Depeche Mode was one of the very first bands to ditch all conventional instruments and use exclusively synthesizers. They established themselves as forerunners of the electro pop genre that emerged in the early 1980s and would move on to be one of the most successful alternative bands in the world.
The group traces back to 1976 and went to several name and personnel changes until 1980 when the name Depeche Mode was adopted and iconic singer David Gahan joined the band. This meant that Gahan, Martin Gore and Andrew Fletcher were all in the lineup. This trio would go on and remain together as Depeche Mode for the next 30 years. Rounding out the group was founder and song writer Vince Clark. At the same time they left instruments behind for good and found their form as an electronic band.
Commercial success came shortly after. Following a couple of moderately successful singles in 1981 they released “I Just Can’t Get Enough” which proved to be a huge hit in the UK charts . Just as the band seemed destined for their major breakthrough Clark left the band. Gore would step up to fill the songwriting void left by Clark’s departure. While the next few albums failed to show much progress for the band and also lacked commercial success it would soon be evident that Gore’s evolving songwriting skills would lift the band to new heights.
By 1984 Depeche Mode’s sounds had grown darker and more ominous they finally found their breakthrough with singles like Blasphemous Rumors and Master and Servant. The singles show the darker side of Depeche Mode but also the distinctive move towards an industrial sound. The band would go from strength to strength until the 1990 release of their album Violator established them as one of the most successful underground bands in the world.
The band has managed to stay together despite well documented drug problems and a failed suicide attempt by Gahan and continuous to tour and release music both as a group and as solo project. Their long careers and consistently high quality makes it difficult to pick out their 10 best songs, but for anyone wanting to hear the best of this band you can’t go wrong with the following list.
10. I Just Can’t get enough
The bands first successful single is typically catchy, but not nearly as dark and moody as the signature sounds of the band. It is a clean cut electro pop single that shows the contrast in the early songwriting of Clark and the sinister melodies later crafted by Martin Gore. Released all the way back in 1981 this single still gets regular airtime and is an essential part of the Depeche Mode experience
9. Little 15
This song is a dark yet beautiful ballade about early adolescence and the difficulties of stepping into a grown up world. Haunting in both melody and lyrics it delivers it’s message in a compelling way. A low key yet powerful voice in support of teenage rebellion and separation.
8. Everything Counts
This song is a prime example of the industrial sound Depeche Mode evolved from the mid 80’s. The mechanical beats and highly synthesized sound would not feel out of place in a Front 242 single. The songs still retains Gore’s fantastic ability to write beautiful melodies and the chorus has a stadium “sing along” appeal that is so typical for Depeche Mode’s best songs.
7. Never Let Me Down Again
Another haunting entry that shows the core of the bands appeal, the uncanny ability of Gore’s song writing and Gahan’s lyrics to merge together as a perfect unit. The lyrics tell the desperate story of heroin addiction in the form of a road trip with ‘my best friend. The lyrics are powerful on their own but the simple melody carries the massage across perfectly. The love/hate relationship with the drug can be felt in the sad and desperate music.
6. Strange Love
The first single from ‘Music For the Masses’ was released in two versions. The original song was fast paced and carried on the electro pop roots of he band. By this time though Depeche Mode had developed into a much darker style and the single is a poor fit with the album. The song was remixed and slowed down for the album version and it is this version that most people today associate with the song. The original single was never released in America, the remixed album track was the official single in the American market.
5. Only when I lose myself
A beautifully crafted melody is what lifts this song into the top five list. The song is different from the typical Depeche Mode model. As close to a love ballad as you will find in their catalog the lyrics are not the strong point of this song. In fact, in straying from the usually dark and moody formula the lyrics at time feel a little corny. The songwriting however is truly inspired and conveys the tender beauty that the lyrics can’t quite deliver.
4. Blasphemous Rumors
As twisted and dark as it gets this song covers some truly disturbing situations. In typical fashion they paint a thoroughly black picture of reality and also delivers a kick to religion. Two common themes in their music. The terrible tragedies that happen every day on our planet are explained by the theory that God has a sick sense of humor.
3. It’s No Good
Depeche Mode despite their well earned reputation for dark and sinister themes can actually be a very funny band. Everybody might not catch on to the humorous side of this tale of unanswered love, but the hopeless detachment from reality is put across with a good dose of humor. The hilarious music video for the song underscores these points very well. The song itself is brilliant and again the superior melody crafting of Martin Gore is complemented perfectly by Gahan’s voice.
2. Personal Jesus
Again the band offers their take on religion. This song is an attack on the commercialized and non committal surface religion that is common in the West. The song is also a mainstay and crowd favorite when the band plays live. The signature chant “Reach Out and Touch Faith!” lends itself perfectly for the crowd to sing along. This song can easily keep going for more than 10 minutes if the crowd really gets into it.
1. Enjoy The Silence
Arguably the best known Depeche Mode song, this mega hit is also their best. A powerful song about connecting with other people it is a touching portrait of a moment of bliss in the company of a lover. It wouldn’t be Depche Mode though if the song didn’t stir up some angst and despair. The lyrics are almost pleading in trying to preserve a moment of non verbal communication. It lays bare the frustration of not being able to verbalize our most precious feelings and moments. In fact the song claims that in situations like these words “Can only do harm”.
Many will undoubtedly feel that this list does not represent the best of Depeche Mode. With a body of songs so strong it’s very difficult to pick only 10. While compiling this list I realized that a top 20 list would probably do the band more justice. However, every single song on this list is an excellent song and would serve as a great entry point to explore this excellent group.
