Shame is an OMD song first issued on the group's seventh studio album The Pacific Age in 1986, and later re-recorded and issued as their twentieth single in 1987.
The song was written by OMD, including the Weir brothers, and the original album track was produced by Stephen Hague, while Rhett Davies was recruited for the re-recorded single version. This was the first time since Messages (1980) that OMD had completely re-recorded an already issued track for single release.
Single version[]
Background[]
In January 1987, after the Pacific Age tour, Virgin were anxious to release another single off the album. OMD had expressed a preference for Stay, and went to LA to produce a "totally new mixed version..with extra backing vocals..and guitar parts.." with Tom Lord Alge. Virgin refused it as a single and insisted on Shame, to which OMD conceded on the condition that they could re-record it with Rhett Davies, "to try to get his Roxy Music style slick sound" for the single." The track was re-recorded "in a small studio" over three/four days in London.[1]
Release[]
Shame was released on 7" & 12" on 13 April 1987 and as the group's first CD single on 27 April, making it OMD's only 'new' product of the year.
The standard B-side was Goddess of Love, lifted straight from The Pacific Age (produced by Stephen Hague).
The CD single featured the extended version of (Forever) Live and Die and the 10" mix of Messages (the first digital issue of the 1980 single).
Sleeve design[]
Sleeve design credited to Mick Haggerty with photo by Paul Cox.
Tracklistings[]
7" Virgin VS 938[]
A. Shame (Re-recorded version)
B. Goddess of Love
12" Virgin VS 938-12[]
A. Shame (Extended Re-recorded Version)
B1 Shame (7" version)
B2 Goddess of Love
CD Single Virgin MIKE 938-12[]
- Shame (Extended Re-recorded Version)
- Goddess of Love
- Forever Live and Die (12" mix)
- Messages (10" remix)
Promo video[]
A promo video was made for the single, featuring AM & PH only and a male and female actor. It was again directed by Libman/Williams (see (Forever) Live and Die) [1]
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Shame
Reception and performance[]
The single received little attention or radio play and consequently did not do well in the UK charts. Like its predecessor, it failed to reach the Top 40, peaking at no.55 on 05 May 1987.
In a 1988 newsletter, AM commented, "..as we had confidently predicted to the record company, it wasn't a hit." [1]
Live versions[]
Although the song was performed in its original form on the The Pacific Age tour, there are no official recordings or releases of the track played live.
Versions and availability[]
- Original version: The Pacific Age (1986)
- 7" single version: see above and Souvenir - The Singles Collection 1979-2019
- 12" extended re-recorded version: CD Single (see above) only
- Video: Messages: OMD Greatest Hits (2008)