Pandora's Box (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark song)


"Pandora's Box", subtitled "It's a Long, Long Way" for the US release, is a song by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, released as the second single from their 1991 album Sugar Tax. The song, which deals with the less glamorous side of celebrity, was inspired by silent film actress Louise Brooks and is named after the 1929 film Pandora's Box in which she starred.
The single was a top-ten hit in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe. Three remixes were made for this release, remixed by Danny Griffiths, Carl Segal, and Steve Anderson respectively. Anderson's shorter remix is the main single version. Additional remixes and edits appear on promotional and limited editions.

Reception

ranked "Pandora's Box" the 55th greatest song of 1991. In a retrospective review for AllMusic, critic Dave Thompson observed a "fabulous dance-fired arrangement", a "jubilant melody" and a "bounding rhythm that defies efforts not to dance along". He noted that the song's upbeat sound belies the "tragic tale" of its lyrics, which handle the "downside of fame and fortune".

Music video

The video is in black and white and features Louise Brooks and singer Andy McCluskey. According to the video intro, all of the scenes of Brooks in the video are from the original 1929 film.

Track listings

7" and cassette single
Virgin / VS 1331
Side One
  1. "Pandora's Box"
Side Two
  1. "All She Wants Is Everything"
12"
Virgin / VST 1331
Side One
  1. "Pandora's Box"
  2. "All She Wants Is Everything"
Side Two
  1. "Pandora's Box"
CD Single
Virgin / VSCDT 1331
Also available as second part of the Special Collectors Edition tri-pack released with Sailing on the Seven Seas.
  1. "Pandora's Box"
  2. "All She Wants Is Everything"
  3. "Pandora's Box"
  4. "Pandora's Box"
CD Single
This release was issued in a black-stained wooden box with a paper wrap.
Virgin / VSCDX 1331
  1. "Pandora's Box"
  2. "Pandora's Box"
  3. "Pandora's Box"
  4. "Pandora's Box"
12"
Virgin / 0-96338
Side One
  1. "Pandora's Box"
  2. "Pandora's Box"
Side Two
  1. "Pandora's Box"
  2. "Pandora's Box"
  3. "Sugar Tax"
'''CD Single
  1. "Pandora's Box"
  2. "Sugar Tax"
  3. "All She Wants Is Everything"

    Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Cover versions