La femme accident

7" single

**La femme accident** is the title of an OMD song originally released on the *Crush* album in 1985, and released as the third single from the album the same year. the track was written by OMD and produced by Stephen Hague.

## Single release

La femme accident was OMD's sixteenth single release. The B-side was a new track Firegun. It was released as a standard 7", featuring the album version of the song and as a radically different extended remix on 12". The 7" was also issued as a picture disc, and the 12" was also issued with a limited edition bonus disc and gatefold sleeve. Cover designs differ slightly although both have design accredited to XL and photography to Carol Sharp.

The standard 7" and album version is one of OMD's shortest tracks and one of their shortest singles.

The song lyrics cite St. Joan of Arc.

## Reception

Writing in *Smash Hits*, Vici Macdonald said, "..*this pleasant, wistful, plinkety-plonk ballad comes as a bit of a shock.*.", and notes its resemblance to Andy Williams' "Can't Get Used To Losing You". Roger Morton in *Record Mirror* reminded us that the band were in the US supporting The Thompson Twins, "..*which must explain why they're down enough to release a third mediocre single from the 'Crush' LP*".

The single failed to make the UK Top 40, peaking at no.42 two weeks after its release. As such it was not featured on Top of the Pops although the group did appear on Whistle Test on 22 October to perform the song live. This was the first time they had appeared on the show since May 1980.

As a 'non-charting' single, La femme accident was excluded from OMD's first hits compilation *The Best of OMD* in 1988, although the 12" version was included on the CD version as a bonus track. The promo video was also included on the VHS. Likewise, it was omitted from The OMD Singles (1988) and *Messages: Greatest Hits* (2008) although again the video appeared on the DVD. La femme accident was, hoever, re-instated for the definitive *Souvenir - The Singles Collection 1979-2019*. The Whistle Test performance also features on the BBC TV Performances DVD released with the *Souvenir* box set.

### Tracklistings

timings are not given on any release

7" VS 811 / 7" pic disc VSS 811
A. La femme accident

B. Firegun

12" VS 811-12
A1. La femme accident (7") A2. Firegun

B. La femme accident (12")

2x12 VSD811-12 (gatefold sleeve)
A1. La femme accident (7") A2. Firegun

B. La femme accident (12")
C. Locomotion (live)
D. Enola Gay

C&D are on the second 12" disc with white labels. This bonus disc is not mentioned anywhere on the sleeve.

**Notes**

La femme accident also features as the B-side to the US release of If You Leave. The label states a running time of 2.42 [1]

## Live performances

La femme accident was part of the setlist in full live shows on the Crush tour, although excluded from shorter support slots in 1985. It was typically performed between Maid of Orleans and Souvenir. there is no evidence of it being played on successive tours, although the song was justifiably revived for performances The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in 2009 and 2018.

## Versions and availability

 7"/album
* *Crush* (1985)
 12"/extended version
 live
 promo video
 other
* *Whistle Test*, 1985 on *BBC TV Performances (DVD)* (2019)
* live with LPO, *Electricity (DVD)* (2009)