Enola Gay

7" sleeve

7" label

**Enola Gay** is the title of an OMD song written by Andy McCluskey and first issued as the group's fourth single in September 1980. It went on to become an international hit, making the group known in several countries worldwide and became one of their best known songs to date.

The song takes its title from the WWII bomber which dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945, effectively bringing the war to an end.

## Background

The subject matter of Enola Gay stems from McCluskey's interest in history and in particular in World War Two. He allegedly wrote the song without Paul Humphreys because his partner was out working as a building site labourer at the time. It was originally intended to be included on the band's debut album although was not finished in time.

### Early versions

There is evidence of the song being played on the group's first headlining tour (see 14 March 1980). An early version was also recorded for their second Peel session in April 1980, some months before its official release. The song was still in its nascent phase, with a slightly different structure and lyrics not yet fully developed, although the characteristic melody riff and even the CR 7 drum machine intro (later done on a Roland CompuRhythm) can be recognised in this version.

Live versions were also aired in July and September, prior to the single release. These were closer to the final version although still presented some notable differences.

### Final version

The final recorded version was produced by Mike Howlett and OMD. Howlett had visited the group in Liverpool to listen to an early recording and arrangement, before moving to Ridge Farm for final recording and mixing. The lead vocal was then re-recorded at Advision, where Lawrence Diana's new mix was preferred.

## Style and content

The song is an upbeat dance song, with a strong beat produced by a combination real drums and a drum machine, as well as McCluskey's bass guitar and a bass synthesiser. Typically there is no sung chorus, which is replaced by a melodic synth riff, and a second synth riff which follows the sung verse melody line. The song's drum machine and synth intro make the song instantly recognisable even before the main riff is played. The song also contains an uncharacteristic "drum solo" middle eighth which gives the song an extra 'push' into its finale. This was Howlett's only addition to the original arrangement, "..a window of space before the final resolution.." (Howlett, 2009, p.68).

The cheery musical style belie the lyrical content, dealing with the Hiroshima massacre casied by the nuclear bomb being dropped by the titular war plane. The bomb's nickname 'Little Boy' is also referenced in the lyrics. The song regrets the event (".*.you should've stayed at home yesterday*..") and emphasises the legacy of the event "..*this kiss you give is never gonna fade away*..").

## Single release

**Enola Gay** was released on the Dindisc label on 7" (DIN 22) and 12" (DIN 22-12) on 26 September 1980, a week later than had been originally planned (in mid-August *Record Mirror* had given a release date of 19 September ). The B-side was another new track Annex, also produced with Mike Howlett. Versions of both songs were identical on each format.

### Tracklisting

7" Dindisc DIN 22 / 12" Dindisc Din 22-12

A. Enola Gay (3.36)

B. Annex (4.32)

NB The Canadian issue features Almost as the B-side, whereas the Italian issue features Electricity.

### Sleeve

The sleeve designs of the 7" and 12" formats differ slightly in that the clouds at sunset photograph is larger on the 7", and the lettering is in black on a dark blue sleeve, compared to a smaller picture and white lettering on a grey background on the 12". Several variants exist, especially for international issues.

There is no artistic credit for the sleeve although it is known to have been designed by Peter Saville and associates.

### Reception

Both Record Mirror and NME gave unfavourable reviews, with the latter stating, "..*it seems destined ..into chartless oblivion*". Smash Hits omitted to review the single, instead dedicating a whole page and a half to an albeit dated photo of the duo (and Winston) placed next to the songs lyrics in their 02 October issue.

### Chart performance

The single entered the UK Charts at no.59 (chart revealed 30 September - which may suggest the single had been released a little earlier) and moved into the Top 40, as revealed on 07 October, at no.35. The group appeared on *Top of the Pops* for a mimed performance of the song two days later, and the single consequently moved up to no.18 a week later, then to no.12 the week after that. A subsequent repeat showing on TOTP on 23 October gave the single a further boost, with OMD going Top 10 for the first time with a no.8 placing in the chart revealed on 28 October. The single dropped the following week only to return to the peak no.8 position again on 11 November. The single then slowly dropped out of the charts, with a final Top 40 placing of no.39 on 09 December, completing a ten-week run in the Top 40.

### Promo video

As with previous single releases, a promotional video was made for Enola Gay. It was the first to be made on videotape rather than film. The clip features the four-piece band performing the song projected against rolling clouds, reflecting the sleeve design. It is the first video to feature Martin Cooper, effectively replacing Dave Hughes.

## Legacy

Enola Gay was subsequently released as the opening track on the group's second album *Organisation*. It has since featured on all single compilations and on most live albums and remains OMD's biggest selling and most streamed song/single. It is also considered as pioneering in the establishment of the synth-pop genre, and seminal in "eighties" music in Britain and across the world.

## Remixes

Enola Gay was one of the OMD songs selected for a brand new remix version in 1998 (see The OMD Remixes). Further remixes, including two by OMD themselves, were released in 2020 to mark the song's 40th anniversary. (*see* Enola Gay - 2020 remixes).

## Versions and availability

* *Organisation* (1980, et passim)
* La femme accident (2x12", 1985)
* *The Best of OMD* (1988)
* Enola Gay / Electricity (12", 1989, Old Gold)
* *The OMD Singles* (1998)
* *Messages: Greatest Hits* (2008)
* *Souvenir - The Singles Collection 1979-2019*(2019)
 Peel session
 Promo video