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)
Behind_the_wheel
Depeche Mode Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do what you want
I don't care
Tonight I'm in the hands of fate
I hand myself over on a plate
Now
Oh, little girl, there are times when I feel
Come, pull my strings
Watch me move, I do anything
Please
Sweet little girl, I prefer
You behind the wheel and me the passenger
Drive, I'm yours to keep
Do what you want, I'm going cheap
Tonight
You're behind the wheel tonight
You're behind the wheel tonight
You're behind the wheel tonight
You're behind the wheel tonight
You're behind the wheel tonight
The lyrics of Depeche Mode's "Behind the Wheel" describe a sense of surrendering control and putting one's fate in someone else's hands. The singer, who refers to himself as "little girl," invites another person to take over the driving while he becomes the passenger. Despite his initial reluctance to do so, he ultimately gives in to his desire to be led by fate, even if it means giving up control over his own life.
The song can be interpreted in a number of ways. Some have read the lyrics as a metaphor for a romantic relationship where one person is the dominant partner, while the other is submissive. Others have seen it as an exploration of the complexities of power and control in human relationships.
Ultimately, the message of "Behind the Wheel" is one of surrender and relinquishing control in the face of an uncertain future. Whether this is a positive or negative message is up for debate, but the song remains a powerful and often misunderstood anthem of 80s pop culture.
Line by Line Meaning
My little girl
The singer uses the expression 'My little girl' to address another person, probably someone younger or less experienced, yet capable, who he's willing to entrust with the responsibility of driving.
Drive anywhere
The singer authorizes the person he addresses to drive anywhere they want, without any restrictions or objections from his part.
Do what you want
The singer gives the person he addresses carte blanche to do what they want, implying a relaxed, carefree attitude and complete trust.
I don't care
The artist reassures the person he addresses that he doesn't care about anything else than enjoying the ride, emphasizing the importance of being in the present moment.
Tonight
The artist sets the context for the events he's narrating: the action takes place tonight, which implies a certain degree of excitement, thrill or spontaneity.
I'm in the hands of fate
The singer admits that he's relinquishing control over his destiny, acknowledging that he's just a passenger in the vehicle of life and accepting whatever comes his way.
I hand myself
The singer uses the expression 'I hand myself' to convey the idea that he surrenders himself willingly to the circumstances, abandoning his desire to be in charge.
Over on a plate
The artist uses the expression 'Over on a plate' to suggest that he offers himself as a sacrifice, making himself vulnerable and exposed to whatever the future holds.
Now
The artist emphasizes the immediacy of the situation and the importance of acting in the present, without worrying about the consequences.
Oh little girl
The artist addresses the person he's talking to by using the expression 'Oh little girl', which implies a certain degree of familiarity or intimacy with the other person.
There are times when I feel
The singer admits that there are moments when he has doubts or hesitations about his role, suggesting a certain level of insecurity about his own ability to handle the situation.
I rather not be
The artist uses the expression 'I rather not be' to convey the idea that he feels uncomfortable or inadequate in certain situations, preferring to relinquish control over others.
The one behind the wheel
The singer refers to himself as 'The one behind the wheel', which implies a position of power and responsibility, something he's willing to trade for a more passive role.
Come
The singer invites the person he's addressing to take the reins and assume the role of the driver, suggesting that he trusts her implicitly and feels comfortable with her behind the wheel.
Pull my strings
The singer uses the expression 'Pull my strings' to suggest that he's willing to be controlled or manipulated by the other person, implying a degree of subservience or submission.
Watch me move
The artist challenges the other person to witness his reaction to her control, implying that he's anticipating the experience with eagerness or curiosity.
I do anything
The artist implies that he's ready to be adventurous or experimental, suggesting a certain openness to new experiences or ideas.
Please
The singer uses the word 'Please' as an invite or request, imploring the other person to take control and assume the role of the driver.
Sweet little girl
The singer addresses the other person affectionately, using the expression 'Sweet little girl' to convey a sense of tenderness or caring.
I prefer
The artist makes it clear that he favors the other person as the driver, suggesting that he feels safer or more comfortable with her behind the wheel.
You behind the wheel
The artist summarizes his message by repeating the idea that he wants the other person to take control and drive, implying a certain degree of trust, dependence, and vulnerability.
Drive
The artist acknowledges the authority of the other person over the vehicle, giving her permission to drive and take them wherever she wants to go.
I'm yours to keep
The singer uses the expression 'I'm yours to keep' to suggest that he's surrendered himself completely to the other person, giving her full control over him and his destiny.
I'm going cheap
The artist uses the expression 'I'm going cheap' to imply that he's willing to be taken advantage of or exploited, suggesting a certain degree of self-deprecation or desperation.
You're behind the wheel, tonight
The singer concludes his message by reiterating the idea that he's handing over control to the other person and allowing her to drive, emphasizing the temporal aspect of the situation: 'tonight'.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Martin Lee Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@walterjunior7361
My little girl, drive anywhere
Do what you want
I don’t care
Tonight, I’m in the hands of fate
I hand myself, over on a plate
Now
Oh little girl, there are times when I feel
I’d rather not be, the one behind the wheel
Come, pull my strings
Watch me move, I do anything
Please
Sweet little girl, I prefer
You behind the wheel and me the passenger
Drive, I’m yours to keep
Do what you want, I’m going cheap
Tonight
You’re behind the wheel
tonight
(Drive anywhere, do what you want)
You’re behind the wheel
(Behind the wheel, I’m in the hands of fate)
tonight
You’re behind the wheel
@faffinoodle
Such an underrated song. The clip is a masterpiece too.
@plutostube
underrated for top 100 billboard in the last 30 years or so, yes. for the rest of us will always be a masterpiece
@juanaltredo2974
sometimes, even DM fans like myself, dont listen to them for a period of time and when we hear them back again, we're amazed at how good these guys were and still are. Amazed. They transport you to their world with only a few notes, you're instantly there. Isnt that the definition of a drug? I guess they're a musical drug, but a drug that makes you stronger
@maikepfrogner4517
juan altredo my thinking. I was a big Fan with 15. My room was alover with everything from them. I dont know why an how i lost them. Now i saw something on tv about them. Since that I pulled out the old songs. Again and again...😊
@maikepfrogner4517
I dont like all songs, but the older ones, like behind the wheel, let me close my eyes and dream from better days. I would love to hear them as loud as possible, feel the drums in my body. I think, ive you loved them once, they stay in your mind, come back when you realy need something and help you. Its realy like a drug (soory for german english + to mutch words)
@englishbymrsviolet1857
It's exactly like that
@garylakey5363
Perfectly put!
@andreisuko
ASI MERO MI JUAN
@acousticmusic4777
30 years later, the 80's still sound like the future
@Spleffytunes
Try 40 years later - it’s 2023