'It's called a heart' was the second new track to be lifted from Depeche Mode's compilation album 'The Singles (81-85)'. Both Alan Wilder and Martin Gore have commented about their dislike of the track in hindsight. They actually wanted 'Fly on the windscreen' to be the A-side of this single, but the record company thought the violent nature of the song would be suitable for radio play (Imagine hearing the first line, 'Death is everywhere' on a sunny Sunday morning).
The single was released with a limited edition poster sleeve in the Netherlands. In the UK singles chart, 'It's called a heart' reached number 18.
My collection: 7" single no. 351 Found: Den Haag, 1985 Cost: unknown Tracks: 'It's called a heart' / 'Fly on the windscreen'
'Shake the disease' was the first of many Depeche Mode singles that disappointed me upon first listening. As their music became more complex, it was less easy to like, although I still think their best work was made circa 'Ultra', one of their most difficult to grasp albums.
Released in April 1985, 'Shake the disease' was the band's 13th single in the UK, and one of two new tracks on their compilation album 'The singles (81-85)'. While not a hit in the Netherlands, it reached number 18 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 291 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985 Cost: 3,5 guilders Tracks: 'Shake the disease' / 'Flexible'
I've always considered this EP to be great value for money: not only did you get a double A-side with 'Somebody' and 'Blasphemous rumours', this disc also contained two live tracks, of which especially 'Everything counts' is quite fabulous. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.
'Somebody' is a soft, gentle love song in which Martin Gore sings of his desire to find a lover and confidant. The lyric does suggest a hint of sarcasm with the final lines: 'Things like this make me sick. In a case like this, I'll get away with it'. The song was reportedly sung in the studio by Gore without his clothes on.
By contrast, 'Blasphemous rumours' is a loud, angry song. The lyric tells the story of a sixteen-year-old girl's failed attempt to kill herself by slitting her wrists. This story is continued when the girl is 18. She renews her faith in God only to be struck by a car, end up on life support, and dying shortly afterwards. The conclusion: 'I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours but I think that God's got a sick sense of humour, and when I die, I expect to find Him laughing.' The song was considered offensive and was banned on some American radio stations. In the UK, although the song was not banned, it also aroused a firestorm of controversy, leading even the Church itself to speak out against the song. Well, of course... God forbid that people would even think about these things!
My collection: 7" single no. 254 Found: Den Haag, 1984 Cost: 6 guilders Tracks: 'Somebody', 'Everything counts (live)' / 'Blasphemous rumours', 'Told you so (live)'
'People are people' was written by Martin Gore, with Alan Wilder creating much of the sound of the track. It was released as Depeche Mode's tenth single in March 1984, reaching number 1 in Germany, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.
Despite its success, Martin Gore considers 'People are people' one of his least favourite songs. He prefers his songs to have subtle meanings so that people can find their own meanings to it, and this lyric does not fit that description. It was never performed live again after 1988.
My collection: 7" single no. 591 Found: All that music, Leiden, February 16, 1988 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'People are people' / 'In your memory'
Martin Gore attended a concert by the industrial band Einstürzende Neubauten in January 1983 and got inspired to experiment with industrial sounds in his own music. Depeche Mode had just started to use the Synclavier, a synthesizer that allowed to record an re-use sounds. They started recording hammering anvils, clanging pipes, running water, pingpong balls, etcetera.
Their third album 'Construction time again' not only contained these new sounds, but also a more political stance in their lyrics. 'Everything counts' specifically addresses corporate greed and corruption in the music industry, as the chorus sings of 'grabbing hands' that 'grab all they can'. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and remains one of the band's best known songs.
My collection: 7" single no. 1075 Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1989 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Everything counts' / 'Work hard'
Depeche Mode's seventh single 'Get the balance right!' was released between albums in January 1983. Alan Wilder had officially joined the line-up of the band, and he wrote the B-side of this single together with Martin Gore.
The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in Ireland, but it was not included on the album 'Construction time again', which was released later in the year.
My collection: 7" single no. 2672 Found: London, June 30, 1996 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Get the balance right!' / 'The great outdoors!'
