Maid of Orleans

7"/12" cover

ltd. ed. 12" cover

**Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)**, later known as **Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc)**, or just **Maid of Orleans** (McCluskey) is the title of an OMD song which first appeared on the group's third studio album *Architecture & Morality*, and was later released as a single as the follow up to the first Joan of Arc.

## Evolution

The two songs about the French saint Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc, c.1412-1431), both written by McCluskey alone, feature as consecutive tracks on the album and were released as consecutive singles. "Maid of Orleans" is allegedly the first song of the two to have been written although McCluskey initially abandoned it, and only managed to finish it after completing "Joan of Arc". A demo version of the song was released on *Architecture & Morality The Singles* in 2021. The track Unreleased Idea (recorded in June 1981, released in 2019) also bears some similarities to the final version of "Maid".

An early mention of the song came in *Smash Hits* in mid-October (prior to the release of the album), "...*the next OMD single (not "Joan of Arc" but the one after that) being as commercial as "Mull of Kintyre" but twice as hip*".

## Single release

Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc) was released as a single in January 1982. Although it was the third single to have been released from the album, Maid of Orleans was a chart success in the UK and across Europe in 1982. In Germany it became the biggest selling single of the year. It also remains one of the group's best known songs.

It was released in two different sleeve designs, a 'stained glass' cover which was used for the 7" and 12" (see right, top) plus a limited edition 'silver medal cover' used for the 12" only (see right, 'Single version'). The group were allegedly unhappy with this latter design, hence its limited numbers. All issues feature the legend "Maid of Orleans OMD 1981".

The 7" sleeve makes no mention of the B-side, another new song called Navigation. Both 12" sleeves state Navigation and Experiments in Vertical Take Off as two separate B-side songs, although the latter was never actually written. Instead another new song Of All The Things We've Made was featured, playing first before Navigation.

The single the UK it entered the singles charts immediately after its release at no.31, moving up to 17 the following week, then no.6 for two consecutive weeks, before reaching its peak position of no.4 in mid-February 1982. The group appeared on Top of the Pops to promote the single on 21 January when the single was at 31. the recording was repeated on 04 February when it was at no.6.

Maid of Orleans was certified as silver in February 1982.

A mini-CD four-track single was issued in 1988, featuring the 'stained glass' design and the four tracks 1. Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc) 12" version, 2. Joan of Arc 12" version, 3. Navigation, 4. Of All The Things We've Made.[1]

### Gallery

7"/12"back coveralternative 12" back coverCD single coverCD single rear

## Legacy

Maid of Orleans remains one of the group's best known songs and biggest selling singles, and has been performed live on all tours and major shows since 1981 to the present.

## Versions & availability

Audio
* Maid of Orleans (DIN 40, 1982)
* Maid of Orleans (CDT 27, 1988)
* *The Best of OMD* (1988)
* *The OMD Singles* (1998)
* *Messages: Greatest Hits* (CD, 2008)
* *Souvenir - The Singles Collection 1979-2019* (2019)
 Afterhours mix (6:12)
 Live versions
* *Architecture & Morality & More* (CD, 2008)
* *Live in Berlin* (2011)
* *Dazzle Ships at The Museum Of Liverpool* (CD, 2015)
* *Architecture & Morality / Dazzle Ships – Live at the Royal Albert Hall* (2016)
* *Live With the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra* (2018)
* *Live at the Liverpool Empire 04.11.19* (2019)
* *Live at Eventim Hammersmith Apollo 20.11.19* (2019)
 Version
 Promo video
 TOTP performance
 Live (various)
* *Architecture & Morality & More* (DVD, 2008)
* *Electricity* (DVD, 2008)
* *Dazzle Ships at The Museum Of Liverpool* (DVD, 2015)

## External links

* Discogs
* Musicbrainz (song)