.[1]

Critic Dave Thompson in Allmusic wrote: "['So in Love' is] a rich and sumptuous number, virtually a ballad, but its adamant beats, swelling synths, and dense textures were all well in keeping with the group's signature styling. The music is swept in warm romance, but counterintuitively the lyrics are as cold as ice, as Andy McCluskey passionately declares an end to love."[2] Colleague Tom Schulte described "So in Love" as being – along with the following year's "If You Leave" – the "pinnacle" of the band's musical progression.[3]

Song history

Although "So in Love" was the first single from Crush, it was one of the last songs written for the album. It was originally dropped until band member Martin Cooper persuaded Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys to make a demo for the song. Andy McCluskey said it was about the painful end of a relationship. It was their first hit in the United States, after five years of trying to "break" the States.[1]

Single and song versions

The first approximately 50,000 copies of the 7" singles were released as a limited edition double-pack in a gatefold sleeve.[1] There were four different 12" singles released, and one of these was also released as a picture disc. The first issue had the normal version of the song on the A-side, with an extended version of "Concrete Hands" on the B-side. Later issues included remixes of "So in Love" on the A-sides. Three remixes were made: the "Extended Version", "New Extended Version", and the "Brand New Extended Version", also known as the "Special American Dance Remix".

B-sides

"Concrete Hands" was released on the B-side of the 7" singles, and an extended version on the B-side of the 12" singles. It was also released on the Navigation: The OMD B-Sides compilation album in 2001. The lyrics were made of lines written on postcards sent by Andy McCluskey to his girlfriend.[1] "Maria Gallante" was an extra song on the 12" releases and can also be found on the second disc of the 7" double pack. Until now, it is not available on CD. The song takes its title from the Caribbean island Marie-Galante, although the lyrics deal with a girl.[1] "White Trash" is a song from the album Junk Culture. This live recording was recorded at Hammersmith Odeon on 3 October 1984, and was only released on the double 7".

Track listings

7" vinyl - UK: Virgin VS 766
No. Title Length
1. "So in Love"   3:29
2. "Concrete Hands"   3:46
2×7" vinyl - UK: Virgin VS 766 (limited edition double pack)
No. Title Length
1. "So in Love"   3:29
2. "Concrete Hands"   3:46
3. "Maria Gallante"   2:53
4. "White Trash" (Live at Hammersmith Odeon) 4:44
12" vinyl - #1 UK: Virgin VS 766-12
No. Title Length
1. "So in Love"   3:29
2. "Concrete Hands" (extended) 4:15
3. "Maria Gallante"   2:53

Chart performance

Chart (1985) Peak
position
Dutch Top 40[4] 7
German Singles Chart[5] 18
Dutch GfK Chart[6] 12
Irish Singles Chart[7] 13
UK Singles Chart[8] 27
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 26
US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play[9] 16

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Official OMD Website - Discography - So in Love". Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  2. ↑ "So in Love" review at AllMusic
  3. ↑ The OMD Singles review at AllMusic
  4. ↑ "De Nederlandse Top 40, week 28, 1985". Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  5. ↑ "charts-surfer.de search results for "So in Love"". Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  6. ↑ "dutchcharts.nl - OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark) - So In Love". Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  7. ↑ "irishcharts.ie search results for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark". Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  8. ↑ "everyhit.com search results for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark". Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Allmusic - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Billboard singles". Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  1. Liner notes

External links