New Babies: New Toys
by OMD

Album: History of Modern (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the leadoff track from British synth group OMD's (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) first album in 14 years, History of Modern. The disc was the first release by their classic line-up of vocalist Andy McCluskey and keyboardist/vocalist Paul Humphreys in 24 years.
  • McCluskey explained the song's meaning to Spin magazine: "It's about the machinery of the music industry and all these willing volunteers who get themselves up on to The X Factor and Pop Idol (UK version of American Idol) and have Simon Cowell inflict them upon us and upon themselves. Particularly in England - Simon Cowell is single-handedly responsible for some of the most f---ing awful music in the last 15 years that's been inflicted on the entire planet."
  • The cover art for the History of Modern album was designed by Peter Saville, who did the artwork on many releases by Joy Division and New Order. Andy McCluskey told us: "We have always had a close relationship with art and architecture. I was supposed to study fine art for a degree, but took a year out - started OMD and never went back. Obviously, we have been able to have a very loose relationship with Peter Saville, who has designed many of our sleeves. And it is true that I went to an exhibition called 'History of Modernism' with my daughter, which inspired the title."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Chris Rea

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.