So In Love

7" sleeve

**So In Love** (or So in love) is the title of a song written and recorded by OMD and released as the lead single to their fifth studio album *Crush* (1985) for which it is also the opening track.

The song was a hit in the UK and across Europe and remains one of their best known tracks. It is one of the few OMD songs to address the subject if 'love' directly although does so in an ironic way as the lyrics deal with a relationship which is evidently over: "*It's hard to believe* *I was so in love with you*..". The track is an upbeat dance number and also makes great use of the saxophone, including a solo in the bridge, played by Martin Cooper. The whole of the chorus is sung by AM in falsetto.

It is the first OMD track to have been produced by Stephen Hague.

## Single release

So In Love was released as OMD's fourteenth single on 13 May 1985, the group's first new material since *Junk Culture* and related tracks released the previous year. It was generally well received and entered the UK charts at no.38 the week after its release, climbing to no.28 the week after, and reaching its peak position of 27 the week after that as revealed on 04 June 1985.

Record Mirror: "*A very straightforward pop song... completely lacking in their usual tips and wrinkles. Disappointingly throwaway*."[1]

### Sleeve

The sleeve was designed by XL Design and features the 'calvera' skull design, used in Spanish and South American annual celebrations for 'The Day of the Dead' (1-2 November). The motif also features in the promotional video although was not used for any further OMD releases.

Initial copies were issued by Virgin as a 2x7" package in a gatefold sleeve, as well as the standard 12" and later a standard 7". The gatefold issue was marked with a "two singles for the price of one" sticker.

### B sides

The new single featured two other new tracks: Concrete Hands, as both a standard version on the 7" and extended version on the 12", and Maria Gallante which featured on the 12" and the second 7" in the gatefold package only. These tracks were produced by OMD. The gatefold issue also featured a live recording of White Trash, from the *Junk Culture* album.

An extended remix of So In Love was also issued on 12" standard vinyl and picture disc, although one of the three UK 12" issues features the regular 7" version (see below).

### Track listings

7" Virgin VS 766
A. So In Love

B. Concrete Hands

2x7" Virgin VS 766
A. So In Love

B. Concrete Hands

C. Maria Gallante

D. White Trash (live)

12" Virgin VS 766/12
A. So In Love

B1. Concrete Hands (Extended)

B2. Maria Gallante

12" Virgin VS 766/13 & 12" Virgin **picture disc** VSY 766/14
A. So In Love (Extended)

B1 Concrete Hands (Extended) / B2 Maria Gallante

US only
A&M SP-12143
A. So In Love (Special American Dance Remix) (5:40)

B. Concrete Hands (extended) (4:13)

## Availability

* *Crush* (1985)
* *The Best of OMD* (1988)
* *The OMD Singles* (1998)
* *Messages: Greatest Hits* (2008)
* *Souvenir* (2019)
* *So80s (Soeighties) Presents OMD* (2011)
* *Now That's What I Call Music 5 (VHS)*
* *Messages: Greatest Hits* (2008)

There are no official live recordings of So In Love.

## Contemporaneous singles

* David Bowie - Loving the Alien
* New Order - The Perfect Kiss (released same day)
* China Crisis - King In A Catholic Style (Wake Up)