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)
Death
Depeche Mode Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will I take my rest, among the blessed?
Mother, are you waiting? Father, are you pacing?
I'm coming home
I'm knocking on Death's door
Will I take my rest, in my Sunday best?
Mother, are you anxious? Father, are you gracious?
I've been away too long
For so long you've been strong
I've been away too long
I know that it was wrong but I'm coming home
Well I'm knocking on Death's door
Will I take my rest? Have I passed the test?
Mother, are you praying? Father, I am saying
I'm coming home
The lyrics of Depeche Mode's "Death in 2" portrays a contemplation of the afterlife. The singer or the singer of the song seems to be approaching death's door or the end of their life. The song starts with a profound and thought-provoking question, "Will I take my rest, among the blessed?" The singer is curious about their fate and wonders if they will be among those who have passed away before them.
The singer also addresses their parents in the lyrics, "Mother, are you waiting? Father, are you pacing?" This gives the impression that the singer is either leaving behind a family or is concerned about what their parents will think of them in the afterlife.
As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges that they have been away for a long time and that it was wrong of them to be away for so long. However, they emphasize that it is time to come home now. This could suggest that the singer has been living a life that was not aligned with their values or was perhaps compromised in some way.
Throughout the song, the repeated phrase, "I'm coming home," shows the singer's acceptance of their mortality and their imminent demise. The song leaves a sense of introspection and encourages listeners to contemplate what happens after death.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm knocking on Death's door
I am close to dying
Will I take my rest, among the blessed?
I wonder if I will find peace in death
Mother, are you waiting?
I wonder if my mother is waiting for me on the other side
Father, are you pacing?
I wonder if my father is anxious about me
I'm coming home
I'm about to die and go to the afterlife
Will I take my rest in my Sunday best?
I wonder if I will die at peace with myself
Mother, are you anxious?
I wonder if my mother is worried about me
Father, are you gracious?
I wonder if my father will forgive me
I've been away too long
I have been alive for too long
For so long you've been strong
For too long, others have been watching me struggle
I know that it was wrong
I know that I have made mistakes in my life
But I'm coming home
But now, I am ready to die and go to the afterlife
Will I take my rest, have I passed the test?
I wonder if I have lived a worthy life
Mother, are you praying?
I wonder if my mother is praying for me
Father, I am saying
Father, hear my voice
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andreybelove2852
RIP Andy. I was a big fan of DM in 80's and beginning of 90's, until Alan left and the sound changed. But I always kept a special place in my heart for their music. So sad...
@cyrilkazimirov8538
I was really shocked when I heard the news. I couldn't believe it and burst into tears. For me it's like a loss of a close friend. I've been listening to Depeche Mode for 30 years and its members are like relative people for me. Thank you, Andrew for your life and work! All your Russian fans are mourning with me. Rest in peace, our dear musician! Kirill (Cyril) Kazimirov, Astrakhan, Russia.
@arfriedman4577
RIP fletch. I've been listening to Depeche mode and their side projects since people are people played on usa radio.
it always amazes me how many Russian fans DM has.
@neon7710
Yeah. If only he had said no he would still here. Aortic dissection is common amongst recipients.
@rocker76m88
RIP Fletch 🙏 You brought such joy through your music. Deepest condolences to your family, friends, and fans.
@modegirl4779
We love you, Fletch! I’ve said your name every day since Dec. 2013 when I adopted a very awesome orange kitten named Fletch. Depeche Mode will always be my favorite! RIP Fletch!
@habr-babr
My God! Rest in peace Andy...we will cry in your every note...
@DJdext
Note? He didn't ever actually play any parts on a DM recording. He certainly could clap. So I'll miss that.
@dantopan1085
@@DJdext ,he wasn't the vocalist,it's true but he was a part of DM.
@SlawomirKonieczny
„Things get damaged, things get broken…”
R.I.P. Andrew 🙁