'Love in itself' was released in September 1983 as the final single from Depeche Mode's third album 'Construction time again'. The single version was called 'Love in itself 2', as it was an edit of the album version. Number 3 is an extended version, and number 4 is an acapella version with piano. The B-side was the track 'Fools', written by Alan Wilder instead of the band's main songwriter, Martin Gore.
The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 867 Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Love in itself 2' / 'Fools'
'Leave in silence' was the sixth single by Depeche Mode, and the first one with the 'Bong' label, which is still used to this day. It was also the first song that was remixed several times. When it was released, it reached number 18 in the UK singles chart.
The B-side of this 7" single was quite unique, as it can be played on 45rpm as well as 33rpm. Both versions have been included below.
My collection: 7" single no. 538 Found: 1986 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Leave in silence' / 'Excerpt from My Secret Garden'
After Vince Clarke left Depeche Mode, the remaining members were left to their own devices. Martin Gore stepped up and wrote the first post-Clarke single, 'See you'. It was still a rather innocent love song, showing once again how much has changed since then. If he would have written this song now, it would have been the point of view of a stalker, or something.
'See you' became the band's biggest hit up to that point, reaching number 6 in the UK singles chart, which was higher than all three previously released singles.
My collection: 7" single no. 746 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'See you' / 'Now this is fun'
If a Depeche Mode single would be released these days, it's hard to imagine that the sleeve would look like this one here. 'The meaning of love' was released in 1982 as a single from their second album 'A broken frame'. It's obvious that their much was much more simple and upbeat back then.
'The meaning of love' reached number 12 in the UK singles chart, but was less successful in Germany, where it reached number 64. It did not chart in the Netherlands at all.
My collection: 7" single no. 2708 Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 3, 1996 Cost: 60p Tracks: 'The meaning of love' / 'Oberkorn (It's a small town)'
These are the humble beginnings of Depeche Mode. 'New life' was their second single, released in June 1981. The song was composed by Vince Clarke, who at the time was the band's chief songwriter.
The single became Depeche Mode's breakthrough hit in the UK, peaking at number 11. On June 25, 1981, the band had their first appearance in the UK chartshow 'Top of the pops'. The single was not released in other territories.
My collection: 7" single no. 2914 Found: London, November 1, 1997 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'New life' / 'Shout!'
The last of three Depeche Mode singles, and indeed the last single I bought in London on August 5. 'John the revelator' and 'Lilian' were two tracks from the band's 2005 album 'Playing the angel', released as a double A-side. On the 7" there were two remixes not available on any other (commercial) format. It was the first double A-side from Depeche Mode since 1984's 'Blasphemous Rumours/Somebody'.
The single became another number 1 hit for the band in Denmark, reaching number 18 in the UK singles chart. This picture disc 7" single is a numbered limited edition; this is number 2162.
This concludes my chronological listing of every single I bought in London on August 5. I hope you enjoyed looking in my heavy bag - without you having to carry it back to the airport and back home!
My collection: 7" single no. 3991 Found: Sister Ray, London, August 5, 2009 Cost: 6 pounds Tracks: 'John the revelator (UNKLE dub)' / 'Lilian (Robag Wruhme slomoschen kikker)'
'Suffer well' was the third single from Depeched Mode's 2005 album 'Playing the angel'. It was released in March 2006. It is the first Depeche Mode single whose lyrics are written by David Gahan. It is also the first Depeche Mode single that's not written by Martin Gore since 'Just can't get enough' in 1981, which was written by Vince Clarke. Finally, this is the first Depeche Mode single ever to be co-written with non-members of the band (Andrew Phillpott and Christian Eigner wrote the music).
The single reached number 1 in Denmark and went top 10 in Finland, Italy and Spain. In the UK, the single peaked at number 12. This picture disc 7" single was released as a numbered limited edition; this is number 3477.
My collection: 7" single no. 3990 Found: Sister Ray, London, August 5, 2009 Cost: 6 pounds Tracks: 'Suffer well (Metope vocal remix)' / 'The darkest star (Monolake remix)'
Although the meaning of almost all of Depeche Mode's songs are not revealed because Martin Gore prefers people to find their own meanings for each song, he made an exception with 'Precious', explaining that the song is written about his children and what they must have been going through when he was getting a divorce from their mother.
