Call My Name (OMD) is an OMD song originally released on the Sugar Tax album in 1991 and later remixed and released as a single.
The song is an upbeat dance track backed with a characteristic OMD 'choir' sound which also provides a melody hook. It has a traditional verse/chorus structure with the (grammatically incorrect) chorus hookline 'I'd die if you call my name' repeated four times, and an instrumental coda fade-out featuring the 'choir' melody line.
The piano part in the bridge is accentuated on the single remix.
Single release[]
A remixed version of the song was released as the fourth single off Sugar Tax on 18 November 1991. While original writing credits had been attributed to OMD, the single stated 'All songs written by OMD/Kershaw/Massett'. Production is attributed to Andy Richards with remix by OMD & Mark McGuire.
The standard B-side was another Sugar Tax track Walk Tall, while the 12" and CD versions featured an extended remix of Call My Name and the 1988 mash-up tracks Brides of Frankenstein Mix & Dub (see detail below).
The sleeve artwork was designed by Area with photography by Trevor Key and a portrait of AM by Richard Haughton.[1]
Formats[]
- 7" VS 1380 / cassette single VSC 1380
A. Call My Name
B. Walk Tall
- 12" VS T 1380
A. Call My Name (12" Version)
B. Brides of Frankenstein (Mix)
- CDS VSCDT1380 (slim jewelcase) & VSCDG1380 (digipack)
- Call My Name (4:18)
- Call My Name (12" version) (5:24)
- Brides of Frankenstein (Mix) (7:17)
- Brides of Frankenstein (Dub) (6:18)
Promotion[]
A promo video featuring a live band performance in the US was made for the single. Sections were filmed at the Los Angeles Variety Arts Center on 04 October and at Tijuana Iguana's Club, Mexico 05 October 1991.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Call My Name
The group appeared on some TV shows for mimed performances.
Reception[]
Like its predecessor, Then You Turn Away, the single reached no.50 in the UK and stayed on the Top 100 for just two weeks.[2] Dave Thompson gave the song a favourable retrospective review on allmusic.com.
Legacy[]
The song was performed on the Sugar Tax tour and in some Liberator tour concerts.
The single remix of Call My Name was included on The OMD Singles (1998) and on Souvenir (2019), but excluded from the CD of Messages: Greatest Hits (2008) although the promo video features on the DVD.
The BBC Performances DVD included in the Souvenir boxset features a mimed performance of Call My Name on the Pebble Mill show broadcast on 11 December 1991.
Versions and availability[]
| Version | Available on |
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album version (4:23) |
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single version (4:18) |
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extended version (5:23) |
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live 1991 |
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promo video |
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other video |
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