Crush

Crush is the title of the sixth studio album by British band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, released in June 1985. As well as going Top 20 in the UK Crush was also the bands' first chart album in the US. Although not completely moving away from OMD's more experimental sound, many tracks represent the group's desire to break the US market. The lead single So In Love was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, although the follow-up Secret fared less well in both countries, only just making the Top 40 in the UK. A third single La Femme Accident failed to make the Top 40.

The overall sound and success of Crush however gave the group more recognition in the US and they were consequently invited to make a contribution to the soundtrack of the teen-movie Pretty in Pink. The track If You Leave reached no.4 on the American Hot 100 in May 1986 and remains one of their best known songs in the US. The single featured 88 Seconds in Greensboro on the B-side, a song chronicling the Greensboro massacre of November 1978, which also features on the Crush album.

Tracklisting
original release Virgin CDV2349
 * 1) So In Love 3:30
 * 2) Secret 3:56
 * 3) Bloc Bloc Bloc 3:28
 * 4) Women III 4:26
 * 5) Crush 4:27
 * 6) 88 Seconds In Greensboro 4:16
 * 7) The Native Daughters Of The Golden West 3:58
 * 8) La Femme Accident 2:50
 * 9) Hold You 4:00
 * 10) The Lights Are Going Out  3:57

vinyl LP and cassette (V2349 & TCV2349) break between tracks 5 & 6.

Crush The Movie

 * The album issue was supplemented by a feature length movie documenting the making and recording of Crush, issued by Virgin Video on VHS.

Related tracks
the following tracks were issued as single B-sides or bonus tracks:
 * Concrete Hands (7" and extended 12" versions) - b-side to So In Love. Shorter version features on Navigation: The OMD B Sides.
 * Maria Gallante - bonus tracks on So In Love 2x7" & 12". Remains unique to this release.
 * White Trash (live) - bonus track on So In Love 2x7". Track from Junk Culture, remains unique to this release.
 * Drift - B-side to Secret 7" & 12". Instrumental track, remains unique to this release.
 * Firegun - B-side and bonus track on 7", 12" and 2x12" releases of La Femme Accident. Features on Navigation: The OMD B Sides.


 * Extended versions of So In Love and Secret feature on So80s (SoEighties) Presents Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (2011).

Live performances

 * The issue of Crush was backed with a full UK and European tour.
 * The live gig at Sheffield City Hall on 14 June 1985 was recorded and transmitted by the BBC on BBC Two, 23 July 1985 as part of a special documentary on the group.1985-0