OMD - ELECTRICITY

Released: May 21, 1979

Album: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

“Electricity” is the 1979 debut single by English synth-pop band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), written by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys when they were just 16. Though it never charted highly, it became one of the band’s most iconic songs and a key track in the rise of the UK synth-pop movement. With lyrics addressing energy waste, the song features both members singing in unison, with Humphreys more prominent in the mix. Its early success led to a major record deal, and over time, “Electricity” has become a beloved classic.

“Electricity” was first recorded by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys in their earlier band, the Id, in 1978. After performing their debut gig as OMD—opening for Joy Division at Eric’s Club in Liverpool—McCluskey sent a demo of the track to Factory Records founder Tony Wilson. Although Wilson himself wasn’t initially impressed, his wife liked it, which convinced him to release it as a single. The song’s early success helped OMD secure a seven-album deal with the label Dindisc, launching their career.

“Electricity” was heavily influenced by Kraftwerk’s “Radioactivity,” with OMD’s Andy McCluskey admitting it was essentially their sped-up version of the track. The band’s fascination with technology and machines, like electricity, stemmed from their interest in electronics—Paul Humphreys had studied the subject and almost became an engineer. Mixed by Martin Hannett at Strawberry Studios, the song features an unconventional bass drum sound created with a detuned Korg synth. 

Erasure’s Vince Clarke credited OMD’s “Electricity” as the song that inspired him to pursue electronic music, calling it uniquely different from anything he’d heard before. The track also influenced Duran Duran—Nick Rhodes regularly included it in his DJ sets, and John Taylor acknowledged it as an early inspiration for the band. Though it never charted high, “Electricity” became a fan favorite and a staple at every OMD concert, often closing their shows as a powerful encore.