| Tesla Girls | |
| Cover: | Tesla Girls.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark |
| Album: | Junk Culture |
| Recorded: | May 1983 |
| Studio: | AIR (Salem, Montserrat) |
| Genre: | |
| Length: | 3:51 |
| Label: | Virgin |
| Producer: |
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| Prev Title: | Talking Loud and Clear |
| Prev Year: | 1984 |
| Next Title: | Never Turn Away |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
"Tesla Girls" is a song by the English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released as the third single from their fifth studio album, Junk Culture (1984). It peaked at No. 21 in the UK and Ireland, and No. 8 on the Dutch Top 40. Although only moderately successful on the charts, it became one of the group's biggest club hits.
The song was featured in the John Hughes film Weird Science (1985).
The song title refers to Nikola Tesla and was suggested by Martha Ladly, who had also suggested the title of their third studio album Architecture & Morality (1981). Tesla is best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system. "The references to electric chairs and dynamos is actually a reference to dynamos which was essential for the use of the alternating current and anything electrical basically," said Andy McCluskey in an online Q&A session in 1998.[2]
"Tesla Girls" met with a few detractors on release.[3] Singer Kim Wilde – whose work had been influenced by OMD[4] – called the song "inane and monotonous".[3] On the other hand, Billboard categorised the single as "recommended", while observing "nervous electronics and obscure lyrics by one of the new wave's trendsetting bands".[5]
In retrospective articles, critics have directed praise toward the track's "witty" and "clever" lyrics, as well as its scratch production; favourable comparisons have been made to American rock duo Sparks.[6] [7] [8] Ned Raggett of AllMusic commended the song's melody and "brilliant, hyperactive intro", identifying it as "the group's high point when it comes to sheer sprightly pop".[6] Music journalist Dave Thompson described the track as "anthemic" and "a quintessential dance number".[8] Louder Than War critic Paul Scott-Bates wrote that "'Tesla Girls' is as perfect as pop singles get".[9]
The song became one of OMD's biggest club hits,[8] and appeared in KROQ and Slicing Up Eyeballs rankings of 1984's best tracks.[10] [11]
Several versions of the song exist in recorded form, including two new versions coming to light on the deluxe re-issue of the Junk Culture album in 2015.[12]
An early live version from 1983 also exists in bootleg form.
The 7" release features a live version of the Dazzle Ships track and single "Telegraph" recorded in 1983 at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. The intro to another Dazzle Ships track, "Radio Waves", can be heard in the fade-out.
The 12" and cassette releases feature a new song, "Garden City", which remained exclusive to this release until it was featured on the B-sides album , released in 2001.[13]
7" and 7" picture disc
First 12"
Second 12" and cassette
US 12" (A&M Records – SP-12120)
| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[14] | 35 |
| Netherlands (Tipparade)[15] | 8 |