Talking Loud and Clear
| "Talking Loud and Clear" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Talking Loud and Clear.gif | ||||
| Single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark | ||||
| from the album Junk Culture | ||||
| B-side | "Julia's Song" | |||
| Released | 4 June 1984 | |||
| Format | 7", 12" | |||
| Recorded | Air Studios, Montserrat | |||
| Genre | New wave | |||
| Length | 4:20 (album mix) 3:53 (7" mix) 8:50 (extended version) |
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| Label | Virgin | |||
| Writer(s) | Humphreys/McCluskey/Cooper | |||
| Producer(s) | Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Brian Tench | |||
| Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark singles chronology | ||||
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"Talking Loud and Clear" is a song by British band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released as the second single from their 1984 album Junk Culture. The single was a European hit, reaching the Top 10 in Ireland and the Netherlands, and narrowly missing the UK Top 10 at number 11. It also charted at number 18 in Germany. The song was edited for its 7" single release.
Critic Dave Thompson in AllMusic praised the track as a "lovely" single, with "deftly penned" lyrics.[1] As guest singles reviewer in Smash Hits, John Taylor of Duran Duran described the song as "very charming" and a "good record".[2]
A 12" extended version was also issued. The remix is effectively divided into two parts starting with a solely instrumental section followed by a section featuring vocals and instrumentation, the whole piece lasting over eight minutes. The full extended version remains exclusive to the 12" vinyl release as the version featured on the deluxe remastered version of Junk Culture in 2015 is the second part only.
The 7" version of "Talking Loud & Clear" is featured on all OMD singles and greatest hits compilations.
B-side
The B-side, "Julia's Song", is a radically different version from the same song recorded for the group's first album Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark in 1980. This is a reworked version with newly recorded vocals, a slower tempo and brass added by the Weir Brothers more in line with the style of other tracks on Junk Culture. The recording was issued on the deluxe remastered version of Junk Culture in 2015. An extended version was issued for the 12" release and like the extended version of "Talking Loud & Clear" is divided into two parts. The second part was issued as a 10" single for Record Store Day in 2015 under the title "Julia's Song (Dub Version)".
Track listing
- 7" and 7" picture disc
- "Talking Loud and Clear" – 3:53
- "Julia's Song" – 4:17
- 12"
- "Talking Loud and Clear" (extended version) – 8:50
- "Julia's Song" (extended version) – 8:33
Chart performance
| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 18 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 9 |
| UK Singles Chart | 11 |
Live recordings
A live performance of "Talking Loud & Clear" recorded at Birmingham NEC in December 1993 was issued on the limited edition CD single of "Universal" in 1996. The song was also part of the concert performed with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on 20 June 2009 at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool as documented by the Electricity DVD (2009).
