Genetic Engineering

12" single front

**Genetic Engineering** is the title of an OMD song first released in 1983 as the lead single to the album *Dazzle Ships*.

It was the group's first new material to be issued after the highly successful *Architecture & Morality* album and in particular the Maid of Orleans single released over one year previously.

## Previews

The new song was heard for the first time as part of the group's fourth session for John Peel, recorded at the end of January 1983, and first broadcast on 21 February, shortly after the single release. OMD had also performed the song live on Channel 4's *The Tube*, on 04 February. News of the single, album and tour were announced in Record Mirror, 12 February 1983.

## Release and reception

This single was the first OMD release on the nominal Telegraph label. The name had allegedly been given to OMD by Virgin records after Dindisc had folded. A special symbol also appears (three blocks forming a 'T' letter).

*Smash Hits* reviewer described the single as '*Well worth the wait*,' adding, "*OMD's knack of coming up with exhilarating singles has not been affected by their year off*". *Record Mirror*'s Jim Reid was less enthusiastic described it as, "..*a song absolutely dripping with 'moderne' references. A cold record..*", adding however that it, "*should be massive*".

## Single release

### Sleeve design

For the first time, all writing credits are attributed to Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Produced by Rhett Davies and OMD.

Design by Trevor Key and Peter Saville Associates.

Sleeve states for Genetic Engineering: 'Speak and Spell' used with kind permission of Texas Instruments Limited.

### Tracklistings

UK releases

7", Virgin / Telegraph – VS 527
* A. Genetic Engineering (3.42)
* B. 4-Neu (3.33)

7" picture disc, Virgin / Telegraph – VSY 527
tracks as above. Side A carries the 'DNA' image, all track details etc. are on side B.

12" Virgin/Telegraph VS 527-12
cover bears sub-title '312mm version' (the metric equivalent of 12"). This is not stated on the label.

* A. Genetic Engineering (5.18)
* B. 4-Neu (3.33)

Non-UK releases

* no releases with alternative B-sides are known. All carry 4-Neu. Some releases have the standard Virgin green/red labels.

## Live performances

Genetic Engineering was part of the live set for the *Dazzle Ships* tour in 1983, although was dropped for subsequent live concerts. It was revived again in more recent years after the group had reformed. By default, was part of the special performances *Dazzle Ships Live at the Museum of Liverpool* (2014) and *Architecture & Morality / Dazzle Ships Live at the Royal Albert Hall* (2016). It was also included on subsequent tours.

## TV promotion

OMD first performed the song to a live audience on Channel 4's The Tube, on 04 February (preceded by ). The audience's reaction seemed less than enthusiastic, also because it was preceded by a performance of ABC Auto-Industry, which seemed to have left the audience somewhat bemused.

The song was featured on Top of the Pops on 03 March when the single was at no.25 in the charts. The edition was presented that night by David Jensen and John Peel, who referred to the group as, "*a right bunch of wools*" (ie. "woolybacks").

A further recording of a UK TV performance exists, which may have been for the children's show *Saturday Superstore*, although this is unconfirmed (see videos below)

## Versions and availability

* *Dazzle Ships* (1983, 2008, 2023)
* *The Best of OMD* (1988, CD & MD only)
* *Messages: Greatest Hits* (2003)
 * 12" (312mm version)
* *So80s (SoEighties) Presents Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark* (2011)
 * Session version
 * Live
* Dazzle Ships At The Museum Of Liverpool (EP) (2015)
 * Promo video
 * TV

1. ↑ Included as 'bonus track'
2. ↑ A live recording does not appear on Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London 10.05.1983 as the performance suffered some technical hitches so was not deemed suitable to be issued.

## See also

* OMD Singles & B-sides
* Brighton, 23 April 1983 ‎(live bootleg)
* Brand New Science
* The Rock Drill

## External links

* Wikipedia
* Discogs (releases)
* MusicBrainz (song)