Released as the first single from their 2005 album 'Playing the angel', it was a number 1 hit in four countries, peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. This picture disc 7" single was released as a numbered limited edition; this is number 4535.
My collection: 7" single no. 3989 Found: Sister Ray, London, August 5, 2009 Cost: 6 pounds Tracks: 'Precious (album version)' / 'Precious (Michael Mayer Ambient mix)'
'Peace' is the second single from Depeche Mode's current album 'Sounds of the Universal'. It was released two weeks ago on two different cd-singles and this numbered limited edition 7" pressed white marbled vinyl. This is number 10891. Martin Gore told The Sun newspaper that 'Peace' is one of his favourite songs of the ones that he has ever written.
The single peaked at number 57 in the UK singles chart, just like their debut single 'Dreaming of me' in 1981. In Germany, 'Peace' reached number 25.
My collection: 7" single no. 3800 Found: eBay.co.uk, received June 25, 2009 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Peace (single version)' / 'Come back (Jonsi remix)'
The Netherlands have never been very friendly towards Depeche Mode. Having released over 40 singles, they only managed about a dozen hits in the low countries. It is no surprise that their most recent single, 'Wrong' did not chart in the Netherlands as well. Still, it was a number 1 hit in Italy, Latvia and Spain, and peaked at number 2 in Germany.
And Germany, that's where this single was made. The text 'platte in mehrfarbigem vinyl' on the sleeve pictured here simply means that the disc was pressed on vinyl of multiple colours. Basically it's a darkred disc with some splatters of black for good measure.
Depeche Mode released 'A question of lust' as the second single from their multimillion selling album 'Black celebration' (1986). In the Netherlands, where the band had a little difficulty getting any chart success, it was only their fourth chart single, peaking at number 24. However, in the UK, where the band was usually more successful, it only made number 28.
'A question of lust' was only the second single by Depeche Mode featuring lead vocals by Martin Gore, the first one being 'Somebody' (1984).
Until the imminent release of 'Wrong' in April this year, 'Martyr' is still Depeche Mode's last single release. It came out on November 13, 2006 in support of a new compilation album, 'The best of Depeche Mode volume 1'. Originally titled 'Martyr for love', the song was recorded during sessions for Depeche Mode's previous album 'Playing the angel'. It was considered as the first single from that album, but was subsequently dropped from the album because it was considered to be 'too poppy'.
Released as their 45th single, it was their 35th top 20 hit in the UK. The single was released as a numbered limited edition on a picture disc 7" vinyl.
My collection: 7" single no. 3592 Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, March 5, 2009 Cost: 4,5 euro Tracks: 'Martyr' / 'Never let me down (Digitalism remix)'
While the original version of 'Everything counts' was released as a single in 1983, this 10" single and associated releases appeared in 1989 in support of Depeche Mode's live double album 101, a recording of their live appearance at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in 1988 in America. This 10" single was the only release at the time that didn't feature the live version, but rather three remixes of 'Everything counts' plus an American 7" edit of the album track 'Nothing'.
My collection: 10" single [unnumbered] Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1989 Cost: 15 guilders Tracks: 'Everything counts (Absolut mix)' / 'Everything counts (original 1983 remix)', 'Nothing (US 7" mix)', 'Everything counts (Reprise)' Download:here
Depeche Mode have written many great songs that have stood the test of time. One of them is 'People are people' (1984). Having heard the original countless times, sometimes I get curious how other bands would perform this track.
My curiosity was finally satisfied when I found this single by Götz Alsmann and the sentimental pounders. Contrary to Depeche Mode, this band worked entirely with acoustic instruments to create a very 'cosy' version of the song. It always makes me happy when I hear this version.
'It's called a heart' was the second new track to be lifted from Depeche Mode's compilation album 'The Singles (81-85)'. Both Alan Wilder and Martin Gore have commented about their dislike of the track in hindsight. They actually wanted 'Fly on the windscreen' to be the A-side of this single, but the record company thought the violent nature of the song would be suitable for radio play (Imagine hearing the first line, 'Death is everywhere' on a sunny Sunday morning).
