Messages by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Messages" is the third single of the synthpop group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released in 1980. The song originally featured on their eponymous debut album, but a re-recorded version provided OMD with their first Top 40 hit single in the UK, reaching number 13. As with debut single "Electricity", "Messages" features a melodic synth break instead of sung chorus.Most copies of the original 10" pressing with the album version were scrapped on behalf of the band (because they wanted to rerecord the song), but a handful did escape destruction. Some of these were given away as part of a competition for the OMD fan club in 1980. These pressings can be distinguished only by the shorter track time and different runout information. The later grey two-tone labels incorrectly state the producer as Chester Valentino. Mike Howlett is the producer, as the track was remixed and times at 4:48 – later editions again feature grey labels correctly attributed to Howlett and were also issued with different coloured record labels including red, green and a pink/white combination. These labels also correctly credit Howlett for the production. The song was featured in the second series of Ashes to Ashes (2009). It has been covered by White Town and Ganymede.