Genetic Engineering (song)
"Genetic Engineering" is a 1983 song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released as the first single from their fourth studio album "Dazzle Ships". The synthesized speech featured on the track is taken from a Speak & Spell, an educational electronic toy developed by Texas Instruments in the 1970s intended to teach children spelling. "Genetic Engineering" reached number 20 on the UK Singles Chart. It was also a Top 20 hit in several European territories, and peaked at number 5 in Spain. In the US it made number 32 on the "Billboard" Mainstream Rock  chart. Reception and legacy. "Smash Hits" wrote, "Well worth the wait. OMD's knack of coming up with exhilarating singles has not been affected by their year off... a great tune." Jim Reid in "Record Mirror" said, "Madly infectious hook-line propels a song absolutely dripping with 'moderne' references. A cold record, whose raison d'être lies in the application of studio technology and the manipulation of hackneyed gobbledegook. Should be massive – won't touch my turntable again." In "Melody Maker", Paul Simper dismissed the track as "a load of old tosh". US critic Ned Raggett praised the "soaring", "enjoyable" single  in a retrospective piece for AllMusic, asserting, "Why it wasn't a hit remains a mystery." Frontman Andy McCluskey has noted that the song is not an attack on genetic engineering, as many assumed at the time, including radio presenter Dave Lee Travis upon playing the song on BBC Radio 1. McCluskey stated, "I was very positive about the subject." "People didn't listen to the lyrics... I think they automatically assumed it would be anti." Music journalists have suggested that the first 45 seconds of the song were a direct influence on Radiohead's "Fitter Happier", which appears on  that band's 1997 album "OK Computer". Thoem Weber in "Stylus" argued that the Radiohead track is "deeply indebted" to "Genetic Engineering". Covers of "Genetic Engineering" were released by Another Sunny Day and Eggs. B-side. The song "4-Neu" was featured on the B-side of both the 7" and 12" versions. It was not included on the "Dazzle Ships" album and remained exclusive to this release until its inclusion on "" (2001), and then on the remastered special edition of "Dazzle Ships" in 2008. The song continues the band's tradition of including more experimental tracks as B-sides  to singles. Its title is a tribute to German krautrock band Neu!, who were an important influence on McCluskey and keyboardist Paul Humphreys prior to OMD. "4-Neu" was never performed live until the special performance of "Dazzle Ships" at The Museum of Liverpool in November 2014 and at the "Dazzle Ships / Architecture & Morality" live performances in London and Germany in May 2016. Side one Side two Side one Side two Promo video. A promotional video for "Genetic Engineering" was made and is included on the "" CD/DVD release (2008). Alternative versions and live performances. Apart from the extended '312 mm version' the band also recorded the song for a John Peel radio session in 1983. This version was made available on "Peel Sessions 1979–1983" (2000). OMD played the song live on "The Tube" during its first series in February 1983. The song was performed live during the "Dazzle Ships" promotional tour but rarely since then, until more recent performances in 2014 and 2016.