The song stands out for its emotive and soulful vocals, delivered by lead singer Dave Gahan. The lyrics explore themes of guilt, redemption, and seeking forgiveness, evoking a sense of inner conflict and spiritual yearning. The use of gospel-inspired backing vocals adds a unique dimension to the song's atmosphere, creating a juxtaposition between the secular and the sacred.
"Condemnation" received positive acclaim from both fans and critics, highlighting its heartfelt delivery and the band's willingness to experiment with new musical styles. The incorporation of gospel influences and the raw vulnerability of Gahan's vocals contribute to the song's emotional impact.
The song's distinctive sound and introspective lyrics have made it a standout track in Depeche Mode's discography, reflecting the band's ongoing evolution and willingness to push artistic boundaries. "Condemnation" showcases the band's ability to blend diverse musical elements while maintaining their signature introspective and thought-provoking approach.
As a key track on Songs of Faith and Devotion, "Condemnation" remains a testament to Depeche Mode's ability to continually evolve their sound and deliver deeply resonant songs that connect with audiences on an emotional level.
Condemnation
Depeche Mode Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tried
Here on the stand with the book in my hand
Truth on my side
Accusations, lies
Hand me my sentence, I'll show no repentance
I'll suffer with pride
I don't sympathise
For kindness you substitute blindness
Please open your eyes
Condemnation
Why?
Because my duty was always to beauty
And that was my crime
Feel elation
High
To know I can trust this fix of injustice
Time after time
If you see purity as immaturity
Well, it's no surprise
If for kindness you substitute blindness
Please open your eyes
The lyrics of "Condemnation" by Depeche Mode are an expression of the singer's defiance in the face of false accusations and unjust treatment. The vocalist declares that he is on the stand with the "book in his hand" and truth on his side. He is ready to accept his sentence without showing any repentance because he believes that he is innocent. The song points out the harshness of the justice system, which demands that individuals accept guilt to receive sympathy, even when they are innocent. The singer rejects this notion since he was always committed to beauty, and that was his only fault, for which he is being condemned.
The song suggests that the accusers have replaced kindness with blindness, and they should open their eyes to see the truth. The singer asks, "Why?," a rhetorical question that challenges the validity of the accusations on him. He feels elated because he knows he can trust the fix of injustices time after time. The lyrics suggest that those who associate purity with immaturity should not be surprised because they fail to see the truth. The song ends with a plea for those who substitute kindness with blindness to "open their eyes."
Overall, "Condemnation" by Depeche Mode delivers a powerful message about the need for fairness and justice, suggesting that we should all seek to see the truth and avoid judging others based on hearsay or appearances.
Line by Line Meaning
Condemnation
The act of punishing me for a supposed wrongdoing
Tried
Being judged for an alleged crime
Here on the stand with the book in my hand
Standing in court holding a Bible, being sworn in to tell the truth
Truth on my side
I am telling the truth
Accusations, lies
I have been accused of something I did not do
Hand me my sentence, I'll show no repentance
Give me my punishment, I will not admit to doing something wrong
I'll suffer with pride
I will bear the punishment without shame
If for honesty you want apologies
If you are looking for an apology for me telling the truth
I don't sympathise
I don't feel sorry for being honest
For kindness you substitute blindness
You mistake kindness for weakness or ignorance
Please open your eyes
Realize that kindness is not weakness or ignorance
Condemnation
The act of punishing me for a supposed wrongdoing
Why?
Asking why I'm being punished when I did nothing wrong
Because my duty was always to beauty
I have always strived for beauty or artistry in my work
And that was my crime
My desire for beauty was wrongly interpreted as a crime
Feel elation
I am happy
High
I am in a great state of mind
To know I can trust this fix of injustice
I can trust that the injustice will continue to be carried out
Time after time
This injustice is recurrent
If you see purity as immaturity
If you mistake purity for immaturity
Well, it's no surprise
It's not surprising if you don't understand purity
If for kindness you substitute blindness
You mistake kindness for weakness or ignorance
Please open your eyes
Realize that kindness is not weakness or ignorance
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Martin Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MonsterMom7
I know it was he's darkest point of Dave's life when this was made 😥
But I think thats why we can hear and FEEL the emotions (especially) so well from that time /& devotional tour ❤️😔🙏 (just my pov)
A song like this, I think needs that dark emotions we all goes through, so I feel even though he suffered tremendously 😔 this song is a great example when music, a song is believable & pierce into your heart 😊
And this song is in deed believable and one of the gratest tracks made in music history 👍
Just this video/sing shows a fractions of Depeches Modes greatness.
The uniqueness with them is that whatever experiment they did/do with trying out like here a Gospel inspred song, you STILL hear without a doubt it's DM 👍 👏👏👏
It's like watching Van Gogh's paintings ans see all tbe different things he painted, he didnt inly paint landscape but also a shoe. But when you look at it you KNOW it's Van Gogh! 🤔
It's the same with DM, whatever they make, you KNOW its them!
I even remember I had to listen to Personal Jesus twice to be sure I really heard acoustic guitar, but it was and they keep reinventing themselves.
They're simply geniuses and derserve much more credit! And sad for those who missed out on following the growth of the band.
But they've been diibg this successfully for long 😁🙏 and gain new fans each day. I just "met up" with a heavy letal band who's inspiration us Depeche Mode & I'm not into Japanese music 😅 I could heat they are inspired by DM & sounds okay 🎶✌️
I'm glad my kids know who DM are & enjoy some of their songs, they're still finding their own style etc, I mran my kids, lol 😂
Anywho.... This video shows their range! Wether it's: People e are People, I want you know, Precious, Barrel of a Gun, Just can't get enough, Enjoy the Silence, Blasphemous Rumors, Personal Jesus, Higher, I feel you, Strange love, ,Wrong, Heaven, Wheres the Revelution and I could keep going on & on & on 😅 but the range is enormous and sounds from an engine from a Porsche , bicycles, glasbeads and oebbles been thrown, they tey everything
Even the lyrics shows they take chances, the expansion of life experiences, the darkness in many of their lyrics and others so uplifting .... 🎶
Soory for long comment but I love Depeche Mode 😁💕✌️
Great that this band conbects us all in some way no matter where we come from 😊❤️🙏
@grom8cs
[Verse 1]
Condemnation
Tried
Here on the stand with the book in my hand
Truth on my side
Accusations
Lies
Hand me my sentence, I'll show no repentance
I'll suffer with pride
[Verse 2]
If for honesty, you want apologies
I don't sympathize
If for kindness, you substitute blindness
Please open your eyes
[Verse 3]
Condemnation
Why?
Because my duty was always to beauty
And that was my crime
Feel elation
High
To know I can trust this fix of injustice
Time after time
[Verse 4]
If you see purity as immaturity
Well, it's no surprise
If for kindness, you substitute blindness
Please open your eyes
@23cla69
I survived my depression listening to Depeche Mode. I'm forever grateful!
@EduardoSantos-cu4lj
I feel you Arturo!
@pepper1188
Ditto
@BBBORDEAUX
♥️
@constantfotiadis6161
Arturo Cabral I can feel it❤I hope you are well by now
@alankogut3243
I'm glad u made it way to go
@leoniereinbothe
Can't stop crying 😢 Daves vocals are AMAZING here ❤
@AyanaS_275
Oh wow, the same, I start crying whenever I hear ‘Condemnation’ ,not sure what it is, but probably some inner pain in Dave’s voice in that song specifically that resonates with something deep inside us, not sure…
@fallinginthed33p
He was also a hot cookie back then.
@paddleduck5328
🖤 🌹