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)
Little Soul
Depeche Mode Lyrics
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Shine out so bright and illuminate your mind
My little soul will leave a footprint
This little voice is going to sing
I have no choice
It will infinitely ring
My little soul will leave a footprint
I'm channeling the universe
It's focusing its love inside of me
A singularity
My little words are going to sting
Haven't you heard the pain and joy they bring?
My little soul will leave a footprint
I'm channeling the universe
It's focusing its love inside of me
A singularity
Your little eyes, they're going to see
I can't disguise the beauty inside me
My little soul will leave a footprint
In "Little Soul" by Depeche Mode, the singer is describing their innermost self, which they refer to as their "little soul." They see their little soul as a powerful force that will be felt by others and will have a lasting impact. Throughout the song, the singer talks about how their little soul is going to shine, leaving a footprint on the world by illuminating others' minds.
The singer also speaks of how their little voice will sing and leave an imprint, describing the power of their words to sting with pain or bring joy. They feel that they are channeling the universe, with love focusing inside of them to create a singularity, a point of infinite strength that will leave an impact on all who encounter it.
Ultimately, the singer acknowledges that their little soul will be seen by others, who will recognize the beauty inside of them. Through the song, the singer is asserting their own self-worth, recognizing the value of their own soul and its ability to affect others.
Line by Line Meaning
My little light is going to shine
I am confident that my talents will shine and I will make a positive impact
Shine out so bright and illuminate your mind
My light will not only benefit me, but also those around me by enlightening their thoughts
My little soul will leave a footprint
My existence will have a lasting impression on the world
This little voice is going to sing
My voice will be heard and I will speak up for what I believe in
I have no choice
It is my purpose to use my voice and I am obligated to do so
It will infinitely ring
My message will resonate with others for eternity
I'm channeling the universe
I believe that there is a greater force guiding me and I am listening to it
It's focusing its love inside of me
The universe is providing me with love and energy to accomplish my goals
A Singularity
I am becoming one with the universe and experiencing a transformative moment
My little words Are going to sting
My words will be powerful and may cause a reaction
Haven't you heard The pain and joy they bring?
My words have the power to bring both positive and negative emotions
Your little eyes, they're going to see
Others will witness my actions and their impact
I can't disguise the beauty inside me
My inner beauty will radiate outwardly and cannot be hidden
My little soul will leave a footprint
My impact on the world will be significant
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind