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)
Cover Me
Depeche Mode Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been up all night
I can feel it coming
The morning light
The air is so cold here
It's so hard to breathe
We better take cover
Way up here with the Northern lights
Beyond you and me
I dreamt of us in another life
One we've never reached
You know we're sinking
We could fade away
I'm not going down
Not today
The air is so cold here
Too cold to see
We have to take cover
Cover me
Way up here with the Northern lights
Beyond these broken bars
I pictured us in another life
Where we're all super stars
In the song "Cover Me" by Depeche Mode, the lyrics describe a feeling of vulnerability and the need for protection from the uncertainty of life. The opening lines "I've felt better, I've been up all night, I can feel it coming, the morning light" suggests a feeling of restlessness and anticipation for something to come. The next lines "The air is so cold here, it's so hard to breathe, we better take cover, will you cover me?" indicates a sense of fear and a desire to be protected. The metaphorical reference to taking cover implies a need for emotional protection from whatever is causing the cold, harsh environment.
The song continues with the lines "Way up here with the Northern lights, beyond you and me, I dreamt of us in another life, one we've never reached". This suggests a longing for something beyond the current reality, a desire for a life that is not attainable. The reference to the Northern lights, which are known for their beauty and rareness, adds to the idea of seeking something beyond reach.
The line "You know we're sinking, we could fade away, I'm not going down, not today" adds a sense of urgency and determination to the song. It suggests that the singer is aware of the risk of sinking and fading away, but refuses to give up. The repetition of "not today" shows a refusal to succumb to whatever is causing the fear and sense of vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
I've felt better
I am not doing well.
I've been up all night
I haven't been able to sleep.
I can feel it coming
I sense something is about to happen.
The morning light
The new day is beginning.
The air is so cold here
The environment around me is unpleasant and uncomfortable to be in.
It's so hard to breathe
The situation is suffocating me and making it difficult for me to function.
We better take cover
We need to find refuge and protect ourselves from what's coming.
Will you cover me?
Will you protect me and provide shelter for me?
Way up here with the Northern lights
In this elevated state, observing the natural beauty of the aurora borealis.
Beyond you and me
Looking past our current situation and life challenges, hopeful for something better.
I dreamt of us in another life
I imagined us in a different reality, where we have achieved our goals and are happy.
One we've never reached
The life we desire and aspire to live, but we haven't yet attained it.
You know we're sinking
Our situation is dire and we are losing ground.
We could fade away
There is a risk that we could gradually disappear into nothingness.
I'm not going down
I won't give up or accept defeat.
Not today
I am determined to keep fighting and survive.
Too cold to see
The surroundings are too hostile and unfriendly to effectively navigate.
We have to take cover
We are in a critical situation and must protect ourselves.
Cover me
Provide me with shelter and refuge from the danger and uncertainty.
Beyond these broken bars
In a space where limitations and barriers no longer exist.
I pictured us in another life
In my imagination, I envisioned a life where we are happy and fulfilled.
Where we're all super stars
Living as successful and prominent figures in society, commanding respect and admiration from others.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Gahan, Christian Eigner, Peter Gordeno
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BM-zu3ph
I've felt better
I've been up all night
I can feel it coming
The morning light
The air is so cold here
It's so hard to breathe
We better take cover
Will you cover me?
Way up here with the Northern lights
Beyond you and me
I dreamt of us in another life
One we've never reached
You know we're sinking
We could fade away
I'm not going down
Not today
The air is so cold here
Too cold to see
We have to take cover
Cover me
Way up here with the Northern lights
Beyond these broken bars
I pictured us in another life
Where we're all super stars
@DaFuqBoom
I can't believe I can't find a single comment understanding the complexity of this escapism song. It's brilliant, and very cinematic.
@serhet77_28
I believe fletch hired you to take comment section up to another level
@TheLillypillies
I agree.. it inspired our song "broken angel" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9IR4UF-yY8
@43nostromo
Sometimes there are artists who I am drawn to, but don't fully understand: DM, Kubrick, David Lynch. The part of my brain that knows why won't talk to me.
@elizabethbell4697
Without a doubt one of their best tunes ever.
@dr_rune
Many readings can be made about this song. For instance, you see it as escapism, I see it as surrender to Purpose.
@rycolligan
Depeche Mode is more than a band. They're a feeling. A feeling we've all had at one point or another. And I'm glad they're there to say "You're not alone."
@MrInterestingthings
You have made the most intelligent and true statement about this band People want music that reflects real life and their experience . The Rolling Stones gave us that and so did DM . The darkness made us all find a way to connect and gain strentgh to make sense of ourselelves and life . Interpol dived into it and never resurfaced I guess .
@jacquelinecamp313
Ugghhh...sir, I think I love you. Lol.
@phanoonki
Beautifully said