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."