Talking Loud and Clear is the title of an OMD song first released on Junk Culture in May 1984, and later released as the second single from the album in June. It was the group's eleventh single and eighth Top 20 hit.
Origins[]
AM in huffpost.com, 2015:
"Talking Loud And Clear" actually is one of those songs where in hindsight you go, "Oh yeah, that's a very pretty, beautiful, bright pop song, but if you sit down and analyze it it's quite a dysfunctional song. It's made out of all sorts of weird bits of acoustic bass samples and backwards sleigh bells... Actually it was our demo of a fantastic machine we bought called a Fairlight CMI...we just loaded up a bunch of random sounds into the computer to demo it and we wrote "Talking Loud And Clear." That's how that came about."
Release & reception[]
The single was released on 04 June 1984, and was something of a surprise as most had expected the catchy Tesla Girls to be the follow-up to Locomotion. Writing as guest reviewer in Smash Hits, John Taylor of Duran Duran said, "This is very strange. I heard it on Radio 1 recently and it took me aback. It's very charming.[..] It has a nursery rhyme quality.[...] This is a good record".
Formats[]
- 7" single - Virgin VS 685
A. Talking Loud and Clear
B. Julia's Song
- 12" single - VS 685-12
A. Talking Loud and Clear Extended version
B. Julia's Song Extended version
Notes[]
No timings are stated on either of the releases. Both 'extended versions' are effectively divided into two parts, although there is no mention of this. Timings are approx.:
- Talking Loud And Clear 2:41 + 6:09
- Julia's Song 4:11 + 4:16
This version of Julia's Song is a radical re-recording of the original with added brass, and updated synth, drum and bass sounds. It is based on the live version that was played of the song during recent and current live gigs.
Versions & availability[]
| Version | Available on |
|---|---|
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album version (4:23) |
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single edit |
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full extended version (8:50) |
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partial extended version (6:12) |
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live |
tbc |