Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - "Joan Of Arc (Maid Of Orleans)"
from: Architecture & Morality (1981)

Companion piece to the song "Joan Of Arc." Some releases called it "Maid Of Orleans (Waltz Of Joan Of Arc)" Massive hit in Germany in 1982.

Martial percussion. Yearning vocal. Synth-as-bagpipe. New wave progenitors as celtic funeral dirgeists. Mellotron. Would be awesome done at World Cup by full orchestra.

OMD apparently planning an Architecture & Morality mini-tour for next year, where they'll do the whole album. I'd love to hear "Romance Of The Telescope" live. Though that was on Dazzle Ships, it was the b-side to "Maid Of Orleans."

A group that's more than its hit singles.



If Joan of Arc
Had a heart
Would she give it as a gift

To such as me
Who longs to see
How an angel ought to be

She seems to give
Her heart away
Like an orphan on the wain

She cared so much
She offered up
Her body to the flames

One of my favourite songs EVER! OMD originally were to tour this year -- they've been doing dates in Europe, but haven't hit the US in many years. It'll be interesting to see if they eventually do make it back here next year.

Btw, this song has several remixes which are absolutely fab!

Used to play one in college radio that had a cold ending instead of a fade, where the percussion ended like a triumphant Scottish war beat. Haven't heard that one for ages. Must have been 12" vinyl or something.

I remember that one! And you're right, it was a 12" single.