The band has been highly influential in the electronic dance music scene, especially synthpop, techno, and trance, partly due to their innovative work, recording techniques, and use of sampling. Their most successful album is arguably 1990's Violator, which reached the #2 position in the UK, #7 in the US, and sold over 8 million copies worldwide. The band has released a long series of high-charting singles over their three-decades long career. Enjoy the Silence is their most recognized song and one of history's most covered songs.
The original line-up was Dave Gahan, Martin L. Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke. In December 1981, Clarke left the band and later formed Yazoo, The Assembly, and Erasure. Alan Wilder joined the group initially in January 1982 as a live keyboardist but became an official member in December 1982. He left in mid-1995 to fully concentrate on his Recoil project, and the band continued as a trio. In 2010 Wilder re-joined Depeche Mode on stage after 16 years for a performance of Somebody during a show at London's Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Depeche Mode's origins date back to 1977, when Vince Clarke and Andrew Fletcher formed a band called No Romance in China, with Clarke on vocals and guitar and Fletcher on bass. In March 1980, Clarke, Gore, and Fletcher formed a band called Composition of Sound, with Clarke on vocals/guitar, Gore on keyboards, and Fletcher on bass. Soon after the formation of Composition of Sound, Clarke, and Fletcher switched to synthesizers. Dave Gahan joined the band in 1980 after Clarke heard him perform at a local scout hut jam session, singing to a rendition of David Bowie's "Heroes" and Depeche Mode was born.
While playing a live gig at the Bridge House in Canning Town, Daniel Miller, the founder of Mute Records, approached the band, who proposed a verbal contract. The result was their first single, Dreaming of Me, recorded in December 1980 and released in February 1981, reaching number 57 in the UK charts and followed soon by a real contract with Mute.
To date, Depeche Mode have released:
15 studio albums: Speak & Spell (1981), A Broken Frame (1982), Construction Time Again (1983), Some Great Reward (1984), Black Celebration (1986), Music For the Masses (1987), Violator (1990), Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993), Ultra (1997), Exciter (2001), Playing the Angel (2005), Sounds of the Universe (2009), Delta Machine (2013), Spirit (2017), and Memento Mori (2023);
8 compilations: People Are People (1984), The Singles 81-85 (1985), Catching Up with Depeche Mode (1985), Greatest Hits (1987), The Singles 86>98 (1998), Remixes 81-04 (2004), The Best Of Depeche Mode Volume 1 (2006), The Complete Depeche Mode (2006);
5 live albums: 101 (1989), Songs of Faith and Devotion Live (1993), Recording the Angel (a series of live recordings; 2006), Tour Of The Universe: Barcelona 20/21:11:09 (2009) and Live In Berlin (Soundtrack) (2014) ;
Over 50 singles: including Just Can't Get Enough, Everything Counts, People Are People, Master and Servant, Shake the Disease, Stripped, A Question of Time, Strangelove, Never Let Me Down Again, Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence, World in My Eyes, Policy of Truth, I Feel You, Walking in My Shoes, In Your Room, Barrel of a Gun, It's No Good, Home, Dream On, Freelove, Precious, Wrong and Heaven ;
14 live / video collections (VHS/DVD/Blu-ray): The World We Live In and Live in Hamburg (1985), Some Great Videos (1985), Strange (1988), 101 (1989), Strange Too (1990), Devotional (1993), The Videos 86>98 (1998), One Night in Paris (2002), The Videos 86>98 (2002), Touring the Angel: Live in Milan (2006), The Best of - Volume 1 (2006), Tour of the Universe : Barcelona 20/21.11.09 (2009), Live in Berlin (2014) and Video Singles Collection (2016)
A Pain That I`m Used To
Depeche Mode Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just know that I'm harder to console
I don't see who I'm trying to be instead of me
But the key is a question of control
Can you say what you're trying to play anyway?
