Souvenir

I agree with Mode000. Obsession is taking his life over (It's my creation). He doesn't know what the end result of this obsession will be (I can't imagine My destination), but he's not appologizing for it.

I love the simplicity. You can add this to any situation in life. Work, Art, Sex, Murder ect. because we allow ourselves to get obsessed. I've been obsessed before and it's the worst feeling!

One of the best melodies laid down ever. Moby did a decent remix, but the original is still awesome.

The original 3rd and 4th verses that were edited out for 7" version help to reinforce the earlier comments:

My situation It's imagination There's no excuse It's instantly clear

The conversation The combination I tell the truth My feelings still remain

my interpretation to this song is somewhat different to everyone elses.to me it talks about his life. - it's my direction,it's my proposal,it's so hard,'it's leading me astray.to me it says-,it's the way i'm going,i've chose that route,it's hard and i'm going down the wrong path.my obsession,it's my creation,you'll understand,it's not important now says to me - it's the route i'm going down,i've made it that way and whether you listen or not, it makes no difference bacause tht's the way i'm going.all i need is co-ordination,i can't imagine my destination,my intention,ask my opinion,theres no excuse,my feeling still remains says to me - i need to pick the right route but i don't know where i'm going to end up.what i say i'm going to do,i'll do.you can ask why,i've no excuses for it, but that's the way i feel and i'll just carry on regardless. is this a strange interpretation because to me it explains my life.

For me, the are a number of images in play for both the video and the song with its lyrics, melody, the haunting religious tones of the choir, the playful hopeful exuberance of the instrument section, coupled with the thoughtful, respectful but assertive delivery of the lyrics.

This is a coming of age song of a young man to his parents. Leaving childhood behind, throwing off the shackles of a religious parental upbringing, picking his own path that is at odds with emotional ties of his parents doctrine.

He is grateful to his parents, but he must forge ahead with his own path, he hopes his parents will understand his need to do this. In the grand scheme of things, his so called disobedience and strong will really isn't that important.

He believes in himself, he knows it won't be easy, it needs effort to be coordinated, but he is excited for his own outcomes.

He says he is not closed off to his parents, they can ask his opinion, but by asking his opinion they have no right to force him to change his mind. He is a valid grown up, capable of self determination. He refuses to be swayed by a conflict of doctrine between himself and his parents. His feelings and beliefs are his own personal possessions.

There is a hint of sadness, that his parentsstill want to interfere and he has to repeat himself, to stand his ground.

The souvenirs the haunting echo from the past when he was unconditionally loved by his parent, represented by the slowed down choir, the playful instrumental chorus is his inner child making music trying to harmonize with his parents seeking their approval. But it is the lingering choir that is the last link to childhood he can'quite bring himself to abandon completely.

In the video Paul is standing over the concrete balcony, supporting himself in a slightly defensive body posture., with open space outstretched in front of him, representative of all the hopes and dreams he is ready to unfold.

Andy driving the red Volkswagen Kharmann Ghia, is representing Paul's confident futurere self, reaching adulthood by virtue of the fact you have to reach 17 to be able to drive. The fact is in red symbolises power, control, destiny and purpose fulness. The model of car is significant, it's not a teenage boys first clapped out banger. It is symbolic of success, prestige, admiration and respect that he has attained for himself. External approval for his future self is no longer necessary.

The lingering sadness that his parents cannot accept him still remains. He will be haunted by that Souvenir, and as a good son that is his curse to bear.

Perhaps the meaning of the lyrics is explained by the fact that Souvenir was OMD's first release not to be written or co-written by Andy McCluskey, and the first single to feature lead vocals by Humphreys, who wrote the lyrics. Moreover, McCluskey was initially against the release of the song as a single, allegedly because it wasn't "his song" and also because of differences between himself and Mike Howlett over the production. It would help explain the video as well.

I believe this is a song about a true love found and then lost... "it's not important now". Direction/proposal/obsession/creation... An unrequited love? "my feelings still remain"...

I get it. Mode000 is so right. I too relate to it.

Hmmm! Good explanation but why the title, Souvenir?