I just pay while you're breaking all the rules
All the signs that I find have been underlined
All this running around, well it's getting me down
Just give me a pain that I'm used to
I don't need to believe all the dreams you conceive
You just need to achieve something that rings true
There's a hole in your soul like an animal
With no conscience, repentance, oh no
Close your eyes, pay the price for your paradise
Devils feed on the seeds of the soul
I can't conceal what I feel, what I know is real
No mistaking the faking, I care
With a prayer in the air, I will leave it there
On a note full of hope not despair
All this running around, well it's getting me down
Just give me a pain that I'm used to
I don't need to believe all the dreams you conceive
You just need to achieve something that rings true
All this running around, well it's getting me down
Just give me a pain that I'm used to
I don't need to believe all the dreams you conceive
You just need to achieve something that rings true
The song "A Pain That I'm Used To" by Depeche Mode expresses a sense of emotional detachment and dissatisfaction. The lyricist declares that they are uncertain about what they are searching for in life but realize that they are difficult to comfort or console. They feel as though they are playing a role instead of being true to themselves, and the key to finding their way is understanding what it means to have control.
The second verse of the song seems to address a person who is trying to have an effect on the lyricist but is breaking all the rules in the process. The singer of the song is not swayed by meaningless dreams but is looking for something genuine and sincere. The chorus of the song seems to suggest that the lyricist would rather feel pain than remain stagnant in their emotional growth. The singer finds hope within themselves and vows to never lose it no matter what obstacles come their way.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal human experience of feeling lost while searching for meaning in life. The lyrics are open to interpretation, inviting the listener to find their own meaning within the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not sure what I'm looking for anymore
My search for purpose and meaning in life has become confusing and uncertain.
I just know that I'm harder to console
Despite my uncertainty, I am resistant to comfort and reassurance.
I don't see who I'm trying to be instead of me
I have lost sight of my true self and am striving to be someone or something else.
But the key is a question of control
My struggle is ultimately about the need for control over my life and circumstances.
Can you say what you're trying to play anyway?
I am unsure of your intentions and motivations in our interactions.
I just pay while you're breaking all the rules
I feel helpless as you disregard established norms and expectations with no regard for consequences.
All the signs that I find have been underlined
All evidence or guidance available to me has been emphasized, but remains unclear or unhelpful.
Devils thrive on the drive that is fueled
Negative forces exploit and flourish from powerful motivations and desires.
All this running around, well it's getting me down
My constant activity and searching is becoming exhausting and disheartening.
Just give me a pain that I'm used to
I would prefer to stick with familiar difficulties and struggles rather than venture into uncertain territory.
I don't need to believe all the dreams you conceive
I am not interested in following your vision or ideals for the future.
You just need to achieve something that rings true
Instead, I hope you will strive for accomplishments that align with your true values and beliefs.
There's a hole in your soul like an animal
You are lacking a fundamental component of your being, like a creature devoid of instinct or emotion.
With no conscience, repentance, oh no
You seem unconcerned with or unaffected by the pain and hurt you cause others.
Close your eyes, pay the price for your paradise
You may gain something you desire, but at a great personal cost or sacrifice.
Devils feed on the seeds of the soul
Negative influences thrive on vulnerabilities and weaknesses within the human spirit.
I can't conceal what I feel, what I know is real
Despite my attempts to hide or minimize my emotions, I cannot deny the truth of what I am experiencing.
No mistaking the faking, I care
While I may put on a facade at times, I do genuinely care about others and their well-being.
With a prayer in the air, I will leave it there
I am hopeful for a positive outcome, but ultimately trust in a higher power or fate to guide me forward.
On a note full of hope not despair
My outlook is one of optimism and positivity rather than defeat or gloom.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DaFuqBoom
Finally, this vid in good quality.
@tommasomoro1754
but the music isn't
@alexprice9680
Disagree with this IMO is in the top 5 post Alan leaving
@pammaggio8135
My fave vid!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️
@rutaryliskiene8376
Sure
@bifocalprime6345
brother you’re everywhere, from transformers to depeche mode, etc
@isabel.bolivia
And to think there are "fans" who don't appreciate the 2000s albums!!! This is pure gold!
@SNESdrunk
Their loss
@carloguerrieri8308
Father forgive them, because they don't know what they say...
@user-gk6ii7jv1z
hey, =that one= was obiously the best one in last 20 years )